where will CJ play in 2014?Jets sign him (1 Viewer)

[KellysHeroes]

Rotoworld:

Chris Johnson reportedly suffered a meniscus tear in Week 3 and will have surgery to repair it Tuesday.

In a credit to his underrated durability, Johnson didn't miss a game for the fifth straight season and wasn't even on the injury report until December. However, we wouldn't use this injury as a complete excuse for his meager 1,077 rushing yards on 3.86 YPC. Even with a vastly improved offensive line, the artist formerly known as CJ2K ran similarly to the way he did in 2011 and 2012, when he combined to average 4.25 YPC and gain 1145.5 rushing yards per season. Johnson's meniscus repair comes with a 4-6 week timetable, meaning he'll be nearly healthy by the time the Titans release him and he hits the open market in March. However, he'll be disappointed by the offers he receives as a 28-year-old back that's coming off knee surgery with 2,014 career touches on his resume.


Source: Jason La Canfora on Twitter

thats impressive

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Love how Rotoworld dismisses the meniscus tear as any reason for his slide in production…they are the worst.

 

[Faust]

Rotoworld:

Former NFL RB Terrell Davis questioned Chris Johnson's effort.

It's notable because we've noticed similar issues while watching Johnson run over the past three seasons. "When I watch film, I don't see the effort in him," Davis said. "And I never, ever want to question somebody's effort. But ... the tape, it doesn't lie. And I don't see the desire I saw when he was Chris Johnson, the no-big-contract Chris Johnson." Pro Football Focus ranked CJ?K 30th among 32 qualifiers in yards after contact per attempt this season. As Davis put it, he's no longer "willing to bang your head against the wall if the wall is not breaking down." Johnson is fully expected to be released by the Titans before the new league year opens.


Source: Nashville Tennessean

 

[cstu]

Rotoworld:

Former NFL RB Terrell Davis questioned Chris Johnson's effort.

It's notable because we've noticed similar issues while watching Johnson run over the past three seasons. "When I watch film, I don't see the effort in him," Davis said. "And I never, ever want to question somebody's effort. But ... the tape, it doesn't lie. And I don't see the desire I saw when he was Chris Johnson, the no-big-contract Chris Johnson." Pro Football Focus ranked CJ?K 30th among 32 qualifiers in yards after contact per attempt this season. As Davis put it, he's no longer "willing to bang your head against the wall if the wall is not breaking down." Johnson is fully expected to be released by the Titans before the new league year opens.


Source: Nashville Tennessean

Fair criticism IMO, maybe a chance of scenery will do him good.

 

[msudaisy26]

Love how Rotoworld dismisses the meniscus tear as any reason for his slide in production…they are the worst.

I agree, I am not a big Chris Johnson fan but he played almost the entire season with a torn meniscus. That is tough and is going to hurt any running backs production.

 

[Tool]

i would not be buying on chris johnson

 

[ghostguy123]

i would not be buying on chris johnson

Me either. I dont see a change of scenery as being better, unless he somehow goes to the absolute perfect situation where the offense goes through the RB, and there is no competition from a good backup.

 

[Faust]

Rotoworld:

Chris Johnson said "everything is still at a stand still" with the Titans.
Johnson's agent and the Titans talked on Tuesday, but nothing got resolved. Things should come to a head before next week, as the organization could use Johnson's $8 million in free agency if they're just going to cut him down the road anyway. He's been very clear in his stance that he will not be taking a pay cut to stay.

Source: Chris Johnson on Facebook

 

[JohnnyU]

i would not be buying on chris johnson

I gave the 2.06 rookie pick for him.

 

[bostonfred]

Its not like he was in an ideal situation last year. He had a horriffic schedule for the first half of the season, his qb got hurt yet again, his offensive line improved but they had massive turnover from 2012, his coach got fired, the receivers on the team who were big enough to block downfield got hurt, he was underutilized in the passing game, and he played through a knee injury. If I told you he was going into that exact situation in 2014, would you expect him to put up top ten numbers? If not, then I would think that most possible landing spots would be a similar if not better situation for him next year. Once again, peoples bias against this guy is keeping his price low. Great acquisition target if you can get him.

