Yo Jl whats up with Whitlock........
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JASON WHITLOCK COMMENTARY
Q&A WITH | Chiefs running back Larry Johnson sounds off
COMMENTARY
Larry Johnson says training camp holdout is possible
Pro Bowl running back sits down with The Star’s Jason Whitlock for an exclusive interview in which Johnson reveals his intent to hold out if the Chiefs don’t give him a new contract before training camp
Tuesday afternoon during a fascinating, 150-minute discussion with Larry Johnson and his 28-year-old agent, Alvin Keels, I was left with the clear impression that the Pro Bowl running back believes he may be forced to sit out training camp to resolve his contract impasse with the Chiefs.
We met for lunch at the Hereford House in Zona Rosa. The agreement was that Johnson and I could say whatever we wanted without either side getting offended. Keels would referee and chime in whenever he wanted. The conversation never turned combative. But Larry was raw and honest as usual.
“He’s going to test me,” Johnson said of team president Carl Peterson.
Do you think you will have to hold out?
“I’ve talked with Herm (Edwards) about it,” Johnson replied. “Herm said he doesn’t even know the money I’m asking for. He said he doesn’t really care. He said I’ve done a lot in terms of OTAs (organized team activities) and minicamp to buy into the program. He said he’ll talk with Carl and those things will get handled. It all depends on how the upstairs people play it.”
OK, are you prepared for a long holdout?
“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.”
There was much to discuss. Larry is on the books to make $1.7 million this season, a paltry sum for a fifth-year player with his resume. Speculation has centered on Johnson seeking a contract that falls between the deals given LaDainian Tomlinson ($21 million in guarantees) and Peyton Manning ($35 million in guarantees).
“The point I’d like to get out,” Keels said, “is that if we were to have to hold out, it would be for the sake of good business, not being greedy. I think the picture that is being painted right now in the eyes of the fans is that we’re coming into this negotiation being greedy. It’s not good business for a player who rushes the ball 416 times in a season, back-to-back Pro Bowl seasons, back-to-back 1,700-yard seasons, back-to-back broken Kansas City Chiefs records, it’s not good business for him to come back in and play for $1.7 million. And that’s a sensitive area because $1.7 million is a lot more than most people in Kansas City make.”
Our conversation extended well beyond football. We talked about Larry’s anger, his relationship with rap music mogul Jay-Z, Larry’s relationship with his teammates and how he would like to help black youths. I’ll share excerpts from our conversation in a question-and-answer format today and on Friday. I’ll offer my opinion on Sunday.
Question: Larry, do you think Carl Peterson has an advantage over you in these negotiations based on the way you’re perceived by the media and fans and the rumors about your astronomical contract demands? And do you think you made a mistake by the way you’ve handled yourself publicly during your first four years in the league?
Johnson: “I take full responsibility for what I did. What I did off the football field was my problem. I’m not stupid; my father is a football coach. I know what, sitting up behind the scenes, they will and won’t use to paint me as the hero of the city or paint me as the prisoner of the state. I know what will happen if we don’t get this deal done in time.”
yep.
5000
