Chris Johnson a no-show for OTA's--holdout next? (1 Viewer)

[Superdbs]

Thought right after last season ended that this was a strong possibility, but hoped I was wrong:

Tennessee Titans start practices without Chris Johnson

Reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year wants a new contract

By Jim Wyatt • THE TENNESSEAN • April 28, 2010

The Titans held their first practice for the 2010 season on Tuesday, and their best player was a no-show.

Running back Chris Johnson, the reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year, was absent as the Titans began organized workouts at Baptist Sports Park, according to sources familiar with the situation.

Why Johnson was a no-show is no secret — he wants a new contract. In January he told The Tennessean he'd like to be the league's highest paid offensive player.

What's unknown is how long he's willing to stay away. There are indications Johnson will also skip the second practice later this week. The Titans have another wave of practices, officially known as "organized team activities," in May and June. Tuesday's session was closed to the media.

"I think Chris will come in for OTAs,'' Titans fullback Ahmard Hall said last week. "Chris is a good guy, he doesn't get in trouble and he is a pro. He is working out in Florida, he is not back home slacking. It is just a business thing."

Also absent from Tuesday's OTA were tight end Bo Scaife and linebacker Stephen Tulloch. Scaife signed his $4.9 million tender in March. Tulloch, a restricted free agent, remains unsigned. Neither player has participated in the team's offseason training program.

The program and organized workouts are voluntary, although Coach Jeff Fisher strongly encourages participation.

Johnson skipped the program last year to work out on his own, but he attended the OTA sessions and went on to produce a 2,006-yard season. He continued to skip the program this year and is currently working out in his hometown of Orlando, Fla.

Efforts to reach Johnson and his agent, Joel Segal, for comment on Tuesday were unsuccessful. Johnson did post a message to Twitter as his teammates were about to hit the field: "Man dis workout feeling good I feel another 2k I'm telling you."

Fisher was unavailable for comment on Tuesday.

Johnson signed a five-year, $12 million contract after the Titans selected him with the 24th pick in the 2008 draft. Last year, when he led the league in rushing, he made $385,000 in base salary. He's scheduled to make $560,000 this year.

One day doesn't make a contract holdout, but there are signs Johnson's absence could be an offseason storyline.

Asked several weeks ago if he planned to hold out, Johnson said: "I haven't even thought about that. I am playing football. All that new deal stuff, that is between my agent and the Titans. I'll leave that to them.''

Steven Jackson of the Rams became the highest-paid running back in the NFL when he signed a five-year, $48.5 million contract in 2008. Last year Maurice Jones-Drew agreed to a five-year, $31 million deal with the Jaguars that included $17.5 million in guarantees.

Johnson outperformed them last season. He's also scheduled to make less than one of his backups, Alvin Pearman, who didn't even have a carry last season. Pearman's base salary for 2010 is $630,000.

Quarterback Vince Young ($7.5 million) is slated to be the highest-paid Titan this season.

The Titans have made it clear that Johnson is unlikely to get a new contract any time soon.

General Manager Mike Reinfeldt recently conceded that rules tied to the NFL's labor dispute would make giving Johnson a big new deal nearly impossible in a season with no salary cap. The same goes for any young player outperforming his rookie contract.

The "30 percent rule" limits the growth of base salaries of renegotiated existing contracts in the uncapped year. As a result, the Titans would probably have to pay Johnson guaranteed signing bonus money in the $40 million to $50 million range as part of a market-rate extension, because the base salary he could earn would be restricted.

Without the presence of such a rule, the Titans would be able to negotiate a deal with more of the contract in base salary and different types of non-guaranteed pay.

"Based on their prior year's salary," Reinfeldt said, "it makes those deals very, very hard to do."

Former Titans running back Eddie George questioned the timing of Johnson's stance.

"He has definitely outplayed his contract, there's no question about it,'' George said. "Does he have leverage at this point and time? I don't think so because of the uncertainty of the financial situation with the potential lockout. The timing is not great for him.

"I say good luck to him. … My advice to him is if you can get it by playing hardball, great. There is no question he is the best player on that team and he deserved to get paid more."

Reinfeldt said he doesn't expect a holdout or any headaches from Johnson.

"The good thing with Chris is he has been a pro from Day 1,'' he said. "So I would expect Chris to be a pro. We expect Chris to be a pro.''

Reach Jim Wyatt at 615-259-8015 or jwyatt@tennessean.com

 

[Da Guru]

Last year could have been a fluke. If CJ puts together 2-3 more in a row then give him a new deal.

 

[healthpellets]

if i were the TEN, i'd let him sit. and if he doesn't want to play this year under the contract he signed, then so be it.

if i were CJ3, i'd hold the hell out. a RBs career is so short, and a serious knee injury could prevent him from ever being what he is now. so get paid while the gettings good.

so who blinks first?

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

If Im CJ, I hold out, he is making like 500k. He deserves a raise and IMO should get it.