 

[Coeur de Lion]

Its not like he was in an ideal situation last year. He had a horriffic schedule for the first half of the season, his qb got hurt yet again, his offensive line improved but they had massive turnover from 2012, his coach got fired, the receivers on the team who were big enough to block downfield got hurt, he was underutilized in the passing game, and he played through a knee injury. If I told you he was going into that exact situation in 2014, would you expect him to put up top ten numbers? If not, then I would think that most possible landing spots would be a similar if not better situation for him next year. Once again, peoples bias against this guy is keeping his price low. Great acquisition target if you can get him.

Meh. Obviously he's a buy for the 2.06 referenced above, but he's not a guy I'd be rushing to go out and grab everywhere for a ton more than that. He turns 29 early next season, has seemingly lost much of the "homerun" aspect of his game, and while his team situation has been bad, it's also allowed him to rack up big touch totals, so neutral overall for FF. He's probably looking at a couple of years of weak RB1 at best with downside from there IMO.

 

[menobrown]

Its not like he was in an ideal situation last year. He had a horriffic schedule for the first half of the season, his qb got hurt yet again, his offensive line improved but they had massive turnover from 2012, his coach got fired, the receivers on the team who were big enough to block downfield got hurt, he was underutilized in the passing game, and he played through a knee injury. If I told you he was going into that exact situation in 2014, would you expect him to put up top ten numbers? If not, then I would think that most possible landing spots would be a similar if not better situation for him next year. Once again, peoples bias against this guy is keeping his price low. Great acquisition target if you can get him.

I tend to agree with most of this.

The Titans graded out, per PFF, as the 5th best run blocking team in the league. If you buy that grade the percentages are he's going to get worse blocking so that's a negative.

I think the biggest boost in his stock would be a team that heavily utilizes their RB's in the passing game. I'm not real impressed with what I've seen out of CJ as a route runner but he's got at least some similar attributes as Jamal Charles and we so how heavy passing game usage turned him from really good to great.

Obviously getting more goal line carries, easier schedule and having a chance for really the first time in his career to play for an upper echelon type offense that creates more space are all things that can lead to better situations.

As is as hard it is to believe he was RB9 last year in PPR and if you put that into PPG he was still RB12. So a low end RB1 but he killed so many fantasy teams out of the gate, due in large part to that horrific schedule, that he left a bad taste in so many peoples mouths that it might make him a really good value next year if he lands in a good spot.

 

[cstu]

Rotoworld:

Chris Johnson said "everything is still at a stand still" with the Titans.
Johnson's agent and the Titans talked on Tuesday, but nothing got resolved. Things should come to a head before next week, as the organization could use Johnson's $8 million in free agency if they're just going to cut him down the road anyway. He's been very clear in his stance that he will not be taking a pay cut to stay.

Source: Chris Johnson on Facebook

If there was zero chance he would take a pay cut they would have cut him by now. That contract talks are even happening is an indication that there's negotiation on a pay cut going on. He's knows it's in his best interest to stay so I think if he can stay at a price higher than he'd get elsewhere he'll take the pay cut.

 

[humpback]

Rotoworld:

Chris Johnson said "everything is still at a stand still" with the Titans.
Johnson's agent and the Titans talked on Tuesday, but nothing got resolved. Things should come to a head before next week, as the organization could use Johnson's $8 million in free agency if they're just going to cut him down the road anyway. He's been very clear in his stance that he will not be taking a pay cut to stay.

Source: Chris Johnson on Facebook

If there was zero chance he would take a pay cut they would have cut him by now. That contract talks are even happening is an indication that there's negotiation on a pay cut going on. He's knows it's in his best interest to stay so I think if he can stay at a price higher than he'd get elsewhere he'll take the pay cut.

The problem is that these guys are often delusional about their value. He probably believes he can get that much or more elsewhere.

 

[Coeur de Lion]

Rotoworld:

Chris Johnson said "everything is still at a stand still" with the Titans.

Johnson's agent and the Titans talked on Tuesday, but nothing got resolved. Things should come to a head before next week, as the organization could use Johnson's $8 million in free agency if they're just going to cut him down the road anyway. He's been very clear in his stance that he will not be taking a pay cut to stay.

