So Chris Johnson Will Hold Out?

by Jimmy on Jun 20, 2011 9:17 AM CDT in Tennessee Titans Commentary

After the mini-camp the Tennessee Titans' players put together last week Chris Johnson said all of the right things about his contract and reporting to camp on time. Over the weekend he held his football camp and said the same things when he talked to the media, but Jim Wyatt still says that CJ will hold out if he doesn't get a new contract.

....When he finally reported for training camp, Johnson – who had $30 million guaranteed in mind — said it wouldn’t happen again. And I believe him.
Indications are Johnson’s not going to budge this time. I’ve heard it from too many sources to think otherwise.

With that in mind, Matt Bowen of National Football Post asks the obvious question- Will the Titans pay him? Here is he key point from that article:

However, the key with Johnson—or any player at the RB position in this league—is determining their value and long-term production. A physical position that will wear players down.

There is no doubt that the Titans are going to have to pay Johnson if they plan on keeping him, so the question becomes how much and for how long? CJ has said that he wants to be the highest paid offensive player in the league. Hopefully his agent has worked on managing expectations.

There is no doubt that CJ is the best running back in the NFL, but running backs just aren't as valuable as they were ten years ago. They have a very small window to be dominant. Look at guys like my boy Shaun Alexander and LaDainian Tomlinson. Alexander went from 37 TDs and 5.1 yards per carry in 2005 to 7 TDs and 3.6 yards per carry just one year later. LT went from 28 TDs and 5.2 yards per carry in 2006 to 11 and 3.8 two years later. For both of those guys the drop off came around year seven in the league.

Johnson is about to enter year four. That means that best case scenario the Titans can count on him being in his prime for four more years.

All of that being said, if the Titans are going to give CJ his big payday, I hope they go ahead and do it before this season. Sign him to a 5-year deal with a huge signing bonus (after the lockout is over). That way you pay him most of the money while he is still productive, and if he does suffer the drop off that guys like Alexander and LT did cutting him in the 5th year wouldn't result in a huge cap hit.

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ign him to a 5-year deal with a huge signing bonus

I agree entirely for the exact same reason you mentioned

"If you want money, go to the bank. If you want bread, go to the bakery. If you want goals, go to the net" -Brooks Laich

by sami426 on Jun 20, 2011 9:28 AM CDT reply actions

a 5 year deal would be perfect

Keep him happy in his prime and leave an option for the last year of his contract. The clout and attention that he brings the franchise is well worth a multimillion dollar investment.

"We're fated to pretend."

by BythePowerofMunchak! on Jun 20, 2011 9:28 AM CDT reply actions

In before "trade him".

I think he deserves to get his payday now. Not highest paid offensive player in the league money, but a good contract for a back. I know everyone just thinks he is not valuable to the team and all, but i believe he is.

Now, will the Titans pay him? I’m not sure. It’s hard to know how much Jeff Fisher influenced who we signed or not, so we don’t really know what opinion Munchak will have on this sort of thing. I hope we sign him just to have a smoother rookie year for Locker.

Ain't no time for hesitatin'
All you got to do is groove

Music City Miracles Hall Of Fame, Class of 2010

by BonzosMontreaux on Jun 20, 2011 9:29 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs

agreed. I think his value goes well beyond his asset as a running back on the field

CJ has worked to create a brand for himself. Considering he’s one of the youngest 2,000 yard rushers in history, his celebrity will benefit the Titans from a revenue standpoint for several more years (as long as he’s a Titan). Although that does more for Bud Adams than it does for us, I think it’s worth mentioning when talking about his value. When you think about national appeal, we have Chris Johnson….. and….. hmm yeah. Jake Locker, Derrick Morgan and Kenny Britt can get there, but that’s still a ways off.

For those that think this team is “meh” right now, without CJ we’re way more of an “ugh” team.

Fierce proponent of extending Chris Johnson's contract

by BythePowerofMunchak! on Jun 20, 2011 9:44 AM CDT up reply actions

I certainly think this is an important point to discuss when evaluating CJ's worth on this team.