 

[Superdbs]

Steven Jackson of the Rams became the highest-paid running back in the NFL when he signed a five-year, $48.5 million contract in 2008. Last year Maurice Jones-Drew agreed to a five-year, $31 million deal with the Jaguars that included $17.5 million in guarantees.Johnson outperformed them last season. He's also scheduled to make less than one of his backups, Alvin Pearman, who didn't even have a carry last season. Pearman's base salary for 2010 is $630,000.

This is the part of the article that really hit me. Hard to argue with a guy wanting a salary bump after that. Many will say "he signed a contract, now honor it, no matter what", and I can agree with that on a basic level, but when a guy has a completely off-the-hook ridiculous season like he just did, don't you have to at least talk about it, especially with the short RB shelf life?

 

[Spin]

Steven Jackson of the Rams became the highest-paid running back in the NFL when he signed a five-year, $48.5 million contract in 2008. Last year Maurice Jones-Drew agreed to a five-year, $31 million deal with the Jaguars that included $17.5 million in guarantees.

Johnson outperformed them last season. He's also scheduled to make less than one of his backups, Alvin Pearman, who didn't even have a carry last season. Pearman's base salary for 2010 is $630,000.

This is the part of the article that really hit me. Hard to argue with a guy wanting a salary bump after that. Many will say "he signed a contract, now honor it, no matter what", and I can agree with that on a basic level, but when a guy has a completely off-the-hook ridiculous season like he just did, don't you have to at least talk about it, especially with the short RB shelf life?

Added bold for emphasis. Give the man more money ><

 

[cstu]

Javon Walker redux.

 

[Chase Stuart]

Last year could have been a fluke. If CJ puts together 2-3 more in a row then give him a new deal.

If he puts together 2-3 more like it people will say he's too old/beat up to get a huge deal. There's always risk involved in the future. But I'd say Chris Johnson now will be worth more than Johnson in 2-3 years.

 

[cstu]

Last year could have been a fluke. If CJ puts together 2-3 more in a row then give him a new deal.

If he puts together 2-3 more like it people will say he's too old/beat up to get a huge deal. There's always risk involved in the future. But I'd say Chris Johnson now will be worth more than Johnson in 2-3 years.

There was risk involved when the Titans gave $7M guarantee to a rookie. That's how the system works - sometimes teams get robbed by guys like Jamarcus and other times they rob guys like Chris Johnson.

 

[unckeyherb]

He did last year, what only a handful of HOFer's have ever done before. I agree with the whole "he signed a contract" argument, but there are always special circumstances where a little leeway is required. This is one of those situations. He is due $500,000. seriously?

 

[Phurfur]

If Im CJ, I hold out, he is making like 500k. He deserves a raise and IMO should get it.

What was his signing bonus?

 

[Phurfur]

He did last year, what only a handful of HOFer's have ever done before. I agree with the whole "he signed a contract" argument, but there are always special circumstances where a little leeway is required. This is one of those situations. He is due $500,000. seriously?

No, he recieved a Signing Bonus?

 

[Pickle Rody]

Johnson signed a five-year, $12 million contract after the Titans selected him with the 24th pick in the 2008 draft. Last year, when he led the league in rushing, he made $385,000 in base salary. He's scheduled to make $560,000 this year.

The Titans have made it clear that Johnson is unlikely to get a new contract any time soon.

General Manager Mike Reinfeldt recently conceded that rules tied to the NFL's labor dispute would make giving Johnson a big new deal nearly impossible in a season with no salary cap. The same goes for any young player outperforming his rookie contract.

The "30 percent rule" limits the growth of base salaries of renegotiated existing contracts in the uncapped year. As a result, the Titans would probably have to pay Johnson guaranteed signing bonus money in the $40 million to $50 million range as part of a market-rate extension, because the base salary he could earn would be restricted.

I am of the opinion that these two sides should be able to put something together to ensure Johnson receives a raise. Reinfelt admits that they can go as high as 30%, so why don't they? I think Johnson deserves something for his performance, in addition to whatever contract laden incentives there were, even if it is not "top dog" status. Seriously, wouldn't he rather earn $728,000 than $560,00 for at least one year until the labor dispute is ironed out? He could agree to a slight raise now, knowing another contract would be looming in the not too distant future. It's either that or stick with what he's got, as far as I'm concerned.Tennessee holds all the cards here. He's kidding himself (or his agent is misleading him) here if he thinks holding out is the best strategy to getting what he wants. The Titans hands are handcuffed to the CBA rules in an uncapped year anyway so the most they could do for Johnson is 30%.............if the Titans offer it, he should accept that and say thank you. Then go out and tear up the league again for another 2000 yards.

Edit: Full disclosure here, I own Johnson in a few leagues this year, including a keeper. I'm not concerned with him working out on his own, nor am I worried about a long hold-out, should he choose to go that route. Any hold-out would have everything to do with $$$ and nothing to do with his physical readiness for the season. Johnson could sit out all of TC for all I'm concerned, he'll be ready for opening day. No doubt in my mind.

 

[gandalas]

This is why I feel that ALL nfl contracts should be a VERY low base salary, with performance-based escalators. That way, you avoid paying major dough to the busts, and the stars get paid as their performance deserves.

Does it really need to be any more simple than this?

