Larry Johnson loves being angry. He wouldn't have it any other way.

"I like being [ticked] off," Johnson told the Kansas City Star in an interview last November. "I know that sometimes when I'm happy, something usually comes along and knocks me back down to earth. So I like keeping it at a real chill level, being prepared for anything, something good, something bad."

Always be prepared - the Boy Scout motto. More menacing than your average Boy Scout, Larry Johnson is prepared to deal with the doubters, the haters, the non-believers. The people such as his former head coach, who once said that the Chiefs' running back needed to "take the diapers off", and the others who continue to question his ability.

Some of us are motivated by money. Others are enamored with power. Johnson's fire comes from within, fueled by coaches whom he believed weren't ready to deal with a player of his caliber. Stoked by years of impatiently waiting for his chance.

The wait is over. Yet Larry Johnson still feels the need to prove that he belongs.

Anyone who has ever played sports can tell you that being the coach's son is both a gift and a curse. As such, Larry Johnson was blessed - or damned, depending on how you look at it - for much of his early football career.

Going back to his Pop Warner days, Johnson felt the need to prove that he wasn't playing merely because his father was the team's coach. The younger Johnson was driven to show people that he was getting the carries because he deserved them.

High school was a different story. LJ may have merited more touches at State College (PA) Area High, but he didn't actually get them until his senior year, a season in which he rushed for 2,159 yards and 29 TDs. That was enough to earn him a scholarship to Penn State, where the familiar refrain - "wait your turn" - was repeated once again.

For his first four years in Happy Valley, Larry Johnson was one very unhappy running back. But when he finally got on the field as a fifth-year senior, something special happened. 2,087 yards, 20 TDs and one third-place finish in the Heisman voting later, Johnson had established himself as one of the greatest tailbacks in Penn State history. The only thing left now was to prove he could do it on the next level.

Three years ago, Kansas City, Missouri was Priest Holmes' town. Which probably isn't saying all that much since the only other high-profile athletes in the "City of Fountains" at that time were Tony Gonzalez and the Royals' Carlos Beltran. Even still, Holmes was firmly entrenched as the face of the Chiefs' franchise.

Which is why many people were confused when KC selected Johnson with the 27th pick in the first round of the 2003 draft. Why burn an early pick on a back when Holmes had just set the team's single-season rushing record (1,615 yards in 2002)? Granted, Holmes would turn 30 early in the 2003 season, but he was showing no signs of slowing down. If anything, Priest Holmes was still in the midst of his prime.

So Larry Johnson was relegated to the bench. Once again. For the better part of two seasons, he mulled over his status as the third-string RB, behind both Holmes and change-of-pace back Derrick Blaylock. Being that deep on the depth chart did not sit (no pun intended) all that well with Johnson, who, in turn, started fights in practice, skipped team meetings, and vented his frustrations to the media.

His problems weren't limited to the Chiefs' practice facility. Johnson was charged in December 2003 with aggravated assault and domestic battery after a dispute with an ex-girlfriend, and was ordered to perform 120 hours of community service. In fact, LJ did just about everything outlined in the "How to Get Yourself Traded" textbook. Only, the Chiefs never flinched.

In 2004, opportunity knocked in the form of a Priest Holmes' knee injury in Week 9 against the Cleveland Browns. Blaylock and Johnson would share the load for the rest of that campaign, and Johnson would rush for 498 yards and 9 TDs in the season's last five contests. Those games came after head coach Dick Vermeil infamously called out his tempermental running back. Truth be told, Vermeil wasn't terribly far off with the diaper comment. The problem was that Larry Johnson wasn't a baby - he was a man-child. A man-child waiting for his turn.

With Blaylock signing with the NY Jets before the 2005 season, Johnson got the nod as Holmes' primary replacement. Holmes and Johnson split carries for the first part of last year until Holmes was, yet again, shut down by a leg injury. Fate, destiny... call it whatever you wish. At that moment, Larry Johnson became "the man" in the Kansas City backfield. Over the next nine weeks, the 26-year-old Johnson would convince an entire congregation of Chiefs' fans to turn its collective back on its Priest.

Kansas City became Larry Johnson's town.

Ladanian Tomlinson runs with speed. Shaun Alexander runs with power. Larry Johnson runs with anger.

Treating would-be tacklers like a jilted lover spurns an ex-boyfriend, Johnson punishes opposing defenses with his physical running style. This isn't just three yards and a cloud of dust football, my friends - it's more like five yards and halfway to a first down.

Larry Johnson rushed for 100 yards or more in each of the final nine games of last season, ripping off 200-yard performances in games against the Texans and the Bengals. He scored 17 times during that span, an average of nearly two touchdowns per game.

