Holmes to Johnson: if you don’t want to play, I will

With the problems presented by Larry Johnson’s holdout and potential sit-out for the upcoming season, at least the Kansas City Chiefs have a backup plan: go back to Priest Holmes.

Despite having suffered what many believed to be a career ending injury in 2005 — which paved the way for Larry Johnson’s stardom — Holmes is ready to see playing time again. And big checks.

“Somebody has to get the money,” he said. “Hey, if L.J. wants to leave the money out there, guess I’m going to take it. If he wants to come get it, it’s rightfully his to take. He’s earned it. But if he chooses not to come back, well, somebody has to take it. Why won’t it be me?”

Holmes is apparently confident his soon-to-be-34-year-old body will hold up for another season. Obviously, the Chiefs don’t want to risk his fragile health, however, and Holmes will likely see limited playing time if he returns.

“If he’s able to come back, he understands and accepts the fact that he would have a different role than when he was the starter,” Edwards said.

Will he be able to take on the league’s finest after missing more than a season of play? That depends on what you’re judging him by. He certainly won’t be near the level he was at during his then-record-breaking 27 touchdown performance in 2004. That said, he can still make a positive impact if he returns, helping the team (in a limited fashion) statistically and psychologically. Coming back from the injury he sustained will send ripples throughout the franchise and locker room, creating a healthy team environment.

That in itself would be a victory.

Photo courtesy FantasyFootballFiles.com