Just institute a base pay scale:

Year 1) 200,000

Year 2) 250,000

Year 3) 350,000

or something like that. Then just have escalators for every 100 yards passing, rushing, or receiving...defensive with their respective stats, and maybe for other positions like O-line and Fullbacks or whatever some other measurable stat, like plays run or something like that.

Of course, you would get more players trying to "get theirs", but put team-based escalators in there as well, to promote a winning attitude.

I don't know if this would all work out, and I am sure that the players would never go for it anyway, but it would certainly help out with both busts making too much money, and later round young players not being paid relative to their production.

 

[Joe Bryant]

My guess (which is no better than anyone else's here) is that he'll be fine. He'll hold out to get a better deal. He almost has to. The Titans pretty much have to give him a new deal just because he so far outperformed his contract. But he won't get anything like ridiculous money. They want to see if last year was a fluke. But he'll get a raise and get in for camp I think.

J

 

[FUBAR]

Johnson signed a five-year, $12 million contract after the Titans selected him with the 24th pick in the 2008 draft. Last year, when he led the league in rushing, he made $385,000 in base salary. He's scheduled to make $560,000 this year.

The Titans have made it clear that Johnson is unlikely to get a new contract any time soon.

General Manager Mike Reinfeldt recently conceded that rules tied to the NFL's labor dispute would make giving Johnson a big new deal nearly impossible in a season with no salary cap. The same goes for any young player outperforming his rookie contract.

The "30 percent rule" limits the growth of base salaries of renegotiated existing contracts in the uncapped year. As a result, the Titans would probably have to pay Johnson guaranteed signing bonus money in the $40 million to $50 million range as part of a market-rate extension, because the base salary he could earn would be restricted.

I am of the opinion that these two sides should be able to put something together to ensure Johnson receives a raise. Reinfelt admits that they can go as high as 30%, so why don't they? I think Johnson deserves something for his performance, in addition to whatever contract laden incentives there were, even if it is not "top dog" status. Seriously, wouldn't he rather earn $728,000 than $560,00 for at least one year until the labor dispute is ironed out? He could agree to a slight raise now, knowing another contract would be looming in the not too distant future. It's either that or stick with what he's got, as far as I'm concerned.Tennessee holds all the cards here. He's kidding himself (or his agent is misleading him) here if he thinks holding out is the best strategy to getting what he wants. The Titans hands are handcuffed to the CBA rules in an uncapped year anyway so the most they could do for Johnson is 30%.............if the Titans offer it, he should accept that and say thank you. Then go out and tear up the league again for another 2000 yards.

that's the problem here - and sort of the solution, the Titans can honestly say "here, this is all we're allowed to give you" and there's not much he can do about it except sulk. The Titans are going to give him a raise and he'll be on the field week 1. they just sent LenDale packing although he's certainly not CJ, they aren't going to have Ringer start the season if they can help it. The fans support CJ making more money, this is a pretty straight forward deal.

 

[FUBAR]

BTW, can a team bump a salary 30% and give good bonus money for making benchmarks - say an extra $1M for 1,000 yards, $2M for 2,000 yards, etc.?

 

[Pickle Rody]

BTW, can a team bump a salary 30% and give good bonus money for making benchmarks - say an extra $1M for 1,000 yards, $2M for 2,000 yards, etc.?

I was under the impression that it could be a 30% bump in base, but all other contract incentives would basically remain the same. I could be wrong. Johnson probably has all the standard incentives loaded into it now.....yardage escalators, awards escalators and the like. Question: Could Tennessee undercut/re-write the current incentives as far as milestones to achieve the bonuses? Say rushing for 1500+ yards gets him a bonus of 1 Mil instead of $500,00? Or, rushing for 2000+ yards earns him 2 Mil instead of 1 Mil? Whatever, just make it easier to accomplish those milestones, thus helping him earn more? Probably way off base on this because I'm just thinking out loud here and not really putting a lot of thought into it.

 

[unckeyherb]

He did last year, what only a handful of HOFer's have ever done before. I agree with the whole "he signed a contract" argument, but there are always special circumstances where a little leeway is required. This is one of those situations. He is due $500,000. seriously?

No, he recieved a Signing Bonus?

did he? How much was it for? Because as it is right now, he's made somewhere in the neighborhood of $550,000 in salary.

 

[shader]

The only possibility of last season being a "fluke" is CJ's injury susceptibility. In no way was last season fluky when it comes to his talent. He'll run for bigtime yardage for the next 5 years.

But it is still possible that he could be a bit of an injury risk due to his smallish frame, though I don't think that will affect how they pay him one bit. They know he is the key to the entire team.

 

[gianmarco]

For those even mentioning the word "fluke", are we forgetting he also ran for over 1200 yds (1500 combined yds) and 10 TDs as a rookie while splitting time? And that he had a 4.9 ypc with 250 carries?

The word "fluke" should not be mentioned when discussing Chris Johnson.

 

[ICON211]

Last year could have been a fluke. If CJ puts together 2-3 more in a row then give him a new deal.

