Let me start off by saying this isn't at anyone in particular. But the recent actions of Chris Johnson have led many people to say  "we still didn't make the playoffs with his exceptional season, so why pay him?". This reasoning is flawed. Now i don't think we should be paying him this season (too much of a risk at the moment for it to be prudent) but i do think that those who share my view on the contract situation should at least make a sound argument.

To those saying thata strong rushing attack was irrelevant to our season, let me ask you something. Where would we be without it? The common saying is "still out of the playoffs", but would you be any less angry if our defense gave up 40+ in the first round and we lost? I can't see how you can logically argue that his rushing meant nothing to our team.

This season was purely anecdotal evidence that strong rushing !=winning/playoffs. A short look at stats can tell you that this can't be determined as a general statement from our season. The Jets and their despicable coach got all the way to the AFC championship with a strong rushing attack. They also had a good defense, which perhaps was the real problem about our season?

Can anyone point to a game in our season and say that without a doubt we win without Chris Johnson? The Rams, and maybe Buffalo? Maybe all you see is playoffs or bust, but i see a huge difference between 8-8 and 2-14.  We aren't bottom feeders, and our pass defense can't do anything but go up. If we were 2-14, there would be absolutely zero chance of playoffs this coming season.

I'm not saying i'm not angry about missing the playoffs, or that i'm not angry about him wanting to be the highest paid offensive player. I'm just saying that you need to give him his due, and don't say that 2000 yards rushing and 500 yards receiving had no value in our season. Now if you want to pile on how bad our pass defense in a pass happy league was, i'm all for it.