Source: Chris Johnson on Facebook

If there was zero chance he would take a pay cut they would have cut him by now. That contract talks are even happening is an indication that there's negotiation on a pay cut going on. He's knows it's in his best interest to stay so I think if he can stay at a price higher than he'd get elsewhere he'll take the pay cut.

The problem is that these guys are often delusional about their value. He probably believes he can get that much or more elsewhere.

That view will be corrected pretty quickly once he gets a few offers.

 

[humpback]

Rotoworld:

Chris Johnson said "everything is still at a stand still" with the Titans.

Johnson's agent and the Titans talked on Tuesday, but nothing got resolved. Things should come to a head before next week, as the organization could use Johnson's $8 million in free agency if they're just going to cut him down the road anyway. He's been very clear in his stance that he will not be taking a pay cut to stay.

Source: Chris Johnson on Facebook

If there was zero chance he would take a pay cut they would have cut him by now. That contract talks are even happening is an indication that there's negotiation on a pay cut going on. He's knows it's in his best interest to stay so I think if he can stay at a price higher than he'd get elsewhere he'll take the pay cut.

The problem is that these guys are often delusional about their value. He probably believes he can get that much or more elsewhere.

That view will be corrected pretty quickly once he gets a few offers.

Sure, but that can't happen until he gets cut.

 

[Holy Schneikes]

This contract isn't bad at all for the Titans to get out of. I think they have a little more leverage than usual in these situations for a restructure. Cutting him in 2014 saves them 8M this year in real money, and saves them 6M in cap. It's not one of these "damn near break even after the signing bonus escalation" kind of deals.

To break even with his existing deal on a new team he would need 16M over two years. That's probably not going to happen. Then say the Titans are asking you to come down to 8M/year (net). Now you need about 6M/year to break even. Probably still not gong to happen. It could, but I doubt it. There are only two backs in the NFL making more than that - McCoy and Peterson. There aren't THAT many making more than 4M/year.

My point is there seems to be a fair amount of room between what CJ is currently making and what he would be making on a new team. So there is plenty of room for a deal to be made if both parties want it to be made. If the Titans offer him 8M/year (instead of 10), that's still likely a fair amount more than he will make on the open market, even accounting for the 4M in Titans bonus money he will be walking away with.

 

[bostonfred]

Its not like he was in an ideal situation last year. He had a horriffic schedule for the first half of the season, his qb got hurt yet again, his offensive line improved but they had massive turnover from 2012, his coach got fired, the receivers on the team who were big enough to block downfield got hurt, he was underutilized in the passing game, and he played through a knee injury. If I told you he was going into that exact situation in 2014, would you expect him to put up top ten numbers? If not, then I would think that most possible landing spots would be a similar if not better situation for him next year. Once again, peoples bias against this guy is keeping his price low. Great acquisition target if you can get him.

Meh. Obviously he's a buy for the 2.06 referenced above, but he's not a guy I'd be rushing to go out and grab everywhere for a ton more than that. He turns 29 early next season, has seemingly lost much of the "homerun" aspect of his game, and while his team situation has been bad, it's also allowed him to rack up big touch totals, so neutral overall for FF. He's probably looking at a couple of years of weak RB1 at best with downside from there IMO.

http://dynastyleaguefootball.com/rankings/adp-january-2014/His adp according to this site was 71 (RB24) in startup drafts, ahead of ben tate, lamar miller and stevan ridley and just behind knowshon, montee ball and andre ellington. At that price - which is higher than 2.6 - I think he's still a reasonable buy. I'll gladly take a couple years of weak RB1 production at a weak RB2 price. In smaller leagues, maybe he's not as valuable, and until we figure out his starting situation, there's risk, but the price is right.

Also, remember that last year he was equally panned, he ended up skyrocketing up redraft boards to the early second round by August. And while that might have seemed like a bust to some owners who were disappointed by his first half numbers, he ended up in the top ten and was actually a strong RB1 during the second half of the season.