If he puts together 2-3 more like it people will say he's too old/beat up to get a huge deal. There's always risk involved in the future. But I'd say Chris Johnson now will be worth more than Johnson in 2-3 years.

There was risk involved when the Titans gave $7M guarantee to a rookie. That's how the system works - sometimes teams get robbed by guys like Jamarcus and other times they rob guys like Chris Johnson.

Thats the problem with the rookie salary system. Where a guy gets drafted determines how much he will make for his first few years regardless of production. Its not his fault he was drafted 24th and basically was slotted into his current contract. Its also not fair that the top picks make huge sums of money and are also unproven. Not sure what the best way to fix it would be, but the current system is definitely flawed. Maybe something like all rookies get no longer than 2 year deals then become restricted free agents, but the top picks would certainly not like that. I have no problem with a guy like Chris Johnson holding out, who has vastly outperformed his deal. The problem arises for me when a guy signs a deal that puts him at the top end of his position as far as salary then wants to redo the deal two years later.

 

[az_prof]

Last year could have been a fluke. If CJ puts together 2-3 more in a row then give him a new deal.

If he puts together 2-3 more like it people will say he's too old/beat up to get a huge deal. There's always risk involved in the future. But I'd say Chris Johnson now will be worth more than Johnson in 2-3 years.

There was risk involved when the Titans gave $7M guarantee to a rookie. That's how the system works - sometimes teams get robbed by guys like Jamarcus and other times they rob guys like Chris Johnson.

Thats the problem with the rookie salary system. Where a guy gets drafted determines how much he will make for his first few years regardless of production. Its not his fault he was drafted 24th and basically was slotted into his current contract. Its also not fair that the top picks make huge sums of money and are also unproven. Not sure what the best way to fix it would be, but the current system is definitely flawed. Maybe something like all rookies get no longer than 2 year deals then become restricted free agents, but the top picks would certainly not like that. I have no problem with a guy like Chris Johnson holding out, who has vastly outperformed his deal. The problem arises for me when a guy signs a deal that puts him at the top end of his position as far as salary then wants to redo the deal two years later.

I agree that the current rookie pay scale is wrong. These guys want to rework their rookie deals when they play well, but I don't think Jamarcus Russell and players like him are wanting to rework their deals. They could just have a base salary for all rookies based on round that is significantly less pay than what veteran starters get but I like the idea of limiting the years to two with maybe the third year being a RFA and the fourth year a FA. Players who play well would get a significant bump in salary that third year and a huge payday by their fourth year when they are still in their prime. With current contracts a rookie signs a five year deal and he is 27 before he is a RFA and 28 before he is a full FA. That's too late for many to get the pay they deserve. But many guys much less deserving get paid millions more and never do anything worthy of it.

 

[unckeyherb]

Last year could have been a fluke. If CJ puts together 2-3 more in a row then give him a new deal.

If he puts together 2-3 more like it people will say he's too old/beat up to get a huge deal. There's always risk involved in the future. But I'd say Chris Johnson now will be worth more than Johnson in 2-3 years.

There was risk involved when the Titans gave $7M guarantee to a rookie. That's how the system works - sometimes teams get robbed by guys like Jamarcus and other times they rob guys like Chris Johnson.

Thats the problem with the rookie salary system. Where a guy gets drafted determines how much he will make for his first few years regardless of production. Its not his fault he was drafted 24th and basically was slotted into his current contract. Its also not fair that the top picks make huge sums of money and are also unproven. Not sure what the best way to fix it would be, but the current system is definitely flawed. Maybe something like all rookies get no longer than 2 year deals then become restricted free agents, but the top picks would certainly not like that. I have no problem with a guy like Chris Johnson holding out, who has vastly outperformed his deal. The problem arises for me when a guy signs a deal that puts him at the top end of his position as far as salary then wants to redo the deal two years later.

I really think at its core the answer is simple. Have a few tiers of rookie contracts (maybe based on which round you are taken in) that are low. $100,000 year one-$200,000 year two-$300,000 year three-RFA year four. Mixed in with this teams can put in performance based escalators on either a season to season basis or even a game to game basis ($50,000 for any game where you rush for 100+ yards, for instance). This also would be capped till year four, where the team has the option to structure a long term deal or cut a guy loose. The guy has the option to listen to other offers, and the best offer he can take (provided his current team won't match.) This protects the teams from blowing their load on busts. It keeps the young guys focused more on working hard on the field to get to the next level as well as make the escalators which provide big money (not to mention takes away all the instances of having an immature 23 year old being handed 20 million dollars and the poor decisions that come with that.) It also rewards the guys who have put in their time and excelled for a few years in a row.

 

[Chase Stuart]

I really think at its core the answer is simple. Have a few tiers of rookie contracts (maybe based on which round you are taken in) that are low. $100,000 year one-$200,000 year two-$300,000 year three-RFA year four. Mixed in with this teams can put in performance based escalators on either a season to season basis or even a game to game basis ($50,000 for any game where you rush for 100+ yards, for instance). This also would be capped till year four, where the team has the option to structure a long term deal or cut a guy loose. The guy has the option to listen to other offers, and the best offer he can take (provided his current team won't match.) This protects the teams from blowing their load on busts. It keeps the young guys focused more on working hard on the field to get to the next level as well as make the escalators which provide big money (not to mention takes away all the instances of having an immature 23 year old being handed 20 million dollars and the poor decisions that come with that.) It also rewards the guys who have put in their time and excelled for a few years in a row.

