This month, two young Chiefs stars want more money. One will get his. One will not. This is the tale of Kansas Citys young and the restless.
Jared Allen received his third DUI last September, the second since he has entered the NFL. Drafted out of D-1AA Idaho State as a long shot pro prospect, Allen handled his most recent run-in with the law uniquely. He demanded more money. A free agent to be after this season, Allen suggested strongly over the summer if the Chiefs were not willing to play up, he would rather play elsewhere.
Of course, King Carl handles public pressure like the Hulk handles Tic-Tacs. Carl will never concede an inch in a Battle Royale such as this, nor should he. Allen can talk all he wants about being a changed man. He can continually chirp about learning his lesson. Unfortunately, he is the one with the spotty legal record. One would assume the first DUI, or perhaps even the second, was experience enough to force a life change. It is getting harder to fall for the Defensive End Who Cried Change.
The Chiefs have every right to be leery of Allens off-field behavior. Would you reward an employee who was coming off a third driving under the influence charge? How about if said employee tried to strong-arm a transfer to another company? Then again, modern athletes have always played by a second set of life rules.
Larry Johnson was a Heisman Trophy finalist and is coming off a second straight 1,700-yard season. He has proven himself to be not only one of the great young backs, but has kept a mostly clean nose off the field. Charges of misdemeanor domestic abuse were dropped after he entered a diversion program and completed community service two years ago.
Johnson has avoided publicly saying too much about his contract status, although has strongly hinted he deserves a new deal. Sources suggest he wants to be paid like one of the premier backs in the league. Which of course, he is. Johnson is still playing under his rookie contract, which obviously severely underpays him.
Allen has supporters in his battle. Some Chiefs fans believe Allen is a changed man and a guy who deserves a new deal after a solid three-year sack total. Johnson has opponents in his battle. Detractors believe he has always been a distraction in the clubhouse, an athlete more loyal to his own cause than the teams.
Honestly, it is sometimes hard to see where this segment of Chiefs Nation is coming from. Allen has had a history of disruptive and self-destructive behavior, including allegedly hitting a police officer, getting kicked off his high school team and losing a D-1 scholarship to Washington. Johnson is crucified for publicly questioning the coaching staff, however, Tiki Barber was lauded for doing the same over his career as a New York Giant.
The solution is quite simple, really. The Chiefs should re-sign Johnson to a new five-year deal by the time the regular season opens. Johnson does not deserve to be handed LaDanian Tomlinson money, but Shaun Alexanders paycheck is about right. Johnson has been the teamÕs workhorse the last three seasons and has clearly outperformed his contract. Additionally, without LJ the Chiefs offense will be more groan-inducing than ESPNs Whos Now tournament. With a questionable quarterback situation, a tenuous receiving corps and a patchwork offensive line, Kansas City needs Johnson more than ever.
The Chiefs should allow Allen to play out his contract and walk at the end of the season. Turk McBride has already been drafted as Allens replacement and the Chiefs will likely get big-time production from Allen in a contract year. If he gets his life in order, cleans his messes up off the field and becomes a mature leader at his next stop, more power to him. It is not, however, the Chiefs blind responsibility to make sure that happens here.
Murky waters await the Chiefs this summer. This is the tale of Kansas Citys young and the restless.
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The 2006 Caller Hall of Fame Track One: Christopher Walken's legendary roast
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Royals 70's jingle that puts a smile on your face during another horrid season
in KC. The
local TV anchors slip up on the broadcast and luckily the D.A. Show was rolling
tape. 6-6-06:
The Crypt Keeper's Holiday Crazy
Ray displays his talent for singing. Could he make a run at the next American
Idol? Oklahoma
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couldn't leave Alex the Intern out of the mix, check out the drunk dial message
Alex left for D.A. The
D.A. Show tribute to Alan Thicke.
Is
Crazy Ray really crazy? Take a listen to find out.
A
D.A. Show Investigation reveals color commentators handing out the pink slip
to local college coaches.
Quinner's
feeling a bit down. We ask, what's wrong with Quinn Snyder? Herm Edwards gave us quotable material right from jump street. He gets a montage based on his introduction presser. A
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callers finally had their own chance to put their stamp on the Vermeil montage Why
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This month, two young Chiefs stars want more money. One will get his. One will not. This is the tale of Kansas Citys young and the restless. 