Despite not starting the first seven games of the 2005 season, Johnson finished the year with 1,750 yards and 21 TDs (20 rushing, 1 receiving). His on-field exploits have caused some to speculate as to whether he can put up 2,500 yards next season. While that projection may seem slightly inflated, if you happen to have a high pick in your fantasy football league's draft this year, it's enough to give you pause.

It's somewhat ironic that Johnson flashes the diamond symbol every time he reaches the end zone. According to Wikipedia, diamonds are the byproduct of "prolonged exposure of carbon-bearing materials to high pressure and temperature." Larry Johnson has dealt with pressure in many forms throughout his football career. But even with all of his successes on the football field, the fire within him still burns.

In Herm Edwards, Johnson has a new coach who - despite the impending return of Holmes - has already anointed him as the starter going into training camp. Edwards has also promised that the team will run the ball more this season. Yet Larry Johnson is still angry.

Perhaps one day, LJ will finally find that inner peace. Today isn't that day. Tomorrow isn't looking so good, either.

For Chiefs' fans, that may not be such a bad thing.

Random crazydeliciousness I thought about last night while NOT watching the Edmonton-Anaheim game:

- I think the Raptors have to take Tyrus Thomas with that #1 pick. For starters, Toronto finished next-to-last in team rebounding last year, so they obviously need help on the boards. And I don't think you go LaMarcus Aldridge at that spot since you already have 6-10 Chris Bosh and 6-11 Charlie Villanueva taking up space in the lane. So you draft Thomas, slide Villanueva and Bosh over to PF and C, respectively, and go from there. Along with Mike James and Mo Peterson, that's a solid starting five. And all this talk about them taking a PG is nonsense - Mike James averaged 20 points a game last season. If they don't want him, I'll take him here in Philly.

- Ryan Madson threw over 100 pitches in 7+ innings of relief in the Phils' 9-8 loss to the Mets yesterday. I realize that Madson's a former starter, but that's borderline insanity. Pitch #105 was crushed over the rightfield fence by Carlos Beltran in the bottom of the 16th. I don't think that manager Charlie Manuel's handling of Madson last night was any worse than his continued insistence of batting Jimmy Rollins (who's batting .242) in the leadoff spot, but it's pretty close.

- What is Jennifer Capriati doing these days?

- They need to chill with this "Jeb Bush for NFL Commissioner" nonsense. From what I know (and that's not a lot), they need to give the job to the Falcons' Rich McKay. He's well-respected (he serves as the chairman for the NFL rules committee), he's been around the game his entire life... and he's not Jeb Bush.

- Apples and sugarcubes, I can understand. Even horseshoes. But what exactly are Barbaro's owners going to do with all those cards and e-mails that people have sent to their horse? Read them to him? Here are some of the messages sent in to a Web site created by my local TV station (KYW 3 - Philadelphia):

   * We're hoping and praying every day for you, Barbara and for your rapid recovery. You're such a beautiful horse, a true champion and a hero. Keep on fighting and enjoy your hay!

   * Whether you believe in horseracing or not; Barbaro is a magnificent horse and its my hope and prayer that he has a full recovery. I rejoice in the fact that the Jacksons' have such a love for this animal.

    * I never really cared for horse racing because I think they start these horses out way to young. I just happen to be watching this race and couldn't pull myself away. I cried like a baby when I saw this happen, as if he were mine. I have since been checking the internet for updates on his progress every day. I believe he will be OK because he has such a big heart. I down loaded a ton of pictures of him the afternoon it happened, he is just so handsome. It is also so good to here that the owners are not doing this for the money but doing it for him. I truly pray for his recovery and hope he can produce many little Barbaros.

    * It's a horse!!!

I may need to write a separate post just on this....

FoxBlog recently asked the simple question: Why do you blog? So, without any further adieu, here is my response.

I blog because I think NHLPA Hockey 93 is the greatest sports video game ever. And I need a platform to express that sentiment.

I blog because talking aloud to myself about the greatness of Reggie Bush would appear somewhat odd.

I blog because I can draft better than the Texans.

And the Atlanta Hawks.

And the New York Jets.

I blog because Dirk Nowitzki should have been the MVP this year.

I blog because I need to add my voice to the Lebron James chorus.

I blog because I am the voice of the Philadelphia sports fan.

I blog because the voices in my head tell me to.

I blog because men such as Roger Federer, Sam Cassell and Mardy Collins are grossly underrated.

I blog because men such as Bobby Abreu, Paul Pierce and Vince Carter are grossly overrated.

I blog because it gives my Playstation 2 a chance to cool down after a marathon Madden session.

I blog because I got D's in art class in middle school, but A's in English.

I blog because I still believe in Temple Football.

I blog because I still don't understand how to play Strat-O-Matic baseball.

I blog because I bring more to the table than Scoop Jackson.

I blog because I want Michelle Wie to read all the good things I've written about her. And call me on her 18th birthday.

