When the NFL's labor dispute was finally resolved on July 25, putting an end to the 18 week and 4 day long work stoppage, players couldn't wait to report to camp in anticipation of returning to the game they love. However, Tennessee Titans running-back Chris Johnson who's been one of the more electric players in the game over the past few seasons has been in no hurry to return to the football field and his team unless they plan on making him one of the wealthiest men in the league. Instead of joining his fellow teammates, Johnson has decided to hold out in hopes of a new lucrative and well deserved contract. And though the organization has made it clear that they plan on making their running back among the highest paid at his position once he reports to camp, the speedy back has something else in mind.
While running back's are listed as the 8th highest-paid position in the NFL, Johnson hopes to put an end to that and says he wants to be among the highest paid players in the game, seeking Quarterback money. For what it's worth, Johnson has the support of the Titans all-time leading rusher Eddie George who called the situation "uncalled for" saying Johnson is the team's best player and ought to be payed. Tennessee's general manager Mike Reinfeldt on the other hand has Titans owner Bud Adams in his corner who says he isn't interfering between the two and their talks, but noted Johnson's absence from camp that is costing him $30,000 each day he doesn't show up, isn't helping his case.
Entering his fourth year in the league, Johnson has made the Pro-Bowl in each of his first three seasons and is only two years removed from becoming only the sixth player in NFL history to rush for over 2,000 yards in a single-season when he eclipsed the mark by six yards in 2009. Despite his recent success, CJ is due to make a measly $800,000 in base salary this season which wouldn't even pay for the total of his fines once it's all said and done. With two years remaining on his current deal, there's no question the former NFL Offensive Player of the Year deserves a new contract, but refusing to negotiate at camp in person is only making matters worse.
If Johnson's holdout was to continue on into the regular season, not only would it spell doom for any chances Tennessee may have of making the Playoffs this year, but it could also severally hurt his production given he has to learn the playbook from both his new quarterback (Matt Hasselbeck) and head coach (Mike Munchak). Not to mention, a Titans team without their star running back would put a sizable dent in fantasy leagues throughout the interwebs granted he's considered by many as the number one overall pick as I took him last season. But if I'm Johnson, I'm calling the front offices' bluff for the sole fact that they need him to help fill seats more than he needs them.
You might recall that Johnson went as far as saying he wanted to be the first "black face" of the NFL following his standout 2009 campaign. And if he's still trying to accomplish that, the only thing the holdout has done during his journey is given him a black eye so far.
Although the issue in Tennessee has received the most buzz and criticism, Johnson wasn't the only one playing hooky this preseason. Among him was fellow running back Frank Gore of the San Francisco 49ers and wide-receiver DeShawn Jackson of the Philadelphia Eagles, both of whom started off the preseason in holdout formation, but have since reported to team practices despite not yet signing a new contract.
Over or Under: A deal between Johnson and the Titans gets worked out before the start of the regular season. (Comment below)
Hold out, wait a minute! - Last season saw the breakout of one of the NFL's most electrifying players the game has seen in quite some time. Tennessee Titans RB Chris Johnson became just the 6th running back in NFL history to reach the highly coveted 2,000 yard mark last year and eventually set a new record for single season scrimmage yards with 2,509 surpassing the previous record held by Marshall Faulk (2,429). However, last year's recipient of the NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award doesn't plan to take the field next season without a pay raise. Johnson says he isn't pleased with his current contract and is asking for a new one. Something that's a lot easier said than done which is why Johnson plans to do what ever it takes to get his hands on a new one including skipping voluntary workouts.Selected out of East Carolina as the 24th overall pick in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft, Johnson signed a 5-year, $12Million dollar contract with the Titans. The speedy running back is under contract for a paycheck of $550,000 next season and is even threatening a hold out in hopes of a new deal. We seen San Francisco 49ers highly talented rookie WR Michael Crabtree do the same thing last season after being drafted 10th overall in last year's Draft and disagreeing with the contract his counterpart Darius Heyward Bey received from Al Davis' Oakland Raiders. After becoming the longest rookie holdout in franchise history in September of '09, Crabtree and the 9ers agreed to a six-year deal worth $32 million. Heyward Bey on the other hand signed a five-year deal worth $38.25 million despite being selected three slots earlier in the draft. As for their play on the field, Crabtree finished with 39 more receptions, 500 more receiving yards and 1 touchdown more than Heyward Bey.Johnson received some advice from former running back and St. Louis Rams great -- Marshall Faulk, the same player who's record of single season scrimmage yards was broken by Johnson. Faulk, also a hold out victim told Johnson to hold out for as long as he can for as much money as possible. But considering how big of a role Johnson played in last year's mid-season turnaround from an 0-6 record to an 8-8 finish, the team would be anything but smart if they didn't have their Pro-Bowl RB to start the season. But after the career year he had in '09, it won't be cheap. Believe it or not, Johnson isn't the only one who skipped out on the first of NFL OTA's (Organized Team Activities) to protest his contract. 2008-2009 league leading receiver and Pro Bowl WR Andre Johnson of the Houston Texans didn't report until three days after expressing his disinterest in his current deal which still has 5 years left on it. After ending his holdout of three OTA sessions, Johnson made an appearance where he stated, "Me sitting out is not going to help so I decided to come back."Washington Redskins defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth was also absent from OTA's just one year after the team made him the highest payed defensive player in the sport by inking a seven-year, $100 million contract just a season ago. Some leader he is...