I think he has two years left. I'd be surprised if you get a third season of good production. But so would most teams, which is why I think he'll end up playing for a one year contract or a backloaded two or three year contract where the team can cut ties with him if he slacks off. And that's also how I think they'll get the most production out of him. I think he's comparable with a guy like Reggie Bush, who is about the same age and has warts of his own, but is going 20 picks earlier and 6 spots higher at the RB position. To me, that makes CJ a bargain and Bush a bit overrated - and I was one of the bigger Bush supporters the last two years, so it's not like I'm not down on him.

 

[Coeur de Lion]

This contract isn't bad at all for the Titans to get out of. I think they have a little more leverage than usual in these situations for a restructure. Cutting him in 2014 saves them 8M this year in real money, and saves them 6M in cap. It's not one of these "damn near break even after the signing bonus escalation" kind of deals.

To break even with his existing deal on a new team he would need 16M over two years. That's probably not going to happen. Then say the Titans are asking you to come down to 8M/year (net). Now you need about 6M/year to break even. Probably still not gong to happen. It could, but I doubt it. There are only two backs in the NFL making more than that - McCoy and Peterson. There aren't THAT many making more than 4M/year.

My point is there seems to be a fair amount of room between what CJ is currently making and what he would be making on a new team. So there is plenty of room for a deal to be made if both parties want it to be made. If the Titans offer him 8M/year (instead of 10), that's still likely a fair amount more than he will make on the open market, even accounting for the 4M in Titans bonus money he will be walking away with.

He's not worth $8 million or $6 million / year -- I think he might even struggle to get the $4 million / year that Reggie Bush got, unless he settles for a shorter deal with minimal guaranteed money.

 

[Ted Mullins]

I agree with the observation that he was not running very physically at all (notable exception being right at the goalline on one of his TDs, think it was vs the colts?) but I actually think there seems to be too much of a negative consensus against him - he was still a top ten RB in non-ppr last year with the torn meniscus, and hasn't missed a game in 5 years now. I actually think if he sticks around in Tennessee and the scenario is similar to last year, there's a good chance I'll find his ADP attractive in redraft.

 

[Holy Schneikes]

This contract isn't bad at all for the Titans to get out of. I think they have a little more leverage than usual in these situations for a restructure. Cutting him in 2014 saves them 8M this year in real money, and saves them 6M in cap. It's not one of these "damn near break even after the signing bonus escalation" kind of deals.

To break even with his existing deal on a new team he would need 16M over two years. That's probably not going to happen. Then say the Titans are asking you to come down to 8M/year (net). Now you need about 6M/year to break even. Probably still not gong to happen. It could, but I doubt it. There are only two backs in the NFL making more than that - McCoy and Peterson. There aren't THAT many making more than 4M/year.

My point is there seems to be a fair amount of room between what CJ is currently making and what he would be making on a new team. So there is plenty of room for a deal to be made if both parties want it to be made. If the Titans offer him 8M/year (instead of 10), that's still likely a fair amount more than he will make on the open market, even accounting for the 4M in Titans bonus money he will be walking away with.

He's not worth $8 million or $6 million / year -- I think he might even struggle to get the $4 million / year that Reggie Bush got, unless he settles for a shorter deal with minimal guaranteed money.

I don't necessarily disagree. But I think his agents know that, and he might be worth a little more to Tennessee than to other teams. That's why I think there is room for a deal if both sides are reasonable. It's more about ego than anything I would guess at this point.

 

[Holy Schneikes]

I agree with the observation that he was not running very physically at all (notable exception being right at the goalline on one of his TDs, think it was vs the colts?) but I actually think there seems to be too much of a negative consensus against him - he was still a top ten RB in non-ppr last year with the torn meniscus, and hasn't missed a game in 5 years now. I actually think if he sticks around in Tennessee and the scenario is similar to last year, there's a good chance I'll find his ADP attractive in redraft.

I don't think he's ever been a very physical runner - that's not his game. It's also probably why he HASN'T been injured every year like some backs. If people were expecting Lynch, I'm sure they were very disappointed with CJ's film. But he's still the best runner on his team, and he brings value as a receiver.

 

[menobrown]

Rotoworld:

Chris Johnson said "everything is still at a stand still" with the Titans.

Johnson's agent and the Titans talked on Tuesday, but nothing got resolved. Things should come to a head before next week, as the organization could use Johnson's $8 million in free agency if they're just going to cut him down the road anyway. He's been very clear in his stance that he will not be taking a pay cut to stay.