I blog because it fills the time between now and the day when Chad Johnson actually brings a live reindeer onto the football field.

I blog because I believe that whatever happened on Lake Minnetonka should have stayed on Lake Minnetonka.

I blog because it helps me not to think about all the money I spent on Brien Taylor rookie cards.

And Ryan Leaf rookie cards.

And Radek Bonk rookie cards.

I blog because I believe that a whole lot of players should be kicked out of the Baseball Hall of Fame due to their mediocre stats.

I blog because writing posts comparing Kobe Bryant to Ric Flair and Rudy Gay to a high school flirt is a fun thing to do.

I blog because Andre Iguodala got robbed in the dunk contest. And I'm still upset about that, three months later.

I blog because I am a GM in my own mind.

- Jason Terry rabbit-punches Michael Finley in the groin and gets suspended for a game. Udonis Haslem throws a mouthpiece a Joey Crawford, and has to sit out a game. Yet Reggie Evans grabs and pulls on the Kaman family jewels, and he only received a $10,000 fine. Someone needs to explain that to me.

- I also need clarification on why Justin Gatlin was four days into the talk-show circuit before judges realized that he actually wasn't the fastest man in the world due to a rounding error. Rounding? Isn't that something they teach in third grade?

- Regardless of what happens on Sunday, Lebron James has arrived. In a series in which very few people thought his team would win more than a single game, James has his team on the doorstep of the Eastern Conference Finals. Scottie Pippen said recently that Lebron is farther along in his development than Jordan was at this point in his career. I'm not sure that Scottie is wrong.

- Random thought: Dirk Nowitzki, Michael Finley and Steve Nash are all going to be involved in Game 7 matchups on Monday night... on three seperate teams. And if the Mavericks fall to the Spurs on Monday, is Nowitzki the Peyton Manning of the NBA?

- Which will happen first? Larry Brown will get bought out of his Knicks' contract, or Barry Bonds will finally hit #714?

- Truth be told, the events of the now-infamous hazing of the Northwestern womens' soccer team are far less tame than what happens on a typical weekend at a college campus. I'm not passing judgment, but if that incident was enough for school administrators to suspend the team, Northwestern needs to take a long look at its fraternities and sororities as well. It's only fair.

- I'm sure NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman is salivating at the thought of an Edmonton-Buffalo Stanley Cup Finals. Because I know I am. Two words: ratings bonanza. Five more words: wake me when it's over.

- In all seriousness, it's a shame that the NHL isn't more popular. I wish other people took the opportunity to enjoy some of the young talent in the league, specifically, Sidney Crosby. I was fortunate enough to watch him in person on two occasions this year, and I'm thoroughly convinced that Crosby is the best sports Sidney since Sidney Dean in "White Men Can't Jump."

- An addendum to my "Reality Bites" piece: No one deserves a reality TV show more that Adam "Pacman" Jones. Anyone who not only goes by the nickname Pacman, but has the actual logo of the video game embroidered into the headrests of his Cadillac XLR (a car which he loaned to a drug trafficker) needs to have a camera crew following him around 24 hours a day. At the very least, it would be more authentic than "Bonds on Bonds."

- I have no problem with Reggie Bush wearing #5 if he so chooses. The problem is that Adrian McPherson already owns that jersey number. So even if Bush does get the OK to wear #5, McPherson probably gets the right to negotiate some sort deal to give up that number. Granted, the city of New Orleans is probably the last place to pull the quasi-primadonna act of selling your number, but if I'm McPherson, I ask for way more than that outdoor kitchen Jeff Feagles got for "selling" #17 to Plaxico Burress.

- Speaking of New Orleans, I continue to be amazed by the resiliency of the residents of that city. Years and years of rebuilding work remains to be done, but with Saints fans buying nearly 55,000 season tickets this off-season, a clear message was sent to New Orleans' owner Tom Benson: Don't move our beloved Saints. Football is an escape for the residents of the hurricane-ravaged city - hopefully Mr. Benson doesn't deprive them of the enjoyment they receive every Sunday afternoon in the fall.

When you stand seven feet tall and weigh 260 pounds, you're not just the Next Big Thing. You're a Big Thing right now.

The soon-to-be centerpiece of the 2006 Ohio State basketball team, Greg Oden would probably be headed to the NBA right now if it weren't for a provision in the collective barganing agreement which states that a player "must be at least one year removed from high school and 19 years of age" before entering the draft. As such, Oden will first head to Columbus as part of the "Thad Five", the impressive recruiting class brought in by Buckeyes' coach Thad Matta.

