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April 6, 2009 - Bob Gretz |
Special Master Richard Burbank released his decison Monday on the grievance filed against the Chiefs by the NFL Players Association involving guaranteed money in Larry Johnson’s contract.
Burbank ruled in favor of the Chiefs who removed the guarantee on base salary money for the 2009 and 2010 seasons after Johnson was suspended for one game by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. The contract contained specific language that would remove that guarantee. One part of the clause was forfeiture of guaranteed money with an NFL suspension. It does not mean Johnson can’t earn the money by making the team, but it’s no longer a guaranteed payment.
But Burbank did have something in his ruling for Johnson on his signing bonus. At the time of his suspension, L.J. forfeited a pro-rata portion of his signing bonus for missing that game. The Special Master ruled that money could not be taken by the Chiefs.
The question now is just what the Chiefs plans are for Johnson. There have been published reports that if the Chiefs prevailed in the grievance they would release the running back. That’s not necessarily the next logical step, however. Releasing him now wouldn’t accomplish anything but get him out of the building. If that’s what the Chiefs want, then he should be released by sundown. If not, then there is no reason to make a move at this time.
Johnson can also expect further sanction from the Commissioner on the two charges where he pled guilty last month. Goodell said he would revisit the issue after the cases were completed