Pete_Prisco

Larry Johnson was once considered a bust.

Then he was a star -- or a perceived one.

Now he's a disaster.

The Kansas City Chiefs released Johnson Monday, the day he was set to come off suspension for his use of a slur to reporters and also his questioning his head coach on Twitter.

Once he clears waivers, which he will, Johnson is free to sign with anyone.

You can bet someone will take a chance on this headache.

Why?

The perception is he can still run. I wonder if he was ever as good as his numbers. The Chiefs had arguably the best offensive line in football when Johnson was putting up amazing numbers in 2005 and 2006. In each season, he rushed for over 1,750 yards.

But that's it.

In his other four-plus seasons, counting this season's seven games, he has a total of 2,457 yards. That's not very good.

There are those who will say he's been stymied playing behind some bad offensive lines the past couple of seasons, and that's true. But he also was a beneficiary of good ones.

So who is the real Larry Johnson?

Is he a feature back anymore? Was he ever, aside from two years?

Johnson turns 30 next week, the age when back usually start to slow down. Then there's the baggage. Is this a guy you want in your locker room?

Remember when Dick Vermeil said he needed to outgrow the diapers, which led to questions about him in his early years. He was once available for a ham sandwich in trade talks, that's how bad the Chiefs wanted to dump him, and there were no takers.

Now it won't even cost that. He's there for anyone who wants him.

Does anybody?

Is this a case of bust to star to bust in seven seasons?

It just might be, or the reality is he was never as good as his numbers.

I lean toward the latter, but his name will get him signed. And some team and its fans will rejoice until he starts pulling his Larry Johnson act again.

This guy isn't worth a ham sandwich -- let alone a contract.