I can't think of why in the world Sam Bradford should only be paid $100,000 this year but Jake Delhomme gets to make $7 million. Shouldn't compensation, ya know, be tied to perceived worth? Taking money away from rookies and giving it to veterans doesn't do anything but take it from more deserving people and giving it to less deserving people. Tomlinson signed a two-year deal for $5.6 million this off-season. Would the Bills rather have Tomlinson for that price or C.J. Spiller?I'm a fan of the free market. I think teams and players should negotiate salaries. A rookie cap is artificial and doesn't make any sense. If Jerry Jones doesn't want to pay owner X that much money, he shouldn't. He should sign someone else. Brandon Marshall just signed a 5-year, 50 million dollar deal. Do you really think Dez Bryant should be paid 1/100th of what Bryant makes this year?

 

[unckeyherb]

I can't think of why in the world Sam Bradford should only be paid $100,000 this year but Jake Delhomme gets to make $7 million. Shouldn't compensation, ya know, be tied to perceived worth?

Bradford has done zero to deserve any money. What if turns out to be the next Ryan Leaf? What is perceived worth anyways? Isn't all worth perceived?

Taking money away from rookies and giving it to veterans doesn't do anything but take it from more deserving people and giving it to less deserving people. Tomlinson signed a two-year deal for $5.6 million this off-season. Would the Bills rather have Tomlinson for that price or C.J. Spiller?

So you are saying that a person just coming into the league, having never played a professional down of football is MORE deserving than a veteran that can still produce? I'm not sure I get your point with the LT-Spiller comparison, but in my scenario they would have Spiller at far less than that; unless he produces on the field.

I'm a fan of the free market. I think teams and players should negotiate salaries. A rookie cap is artificial and doesn't make any sense. If Jerry Jones doesn't want to pay owner X that much money, he shouldn't.

What is artificial is the requirement that player A drafted at 1.01 DESERVES 30 million dollars guaranteed. Teams are not realy able to negotiate with players. Bradford is a QB and went first overall. Based on precedent, his agent can demand #### you money. It makes no sense.

Brandon Marshall just signed a 5-year, 50 million dollar deal. Do you really think Dez Bryant should be paid 1/100th of what Bryant makes this year?

No I don't think Dez Bryant should be paid 1/100th of what Marshall is paid but he should be paid considerably less. Marshall has been one of the best WRs in the NFL over the last 3-4 years. So yes I do think he should make a boatload more than Dez Bryant. Also, what I proposed was that $100,000 is the base; from there all Dez has to do is perform and hit his escalators that will make him a millionaire. You know, he has to EARN it.

 

[wdh76]

I really think at its core the answer is simple. Have a few tiers of rookie contracts (maybe based on which round you are taken in) that are low. $100,000 year one-$200,000 year two-$300,000 year three-RFA year four. Mixed in with this teams can put in performance based escalators on either a season to season basis or even a game to game basis ($50,000 for any game where you rush for 100+ yards, for instance). This also would be capped till year four, where the team has the option to structure a long term deal or cut a guy loose. The guy has the option to listen to other offers, and the best offer he can take (provided his current team won't match.) This protects the teams from blowing their load on busts. It keeps the young guys focused more on working hard on the field to get to the next level as well as make the escalators which provide big money (not to mention takes away all the instances of having an immature 23 year old being handed 20 million dollars and the poor decisions that come with that.) It also rewards the guys who have put in their time and excelled for a few years in a row.

I can't think of why in the world Sam Bradford should only be paid $100,000 this year but Jake Delhomme gets to make $7 million. Shouldn't compensation, ya know, be tied to perceived worth? Taking money away from rookies and giving it to veterans doesn't do anything but take it from more deserving people and giving it to less deserving people. Tomlinson signed a two-year deal for $5.6 million this off-season. Would the Bills rather have Tomlinson for that price or C.J. Spiller?I'm a fan of the free market. I think teams and players should negotiate salaries. A rookie cap is artificial and doesn't make any sense. If Jerry Jones doesn't want to pay owner X that much money, he shouldn't. He should sign someone else. Brandon Marshall just signed a 5-year, 50 million dollar deal. Do you really think Dez Bryant should be paid 1/100th of what Bryant makes this year?

Do you think Stafford should be a top 3 paid QB???

 

[Phurfur]

He did last year, what only a handful of HOFer's have ever done before. I agree with the whole "he signed a contract" argument, but there are always special circumstances where a little leeway is required. This is one of those situations. He is due $500,000. seriously?

No, he recieved a Signing Bonus?

did he? How much was it for? Because as it is right now, he's made somewhere in the neighborhood of $550,000 in salary.

I don't know, I asked that earlier. He was a 1st rounder so he did get a signing bonus.

