Wilson: L.J. insists he doesn't have an anger problem

Cut loose by the Kansas City Chiefs, Larry Johnson attempted a bit of damage control during his first interview since being released Monday.

Suspended by the Chiefs for conduct detrimental to the team before being released, including derogatory comments about coach Todd Haley and gay slurs directed toward fans and reporters, Johnson is in a job-hunting mode.

And it may be a tough sell given his 2.7 rushing average this season and controversial history in Kansas City.

Johnson characterized his dissatisfaction in Kansas City as a byproduct of him being extremely competitive, not extremely disruptive.

"If anybody likes losing, they shouldn't be playing this game," Johnson said today during an appearance on the Dan Patrick radio show. "For me, it left a bad taste in my mouth every game we were losing. .. You just felt like you were useless. If I was frustrated and upset, it was mainly for myself.

"I wasn't upset. People who knew me knew I was putting the stress on myself and wanting to put the team on my back. It just wasn't working out."

Johnson said he has no problem with Haley or Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli.

"I was the biggest Todd Haley fan," Johnson said.

And Johnson said that his remarks on Twitter were blown out of proportion.

"You completely lose yourself and you make a mistake," Johnson said. "It was a conversation that turns ugly. I kind of lost that perspective and got dragged into a conversation about coaches and credibility. You say the wrong thing."

Johnson insisted that he doesn't have an anger management problem.

"Nah, it's not an anger issue," he said. "I have a competitive issue. Ilike to win. I like to put myself in situations where I always want to win. Sometimes that gets the best of me and I become overly competitive and try to control every little thing. Sometimes, I lose myself. I have to understand that I don't have to win every little battle."

Seventy-five yards shy of breaking Priest Holmes' franchise rushing record, Johnson believes that was one of the reason why he was cut.

"It was just time," Johnson said. "Relationships are just done and it's time to step away."

Johnson remains convinced that he can contribute in a new setting.

"I still feel like I can play this game at a high level," Johnson said. ".. I want to prove and show I'm much more than the perception. I still have a lot of tread left on my tires."

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