Source: Chris Johnson on Facebook

If there was zero chance he would take a pay cut they would have cut him by now. That contract talks are even happening is an indication that there's negotiation on a pay cut going on. He's knows it's in his best interest to stay so I think if he can stay at a price higher than he'd get elsewhere he'll take the pay cut.

The problem is that these guys are often delusional about their value. He probably believes he can get that much or more elsewhere.

That view will be corrected pretty quickly once he gets a few offers.

I imagine he's got a pretty good idea of what kind offers he can get on the open market. A lot depends on his agent. James Harrison as an example has a small time NFL agent and if he rejected the Steelers offer to lower his pay on his agents advice he got terrible advice. I believe CJ is represented by Joel Segal and CAA and I think these kind of agencies are better positioned to understand the market value for their players, usually even going so far as to have already gauged interest for their client with other teams. And a lot of this "gauging" is done at the combine which is why I think this meeting with CJ's agent was intentionally set after the combine.

No one can say what kind of reduction the Titans wanted him to take but if it's significant or any amount without adding in some guarantees via salary or bonus for the next two years on his deal than I think he's making the right call.

In CJ's case he's essentially got 3 one year deals left since he's out of guaranty's. The second and third are at $8 and $7 million and he already knows the Titans are not going to pay him $8 million this year so obviously not those last two years either. So his reality is before he takes a pay cut he's got a one year $8million deal. That's more than what he can make per year on a new deal but at 29 I think he can get enough of a bonus or multi-year guarantee that it makes sense to test the market, which I think his agents already have a good read on.

 

[Ted Mullins]

I agree with the observation that he was not running very physically at all (notable exception being right at the goalline on one of his TDs, think it was vs the colts?) but I actually think there seems to be too much of a negative consensus against him - he was still a top ten RB in non-ppr last year with the torn meniscus, and hasn't missed a game in 5 years now. I actually think if he sticks around in Tennessee and the scenario is similar to last year, there's a good chance I'll find his ADP attractive in redraft.

I don't think he's ever been a very physical runner - that's not his game. It's also probably why he HASN'T been injured every year like some backs. If people were expecting Lynch, I'm sure they were very disappointed with CJ's film. But he's still the best runner on his team, and he brings value as a receiver.

I'd agree with this and you make an interesting point about how maybe this will actually help his longevity - he just happened to stand out to me within the RBs I watched as someone who rarely ever broke any tackles. I thought he still looked quite fast when the holes were there for him.

 

[cstu]

I imagine he's got a pretty good idea of what kind offers he can get on the open market. A lot depends on his agent. James Harrison as an example has a small time NFL agent and if he rejected the Steelers offer to lower his pay on his agents advice he got terrible advice. I believe CJ is represented by Joel Segal and CAA and I think these kind of agencies are better positioned to understand the market value for their players, usually even going so far as to have already gauged interest for their client with other teams. And a lot of this "gauging" is done at the combine which is why I think this meeting with CJ's agent was intentionally set after the combine.

No one can say what kind of reduction the Titans wanted him to take but if it's significant or any amount without adding in some guarantees via salary or bonus for the next two years on his deal than I think he's making the right call.

In CJ's case he's essentially got 3 one year deals left since he's out of guaranty's. The second and third are at $8 and $7 million and he already knows the Titans are not going to pay him $8 million this year so obviously not those last two years either. So his reality is before he takes a pay cut he's got a one year $8million deal. That's more than what he can make per year on a new deal but at 29 I think he can get enough of a bonus or multi-year guarantee that it makes sense to test the market, which I think his agents already have a good read on.

How about the Titans give him a 3 year/$15M deal, $10M guaranteed? That's a couple million more over the next two years than SJax got in ATL.

It's a cut in pay, but to CJ he's getting a lot more guaranteed than he'd get elsewhere.

 

[cstu]

This contract isn't bad at all for the Titans to get out of. I think they have a little more leverage than usual in these situations for a restructure. Cutting him in 2014 saves them 8M this year in real money, and saves them 6M in cap. It's not one of these "damn near break even after the signing bonus escalation" kind of deals.

