Football Chris Johnson can't play for $550K

2bikemike · 06-16-2010, 07:46 PM

Titans running back Chris Johnson is one of the best players in the NFL, and he can't stand the fact that he isn't paid like one of the best players in the NFL.

"I can't play for $550,000,'' Johnson told Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean, referring to what he's scheduled to make this season. "The money that I am playing for, I am getting paid less than the [other] starting 11 [players on the Titans' offense] and I'm one of the lowest paid starting running backs in the league.''

Johnson, who has three more years on the five-year, $12 million deal he signed after the Titans drafted him in 2008, said he'll hold out of training camp if he has to.

"Right now, I am not sure what is going to happen," Johnson said. "I just hope they pay me, but I don't know.''

The Titans don't seem inclined to give Johnson a new deal, noting that they've still got Johnson locked up for three more years, and that the "30 percent rule" would make it tough for them to dramatically increase Johnson's salary. And the Titans have a lot of leverage if Johnson holds out, because if Johnson doesn't report within 30 days of the start of the regular season, he could lose a year of credit toward free agency.

The truth is, if the Titans refuse to play ball with Johnson, he ultimately will play for $550,000. And if he gets fined for holding out, he'll play for even less than that.

So if he signed a 5 year 12 Million dollar deal isn't he in effect making 2.4 Million being paid in advance for his efforts?

Sorry Chris but no sympathy here.

beer bacon · 06-16-2010, 07:47 PM

His body will probably be shot in four years. He needs to get paid now while he is the best in the league. If he gets hurt and never gets his speed back the Titans will drop him in an instant.

**dirk digler** · 06-16-2010, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beer bacon

His body will probably be shot in four years. He needs to get paid now while he is the best in the league. If he gets hurt and never gets his speed back the Titans will drop him in an instant.

Yep. In this case I think he is justified. He probably won't make it to the end of his rookie contract.

BWillie · 06-16-2010, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beer bacon

His body will probably be shot in four years. He needs to get paid now while he is the best in the league. If he gets hurt and never gets his speed back the Titans will drop him in an instant.

I agree. If you are a running back making 550K coming off one of the best years in the history of the game, your ass better be sitting out as long as possible or you have a terrible agent. I can't blame him. He better get AT LEAST 2.5 mill per yr this year. I mean the poor guy is going to get LJ's in about four years. He's gotta make his money fast. RB's have a career about 1/2 of the rest of the players, and even if they can play when they are in their early to mid 30's they usually aren't going to make huge money.

LaChapelle · 06-16-2010, 07:48 PM

It's not like he could embarrass the Tits
after Pac and Young

Ebolapox · 06-16-2010, 07:49 PM

I'll never blame a man for trying to get as much money as he can.

R8RFAN · 06-17-2010, 05:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by H5N1

I'll never blame a man for trying to get as much money as he can.

I don't either but I also like to see a man honor the contract he signed....
I hope he holds out, looks like Young and Johnson may be out for the Raiders opener in Nashville

I like the idea that the Tits can turn the screws on his ass too, it's about time they give the teams some leverage.

Fish · 06-16-2010, 07:50 PM

RBs aren't worth long expensive contracts anymore....

HoneyBadger · 06-16-2010, 07:55 PM

He should of thought about this when he signed his contract. Poor overpaid athletes.

Ebolapox · 06-16-2010, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fire_lm

He should of thought about this when he signed his contract. Poor overpaid athletes.

his contract was his rookie deal. teams upgrade contracts, specifically rookie contracts, all the damned time. he was one of the best players in teh nfl last year. he's earned a healthy raise to say the least.

Valiant · 06-16-2010, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by H5N1

his contract was his rookie deal. teams upgrade contracts, specifically rookie contracts, all the damned time. he was one of the best players in teh nfl last year. he's earned a healthy raise to say the least.

Until the NFL Players Union wants to change the rookie scale so the top guys do not get sick undeserved money then I see no problem with it..

His option is to show up and suck or not get hit so he is released to get paid..

Ebolapox · 06-17-2010, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Valiant

Until the NFL Players Union wants to change the rookie scale so the top guys do not get sick undeserved money then I see no problem with it..

His option is to show up and suck or not get hit so he is released to get paid..

he wasn't a top five pick. he was a late first rounder, those guys never break the bank. it's not like he's making tyson jackson money.

