There will be many names that leave fantasy owners scratching their heads this summer as they prepare for their fantasy drafts and fantasy auctions. However, there aren't many more players that leave me puzzled entering 2008 in fantasy football than Larry Johnson.

Johnson played in just eight games last season due to a foot injury, but he did participate in team workouts in late-May though and appears to be near 100%. The foot though isn't the primary concern though, it's the fact he plays for the Chiefs that should alarm you. Without Johnson in the line-up the team lost nine straight games to finish the season and finish 4-12.

Once again this season it appears as if Kansas City will have arguably the league's worst quarterack production along with its weakest corps of receivers. Couple that with an O-line that is a shell of its former self and having a coach that knows how to ruin running backs and the cards are stacked against Johnson returning to his elite fantasy status.

The 28-year old running back is starting to rack up mileage as well. Despite only carrying the ball 158 times in '07, he led the league in rushing attempts with 416 in '06 and ran the ball 336 times  a season earlier (303 attempts per year over last three seasons). 

Don't forget that this guy scored 51 TDs and compiled 4621 total yards in a 42-game span to enter last season. Johnson held out last summer and the Chiefs caved in and rewarded him by making him the highest paid player in franchise history (six-year, $45.05 million deal).

There's no doubt that LJ is one of the most talented backs in the league when healthy, but with Brodie Croyle at the helm and the fact I think the Chiefs will be playing from behind in games way too much, it's hard to imagine Johnson sniffing anything close to the '06 numbers this season. Another factor to consider is Kolby Smith. He filled in well last year for Johnson at times and if the team is going to want to protect Johnson and that could mean Smith eating into his carries on a regular basis.

Assuming he's healthy though, I still consider somewhere near the back end of my top 10 running backs.