Larry Johnson Wants More Money

I suppose I could make some Jerry Maguire joke right now, but I try not to be lame.

According to an interview with Jason Whitlock in the Kansas City Star, Larry Johnson is not happy with the amount of compensation he's getting from the Chiefs and has decided that he'd rather not show up for work until this is rectified. In other words, LJ wants more money or he's taking his ball and going home.

Now while I feel for LJ as he is vastly underpaid ($1.7 million next year) for a back of his caliber, I don't know if you're going to get sympathy from an EXTREMELY loyal fanbase by saying stuff like this,

“I’m prepared,” Johnson said matter-of-factly. “They (my agent and father) got me saving money. I’m hustling to get more money to put in the bank. They already started setting aside different accounts, if that would have to happen. They’re already telling me to be cautious about how I spend, where I go and stuff like that. To make sure that if it goes down like that, then I’ve got to be able to pace myself so I won’t be in trouble.”

Wait, wait, wait. Is he serious? Apparently Johnson is going to have to buckle down a bit and save some money because he won't have enough if he holds out. Apparently he barely makes it by with the paltry sum the NFL pays him and now he may have to save some cash. This may go down with the great Gary Payton quote during the NBA lockout when he said he may have to sell one of his cars. Hilarious.

Oh, and how much money is LJ reportedly asking for you ask? Only Peyton Manning money, which is about $35 million in guaranteed money, which is also about $14 million more than LaDainian Tomlinson is making. I'm guessing that most (read:all) NFL general managers would agree with me when I say that a (almost) 28 year old running back with a great deal of wear on his tires isn't worth as much as the best QB in the NFL. I really like you Larry, but let's be honest here, once a running back hits 30 it's usually downhill, and the way Coach Edwards is running you into the ground I could see you hitting the wall sooner than most.

Hopefully these two sides come together in that fabulous area we call "the middle ground," and LJ doesn't hold out, but if he does it will throw the Chiefs and a lot of fantasy drafts in a bit of disarray. Thank God I don't draft till August so I can see how this turns out.

Via: Kansas City Star

( Add your comments )

Recent Entries:
· Grant enters not guilty plea
· Davis apologizes for missing practice
· Can Indy finally grab Super Bowl?

[ READER COMMENTS ]

(Note: separate multiple email addresses with commas)

Larry Johnson Wants More Money

Add your comments...

We kindly ask that you keep your comments relevant to this blog entry. Abusive or inappropriate comments or comments that are specifically promotional in nature may be removed.