Apparently Michael Turner isn't the only tailback on the trade block. Adam Schefter of NFL.com is reporting that the Chiefs have put Larry Johnson on the trade block now that he's reached incentives that ensure he can void the final two years of his contract. Thanks to those voided years, Johnson will be a free agent at the end of the 2007 season.According to Schefter's story, the Titans are one of the teams that the Chiefs have called, although no deal is close. The problem with a Johnson trade is his hefty contract demands. Teams won't give the Chiefs a significant trade package unless they have worked out a new deal that locks up Johnson for the long-term. And with Johnson wanting significantly more than LaDainian Tomlinson's eight-year, $60 million contract, that's going to be hard to do.
There's one other reason to worry about trading for LJ. His 416-carry, 41-catch 2006 season ranks as one of the heaviest workloads in NFL history. Football Outsiders has documented how running backs who get more than 370 carries in a season are more likely to lose some explosiveness or suffer injuries in the following seasons, even if they are relatively young. If you want some examples, check out the careers of Earl Campbell, Jamal Lewis, Barry Foster and the Titans' Eddie George.
Hat tip to Pro Football Talk for the link to Schefter's story.
