Johnson Looks to Reignite Career
Redskins training camp report
ASHBURN, VA (August 18, 2010) There have been moments during training camp the last three weeks when Larry Johnson has looked more like the All-Pro running back from 2006 than the castoff who is with his third team in the last year.
Take yesterday morning’s practice, for example. Late in the two-hour session, Johnson took a handoff and ran straight toward the line of scrimmage. After two steps, though, he saw tight end Logan Paulsen seal the defender on the left edge of the line.
In an instant, Johnson changed direction and burst through the opening. He scampered about 30 yards before he was stopped.
This is the version of Johnson that the Washington Redskins are counting on this season. Even at age 30–which history shows is not kind to a running back’s physical skills–the club believes Johnson can team with incumbent Clinton Portis to comprise a running attack worthy of a playoff contender.
“I think everybody knows how Larry has played in the past and what he is capable of doing,” coach Mike Shanahan said. “I like what I saw in film last year, and that is one of the reasons of why he is here.”
Shanahan saw Johnson up close at his very best. Back in 2006, when life was quite different for both men, they were part of a rivalry that is about as far removed as possible from the Redskins’ sphere in the NFL.
As head coach of the Denver Broncos, Shanahan had to contend with Johnson twice during Johnson’s record-setting season for the Kansas City Chiefs. En route to an NFL single-season record 416 carries, Johnson averaged 4.6 yards on 61 carries in two games against Denver.
Fast forward to March, then, when Shanahan hit the free-agent market in search of a running back to pair with Portis, who is coming off an injury-shortened 2009.
Johnson was available, but only after a prolonged downfall that resulted from injury, behavioral problems and multiple assault-related arrests.
A contract holdout and a foot injury marred his 2007 season. He was suspended separately by the Chiefs and the NFL for a total of four games during the 2008 season for behavioral issues. And Kansas City finally released him last fall after a public blowup at new coach Todd Haley.
Johnson finished last season with Cincinnati. He averaged 4.4 yards per carry but scored no touchdowns in seven games.
Shanahan, with memories of Johnson’s heyday still fresh, signed him in March to an incentive-laden three-year contract that could be worth up to $14 million.
Now, Johnson seems to have seized his fresh start.
Team officials say he has been a model citizen since his arrival. A bit quiet? Yes. Delinquent? No.
“It has just been fun to come out here and compete with everybody and be around great names like Donovan McNabb and other guys like Santana Moss and Clinton,” Johnson said.
The dynamic for Johnson here is more like the one he experienced early in Kansas City, when he was the complement to Priest Holmes.
Johnson is sharing carries with Portis, and to a lesser extent Willie Parker, Ryan Torain and Keiland Williams. Johnson didn’t play in the preseason opener because Shanahan wanted to let Torain and Williams develop a rhythm.
Johnson didn’t mind. He’s expected to start Saturday’s game against Baltimore.
“You’ve got to do extra film work because obviously we don’t get to watch ourselves on tape every single day,” he said. “You have to do more film study and playbook study. But you’ve got to stay sharp in your mind and know what plays you need to work on or what you need to work on individually to be successful.”
For Johnson, that means pass protection. Safety Chris Horton breezed by him on a blitz from the right side yesterday in team drills.
What he appears to do exceptionally well, however, is run straight ahead with power. At 6-1, 235 pounds, he has taken on the nickname “Truck Stick,” a reference to how one can use the controller in the Madden football video game to deliver a big hit.
“If you be in his way–cameraman and all–he’ll run you over,” wideout Santana Moss said.
That’s Johnson’s plan, anyway. He’ll turn 31 in November, but he insists he feels as good as ever. After all, he has 755 fewer career carries than Portis.
No matter. He’ll have the chance to prove it on the field.
“You’ll know when you’re satisfied, and I’m not satisfied,” Johnson said. “So I won’t let my body or my brain give out on me.”
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