Larry Johnson Cut

[skinsfan_nn]

RI:


Redskins cut running back Larry Johnson

The Redskins cut veteran running back Larry Johnson Tuesday, making him the first casualty of a ground game that has been among the NFL's worst through the first two weeks of the season. Johnson's agent, Peter Schaffer, and the team confirmed the move.

According to ProFootballTalk.com, the team immediately replaced Johnson with Chad Simpson, a third-year player out of Morgan State who spent two years with Indianapolis and was with Buffalo during the preseason.

Johnson, 30, was signed as a free agent in the offseason and came to camp to compete with incumbent starter Clinton Portis as well as veteran free agent Willie Parker - who was cut before camp - as well as younger backs Keiland Williams and Ryan Torain. Johnson was largely unproductive in the preseason, but made the team anyway. He contributed little in the Redskins' first two games.

Johnson ran five times for two yards in the first-week win over Dallas and Sunday's overtime loss to Houston. That included a 10-yard loss in the fourth quarter of the Texans' game.

Redskins General Manager Bruce Allen, in a news release announcing the move, offered little explanation.

"We appreciate Larry's attitude and contributions to the Redskins," Allen said. "However, we needed to make a roster move in preparation for this week's game against the Rams."

Schaffer said that "we were caught completely off guard by it. It was not something that we were expecting. I was told, by the Redskins, that this was a short-term situation brought on by the need to have a special teams running back, that they cannot afford the luxury of two starting running backs for this week."

Asked whether the Redskins plan to re-sign Johnson after this week, Schaffer said, "I don't know. There are no guarantees about anything in this league."

Johnson did everything that the coaching staff asked of him, several people familiar with the situation said. He was a good teammate, Redskins players said, and remained upbeat despite having a limited role through the first two games.

Schaffer said he plans to seek employment for Johnson. "Larry feels he's in great shape and has a lot to offer to teams, and as I told the Redskins, it's my job to try to find Larry the best possible situation. His preference would have been to play for the Redskins for the remainder of his career. But given the fact right now that he's unemployed, we're going to look at every other alternative that's out there and try to find a great situation for him."

Simpson, 25, had 30 rushing attempts for 147 yards and three touchdowns in 25 games for the Colts in 2008 and '09.

The Redskins managed 18 yards rushing against Houston and are averaging 53.5 yards pe game running the ball. That ranks them 31st in the league. Their average of 2.7 yards per carry is 30th in the NFL.

[Monkeydad]

Torain promotion hopefully?

We can't just carry 3 TBs.


edit: Nevermind, never heard of Chad Simpson. Hopefully he runs like O.J.

[tryfuhl]

Originally Posted by Buster

Torain promotion hopefully?

We can't just carry 3 TBs.


edit: Nevermind, never heard of Chad Simpson. Hopefully he runs like O.J.

are we talking O.J. as a Bill or O.J. with the Bronco?

[Monkeydad]

Originally Posted by tryfuhl

are we talking O.J. as a Bill or O.J. with the Bronco?

You mean 49ers?

[Gmanc711]

These are the types of moves that make me thing real change has finally come. I feel like in years past we really wouldn't make a move like this... Larry Johnson is making it easier because he sucked... but its nice to see stuff like this happening if you're not performing.

[Dirtbag59]

Originally Posted by Gmanc711

These are the types of moves that make me thing real change has finally come. I feel like in years past we really wouldn't make a move like this... Larry Johnson is making it easier because he sucked... but its nice to see stuff like this happening if you're not performing.

On top of that I bet that our running backs will never run backwards, ever again.

[Hog1]

Ever again>..............

[Lotus]

What a shame. After he ran so well against the Texans...

[Longtimefan]

Not really a surprise at this point. Whoever we choose to use at the position, including Portis must get more carries. We're not running the ball very well right now but we have to stay with it. No back so far has gotten enough carries to get into any type of rhythm.

[Dirtbag59]

Originally Posted by Longtimefan

Not really a surprise at this point. Whoever we choose to use at the position, including Portis must get more carries. We're not running the ball very well right now but we have to stay with it. No back so far has gotten enough carries to get into any type of rhythm.

The talent for Keiland Williams is there. More so then any other back on our roster, we just need him to put it all together.

[Longtimefan]

Originally Posted by Dirtbag359

The talent for Keiland Williams is there. More so then any other back on our roster, we just need him to put it all together.

I agree, I thought he looked strong in the preseason. He just needs to be patient for his opportunity and when he gets it, take advantage.

[Dirtbag59]

Originally Posted by Longtimefan

I agree, I thought he looked strong in the preseason. He just needs to be patient for his opportunity and when he gets it, take advantage.

Another thing people don't realize is that he was actually a five star recruit in 2006 coming out of high school. So just in case anyone cares that what I mean when I say he has all the physical tools to be successful. The fact that he played high school football in Virginia was probably among the main reasons he was on our radar after the draft, since I imagine the scouts that worked on the 2010 draft had seen him back in 2006.

HIGH SCHOOL
One of the top running back prospects in the country ... Arguably, the top prep school prospect for the Class of 2006 ... Completed his eligibility at Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Va. ... Became the first running back in school history to rush for more than 1,000 yards ... Finished the season with 160 carries for 1,325 yards and 12 touchdowns ... Rushed for more than 2,500 yards and 30 touchdowns in his junior season at Northside High School in Lafayette ... Named the offensive MVP of Class 4A in Louisiana in 2004 .. Ranked as the nation's No. 3 running back prospect by Scout.com ... Coached at Hargrave by Robert Prunty.

Not to different from the new guy we just signed who played his football at Morgan State.

[itvnetop]

Originally Posted by Dirtbag359

The talent for Keiland Williams is there. More so then any other back on our roster, we just need him to put it all together.

Agreed... I watched this guy in the preseason and I truly believe he'd excel in this zone blocking system. Plus he can catch out the backfield. He was on the final four drives against Houston (due to Portis' injury), but I think it's telling that the coaches trust him.

[12thMan]

Originally Posted by itvnetop

Agreed... I watched this guy in the preseason and I truly believe he'd excel in this zone blocking system. Plus he can catch out the backfield. He was on the final four drives against Houston (due to Portis' injury), but I think it's telling that the coaches trust him.

I'm not buying it. Running backs get paid to find holes and run through them. He might have still have something left in the tank, but definitely not as a featured back.

[skinsfan_nn]

Originally Posted by 12thMan

I'm not buying it. Running backs get paid to find holes and run through them. He might have still have something left in the tank, but definitely not as a featured back.

The only thing in LJ tank is fumes....this guy is a used up has been. Like the rest of our running game.

Until some new young blood with a high gear is found and installed, something that currently isn't on this roster. We will have problems running the ball against solid defenses.