Football Chris Johnson can't play for $550K - Page 3

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.

**Gadzooks** · 06-16-2010, 09:50 PM

If I were the Tits, I'd give him an incentive laden contract. Sure, I’d give him a million or so upfront, but he has to get at least 1800 yds per year to reach his incentives.
This way it’s in the Tits best interest to diversify their offence and move away from the CJ show and it’s in CJ’s personal interest to beat the record books by striving for 2000 every year.

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.

**Mr. Flopnuts** · 06-16-2010, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gadzooks

If I were the Tits, I'd give him an incentive laden contract. Sure, I’d give him a couple of million upfront, but he has to get at least 1800 yds per year to reach his incentives.
This way it’s in the Tits best interest to diversify their offence and move away from the CJ show and it’s in CJ’s personal interest to beat the record books by striving for 2000.

1800 yards to reach incentives? That's silly. How many backs hit that number every year? Yet that's the minimum standard?

**Gadzooks** · 06-16-2010, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Flopnuts

1800 yards to reach incentives? That's silly. How many backs hit that number every year? Yet that's the minimum standard?

Sorry, I meant 1800 yds to reach full incentives.

**Mr. Flopnuts** · 06-16-2010, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gadzooks

Sorry, I meant 1800 yds to reach full incentives.

Much more fair, and something I'd agree with. He wants to get paid this early, he has earned it, but I would make sure he continued to earn it.

Mama Hip Rockets · 06-16-2010, 10:20 PM

Poor guy. I hope he can survive on that meager salary.

**Gadzooks** · 06-16-2010, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Flopnuts

Much more fair, and something I'd agree with. He wants to get paid this early, he has earned it, but I would make sure he continued to earn it.

On top of that, the Tits would have incentive for him not to earn to his full potential.

**cdcox** · 06-16-2010, 10:30 PM

You either get paid for performance or get a big payday up front. I don't agree you get both. Or you structure the rookie contract with performance bonuses.

Rudy tossed tigger's salad · 06-16-2010, 10:34 PM

better to pay him now than later

chiefzilla1501 · 06-16-2010, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thurman merman

Poor guy. I hope he can survive on that meager salary.

Every man is entitled to what they're valued at.

Chris Johnson sells tickets and merchandise. He makes the Titans a hell of a lot more than what he'll end up getting paid. I don't blame him for wanting a piece.

Me, on the other hand? I'm expendable. I don't get paid $550K because there are thousands of people who can do what I do.

el borracho · 06-16-2010, 10:48 PM

Ok, then don't play.

chiefzilla1501 · 06-16-2010, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by el borracho

Ok, then don't play.

That hurts the Titans a HELL of a lot more than it hurts Chris Johnson. And everybody knows it.

el borracho · 06-16-2010, 11:05 PM

Not really. The Tits aren't going to win anything this year, anyway. They can find someone else to help them to 8-8 and the team will still make money.

**DaneMcCloud** · 06-16-2010, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by el borracho

Not really. The Tits aren't going to win anything this year, anyway. They can find someone else to help them to 8-8 and the team will still make money.

Really? Where?

Because if those guys are floating around, the Chiefs need to snag them up.

el borracho · 06-16-2010, 11:14 PM

8-8 is not an achievement. Management has to be actively inept to consistently miss that mark.

06-16-2010, 07:46 PM
2bikemike Born to Ride Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: NWA Casino cash: $-1234623	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, 09:50 PM	#31
Gadzooks MFIC Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Tromsø, Norway Casino cash: $3719219	If I were the Tits, I'd give him an incentive laden contract. Sure, I’d give him a million or so upfront, but he has to get at least 1800 yds per year to reach his incentives. This way it’s in the Tits best interest to diversify their offence and move away from the CJ show and it’s in CJ’s personal interest to beat the record books by striving for 2000 every year.
Posts: 7,771

06-16-2010, 10:20 PM	#36
Mama Hip Rockets You don't faze me, Gobble. Join Date: Dec 2005 Casino cash: $9915644	Poor guy. I hope he can survive on that meager salary.
Posts: 13,675

06-16-2010, 10:30 PM	#38
cdcox www.nfl-forecast.com Join Date: Sep 2000 Casino cash: $-638231	You either get paid for performance or get a big payday up front. I don't agree you get both. Or you structure the rookie contract with performance bonuses.
Posts: 46,037

06-16-2010, 10:34 PM	#39
Rudy tossed tigger's salad Better than Nelson Join Date: Mar 2003 Casino cash: $10000400	better to pay him now than later
Posts: 17,356

06-16-2010, 10:48 PM	#41
el borracho In Pat We Trust Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Albuquerque, NM Casino cash: $2449148	Chris Johnson can't play for $550K Ok, then don't play.
Posts: 12,283

06-16-2010, 11:05 PM	#43
el borracho In Pat We Trust Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Albuquerque, NM Casino cash: $2449148	Not really. The Tits aren't going to win anything this year, anyway. They can find someone else to help them to 8-8 and the team will still make money.
Posts: 12,283

06-16-2010, 11:14 PM	#45
el borracho In Pat We Trust Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Albuquerque, NM Casino cash: $2449148	8-8 is not an achievement. Management has to be actively inept to consistently miss that mark.
Posts: 12,283