To break even with his existing deal on a new team he would need 16M over two years. That's probably not going to happen. Then say the Titans are asking you to come down to 8M/year (net). Now you need about 6M/year to break even. Probably still not gong to happen. It could, but I doubt it. There are only two backs in the NFL making more than that - McCoy and Peterson. There aren't THAT many making more than 4M/year.

My point is there seems to be a fair amount of room between what CJ is currently making and what he would be making on a new team. So there is plenty of room for a deal to be made if both parties want it to be made. If the Titans offer him 8M/year (instead of 10), that's still likely a fair amount more than he will make on the open market, even accounting for the 4M in Titans bonus money he will be walking away with.

He's not worth $8 million or $6 million / year -- I think he might even struggle to get the $4 million / year that Reggie Bush got, unless he settles for a shorter deal with minimal guaranteed money.

Bush would have got a lot more than that if he didn't have a reputation for being injury prone (2012 was the only year he started 16 games).

 

[Coeur de Lion]

This contract isn't bad at all for the Titans to get out of. I think they have a little more leverage than usual in these situations for a restructure. Cutting him in 2014 saves them 8M this year in real money, and saves them 6M in cap. It's not one of these "damn near break even after the signing bonus escalation" kind of deals.

To break even with his existing deal on a new team he would need 16M over two years. That's probably not going to happen. Then say the Titans are asking you to come down to 8M/year (net). Now you need about 6M/year to break even. Probably still not gong to happen. It could, but I doubt it. There are only two backs in the NFL making more than that - McCoy and Peterson. There aren't THAT many making more than 4M/year.

My point is there seems to be a fair amount of room between what CJ is currently making and what he would be making on a new team. So there is plenty of room for a deal to be made if both parties want it to be made. If the Titans offer him 8M/year (instead of 10), that's still likely a fair amount more than he will make on the open market, even accounting for the 4M in Titans bonus money he will be walking away with.

He's not worth $8 million or $6 million / year -- I think he might even struggle to get the $4 million / year that Reggie Bush got, unless he settles for a shorter deal with minimal guaranteed money.

Bush would have got a lot more than that if he didn't have a reputation for being injury prone (2012 was the only year he started 16 games).

Ehhh... maybe. IMO it's probably more cost effective nowadays to just cycle through cheap rookies unless the RB in question is balls out elite, which IMO neither Johnson nor Bush are in NFL terms. Good @ > $4 million / year vs. ? rookie @ < $1 million / year leans toward the cheaper RB more often than not, IMO.

 

[cstu]

This contract isn't bad at all for the Titans to get out of. I think they have a little more leverage than usual in these situations for a restructure. Cutting him in 2014 saves them 8M this year in real money, and saves them 6M in cap. It's not one of these "damn near break even after the signing bonus escalation" kind of deals.

To break even with his existing deal on a new team he would need 16M over two years. That's probably not going to happen. Then say the Titans are asking you to come down to 8M/year (net). Now you need about 6M/year to break even. Probably still not gong to happen. It could, but I doubt it. There are only two backs in the NFL making more than that - McCoy and Peterson. There aren't THAT many making more than 4M/year.

My point is there seems to be a fair amount of room between what CJ is currently making and what he would be making on a new team. So there is plenty of room for a deal to be made if both parties want it to be made. If the Titans offer him 8M/year (instead of 10), that's still likely a fair amount more than he will make on the open market, even accounting for the 4M in Titans bonus money he will be walking away with.

He's not worth $8 million or $6 million / year -- I think he might even struggle to get the $4 million / year that Reggie Bush got, unless he settles for a shorter deal with minimal guaranteed money.

Bush would have got a lot more than that if he didn't have a reputation for being injury prone (2012 was the only year he started 16 games).

Ehhh... maybe. IMO it's probably more cost effective nowadays to just cycle through cheap rookies unless the RB in question is balls out elite, which IMO neither Johnson nor Bush are in NFL terms. Good @ > $4 million / year vs. ? rookie @ < $1 million / year leans toward the cheaper RB more often than not, IMO.

True, but there's an opportunity cost as well. The Lions would have needed to skip on drafting Darius Slay to take a RB last year, maybe that would have been a better decision but maybe not if he's pans out. Being able to sign a proven RB for $3-4M seems like a safe and relatively cheap move considering a $130M cap.

