News / Sports
Priest Holmes Calls Out Larry Johnson
Kansas City Chiefs running back Priest Holmes has challenged current starter Larry Johnson, stating that he will take Johnson's starting position if Johnson doesn't end his holdout. Holmes has been out of the NFL since 2005 due to an injury that many consider career-ending.
Johnson, who has been to the Pro Bowl the last two seasons, has demanded $28 million, around the same salary as 2007 NFL MVP LaDainian Tomlinson. Johnson is slated to make $1.7 million this year and is being fined $14,000 per day for the holdout. Johnson has rushed for 1,750 in 2005 and 1,789 yards in 2006, compared to Tomlinson's 1,462 and 1,815, respectively. Over the past two years, Johnson is comparable to Tomlinson's production.
Holmes, a former three-time Pro Bowler, is the franchise's all-time leading rusher with 5,933 yards and set the NFL touchdown record with 27 in 2003. In 2005, against the San Diego Chargers, Holmes took a devastating hit from linebacker Shawne Merriman, leaving him with head and neck trauma. He has now been cleared by the Kansas City's doctors to return to training camp.
