RB wants a new deal, and Titans might have to pay up. Matt Bowen
Titans running back Chris Johnson wants a new deal. We know that. And, we also know that Johnson can be considered the best overall running back in the entire league — even with the Vikings’ Adrian Peterson in the discussion.
However, are the Titans willing to do what we saw in San Francisco with linebacker Patrick Willis and work around the league’s 30-percent rule to give Johnson what he deserves? A tough deal to get done from the Titans point of view, as the NFP's Andrew Brandt wrote. But, after a season in which he rushed for 2,000-plus yards, it has to be examined.
Contract extensions have been a hot topic lately with Willis, the talk this week of his teammate, Vernon Davis, and this story in Nashville with Johnson — one that we should have all seen coming after those '09 numbers.
But, with Johnson, there is a real chance that this could continue into the summer. As Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean reported yesterday, the running back was once again absent from the Titans facility as the team opened up another week of spring practices.
Missing out in May is one thing, but in the summer? A different story when we look at this team.
Save the Vince Young talk for another day as far as I am concerned, because this offense and the way this team game plans for Sundays is centered around Johnson. He is that good and he is that dynamic. A player that can flip the field on a single carry, produce in the screen and draw packages when they are backed up and cause major issues for defenses that over pursue to the football. Johnson forces defenders to play with great technique, tackle well and understand where he is on the field at all times.
A running back who runs with explosive power through the hole and has the best top end speed in the league with the ball in his hands. Basically, the top offensive threat in the game.
Well, sooner or later in this league you have to pay for those. As I said with the Willis deal, teams have to reward the players who produce on Sundays and show that they are outplaying their original contracts — especially players that were originally drafted by the club.
Is this the case with Johnson? From my vantage point, yes, because if the Titans want to compete with Indy in the AFC South, the last thing they want is a holdout from their featured running back come August. Holdouts are disruptive and they can break apart teams and locker rooms. Maybe Johnson is stuck with that rookie deal, but the Titans should at least look at some options to reward their best player.
However, avoid a holdout at all costs. Another slow start and this club will be chasing the Colts and Peyton Manning again.
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I don't think you can forget about Vince Young... VY made CJ's season last year.
Without VY last year: 99.3 yards per game- 0 wins/ 6 losses
With VY last year:135 yards per game- 8 wins/ 2 losses.
It's alot harder to game plan for a running back when you're constantly worried when the QB is going to run for loads of yards also. Add into that the 'option pass' that CJ and VY run that Kerry Collins wasn't able to.
Smart move by Johnson and it will probably work. He will end up as the highest paid player and might stay there for a while after the labor negotiations. It would be nice to go into a lockout with a 30 million guarantee. The Titans may end up paying an extra ten million, but isn't that worth a dynamic game changer like Johnson over five or six seasons?
This puts the Titans in a tough spot. They already said good bye to their best defensive player because they didn't want to pay him. Now they face a possible holdout.
On the other hand, I am not a big fan of giving RBs huge contracts. Short careers, injury concerns, too dependent on the rest of the team for production, etc. In this case I would be trying to give Johnson some bonus money and extend him a couple of years without breaking the bank. Ultimately, he is going to walk in FA, but they can postpone that a year or two.
As much I loved watching Johnson last season, I'd be hesitant to sign him to a long term deal right now too. Aside from the normal concerns surrounding RBs in general, his workload last season doesn't bode well for a similarly excellent 2010. Add to that the real possibility of a 2011 lockout, and the Titans could end up wasting a ton of guaranteed money on him for two seasons with the way they'd have to structure a new contract at present. Would it not be possible, though, to use a tag on him in order to more fairly compensate him for this season (and avoid the 30% rule) with the understanding that a long term would be hammered out as soon as a new CBA framework is mostly agreed upon?
What the writers of these types of articles continue to ignore when they bring up PATRICK WILLIS contract being redone. PATRICK WILLIS has played 3 seasons in this league of his 5 year contract, while CHRIS JOHNSON has only play 2 years on his 5 year deal. It's a lock that CHRIS JOHNSON DOESN'T get a new contract this year and shows up for training camp on time.
If the Titans don't want to pay him, I'm sure ___(insert favorite team here)___ would love to have the opportunity to
NFL running back careers are short...pay him or he'll leave. Let's see how wise a businessman Bud really is..!
They should pay CJ, but not as the top offensive threat in the league.
I think a roster bonus will get done with the 30% bump.
But don't be so sure that Blount and Ringer can't get it done. True, the titans are a different team with CJ, but Blount and Ringer are exactly what most teams desire in a running back tandem. If you assume Blount would have been a 1st-2nd round pick absent the punch, then you know he has the talent to succeed at the next level. Throw in Ringer as a change of pace and its not awful. VY will enjoy the most quietly upgraded receiving core in the league and TEN could easily win without CJ.
Pay the man, yes. But if CJ holds out, greedily, to be the highest paid offensive weapon. I bet TEN makes a go without him to start the year.
He should be a man and stand up to the contract he has alredy signed just because he did some amazing things on the field this past year does not stand for the fact he is still under contract. When his contract is up then step up and get a larger deal A mans word is his bond if you cant stand behind that what do you have.
CJ and the Titans need to stop playing "Who's Gonna Blink First?" They need to start talking and soon.
CJ definitely deserves more money, and the Titans should re-work his contact. But the highest offensive player in the league? Sorry, there are Superbowl winning quarterbacks like Brady, the Mannings and Breeze ahead of him, and they've been around more than two years.
As for the Titans--just because legally, they don't have to re-do his contract, doesn't mean they shouldn't. Don't hide behind the 30% cap rule--that's BS! You don't have to raise his salary--just build in a generous incentive package. If he rushes for 1500 yards (certainly less than last year, but a very good year for any running back), kick in an extra million. If he breaks 2000 yards again, pay him an extra 3 million. And if he breaks Dickerson's record, reward him with an extra 5 million.
The value in an incentive based contract is that if CJ delivers, then so do the Titans. Everyone wins. If he doesn't, the team isn't out anything. Seems like win/win to me. So all of you--start negotiating!
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May 12, 2010
06:34 AM
Bud Adams better realize what he has or else he will go into the season with Ringer and Blount. Not good.