While some might not have understood him, former Chiefs RB Priest Holmes commanded the respect of his teammates. He may have lacked size, speed and most of the physical tools one might deem necessary to be a great NFL back. But Holmes more than made up for it with his heart and effort, evidenced by the fact that he ended his career as Kansas City’s all-time leading rusher.

It’ll remain that way for the foreseeable future, too — some say appropriately — after the Chiefs decided to release disgruntled RB Larry Johnson on Monday following his one-week suspension. Kansas City Star columnist Joe Posnanski writes that the Chiefs made the right move, largely because LJ was definitely no Priest Holmes:

Monday, as you know, the Chiefs released Johnson — with him just 74 yards shy of Holmes’ team rushing record. You know, there were times when Johnson looked to be an even better runner than Holmes. Johnson IS big, and he IS fast, and when he ran hard he inspired images of Jim Brown, even in some of Brown’s former teammates. He ran for 1,750 yards and scored 20 touchdowns despite starting only nine games in 2005, and in 2006 he carried the ball an NFL record 416 times. His teammates appreciated his talents and his intensity, and they probably understood him better than they did Priest Holmes.

But, best I could tell, they did not admire him. They did not respect him. They did not take pride in having him as a teammate. How could they? And I don’t just say this because of the off-the-field stuff — the arrests, the drama, the Twitter rampage.

No, more, they didn’t respect the kind of football player Larry Johnson was. He could not catch. He did not block. His effort seemed intermittent. He griped constantly. You think there was a single guy on this team who pointed at Larry Johnson and proudly said: “That’s what the Chiefs are about”?

Other stories from Around the Web on Tuesday:

• The Patriots-Colts rivalry has been a special one this decade. They meet again on Sunday, and you can read the Indianapolis point of view and get Boston’s take.

• Andy Reid says the Eagles are always “taking the next step,” yet they continue going in circles.

• It’s a nice view atop the NFC East, but the Cowboys better not lose their grip.

• The most powerful man in the Packers organization, team president Mark Murphy, is disappointed with Green Bay’s 4-4 start.

• The Chargers’ three-game winning streak has their confidence at a high level.

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