Larry Johnson - Buy low or bust?

[Felix the Cat]

The Chiefs have a tough schedule for the first 5 games and LJ is coming off a holdout in which he missed training camp. Was anyone expecting him to be awesome for the first month of the season?

He's definitely a buy low candidate, especially as he will continue to perform below expectations over the coming 3 weeks.

[Plindsey88]

He's a buy low candidate, but I wouldn't expect top-5 numbers from him... Most of us here at the Cafe called his mediocre season in the off-season... Losing two Hall of Fame linemen in two years, inexperience at the QB position, the holdout, 400 carries last year, the AFC-West, etc... etc... There are a ton of reasons to temper your expectations for LJ...

With that said, he should put up top-15 numbers this year, so if you can get him on the cheap it might be a good move -- but only for the right price....

[Lordrevolution]

I say he falls out of the top 10 backs. No D, means they're playing from behind. No real QB means no passing game to keep opposing teams honest. Weakening line that's a shell of it's once strong self. I think you put any running back in that kinda situation and he "busts."
All those of you who are buying low, what are you expecting of him? Cause if you're near 1000 and 10 you're crazy.

[Felix the Cat]

I say he falls out of the top 10 backs. No D, means they're playing from behind. No real QB means no passing game to keep opposing teams honest.

That's sort of a self-contradiction.

In any case, when you're playing from behind you want to get the ball to your best player, who just so happens to be LJ. It just means they'll be completing short passes to him instead of handoffs.

LJ put up 87 total yards vs. Chicago, which was more than a quarter of Kansas City's total yardage and is a respectable number against Chicago's defense. He put up another 87 total yards vs. Houston, which was more than a third of Kansas City's total yardage and is an acceptable if not spectacular number against Houston's good front 4. He had 10 total receptions in those two games, which is an added plus in PPR leagues.

With LJ being such a big part of Kansas City's offense, what happens when they start playing against Oakland, Green Bay, Denver, Indianapolis, and Tennessee, none known for their prowess at stopping the run and limiting total yardage?

Ask yourself this. If he had found his way into the endzone once in each game, would we be having a mass LJ panic attack right now? 87 total yards and a TD in a game for two weeks in a row isn't grounds for a bust alert. 87 yards per game turns out to be almost 1500 all-purpose yards - and that's assuming that he continues at the pace he's been going at against Houston and Chicago, and he'll undoubtedly pick up the pace when Kansas City's schedule gets easier after they finish out their tough streak at Jacksonville in week 5.

[JasonSeahorn]

LJ has detroit and tennessee for weeks 15 and 16, if you can buy him low he could really help you in the playoffs.

if you already have LJ, try to sit tight and just make the playoffs. he should take care of you then.

[Mimicker7]

Would you guys trade Rudi Johnson for LJ?

What about Ronnie Brown?

[JasonSeahorn]

If you can trade Ronnie for LJ then do it.

Rudi is still doing pretty good, and his playoffs are also easy...i'd be inclined to keep rudi

[gtabaplayr]

I just bought low (I think).

Benson, Fitz, and L.White for LJ and Evans

It's a yardage heavy league with 0.5pt per reception. I'll take my chances since I'm already 0-2 in my 14 teamer.

[J35J]

The Chiefs offense is horrible and it will only get worse in a couple weeks when they throw Croyle in there as the starter for the rest of the year. Stay away!

[Sp_Da_Man]

I would be interested in buyig low but any savvy LJ owner will want a top 10-12 RB in return along with another player of some sort probably.

But LJ probably finishes in that 10-12 range anyways so it's probably not worth it.

Stay away imo!