 

[Faust]

Rotoworld:

Chris Johnson suggested his Week 3 knee injury contributed to his poor 2013 performance.
Johnson never missed a game, but did undergo surgery to repair a torn mensicus following the season. He finished with just 1,077 yards on 279 carries, a career-low 3.86 YPC. "I am not going to make excuses, but you can talk to anybody who's had a torn meniscus and they know how it affects you," he said. It would be easier to believe Johnson if he ran with more conviction when completely healthy during the 2011 and 2012 seasons. He remains a strong bet to be released by the Titans.

Source: Nashville Tennessean

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

Rotoworld:

Chris Johnson said "everything is still at a stand still" with the Titans.
Johnson's agent and the Titans talked on Tuesday, but nothing got resolved. Things should come to a head before next week, as the organization could use Johnson's $8 million in free agency if they're just going to cut him down the road anyway. He's been very clear in his stance that he will not be taking a pay cut to stay.

Source: Chris Johnson on Facebook

If there was zero chance he would take a pay cut they would have cut him by now. That contract talks are even happening is an indication that there's negotiation on a pay cut going on. He's knows it's in his best interest to stay so I think if he can stay at a price higher than he'd get elsewhere he'll take the pay cut.

The problem is that these guys are often delusional about their value. He probably believes he can get that much or more elsewhere.

Any new speculations on CJ's landing spot?

 

[Ghost Rider]

Hopefully, he'll land on a team that a) has a clue how to use him in the passing game, and b) knows to get him the ball in open space. Two things the Titans failed to do the last few years.

 

[KellysHeroes]

I rather pay CJ the $$$ for one more yr than get tied to Tate / McFadden / Brown or any of the other FA backs out there for multiple yrs. Yes, he is that much better than them right now.

Now maybe take a shot on a RB that falls in this yrs draft or cross ur fingers for a good one next yr.

 

[Mingooch]

I would love to see him on the Pats or NO.

 

[Bri]

Rotoworld:

Chris Johnson said "everything is still at a stand still" with the Titans.
Johnson's agent and the Titans talked on Tuesday, but nothing got resolved. Things should come to a head before next week, as the organization could use Johnson's $8 million in free agency if they're just going to cut him down the road anyway. He's been very clear in his stance that he will not be taking a pay cut to stay.

Source: Chris Johnson on Facebook

If there was zero chance he would take a pay cut they would have cut him by now. That contract talks are even happening is an indication that there's negotiation on a pay cut going on. He's knows it's in his best interest to stay so I think if he can stay at a price higher than he'd get elsewhere he'll take the pay cut.

Earlier it was pointed out that they can wait til last cut in August if need be. The RB market is weak. I imagine they are hoping for a sign and trade deal. CJ has never said he wouldn't take more $ if it was part of an extension like 4 years at 20 mil.

He still seems stung by the comments about players earning their (high) salary. There's zero indication the Titans are offering him an extension.

He thinks he's one of the best. I wouldn't be surprised if there's a period of negotiation where the Titans or another team are stuck explaining to him he's not ADP. No negotiations will get done til they deal with that ego. "Sitting pretty" with thoughts of an impending cut while everyone else signs and rookies get drafted, might humble him...idk. Don't forget his agent and him arranged for the whole race a cheetah and cj2k stuff.

 

[Faust]

Rotoworld:

The Nashville Tennessean reports the Titans are still shopping Chris Johnson, and that there's "some interest around the league."
Interest has undoubtedly increased since CJ?K said he was willing to redo his contract, but the odds of a trade are still remote. Johnson is due $8 million, and would likely have to be comfortable dropping that number down to $2-$3 million. Release remains the most likely scenario.

Source: Jim Wyatt on Twitter

 

[cstu]

Rotoworld:

The Nashville Tennessean reports the Titans are still shopping Chris Johnson, and that there's "some interest around the league."

Interest has undoubtedly increased since CJ?K said he was willing to redo his contract, but the odds of a trade are still remote. Johnson is due $8 million, and would likely have to be comfortable dropping that number down to $2-$3 million. Release remains the most likely scenario.