 

[cstu]

He did last year, what only a handful of HOFer's have ever done before. I agree with the whole "he signed a contract" argument, but there are always special circumstances where a little leeway is required. This is one of those situations. He is due $500,000. seriously?

No, he recieved a Signing Bonus?

did he? How much was it for? Because as it is right now, he's made somewhere in the neighborhood of $550,000 in salary.

I don't know, I asked that earlier. He was a 1st rounder so he did get a signing bonus.

7/26/2008: Signed a five-year, $12 million contract. The deal contains $7 million guaranteed, including $1.125 million in first-year bonuses and a $3.86 million roster bonus in the second year. 2010: $550,000, 2011: $800,000, 2012: $2.21 million, 2013: Free Agent

 

[Aardvarks]

He did last year, what only a handful of HOFer's have ever done before. I agree with the whole "he signed a contract" argument, but there are always special circumstances where a little leeway is required. This is one of those situations. He is due $500,000. seriously?

No, he recieved a Signing Bonus?

did he? How much was it for? Because as it is right now, he's made somewhere in the neighborhood of $550,000 in salary.

I don't know, I asked that earlier. He was a 1st rounder so he did get a signing bonus.

7/26/2008: Signed a five-year, $12 million contract. The deal contains $7 million guaranteed, including $1.125 million in first-year bonuses and a $3.86 million roster bonus in the second year. 2010: $550,000, 2011: $800,000, 2012: $2.21 million, 2013: Free Agent

Historically the Titans have been clumsy and inconsistent with the money; big contract structures, offers & negotiations have been mishandled. For example, letting Derrick Mason walk instead of breaking the bank for an emerging star. Or letting back-loaded balloon payments capsize Steve McNair & Brad Hopkins. It's one reason why the Titans have trouble luring star free agents. But in this case, Chris Johnson is the franchise darling and he will get paid this summer. He outplays and outworks everyone on the roster (including Bulluck, and that's saying a lot) and they will not let his performance go unrewarded much longer. This will be a non-issue in 2 months. For posterity's sake, let's suppose the Titans do drag their feet. Let's say you're drafting early, like the first week of August, and CJ2K holdout winds are swirling. If he starts dropping to 3rd, 4th in fantasy drafts and he falls to you: Well, you draft him. Don't blink, just take him.

 

[Teef]

If Im CJ, I hold out, he is making like 500k. He deserves a raise and IMO should get it.

He definitely deserves the raise. It should be interesting to see how things play out.

 

[Tanner9919]

My guess (which is no better than anyone else's here) is that he'll be fine. He'll hold out to get a better deal. He almost has to. The Titans pretty much have to give him a new deal just because he so far outperformed his contract. But he won't get anything like ridiculous money. They want to see if last year was a fluke. But he'll get a raise and get in for camp I think. J

but they will dangle the two F/a's in Blount and Stafon as 'replacements' to C. Johnson ,to use a leverage

 

[pollardsvision]

This is to be expected in a violent game where players have no power and no guaranteed contracts. I'd never fault an NFL player for holding out for more money. Especially with an uncapped year.

Makes sense for teams to play hardball with RBs though. By the time they prove they are worth big money (almost no NFL RBs really are, imo), it would be silly to give it to them.

 

[drdgreenlove]

My guess (which is no better than anyone else's here) is that he'll be fine. He'll hold out to get a better deal. He almost has to. The Titans pretty much have to give him a new deal just because he so far outperformed his contract. But he won't get anything like ridiculous money. They want to see if last year was a fluke. But he'll get a raise and get in for camp I think. J

but they will dangle the two F/a's in Blount and Stafon as 'replacements' to C. Johnson ,to use a leverage

This isnt leverage... that is like saying I have a Kia to replace my Bentley.CJ should hold out..The Titans will be horrible without him and everyone knows it.. and for real, you can't pay Alvin Peerman more than him..

 

[massraider]

By the time his contract is up, he won't get a big money deal from anyone. No problem with him holding out. Tennessee should do the right thing.

 

[Ditkaless Wonders]

Dude will average 2.4 million per year over the life of the contract with the money front loaded. Given the time value of money his deal really averages out to more like 2.6 million or so per year. Whenever these contract situations come up folks like to forget the bonus, as if he was not prepaid some of the current year salary. They do so disingenuously to try to make their argument more staggering. Here's the thing, who listens to the stagggeringly disingenuous.

Were I the Titans I would work at keeping this player content. I would not do so because it is the right thing to do, but because it is in my selfish best interest as a business. Attempting to hold a player to a contract so clearly out of whack with the market only causes resentment and disruption. I would make the next contract more than fair, more than market value, but incredibly incentive based so as to avoid the fat contract syndrome that hits some of these guys.

Were I Johnson I would hold out. His window is limited, his profession dangerous. In holding out I would acknowledge I had a contract, one I should honor, but one I did not and could not have been in a position to understand before playing a few hundred snaps in the league. I would return immediately the prorata share of my unearned bonus along with interest saying that anything less would not be right. I would point out our contract was for playing football if I were capable. I would say that given my current mental state I was not. I would not publically comment on the situation again except to say that the opportunity to play for such great fans was something I will always cherish, not to mention what a great City, Owner, and organization they have here. Nothing else. Everything else happens through the agent out of the view of the press. The first thing I do is make it clear that leaked negotiations or negative press is only going to make any deal more expensive. I would then look for a job, after all I am moving on aren't I?