He makes this team appear better just by being on it. NFL fans pay some attention to the Titans because he is on the team. In terms of marketing, he gives the team exposure because he is in the jersey.

by Los Blancos Chicca on Jun 20, 2011 10:37 AM CDT up reply actions

The change in CJ's attitude from last year is very interesting to me

It makes me wonder if, prior to the lockout, someone in the organization promised CJ that he would be taken care of once the CBA is negotiated.

He’s deferring to his agent about the financial aspects so that makes me think that it’s not an issue of ‘if he’ll get a big, long term deal’ but rather a matter of working out the finer details of such a huge contract.

The Titans brass must realize he’s easily the most recognizable and marketable player they have at the moment. They stand to lose a lot of fan support by CJ holding out.

"We're fated to pretend."

by BythePowerofMunchak! on Jun 20, 2011 9:34 AM CDT reply actions

This is a good point.

The next person fans have to stand behind would prob ably be Locker. After that who do we have? We can’t all stand behind Finnegan because he keeps making an ass of himself. From a pure marketing standpoint we really have to keep CJ on.

Ain't no time for hesitatin'
All you got to do is groove

Music City Miracles Hall Of Fame, Class of 2010

by BonzosMontreaux on Jun 20, 2011 9:44 AM CDT up reply actions

hahaha exactly

I thought about mentioned Finny in my above comment, but then I remembered what he’s probably known for around the country.

Fierce proponent of extending Chris Johnson's contract

by BythePowerofMunchak! on Jun 20, 2011 9:45 AM CDT up reply actions

TRADE HIM FOR TWO FIRST-ROUND PICKZ!!!!11!!!!!!

Everyone would obviously be lining up to deal for him.

Good evening. I'm Ron Burgundy, and here's what's happening in your world tonight.

by ronburgundy7427 on Jun 20, 2011 9:59 AM CDT reply actions

what if the Eagles traded for him and then signed Plaxico

or New England for that matter. Imagine what Brady would do with a run threat like CJ behind him.

Fierce proponent of extending Chris Johnson's contract

by BythePowerofMunchak! on Jun 20, 2011 10:12 AM CDT up reply actions

5 years $45 million with $15-18M guaranteed sounds fair.

"I really can't stand that NFL guy, what's his name? Mel, yeah Mel Kiper Jr. He knows about as much about football as a Japanese space pilot." - Coach Trickett FSU

by nolesbroncos3456 on Jun 20, 2011 10:39 AM CDT via mobile reply actions

years 4 + 5 can be loaded up with incentives and 6th year mutual option

"I really can't stand that NFL guy, what's his name? Mel, yeah Mel Kiper Jr. He knows about as much about football as a Japanese space pilot." - Coach Trickett FSU

by nolesbroncos3456 on Jun 20, 2011 10:41 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions

Pay the man.

by CMDR on Jun 20, 2011 10:45 AM CDT reply actions

exactly

OH YEA
This is gonna be a fun ride

by cowgirl attitude on Jun 20, 2011 11:34 AM CDT up reply actions

just give him the money they were going to pay Brisket Boy with

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by rothbard on Jun 20, 2011 11:37 AM CDT via mobile reply actions

he will get his money.

maybe even best offensive player money.

by criollo_pcg on Jun 20, 2011 12:06 PM CDT reply actions

CJ is not going to be paid more than PM

not. happening.

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by rothbard on Jun 20, 2011 12:12 PM CDT up reply actions

*Besides QB

From 2010:

"Hopefully they’ll want to give me a new deal. I think I deserve to be the highest paid running back in the league, or even the highest paid offensive player besides the quarterback,’’ said Johnson

by SuperHorn on Jun 20, 2011 12:14 PM CDT up reply actions

thanks.. that´s what i meant

by criollo_pcg on Jun 20, 2011 12:40 PM CDT up reply actions

gotcha

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by rothbard on Jun 20, 2011 12:43 PM CDT up reply actions

I'd be ok with that.

