Last week, we reported that Titans running back Chris Johnson had worked out at the team’s facility. Johnson denied it, and Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean supplied it (the truth, that is).
Now, Mike Lombardi of NFL Network reports that the ice between the 2009 AP offensive player of the year and his team has begun to thaw.
Lombardi believes that a “long-term deal” will be negotiated before training camp opens. We agree that a deal will be worked out, but we predict it will be a short-term, face-saving deal that gives Johnson more money but not the kind of cash that he’ll eventually get when he signs a long-term deal.
If he stays healthy and continues to perform at a high level.
lol @ denying it.
you don’t have to lie to kick it Chris…
we know you love football! haha.
He’s not going anywhere. He’s their best player, and his only ‘leverage’ would be to hold out, which would only diminish his value in the long run. Non story, they’ll pay whatever they have to to keep him for another 5 years. By then, history says he’ll likely be past his prime, anyway. Same with Peterson in MN. I give both players 95% odds of resigning with their respective teams, then finishing their careers elsewhere once they’re on the way down…
Johnson gets big money, week 2 James Harrison nails him, tears ACL, out for season!
It’s good for both (Johnson and the Titans) that it appears this rift is healing. The Titans aren’t that far off from challenging for another Superbowl trip and Johnson can only help himself and the Titans by settling his tiff and playing.
That’s funny Florio, cuz MDS has been saying for the past month or more that Johnson will play for his 550K and “like it” !
The concept of paying a player immediately for great play will only happen when the players are willing to take a cut for lousy play.
The reason teams don’t want to pay these guys is because the player seldon duplicates the performance.
More often the team spends numerous $$$ on players and get little return. I if an owner would trade those types for high draft picks every time. More often than not, I would come out ahead.
And if he only rushes for 1200 yards next season will be willing to take a pay cut if he signs an extention ? Hopefully the Titans are smart enough to make his contract heavy with incentives . If good seasons bring more money then bad seasons should mean less money right ?
The Titans are crazy. Pay CJ what it takes to keep him happy and economize on players who aren’t headed for the Hall of Fame. By all accounts, Johnson is a compulsively hard worker who is never going to slack off just because of a big payday, so why risk creating a rift that ends with him eventually leaving in free agency? When is the last time Tennessee had a player who was this good? And when will be the next time? History hasn’t been very kind to teams in any sport who alienate their dominate players.
Titans are nuts to give this guy extra money after only 2 years in the league. If they give him a face saving limited bump and he has another good year he’ll hold out again next year. If they give him a huge contract and he performs well he’ll hold out again 2 years from now.
Great player, turd of epic proportions.
so is he gonna pay any of it back when does not have a season like last year?if I am the titans he plays every down,special teams and all to get my money’s worth out of him.
funi says:
July 5, 2010 11:17 PM
Johnson gets big money, week 2 James Harrison nails him, tears ACL, out for season!
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Taking pleasure in a possible injury is classless.