It's not fair to compare Oden to Lebron (these days, is it fair to compare anyone to Lebron?), but much like King James, Oden has long been regarded as the prize of his graduating class, years before his senior season at Lawrence North High School in Indianapolis. A two-time Gatorade National Player of the Year, Oden led his team to three consecutive state championships, a 103-7 overall record, and the #1 spot in USA Today's Super 25 ranking of the best prep programs in the nation.

David Robinson is the name thrown around most often when referring to Greg Oden, and it's with good reason. Oden is extremely agile for a man of his size, and is explosive around the basket. Since he towered over the majority of the opposition that he faced in high school (the gift and the curse of being so dominant at such an early age), Oden still needs a good deal of work on his low-post game and his range. That will come with time and coaching, both of which Oden has plenty of. Make no mistake - Greg Oden will be one of the more dominant big men in the NBA as we enter the next decade.

Tyler Green. Pat Combs. Carlton Loewer. Wayne Gomes. These are just some of the recent Philadelphia Phillies' draft picks who were projected to be front-of-the-rotation starters, yet never quite reached those lofty expectations. Current #2 starter Brett Myers appears to have the makeup to be an ace, but he hasn't yet put it all together for an entire season. The Phillies haven't boasted a legitimate #1 pitcher since Curt Schilling, and haven't produced a star hurler from their own system in well over a decade. Lefty Cole Hamels is set to change all of that.

Before he was called up to the Big Show last Friday, Hamels was undoubtedly the jewel of the Phillies' minor league crop, a farm system in which all six teams had a losing record last year. Not that Hamels knows that much about losing - in 35 minor league starts, he was 14-4 with a 1.43 ERA. In only 195 innings, he struck out 273 batters while walking only 72, notching an incredible 3.79 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

In two major league starts, Hamels has already displayed why many experts believe he will be the anchor of the Phillies' rotation for the forseeable future. Hamels had a solid start earlier today in Milwaukee, giving up four earned runs in 6 1/3 innings in a no-decision. His debut on May 12 in Cincinnati was far more dazzling, limiting the Reds to one hit over five innings, while striking out seven and walking five.

While it may be far too soon to anoint Hamels as the savior of the Phillies' pitching staff, the young southpaw certainly has the tools to make the failures of recent Philadelphia drafts seem like a distant memory.

Over the years, there have been certain athletes in sports video games that are unfairly balanced in relation to their counterparts. Bo Jackson in the original Tecmo Bowl. Ken Griffey, Jr. in his self-titled baseball game on Super Nintendo. Michael Vick in Madden 2004. And Ted Ginn, Jr. in NCAA Football 2006.

If you were playing against Ohio State, you basically had to assign your best d-back to Ginn on every play to account for his incredible gamebreaking ability. Not that Ginn's 99 speed rating in the game isn't well deserved - Ginn is probably the fastest man in college football today. He's been timed at a ridiculous 10.5 seconds in the 100 meters, and is arguably more dangerous at returning punts than Reggie Bush was at USC.

Ginn's dynamic playmaking talents enabled him to line up on both sides of the ball when he first arrived at Ohio State, beginning his freshman campaign at cornerback before switching to wide receiver at mid-season. Head coach Jim Tressel gave Ginn quite a few more offensive touches during his sophomore year, a season in which he racked up 51 receptions for 803 yards and 4 touchdowns. Ginn added a rushing TD and two touchdowns in the return game for good measure.

The official coming out party for Ginn came in this year's Fiesta Bowl, in which he went off for 167 receiving yards in the Buckeyes' 34-20 win over Notre Dame. As the undisputed #1 wideout in Columbus due to the departure of Santonio Holmes, the only question is: who can keep up with Ted Ginn, Jr?

The New England Patriots own Peyton Manning. Dwyane Wade owns the New Jersey Nets. And wunderkind Rafael Nadal is lord and master over the greatest tennis player in the world, Roger Federer. By the way, Nadal is only 19 years old. It's funny how things work sometimes.

To be fair, it's not as though Nadal has completely come out of nowhere. The ambidextrous Spaniard (he plays left-handed, but actually writes right-handed) is the #2-ranked player in the world, the defending French Open champion and is currently riding an amazing 53-match winning streak on clay courts. Nadal alredy has 16 singles titles to his credit, and has earned nearly $6 million on tour since turning pro in 2001. Yet more impressive than all of that is his 5-1 career record over the man most believe will end his career as the best player ever to step on the court.

If Roger Federer has any weakness (other than kryptonite), it's his inability to play well on clay - his last tournament win on that surface was the ATP Masters Series tournament in Hamburg, Germany in May of last year. And as I type this, the most famous clay court tennis surface in the world - Roland Garros - is being prepared for next week's French Open. Last year, Federer and Nadal met in the semifinals, with Nadal pulling out a four-set victory. The smart money says that the two of them will met on the final Sunday this year. And if form holds, Nadal will own the proverbial lease on Roger Federer for just a little while longer.