As another week goes by in the NFL, so unfolds another chapter in the Larry Johnson saga.
The Kansas City Chiefs released the troubled running back Monday, the day Johnson was due to return to the team after being suspended for conduct detrimental to the team.
He was suspended for criticizing team officials and using a gay slur twice, once on his Twitter account and once in front of reporters in the locker room.
After being released from the Chiefs, no team claimed Johnson off waivers, meaning he is eligible to sign with any team that is willing to take him and the Chiefs must pay him the remainder of his contract.
Johnson’s actions prompted a group of fans to start an online petition that asked Chief’s ownership not to let him become the team’s all-time leading rusher. Johnson needed just 75 more yards to do so.
So the question is, which team will take a chance on him, or will any at all?
Depending on what happens, however, Johnson may end up a valuable fantasy running back.
Mixing things up a bit this week, here is a list of players that are probably still available in many leagues, and would be well worth a pickup:
- Quarterbacks
Mark Sanchez, Jets—As a rookie, Sanchez has put up decent numbers for New York. He has thrown eight touchdown passes in eight games. Sanchez is streaky, but can be used in favorable matchups. In week eight, he threw for 265 yards and two touchdowns against Miami, and this week faces the Jacksonville Jaguars defense, which ranks No. 26 against the pass.
Josh Freeman, Tampa Bay—The Buccaneers gave the nod to the rookie quarterback last week and he took full advantage of the opportunity. Freeman threw for 205 yards, three touchdowns and only one interception in his debut game against Green Bay. Although it’s hard to trust a rookie quarterback, it might be a good idea to pick him up, assuming his success continues. This week he faces Miami, the team Sanchez just put up 265 yards against.
- Running backs
LeSean McCoy, Eagles—With Brian Westbrook inactive on the sideline, McCoy has taken the lead role in Philadelphia and ran with it, literally. In the past three games, McCoy has received over 10 carries a game and found the end zone twice this season. Even with Westbrook in the lineup, McCoy has been used as a change-of-pace running back for the Eagles and could be productive during the remainder of the season.
Rashard Mendenhall, Steelers—More than likely Mendenhall has already been picked up off waivers in your league, but if not, you should grab him while you can. He continues to have the hot hand among the running backs on the team after taking over the lead role from “Fast Willie” Parker. Last week he took 22 carries for 155 yards, but didn’t score a touchdown. If he isn’t on your waiver wire, try to trade for him, especially in keeper leagues.
- Wide receivers
Eddie Royal, Broncos—In the past four games, the Denver receiver/return man has returned a punt and a kickoff for a touchdown in the same game and caught 17 passes for 174 yards. He hasn’t been as productive as he was last year with former Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler behind center, but he obviously hasn’t lost skill. Pick him up off waivers, but keep him on your bench until we see if he can return to 2008 form.
Mike Wallace, Steelers—On a team with receivers such as Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes, the rookie wideout has managed to be consistent. He has scored three touchdowns in the last four games and plays the Bengals this week, a team he torched for 102 yards on seven catches when they met earlier this year.
Jonas Swecker can be contacted at swecker@marshall.edu.
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