LJ's goal for 2007: Make Goose Eat Crow

Goose, come on now, who are you going to take in place of LJ at the third pick? I’ll give you that the loss of Will Shields hurts LJ’s value slightly, which is why he’s at 3 instead of 2 in my rankings, but the best lineman the Chiefs have is Brian Waters and he’s still there. (BTW Brian Waters may be the best lineman in the league).

Michael Bennet?…I haven’t heard from him since 2002, and if you think Herm Edwards is going to give opposing defenses a break on third downs by putting him in there, you’re crazier than the guy who passes on LJ with the third pick!

Seriously, look at the numbers LJ put up last year – 1789 yds. rushing, 17 TDs, 41 rec. for 410 yds. receiving, 2 TDs - that’s 2199 yds. from scrimmage with 19 TDs; and that was with no receivers to keep defenses honest. With the addition of 1st round pick Dwayne Bowe, defenses won’t be able to key entirely on the run, (like they did when Sammie Parker was outside last year) which should allow LJ to make the most out of his opportunities.

I will agree with you that LJ won’t run the ball 416 times next year – probably around 350. Bennet may get a series or two a game to spell him, but the real boost in production I see from LJ is in the passing game; have you see this guy on screen plays – after the catch he runs angry!

I can easily see LJ catching 60 balls next year for 550-650 yds. and 4 TDs, and despite the limited touches in the running game, I think he capitalizes on his chances to the tune of 1725 rushing and 18 TDs.

You give me a back not named LT or SJax who can put up those kind of numbers. Until then, I’ll keep praying I’m batting cleanup while you’re on the clock with the 3rd pick!