Patriots coach Bill Belichick was his usual noncommittal self on Tuesday when asked whether the team might sign former Chiefs running back Larry Johnson.
But Belichick did acknowledge that the team plans to discuss it before the 4 p.m. deadline for putting in a waiver claim.
“We’ll discuss that organizationally this afternoon,” Belichick said today, per the Boston Herald. “We’ll decide then if there’s anything we want to do. To be honest with you, we’ve just been focused on Indianapolis, and our pro people are figuring that. We kind of do that every week at this time. Our pro people go through the guys that are available, whether it’s waivers or teams that have injuries or changes to a guy’s status or guys we want to work out or other teams work out.
“After all that, it’s not just about one guy, but after all that gets done, we’ll talk about the whole thing in a group and what our plans are for the whole week. Whether it’s to work a guy out or claim a guy or talk to his representative, whatever happens. That’s something we’ll do between now and 4 o’clock.”
At first glance, Johnson wouldn’t seem to be the type of guy Belichick would want around. But Belichick has had success in the past with acquiring a talented but disgruntled running back — Corey Dillon was widely viewed as a locker room cancer with the Cincinnati Bengals, but once he became a Patriot, he suddenly became a team player and ran for 1,635 yards in 2004.
Maybe Belichick sees a little bit of Dillon in Johnson.
“Maybe Belichick sees a little bit of Dillon in Johnson.”
Keep it clean MDS, you’re working for NBC now.
Maybe Belichick sees a little bit of Dillon in Johnson.
Are you suggesting that Corey played a little game called just the tip with LJ?
“Patriots coach Bill Belichick was his usual noncommittal self on Tuesday…”
Uhhhhh, what do you expect? Do you expect ANY coach in the league to commit to a yes or no as to whether their team is going to sign LJ? No, no coach would commit to that, the TEAM would announce it after having done so. Don’t know what you are expecting here, Florio.
Dillon was a malcontent b/c the Bengals were sorry.
Johnson is certified crazy and ignorant.
He’s a way different beast…….ask Kawika!
Pats,
Please sign LJ. He’s been worthless on my fantasy team all year. This could turn his season around (and mine.)
- Rabid Bostonians
Dillon seemed like a legitimate bad person, but he behaved himself. Johnson seems to be disgruntled and fan sentiment seems to be that he’s not as good anymore. At 29 and having played for the Chiefs for the past 9 years, maybe he’d become an uncaged beast in New England. Maybe he’d continue to suck. I guess Belichick will make that decision and be a genius either way. Go Pats!
BB: “Anybody know what we did with the Corey Dillon muzzle?”
Corey Dillon was Peyton Manning compared to Larry Johnson. T.O. is relatively quiet this year, Vick is laying low and Pac Man Jones is in Siberia. That makes Larry Johnson the biggest scumbag in the NFL right now, doesn’t it. Sorry, “alleged” scumbag.
Belichick has thrown the fishing line in the water, any Mangini’s or Ryan’s biting today?
Given L.J.’s comments about people of a certain persuasion, it’s probably not a good idea to put him anywhere near Tom Brady.
U think LJs gonna mind his p & q’s just for Belicheat, fat chance!
The Patriots are the new 70′s early 80′s Raiders. They are doing what Al Davis did best when he was relevant–sign the castaways and problem players, win championship.
To think that back in the day Davis chose Gruden over Belichick (Am I wrong?). Where would the Raiders be if Davis chose Belichick? He would of had his Holy Grail: the 6th Championship and probably would have retired by now having found someone to run and keep his team at the top.
“Raiderchile, wake up,” said the lil’ voice in my head.
Back to reality, I am waiting out the Davis/Cable/JaMar-sucks era to end and the 4-6 years of rebuilding after the fact. Have fun watching football that Davis help create.
i bet belecheat sees a lot of johnson in johnson.
and it dont look good.
Corey Dillon did nothing wrong in Cincy. Let me say that again, he did nothing wrong in Cincy. He told it like it was. He was sick and tired of making the holes he needed by himself. He was tired of the coaching staff ignoring his input on how to improve the line. He was sick and tired of being one of the few on the team that actually gave it his all and tried to win every game. That is why I always had him on my fantasy team when he was there. The real Dillon was highlighted and shone brightly while in New England. I hope when his time comes for the hall that he goes in with the Pats uniform and nothing else.
Johnson is just a ignorant loudmouth butthead who has skills and talent, but lacks the brain to do the right thing. BB likes smart players who can think logically. That being said, there is no way Johnson will end up in New England.
What kind of commitment do you expect about a player going through waivers? Do you expect the coach to say, “Yeah, we want him. And we want a team to snatch him up before us so we can’t have him.”?
I’d love to see your Draft ‘War Room’ as you have all your picks laid out and telling your loving media about all of your plans…
@Danc…its not Florio this time brother..hard to believe huh?
Wonder if Myra Kraft wants her husband to employ someone like Johnson.
LJ would fit in perfectly in NE…..a douchebag player and a douchebag team…..looks like a match made in heaven.
“I hope when his time comes for the hall that he [Dillon] goes in with the Pats uniform and nothing else.”
I didn’t think people who were institutionalized were allowed to use a computer.
Dude, what are you smoking to think that Dillon will EVER get a sniff at the HOF?
I see I’m a little late to the party, but…
“Maybe Belichick sees a little bit of Dillon in Johnson.”
And maybe Joe Namath would like to see a little bit of himself in Suzy Kolber.
Katmanduu
“LJ would fit in perfectly in NE…..a douchebag player and a douchebag team…..looks like a match made in heaven.”
^^^^^^
Really? A douchebag fan from a douchebag fanbase is going to really accuse another organization of being douchy…..Roethlisberger, Santurdio, James Harrison, Jeff Reed, and past players Joey Porter, Najeh Davenport, Kordell Stewart…right, none of those guys were douchebags at all.
A little self-awareness goes a long way.
Personally I would love to see nobody pick up or sign LJ but as well all know, someone will (this would be one of those times when I support owner collusion but I digress).
I wish Cleveland or Oakland would pick him up so he suffers >
A pair of weasels that deserve each other. Some day, Slippery Bill’s going to acquire the wrong guy and the whole deal will blow up in his smug face. I’m biding my time…