Johnson And Peterson: Which Contract Looks Worse?

Now, if this story was written a week ago, Johnson would have been my answer. That big injury really hurt Peterson. Johnson I believe will be back to normal next year because he will have full camp and preseason to adjust everything. He didn’t have that in the holdout.

Although Minnesota has to eat all of Mauer’s deal even if he never returns to form. Peterson is a different story as most of his money isnt guaranteed. Mike Floria loves questioning if the Titans will cut CJ after this season because CJ’s money isn’t guaranteed either (as if that will happen).

I disagree with this though :
“It’s not that I think he doesn’t have the same speed or quickness we saw in 2008-2010, I just think he’s being too hesitant to use them.”

I think CJ is noticably slower this year. He was caught from behind twice in the Colts game. Once by a safety. He has had one breakaway run this year (against the Bills), and even then he was almost caught, and the defenders probably would have caught him if there was another 20 yards before the goal line.

He is still very very fast, but I doubt he is still running a 4.24 40.

I hate the guy but it sucks seeing that happen to any player.

Teams arent going to give those guys huge contract because of what happen with these two.

Ray Rice has been healthy and should get a good contract.
Marshawn Lynch just needs to get out of Seattle.
Matt Forte had his chances hurt by getting hurt, and the Bears having a decent backup that played ok. He was also helped by the fact that the Bears couldnt move the ball when he went down.

Yes CJ is in a big time slump, but AP may never return to form. My tune of running backs has severely changed after this season. I do not think anyone outside of QB (even then I don’t think it is worth it, look at Pey Pey) should get a contract that big. All it takes is one weird accident, or that fire in their eyes gets a little dimmer… It’s not worth it anymore. IMO

Sometimes it takes a full year. If he had taken this injury at the beginning of the season, they would have a chance. But now I assume he misses a lot of stuff

that’s why he fell to the Vikings. Not only was he hurt a couple times at OU, but he has missed games in 3 of his 5 years in the NFL.

I had the same question after AP blew out his knee.

Right now thru 15 games CJ and AP are 16 & 17 respectively in rushing yards for the season. AP injury happened on the field and that is the risk of giving him(or any other player) a big contract. The risk of injury doesn’t change regardless the size of contract. CJ, we don’t know what his problem is or has been. He hasn’t been the CJ of old for most of the season. Yes, he had some flashes with CJ like games against Browns, Buccaneers, Bill, Panthers( his FOUR 100+plus games) but there is plenty of mid teens attempts for _ yards. CJ has told us, the problem isn’t with him but the O-line. The coaching staff tell us, they are diligently working on getting the run game going. The bottom line is the run game is at a crawl at best for this year. Poor performance wasn’t expected from CJ after he got his money by the fans. It should be noted that AP trails CJ in rushing yards by 16 yards(CJ has 986) yet has played in 3 fewer games this season. A return to form next season is due for both these running backs. I can’t for the 2012 season to start.

with that said, i think its too early to evaluate either one yet. cj is in the honeymoon phase and will get a pass for this year (though some have seen enough already). We will all be very optimistic next fall after training camp. but another year like this and i dont think it would be too early to call it a bust.

But there’s no way to know which one looks worse until they’re played out.

If AP never gets back to form and CJ turns into a 1600+ yard rusher again, we’re obviously the “winners.”

If CJ continues to slow down, make poor decisions, etc, and AP comes back at full speed, then they aren’t really hurt all that much by their contract.

I’m leaning towards saying the Titans lost worst though. The Vikings got good production from AP, and he should return close to a pre-injury form after the rehab (look at Welker). I think his contract is ridiculous and outlandish, but they should continue to get a return on their investment.

As the season has progressed its gotten harder to ignore the voice in my head saying that CJ is done. I hope he returns to form, but he doesn’t have the injury excuse that AP will have for the next year or so. Even if he improves, I think we’re past the days of the Great CJ, and Good CJ is only slightly better than any other RB in the NFL.

Both of these situations demonstrate why you shouldn’t hand over the bank to RBs.

He stays healthy enough to not, mis games.
and is tough enough to play through pain

I actually think he will have a great game on sunday. And will leave it all on the field.

APs has to be worse, cuz there’s no way he’s gonna give double CJs production, all other things being equal.

I think CJ’s contract will look much better if…

… the team gets a better run blocking LG, RG, and C for the middle of their O-line…