 

[Truman]

Dude will average 2.4 million per year over the life of the contract with the money front loaded. Given the time value of money his deal really averages out to more like 2.6 million or so per year. Whenever these contract situations come up folks like to forget the bonus, as if he was not prepaid some of the current year salary. They do so disingenuously to try to make their argument more staggering. Here's the thing, who listens to the stagggeringly disingenuous.

That's nothing. Thomas Jones signed a deal for more than that to be a backup on the Chiefs at age 31.

 

[Happy Ragnarok]

I really think at its core the answer is simple. Have a few tiers of rookie contracts (maybe based on which round you are taken in) that are low. $100,000 year one-$200,000 year two-$300,000 year three-RFA year four. Mixed in with this teams can put in performance based escalators on either a season to season basis or even a game to game basis ($50,000 for any game where you rush for 100+ yards, for instance). This also would be capped till year four, where the team has the option to structure a long term deal or cut a guy loose. The guy has the option to listen to other offers, and the best offer he can take (provided his current team won't match.) This protects the teams from blowing their load on busts. It keeps the young guys focused more on working hard on the field to get to the next level as well as make the escalators which provide big money (not to mention takes away all the instances of having an immature 23 year old being handed 20 million dollars and the poor decisions that come with that.) It also rewards the guys who have put in their time and excelled for a few years in a row.

The game is way too violent, the careers too short, and the current system too profitable for any of this to be reasonable. Without the lure of huge, multi-million dollar rookie contracts, the best athletes at every skill position would flee football like rats from a sinking ship. You'd have arena-football level talent in the NFL in a decade.Might not matter, because maybe the average fan couldn't tell the difference between great performers in a watered down league vs great performers in a good league. But my bet is that fans would notice the big improvements in the caliber of athletes in baseball and basketball, and the NFL would lose its competitive advantage.

 

[Ditkaless Wonders]

Dude will average 2.4 million per year over the life of the contract with the money front loaded. Given the time value of money his deal really averages out to more like 2.6 million or so per year. Whenever these contract situations come up folks like to forget the bonus, as if he was not prepaid some of the current year salary. They do so disingenuously to try to make their argument more staggering. Here's the thing, who listens to the stagggeringly disingenuous.

That's nothing. Thomas Jones signed a deal for more than that to be a backup on the Chiefs at age 31.

I appreciate that. All I'm saying is that anyone using the half million dollar figure is not to be listened to. I'm also suggesting that holding out when one holds onto their bonus is wrong. Give it back right up frontm don't wait. It also expresses a certain seriousness in one's approach to a hold out.

 

[unckeyherb]

Without the lure of huge, multi-million dollar rookie contracts, the best athletes at every skill position would flee football like rats from a sinking ship.

And go where? Look, I know that there is a fairly large cross-section of atheletes that are mult-sport players in college and of that mix there are probably a handful that excell in both sports at that level and of those there are a very small group that would be able to play either sport at a pro level. To think that everyone is Bo Jackson and will flee the NFL is a little alarmist, IMO. And again, I am not saying that these guys should make low dollars. I am saying that a 21 year old kid should not be handed $30 million before doing a thing at the pro level. I am saying that for the first few years, their huge multi-million dollar contracts should be directly tied to performance. Guarantee a living, fine; you should have to earn the ##### you money. Why is that such a ridiculous endevour.

This method would benefit guys like CJ who come in and tear it up and it would protect teams like the Raiders who draft a turd-burglar like Jamarcus.

 

[babydemon90]

Titans could always do a deal with CJ similar to what the Eagles did with Kolb...

 

[Truman]

Football players are already the lowest paid out of the US pro sports. Paying guys based on stats would be a horrible way to go. It would destroy the team concept. Give people incentives to be selfish and they will be.

 

[Chase Stuart]

I really think at its core the answer is simple. Have a few tiers of rookie contracts (maybe based on which round you are taken in) that are low. $100,000 year one-$200,000 year two-$300,000 year three-RFA year four. Mixed in with this teams can put in performance based escalators on either a season to season basis or even a game to game basis ($50,000 for any game where you rush for 100+ yards, for instance). This also would be capped till year four, where the team has the option to structure a long term deal or cut a guy loose. The guy has the option to listen to other offers, and the best offer he can take (provided his current team won't match.) This protects the teams from blowing their load on busts. It keeps the young guys focused more on working hard on the field to get to the next level as well as make the escalators which provide big money (not to mention takes away all the instances of having an immature 23 year old being handed 20 million dollars and the poor decisions that come with that.) It also rewards the guys who have put in their time and excelled for a few years in a row.

