Larry Johnson isn't angry anymore

Larry Johnson’s career in Kansas City has been anything but peaceful.

His trademark scowl has surfaced because of playing time issues, contract problems, injuries, and trouble with the law. 

For a brilliant two-and-a-half year run in from 2005-2007, he was even one of the best running backs in football.

As those days recede further in the rearview mirror, L.J. seems to be adopting a different approach: He’s just happy to be there.

A cynic would say that Johnson’s attitude changed the minute the Chiefs won a grievance against him, making his 2009 salary non-guaranteed because of his suspension last year.

But to his credit, Johnson understood quickly it was no longer the team’s job to impress him. 

He had to impress his new bosses or potentially lose his job.  He’s been alternately described this offseason as “invisible” and “thrilled” to still be on the roster. 

“When you have your back to the wall and things don’t always go your
way, you have to reorganize your priorities and put your head down and
go to work,” Johnson said.

L.J. has gone out of his way to praise coach Todd Haley and head honcho Scott Pioli about the new direction of the team.   That’s nice and all, but Haley realizes its importance.

“I don’t know if the actual talk is important,” Haley said. “That’s
more important to all the fans out there, but I know myself, as a
coach, I go by what I see. That’s what I’m interested in. Not really what they’re saying, more what they’re doing.”

Haley has been careful not to promise much to Johnson.  He says that the running back position is open, with a “battle” between L.J. and Jamaal Charles. 

So it will be important to see how “thrilled” Johnson is if he is splitting carries.  Charles beefed up in anticipation of a bigger workload and is a more natural fit on passing downs.

Considering Haley’s history in Arizona, the Chiefs are likely to be in spread passing formations quite often. 

The guess here is that Johnson will maintain his positive attitude as a means for survival.  He has seen a glimpse of career mortality and must not like it.

Johnson is due $6 million next season and knows he’ll have to be on his best behavior for any chance to approach that compensation, whether it’s in Kansas City or elsewhere.