Chiefs cut Larry Johnson

Hazys

Big/brave moves being made my Pioli.

Xavi6

As much as I loved LJ on the field, it had to be done and it had to be done now.

He's had enough chances at this stage so a correct decision imo. The team is young so it's the best time weed out all the deadwood and a disruption like LJ is in that category.

Sorry to see him go but long term I think the Chiefs will be better off.

Hazys

He has to clear waivers to become a restricted free agent but its unlikely anybody will pick him up with his $4m contract.

jdivision

You'd be surprised. Somebody will take him I expect, is the salary pro-rated, it'd work out at $2m if it was. I think it was the right decision too, no way he could be allowed beat Priest Holmes record to be honest. That said the Chiefs did pound him too hard a few years ago but he's just a liability off the pitch.

Chucky the tree

Surpirsed they didn't do it in the off-season. He's been horrible this year and his off-trouble was obviously the last straw.

Karlusss

Anyone get the impression he was tired of waiting and so talked his way out? Dangerous precedent if so. If a good player on a bad team thinks it's cool to just say the coach has no idea what's going on and he'll be free to join a good team by playoffs, that's a bit messed up.

mikemac

I read he was only 75 yards from the franchise record in rushing. One good game and he would have had it.

But it's gone now and the records will stand for the next few years anyway

Sea Devils

He is a complete cancer. From homophobic slurs to saying the coach should be coaching pop warner to him also not being a very productive back anymore meant he simply burnt his bridges in KC.

IMO I don't think he has much left in the tank.

Hazys

mikemac wrote: »

I read he was only 75 yards from the franchise record in rushing. One good game and he would have had it.

But it's gone now and the records will stand for the next few years anyway

I dont think the fans wanted him to break the record. What he said to the fans and their reaction to his comments were a large part of the reason to cut him.

eagle eye

He has cleared waivers now. He might get signed on the vet minimum by somebody willing to take a chance.

Peyton Manning

Looks like Bengals were ready to take that chance.

Former Kansas City Chiefs running back Larry Johnson signed a deal with Cincinnati Bengals on Tuesday to serve in a backup role for the AFC North leaders. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed, but the deal runs through the rest of the 2009 season, reported NFL.com's Steve Wyche.

The Bengals officially announced the signing at a press conference.

"He’s starting from scratch," Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said. "He knows what he has at stake and at risk. He gets an opportunity to start anew, just like anybody would. He’s paid the price for what’s gone on in his past, things he’s said, things he’s done. And it came to a finality in Kansas City. Now he’s here, and it’s a new start, a new opportunity. It’s what we’re all excited about.

Live chat: Steve Wyche
NFL.com senior writer Steve Wyche was asked during his weekly live chat about the risk vs. reward of signing Larry Johnson.

"I see absolutely no risk at all. He will be a short-timer who will be a model citizen in order to resurrect his image and on-field ability. If he acts up, he'll be cutting his cord to the NFL. The Bengals could let him go and his reputation would then be tarnished beyond repair. I don't think that will happen, though." More ...
"He's learned some lessons, and I think that’s a good thing. We just all have to move forward."

The Bengals waived defensive tackle Orien Harris to open a roster spot for Johnson, who will be fourth on the depth chart at the outset.

The move comes eight days after the Kansas City Chiefs let him go as he was set to return from his second suspension in the last 12 months. The Bengals have one of the NFL's leading rushers this season in Cedric Benson, but he has a strained hip muscle.

Lewis first spoke with Johnson last Thursday and told him he would be last on the depth chart. He said he told Johnson he essentially will be an insurance policy in case Benson or one of the other running backs got hurt during what's shaping up as a playoff season.

Benson had to leave an 18-12 win in Pittsburgh on Sunday with a hip injury. The Bengals (7-2) think he could play Sunday in Oakland.

Johnson is moving into a low-profile role. Lewis plans to use him on the scout team in practice, where he would pretend he's the other team's running back. Lewis doesn't expect him to be active for any games soon.

Johnson turns 30 on Thursday, and his production has declined in recent years. The Chiefs let him go following several controversies, releasing him last week on the day he was due back from his second suspension in the last 12 months.

He found a second chance in Cincinnati, which has a history of providing them for troubled players. Owner Mike Brown has referred to himself as a "redeemer." He brought Chris Henry back to the team before the 2008 season -- over Lewis' disagreement -- and the receiver has stayed out of trouble since then. Henry is out for the rest of the season with a broken left arm.

AFC teams on the rise
The Colts and Patriots aren't the only teams in the AFC. The Chargers and Bengals should have everyone's attention now after quality wins Sunday, writes Steve Wyche. More ...

» Brooks: Insider's look at Week 10
When injuries decimated their group of running backs last season, the Bengals signed Benson to a one-year deal despite his off-field problems. He had two alcohol-related arrests in Texas. The cases were dropped when grand juries declined to indict, and the Bengals offered a deal.

Benson has revitalized his career in Cincinnati -- he ranks sixth in the league in rushing with 859 yards and leads the NFL with 205 carries, only nine shy of his career high with roughly half a season to go. His backup, Bernard Scott, is a rookie chosen in the sixth round from Abilene Christian.

Lewis has assured Benson he will be the top running back with Johnson in town. During an interview Tuesday with Sirius XM Radio, Benson sounded open to it.

"Yeah, I mean, well, you know, it's good for him," Benson said. "I was once in that position, and he's getting his opportunity again. In all aspects we definitely plan on it to be a contribution to the team. If he can help the team in a positive way, then I'm all for that."

Johnson was benched for three games in 2008 by former Chiefs coach Herm Edwards for violating team rules. The NFL added a game for violating its player conduct policy. He later was sentenced to two years' probation after pleading guilty to disturbing the peace at a Kansas City night spot.

Three weeks ago, he posted a gay slur on his Twitter account and questioned the competence of coach Todd Haley, drawing a two-week suspension. The Chiefs decided to cut ties with him rather than let him return.