The Larry Johnson saga in Kansas City has different circumstances than the Kellen Winslow situation in Cleveland, but the stories will play out the same way.
Both players are destined to be elsewhere after the season. Johnson and Winslow will each be inactive this weekend; the Browns tight end on a one-game suspension and the Chiefs running back on a second-week deactivation. To his credit, Johnson stood up and apologized for his behavior in nightclubs with women. Whether he is found innocent or guilty of the charges he faces, the NFL will investigate and probably mete out some sort of punishment under the player conduct code. Johnson has now been involved in four incidents, and commissioner Roger Goodell usually acts harshly when the number gets that high. Clearly, Johnson has grown uncomfortable in Kansas City, and the organization has rapidly grown tired of him. Herm Edwards acknowledged this week that the off-the-field issues were the reason for this week's deactivation, and Edwards wants Johnson to clean up his social life. Johnson went public briefly Wednesday and acknowledged he needs to do exactly that.
The Browns have also grown tired of the up-and-down nature of Winslow, a talented tight end who speaks his mind but often causes controversy.
Pats build from within: The Patriots' decision to replace Rodney Harrison on the roster with practice-squadder Antwain Spann clearly indicates coach Bill Belichick isn't going outside the organization for a veteran defensive back such as John Lynch or Ty Law. When reporters asked him about Lynch or others Wednesday, Belichick said his roster is full.
When Lynch left the Patriots this summer after being released, they told him that he basically played the same role as Harrison. Now that Harrison is done for the season, that role is available, but the Patriots weren't interested at the moment. Lynch will keep his phone on, but it's starting to look as though his great career is coming to an end.
KC QB options: The Chiefs' signing of quarterback Quinn Gray is understandable. Daunte Culpepper wasn't coming out of retirement, and the Chiefs wanted a mobile backup option. Chan Gailey, the Chiefs' offensive coordinator, prefers a quarterback who can run so he can do more rollouts and bootlegs. With Tyler Thigpen, Ingle Martin and Gray, the Chiefs don't have the look of a team that will throw the ball down the field much.
Easier road: The Rams are about to complete the hardest part of their schedule after they play the Patriots. Based on last year's records, the Rams' closing schedule features teams with combined 52-92 records, including only three games against teams with .500 records or better. Two of those games are against division rival Arizona. If the Rams can win four of the remaining 10, Jim Haslett's title could go from interim to permanent head coach..
John Clayton