I can't think of why in the world Sam Bradford should only be paid $100,000 this year but Jake Delhomme gets to make $7 million. Shouldn't compensation, ya know, be tied to perceived worth? Taking money away from rookies and giving it to veterans doesn't do anything but take it from more deserving people and giving it to less deserving people. Tomlinson signed a two-year deal for $5.6 million this off-season. Would the Bills rather have Tomlinson for that price or C.J. Spiller?I'm a fan of the free market. I think teams and players should negotiate salaries. A rookie cap is artificial and doesn't make any sense. If Jerry Jones doesn't want to pay owner X that much money, he shouldn't. He should sign someone else. Brandon Marshall just signed a 5-year, 50 million dollar deal. Do you really think Dez Bryant should be paid 1/100th of what Bryant makes this year?

Do you think Stafford should be a top 3 paid QB???

"Should be" is sort of a weird way to phrase it. You have to remember that contracts rise between 5 and 10 percent every year. So a QB that was better than Stafford and was more deserving of money than Stafford might be paid less -- and fairly so -- if he signed his contract four years ago. That's just the way contracts work; in three years, Stafford might look underpaid compared to the next guy. Taking into account that salaries rise significantly, yes, Stafford was paid appropriately.

 

[griff321]

For those even mentioning the word "fluke", are we forgetting he also ran for over 1200 yds (1500 combined yds) and 10 TDs as a rookie while splitting time? And that he had a 4.9 ypc with 250 carries? The word "fluke" should not be mentioned when discussing Chris Johnson.

No doubt C.J. is an elite back and he deserves to be paid, but who knows what a guy that scored a 10 on the wonderlic will do. Let's just hope the Titans find a way to pay him.Without a doubt last year was a "fluke." There should be at the very least some statistical normalization, and the odds of him ever having as good or better season are very low. You just don't break the single season yards from scrimmage record every year. The fact that a large chunk of the yardage were rushing works even more against him. I think if he ever gets close again it's because he supplanted the rushing yards with receiving. Something like the four amazing years of 2k+ yards from Marshall Faulk, but then again Faulk always had more receiving yards in his 2k years then CJ did last year. Six players have rushed for 2k yards in a season. Look at how the other five did in their following season.Eric Dickerson '84-2,105Yds(2,244YScm)...'85-1,234Yds(1,360YScm)Jamal Lewis '03-2,066Yds(2,271YScm)....'04-1,006Yds(1,122YScm)Barry Sanders '97-2,053Yds(2,358YScm)....'98-1,491Yds(1,780YScm)Terrell Davis '98-2,008Yds(2,225YScm)....'99-211Yds(237YScm)O.J. Simpson '73-2,003Yds(2,073YScm)....'74-1,125Yds(1,314YScm)

 

[unckeyherb]

Football players are already the lowest paid out of the US pro sports. Paying guys based on stats would be a horrible way to go. It would destroy the team concept. Give people incentives to be selfish and they will be.

How does paying Bradford millions of dollars more than anyone else on the team foster the team concept? Giving people incentives to perform well helps the team. Handing over millions to kids fosters self-entitlement and gives them the ability to make stupid decisions, not work harder.

 

[drdgreenlove]

Titans could always do a deal with CJ similar to what the Eagles did with Kolb...

I thought about that... problem is.. he already has a 5 year deal.. so 3 years left.. if they extend him by even 1 year, that gives him 4 years left. TO keep him happy for 4 more years, he would need a lot of money, not just 10 million... because Kolb's deal basically became 2 years for 14 million with the new deal. They would have to give Johnson 20-30 million I bet for him to be happy. With a lockout looming, I doubt they would do that...

 

[Neil Beaufort Zod]

Steven Jackson of the Rams became the highest-paid running back in the NFL when he signed a five-year, $48.5 million contract in 2008. Last year Maurice Jones-Drew agreed to a five-year, $31 million deal with the Jaguars that included $17.5 million in guarantees.Johnson outperformed them last season. He's also scheduled to make less than one of his backups, Alvin Pearman, who didn't even have a carry last season. Pearman's base salary for 2010 is $630,000.

This is the part of the article that really hit me. Hard to argue with a guy wanting a salary bump after that. Many will say "he signed a contract, now honor it, no matter what", and I can agree with that on a basic level, but when a guy has a completely off-the-hook ridiculous season like he just did, don't you have to at least talk about it, especially with the short RB shelf life?

I don't buy the "you signed a deal, you have to honor it" at all. The teams sure don't do that. They have no problem cutting a guy if he under-performs his contract. There's no "too bad, you signed a deal, I'm here for five more years" stuff. In the NFL, every year is a contract year. You earn a one-year extension of your current contract, you play your way out of it or you play your way into something better. From a front-office perspective, teams shouldn't really pay based on what you did in the past. They should pay based on what you can do in the future. Johnson's youth is definitely a positive factor there and he definitely deserves something more. Unfortunately, it seems too early to anoint him with a mega deal. If I was Johnson I'd hold out and feel vastly underpaid. if I was the team I'd want him to honor his deal and not commit so much to him this early. I don't know what the solution is here. Maybe a fat contract with no signing bonus-- Big money each year, but you have to get to that year to earn it. Not that he'd accept that, but at least it would resolve this year and get them through the cap/labor issues.