Source: Jim Wyatt on Twitter

Rashad Jennings got a 4 year/$14M deal with $3M guaranteed...

 

[Faust]

Rotoworld:

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports an "outside chance" remains that the Titans can trade Chris Johnson.
This backs up Thursday reports from FOX Sports and the Nashville Tennessean. Johnson, 29 in September, is now willing to rework his contract to help facilitate a trade out of the Music City. There aren't many teams with clear-cut running back needs atop their depth chart. The Titans will take anything in return at this point.

Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter

 

[cstu]

Rotoworld:

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports an "outside chance" remains that the Titans can trade Chris Johnson.

This backs up Thursday reports from FOX Sports and the Nashville Tennessean. Johnson, 29 in September, is now willing to rework his contract to help facilitate a trade out of the Music City. There aren't many teams with clear-cut running back needs atop their depth chart. The Titans will take anything in return at this point.

Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter

Dolphins look like the best fit for him at this point.

 

[cstu]

I also wouldn't put it past Jerry Jones to sign him.

 

[Coeur de Lion]

Rotoworld:

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports an "outside chance" remains that the Titans can trade Chris Johnson.

This backs up Thursday reports from FOX Sports and the Nashville Tennessean. Johnson, 29 in September, is now willing to rework his contract to help facilitate a trade out of the Music City. There aren't many teams with clear-cut running back needs atop their depth chart. The Titans will take anything in return at this point.

Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter

Dolphins look like the best fit for him at this point.

Jets, Raiders, Rams, Browns (if no Tate) also have some need.

 

[KellysHeroes]

hes staying, my gut says

 

[cstu]

I think the biggest boost in his stock would be a team that heavily utilizes their RB's in the passing game. I'm not real impressed with what I've seen out of CJ as a route runner but he's got at least some similar attributes as Jamal Charles and we so how heavy passing game usage turned him from really good to great.

Here's a few plays from last year showing what he can do in the passing game:

Week 5 vs. Chiefs

Week 7 vs. 49ers

Week 15 vs. Cardinals

 

[cstu]

hes staying, my gut says

CJ has said he wouldn't take 'less money' to stay, but what about extending the contract a year for the same amount of money - 4 years/$23M (5, 6, 6, 6) - but with $10M guaranteed? That would let CJ save face and the Titans would reduce his cap number. It would effectively make it a 2 year/$11M guaranteed deal.

 

[Childress]

Cleveland is prob just talking with them for leverage to eventually sign Tate.

 

[Coeur de Lion]

I don't see any way they are able to trade him unless he takes a massive pay cut first, and that doesn't make sense for him to sign off on when he can pick where he goes after he's cut.

My gut says they're trying to get him to stay at 1/2 price or so vs. his current deal -- by waiting to cut him, they're decreasing the number of potential suitors. If they wait long enough, he's just not going to have any other realistic options.

 

[msommer]

I don't see any way they are able to trade him unless he takes a massive pay cut first, and that doesn't make sense for him to sign off on when he can pick where he goes after he's cut.

My gut says they're trying to get him to stay at 1/2 price or so vs. his current deal -- by waiting to cut him, they're decreasing the number of potential suitors. If they wait long enough, he's just not going to have any other realistic options.

His salary gets guaranteed on the fifth day of the league year, which I believe is tomorrow...

 

[Coeur de Lion]

I don't see any way they are able to trade him unless he takes a massive pay cut first, and that doesn't make sense for him to sign off on when he can pick where he goes after he's cut.

My gut says they're trying to get him to stay at 1/2 price or so vs. his current deal -- by waiting to cut him, they're decreasing the number of potential suitors. If they wait long enough, he's just not going to have any other realistic options.

His salary gets guaranteed on the fifth day of the league year, which I believe is tomorrow...

Ahhh... he's getting cut for sure before that, then.

 

[jurb26]

My gut tells me St. L.

 

[djmich]

Denver, please

 

[domvin]

http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/tennessee-titans/chris-johnson/

Somebody interpret that contract please?

Looks like 15 million in dead money, so I cant see a release. Although, does it get spread out over the last 4 years, ie, 3.75 million cap hit each of the next 4 years?