Chris Johnson and Titans Reach Temporary Agreement
The Tennessee Titans have wisely negotiated to some sort of appeasement with the National Football League’s (NFL) most dominant running back (RB), Chris Johnson.
According to Johnson’s agent, the Titans and the East Carolina alum have agreed on a slightly revised deal that will ensure that Johnson will be in attendance for the Titans training camp alongside the rest of his team.
Johnson’s agent, Joel Segal, did not confirm any details of the new deal, but it is almost certain that there was a raise in it for the third-year player. It is reported that Johnson will earn $2.5 million under this revised deal. Both sides are currently reviewing the contract, but it is most certainly merely a temporary solution given Johnson’s initial demands.
After becoming just the sixth player to rush for more than 2,000 yards in a season, the AP Offensive Player of the Year Award winner wanted $30 million in guaranteed money. Although his demand was a bit unreasonable, Johnson had the right approach given the structures of NFL contracts.
NFL contracts allow teams to terminate a player at any time, be it for underperformance or anything else. Why should Johnson not make sure he is guaranteed something regardless after he has more than delivered on his initial contract?
While Johnson’s deal is not as lucrative as he had asked for, at least it means he won’t face the travesty of being the lowest-paid running back on the Titans roster. Johnson sat out the Titans offseason to demand a hike in his meagre $550,000 salary for 2009.
The problem with Johnson’s demand stemmed from the contractual limitations he faced due to being in the NFL since only 2008. Team officials stated that Johnson had three years left on his contract and was limited to only 30 percent pay raises due to labour agreement considerations.
This would have meant that much of his demanded millions would have been paid up front, a risk that the Titans were not willing to take. Johnson, who is a clear team player, stated on Wednesday during the ESPY's, where he was receiving the award for breakthrough athlete, that he would not be missing training camp if he were given even a small raise for the short term.
Johnson said: "When they do something, I'll be proud to be there with my teammates."
Johnson most certainly deserves any sort of raise and has amassed downright preposterous career accolades in his two years as a professional athlete.
Although entering only his third year, Johnson is already going for the all-time yards in a season record. Last season, Johnson had an impressive 2,006 yards, but he would like to eclipse the 2,105 yard mark set by Eric Dickerson in 1984.
In fact, Johnson’s first two seasons put him only behind Eric Dickerson and Edgerrin James in total yards. Dickerson had 3,318 yards and James started off with 3,262. Johnson managed a close 3,234 yards in his first two years.
Johnson’s aspirations don’t stop at total yardage totals. He is also currently on pace to contend with Barry Sanders’ record of 14 consecutive 100-yard rushing games. Johnson’s streak is currently at 11.
Based on all these characteristics, giving Johnson a raise is not just a smart thing for the Titans to have done. It is the only thing. When a team has such an invaluable asset, they must do everything possible to hold on to it. Understandably, the Titans could not give him such a large amount of money up front. However, they must shower Johnson with everything they can muster when it comes time to properly renew his contract. If they don’t, plenty of other teams will.
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