Keyshawn Johnson placed a call to Kansas City president/general manager Carl Peterson
Keyshawn Johnson placed a call to Kansas City president/general manager Carl Peterson last week. Johnson had just been released by Dallas to make room for Owens. And as usual, he was very direct. “I’d really like to be a Chief,” Johnson told Peterson. Peterson said Tuesday that he appreciates the interest, but the Chiefs have told Johnson to wait a couple of weeks until the franchise addresses some needs on defense.
Chiefs get a call from Keyshawn
But receiver told needs on defense come first
By ELIZABETH MERRILL
The Kansas City Star
Kansas City: barbecue capital, city of fountains and curiosity spot for wayward receivers.
Just as the Chiefs-Terrell Owens hubbub was beginning to die down, Keyshawn Johnson placed a call to Kansas City president/general manager Carl Peterson last week. Johnson had just been released by Dallas to make room for Owens. And as usual, he was very direct.
“I’d really like to be a Chief,” Johnson told Peterson.
Peterson said Tuesday that he appreciates the interest, but the Chiefs have told Johnson to wait a couple of weeks until the franchise addresses some needs on defense. On Tuesday, Johnson was reportedly in New York visiting with the Giants, and the Chiefs were talking to two defensive free agents.
One of them was Buffalo’s Ryan Denney, a 6-foot-7, 275-pound defensive end who had four sacks in 2005.
But back to Johnson and the Chiefs’ loaded offense, which is probably not on the front burner in free agency this spring. Kansas City has had a handful of big-name players who have been bandied about as possible additions. First there was Owens, whose agent approached Peterson and coach Herm Edwards at the Senior Bowl. Owens ended up getting a fat deal from the Cowboys, something the Chiefs probably weren’t willing to offer.
Then, within the last week, Johnson’s and Joey Harrington’s names have popped up. Peterson said Tuesday that he chatted with Detroit Lions president Matt Millen last week about Harrington, and that they talked again Monday about the embattled quarterback.
Peterson had an affection for the youngster four years ago when Harrington was coming out of college at Oregon. The Lions drafted him with the No. 3 overall pick, the Chiefs moved on, and now Harrington’s on his way out.
“Matt said: ‘You’ve got time to do your research on him. Evaluate him and let me know what you think his value is,’ ” Peterson said. “Obviously, the value to the Lions is a draft choice, compensation. They have not released him. They still have his rights.
“I liked Joey Harrington coming out of college exceedingly well. We had a very, very good grade on him. But that was four years ago. We’ve got to evaluate also what he’s done in his time in the NFL and why he’s done it and what are the extenuating circumstances. So we’re evaluating that situation. Right now, I’m planning on Trent Green for the next couple of years at least. We’ve signed a veteran backup in Damon Huard and also signed an exceedingly talented young quarterback in Casey Printers.”
Johnson is talented, and was the No. 1 overall pick in the 1996 draft. He’s also been productive, leading Dallas with 71 receptions last year for 839 yards and six touchdowns. But at 33, he doesn’t exactly fit into the Chiefs’ push to get younger. And Johnson recently told Sports Illustrated that he’s worth more than $2.5 million, which may be too pricey for a position that isn’t at the top of the Chiefs’ needs list.
Peterson spent a few minutes late Tuesday talking about the time, money and effort the Chiefs have spent on young receivers Samie Parker and Craphonso Thorpe. He called them receivers on the rise.
“And frankly,” he said, “I think too many people forget about Eddie Kennison and his two consecutive 1,000-plus receiving years.”
But Peterson isn’t closing the door on Johnson, and he doesn’t mind listening to one of the most outspoken receivers in the NFL. Especially when Johnson is doing the calling.
“I’d say right now it’s in a holding pattern,” Peterson said.
Chiefs get a call from Keyshawn
But receiver told needs on defense come first
By ELIZABETH MERRILL
The Kansas City Star
Kansas City: barbecue capital, city of fountains and curiosity spot for wayward receivers.
Just as the Chiefs-Terrell Owens hubbub was beginning to die down, Keyshawn Johnson placed a call to Kansas City president/general manager Carl Peterson last week. Johnson had just been released by Dallas to make room for Owens. And as usual, he was very direct.
“I’d really like to be a Chief,” Johnson told Peterson.
Peterson said Tuesday that he appreciates the interest, but the Chiefs have told Johnson to wait a couple of weeks until the franchise addresses some needs on defense. On Tuesday, Johnson was reportedly in New York visiting with the Giants, and the Chiefs were talking to two defensive free agents.
One of them was Buffalo’s Ryan Denney, a 6-foot-7, 275-pound defensive end who had four sacks in 2005.
But back to Johnson and the Chiefs’ loaded offense, which is probably not on the front burner in free agency this spring. Kansas City has had a handful of big-name players who have been bandied about as possible additions. First there was Owens, whose agent approached Peterson and coach Herm Edwards at the Senior Bowl. Owens ended up getting a fat deal from the Cowboys, something the Chiefs probably weren’t willing to offer.
Then, within the last week, Johnson’s and Joey Harrington’s names have popped up. Peterson said Tuesday that he chatted with Detroit Lions president Matt Millen last week about Harrington, and that they talked again Monday about the embattled quarterback.
Peterson had an affection for the youngster four years ago when Harrington was coming out of college at Oregon. The Lions drafted him with the No. 3 overall pick, the Chiefs moved on, and now Harrington’s on his way out.
“Matt said: ‘You’ve got time to do your research on him. Evaluate him and let me know what you think his value is,’ ” Peterson said. “Obviously, the value to the Lions is a draft choice, compensation. They have not released him. They still have his rights.
“I liked Joey Harrington coming out of college exceedingly well. We had a very, very good grade on him. But that was four years ago. We’ve got to evaluate also what he’s done in his time in the NFL and why he’s done it and what are the extenuating circumstances. So we’re evaluating that situation. Right now, I’m planning on Trent Green for the next couple of years at least. We’ve signed a veteran backup in Damon Huard and also signed an exceedingly talented young quarterback in Casey Printers.”
Johnson is talented, and was the No. 1 overall pick in the 1996 draft. He’s also been productive, leading Dallas with 71 receptions last year for 839 yards and six touchdowns. But at 33, he doesn’t exactly fit into the Chiefs’ push to get younger. And Johnson recently told Sports Illustrated that he’s worth more than $2.5 million, which may be too pricey for a position that isn’t at the top of the Chiefs’ needs list.
Peterson spent a few minutes late Tuesday talking about the time, money and effort the Chiefs have spent on young receivers Samie Parker and Craphonso Thorpe. He called them receivers on the rise.
“And frankly,” he said, “I think too many people forget about Eddie Kennison and his two consecutive 1,000-plus receiving years.”
But Peterson isn’t closing the door on Johnson, and he doesn’t mind listening to one of the most outspoken receivers in the NFL. Especially when Johnson is doing the calling.
“I’d say right now it’s in a holding pattern,” Peterson said.
posted by The Gryphon at 7:05 PM
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