Just front-load it and don’t make it go more than five years. He pretty much IS the Titans offense at this point.

Good evening. I'm Ron Burgundy, and here's what's happening in your world tonight.

by ronburgundy7427 on Jun 20, 2011 2:27 PM CDT up reply actions

From SI article today:

Johnson’s goal for Titans to make playoff return

FRANKLIN, Tenn. (AP) — Chris Johnson says his focus when football returns will be on helping the Tennessee Titans get back to the postseason.

The running back hosted his annual football camp at Battle Ground Academy on Saturday.

Johnson, who received about $2.1 million in a renegotiated deal last year, hasn’t been to the playoffs since the 2008 season, and has that atop his list of goals for 2011.

“My goal is to make it to the playoffs,” he said. “We haven’t been to the playoffs in two years, so my goal is to get to the Super Bowl.”

While his current deal has two years remaining, Johnson will leave that matter to agent Joel Segal once the lockout is settled.

“I’m going to … worry about playing football at this point,” he said.

Johnson ran for 1,364 yards last year, after rushing for 2,006 yards the year before. He said that while the Titans have made changes and the lockout has put things on hold, he is confident the team’s veteran leaders can help guide them through the change in coaches from Jeff Fisher to Mike Munchak and at quarterback from Vince Young to Jake Locker.

“We’ve got enough veteran players at this point for us to take over as players. I don’t think it will be as hard as people think. We’ve just got to step up as players and do our job,” Johnson said.

The Saint of MCM

by StPrattrick on Jun 20, 2011 12:29 PM CDT reply actions

I was thinking that he really had an "off year" last year...

and then I realized he ran for 1364 yards…..I’ll bet there are a lot of RBs in the NFL who wish THEY could have an “off year” like that too.

Music City Miracles Hall Of Fame, Class of 2010

If you had to be perfect to do what we do, then nobody would be doing it. On the other hand, if everyone could do what we do.....then everyone would be doing it.

by titansfan4ever on Jun 20, 2011 1:15 PM CDT up reply actions

and he was used a lot differently then he is use to/should be playing.

with as much turmoil as this team was in last year, he still had a solid season. He will be fine.

The Saint of MCM

by StPrattrick on Jun 20, 2011 1:31 PM CDT up reply actions

I think he deserves to be

the highest paid running back in the league. Highest paid offensive player, probably not. They’ll need to work something out that addresses the ego factor.

Charter Member of the Music City Miracles Hall Of Fame

by numbertenox on Jun 20, 2011 4:21 PM CDT reply actions

SHoot even after CJ loses his

Madden 99/ nobody catches ,me at full speed speed/ he will still be among some fast backs.
Lets say in 3 years his 40 yard dash time drops down to 4.36.
Thats still fast, heck thats Desean jackson 40 yard dash fast.

Then in year ten of his NFL career he will be come a goal line back. he will gain muscle ans become 235 lbs. and he shall be called CJ2k Revitalized!

hahaha

But i want him to retire a titan. Not how McNair or George retired

Check out my Youtube Channel Icecru2
yeah, i want some views...

Chris Johnson (2008-2011) HighLights

Alterraun Verner Rookie Highlights

Yes, Chris Johnson has broken more tackles than Adrian Peterson in 2009 and in 2010

by Ice0ne (CAJ) on Jun 20, 2011 5:02 PM CDT reply actions

Make him the highest paid RB in the league.

And give him a 5 year contract. It will make him happy, and he deserves it.

"Do the Titans have a miracle left in them in what has been a magical season to this point? If they do, they need it now. Christie kicks it high and short. Gonna be fielded by Lorenzo Neal at the 25; he dishes it back to Wycheck; he throws it across the field to Dyson. 30, 40, 50, 40, 30, 20, 10, 5, endzone...touchdown, Titans! There are no flags on the field! It's a miracle! Tennessee has pulled a miracle! A miracle for the Titans!"

by TennesseeTyrants on Jun 20, 2011 6:46 PM CDT reply actions