Ebolapox · 06-16-2010, 07:59 PM

keep in mind too, they wouldn't hesitate for a MINUTE to cut his ass if he wasn't living up to his side of the bargain. he's protecting his own interests (as a position player whose average lifespan in the nfl is roughly 3 years) by trying to get his. I can't blame him.

2bikemike · 06-16-2010, 08:06 PM

My point is he isn't playing for 550K he's playing for 2.4 Mil. He basically was paid about 1.8 Million of this years salary when he signed his contract.

chiefzilla1501 · 06-16-2010, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2bikemike

My point is he isn't playing for 550K he's playing for 2.4 Mil. He basically was paid about 1.8 Million of this years salary when he signed his contract.

Well, even if that were true, which it isn't....

A 2,000 yard back is worth a hell of a lot more than $2.4M.

When owners start guaranteeing contracts, we won't have holdouts like this. Johnson's playing this smart. You either pay him or you let him sit. And Tennessee sure as hell knows they can't win without him. Nor can they sell tickets.

06-16-2010, 07:46 PM	Topic Starter
2bikemike Born to Ride Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: NWA Casino cash: $-1214623	Chris Johnson can't play for $550K Titans running back Chris Johnson is one of the best players in the NFL, and he can't stand the fact that he isn't paid like one of the best players in the NFL. "I can't play for $550,000,'' Johnson told Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean, referring to what he's scheduled to make this season. "The money that I am playing for, I am getting paid less than the [other] starting 11 [players on the Titans' offense] and I'm one of the lowest paid starting running backs in the league.'' Johnson, who has three more years on the five-year, $12 million deal he signed after the Titans drafted him in 2008, said he'll hold out of training camp if he has to. "Right now, I am not sure what is going to happen," Johnson said. "I just hope they pay me, but I don't know.'' The Titans don't seem inclined to give Johnson a new deal, noting that they've still got Johnson locked up for three more years, and that the "30 percent rule" would make it tough for them to dramatically increase Johnson's salary. And the Titans have a lot of leverage if Johnson holds out, because if Johnson doesn't report within 30 days of the start of the regular season, he could lose a year of credit toward free agency. The truth is, if the Titans refuse to play ball with Johnson, he ultimately will play for $550,000. And if he gets fined for holding out, he'll play for even less than that. So if he signed a 5 year 12 Million dollar deal isn't he in effect making 2.4 Million being paid in advance for his efforts? Sorry Chris but no sympathy here.
Posts: 16,422

06-16-2010, 07:47 PM	#2
beer bacon WHAT Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Casino cash: $10019545	His body will probably be shot in four years. He needs to get paid now while he is the best in the league. If he gets hurt and never gets his speed back the Titans will drop him in an instant.
Posts: 9,301

06-16-2010, 07:48 PM	#5
LaChapelle Banned Join Date: Mar 2009 Casino cash: $10004900	It's not like he could embarrass the Tits after Pac and Young
Posts: 8,588

06-16-2010, 07:49 PM	#6
Ebolapox remember, remember Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: como Casino cash: $-1820097	I'll never blame a man for trying to get as much money as he can.
Posts: 26,523

06-16-2010, 07:50 PM	#8
Fish Ain't no relax! Join Date: Sep 2005 Casino cash: $-1481081	RBs aren't worth long expensive contracts anymore.... __________________
Posts: 48,889

06-16-2010, 07:55 PM	#9
HoneyBadger The chosen one Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: DTX Casino cash: $-2204240	He should of thought about this when he signed his contract. Poor overpaid athletes.
Posts: 3,144

06-16-2010, 07:59 PM	#13
Ebolapox remember, remember Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: como Casino cash: $-1820097	keep in mind too, they wouldn't hesitate for a MINUTE to cut his ass if he wasn't living up to his side of the bargain. he's protecting his own interests (as a position player whose average lifespan in the nfl is roughly 3 years) by trying to get his. I can't blame him.
Posts: 26,523

06-16-2010, 08:06 PM	#14
2bikemike Born to Ride Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: NWA Casino cash: $-1214623	My point is he isn't playing for 550K he's playing for 2.4 Mil. He basically was paid about 1.8 Million of this years salary when he signed his contract.
Posts: 16,422