The NFL has fined Tennessee Titans owner Bud Adams 250,000 big ones for giving 'obscene gestures' out of his owners box, or in other words, the bird. That's right, he gave a double fisted middle finger salute, to those of you who aren't familiar with the expression 'the bird'. The incident occurred in the 4th quarter of Sunday's 41-17 beat down the Titans gave the visiting Buffalo Bills. The 86 year old Adams later apologized to the Bills, their fans and the NFL by saying "I'm sorry for my actions, I just got caught up in the excitement of a great day." The funniest thing above all, is that even the commissioners presence in the stadium couldn't retain Adams for doing what he did, as NFL commissioner Rodger Goodell was in Adams' suite during the game and prior to the incident.Whichever way you look at it, I think it was just a salute from Adams to all the haters that doubted his team after their disappointing 0-6 start of the season. With the finger, the Titans have improved to 3-6 and are now on a 3-game winning streak since Adams specifically ordered Titans head coach Jeff Fisher to name Vince Young the starting quarterback. If Adams plans on going all Stone Cold Steve Austin on anyone or giving the finger this week, it'll be on the road and on national television, as the Houston Texans host the Tennessee Titans on Monday Night Football. & With two speedy running backs on both ends -- Chris Johnson & Steve Slaton, it should be a good one!
On a day that seen Peyton Manning became the 4th quarterback in NFL history to complete 4,000 passes, his Indianapolis Colts were in hot water facing the 49ers. San Francisco matched well in the early going as they led 14-9 at halftime. The 49er lead was also the first time Indy trailed heading into the half this season. But like always, it doesn't matter how you start the game, but rather how you finish it. & What the Niners did to finish the game was unacceptable. They were kept scoreless the entire second half resulting in a 18-14 win for the Colts. For a San Francisco defense that's been missing in action since week 4, they were fortunate enough to keep Peyton Manning from adding any damage by completing any touchdown passes. & Although holding Manning touchdown-less is no easy task, they were still unable to prevent him from reaching the 300 passing yard mark. Manning tied a career high for 300 yard games in a single season with his sixth. The former MVP and Superbowl Champion finished the day off with 31-of-48 to compliment his 347 passing yards. All of this helped Indy accomplish their 16th straight regular-season win.On opposite ends, San Francisco quarterback Alex Smith got his first start since the early weeks of the 2008 season. He didn't have the strongest start, but what he did was keep the 49ers into the game late. He compiled 198 passing yards, 1 touchdown and 1 interception off of 19-for-32 passing attempts. & Like usual, the bond between Vernon Davis and Alex Smith grew larger with a 8-yard touchdown pass from Smith to Davis. I was right about my prediction on Smith not being able to have 2 consecutive solid starts, but what more could I have expected against an Indianapolis Colts defense? The 18-14 loss marked the third in a row for the 49ers, so hopefully next Sunday will be a brighter day for San Francisco as they host Vince Young and the Tennessee Titans.
Just when we thought we could finally get back to being positive, another known Celeb passed away. This time it's sports related. Steve "Air" McNair, former QB of the NFL (Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans & Baltimore Ravens) was found lying dead in his Tennessee home with his 20 year old girlfriend on July the 4th. McNair died from (3) gunshot wounds to the head, as his girlfriend sustained 1 shot to the head, in what is now being called a Homicide-Suicide case. Who would do such a thing was the question many were asking considering the kind heart McNair had while both on and off the field. Coaches and players alike shared their sorrow in the media, and in interviews on ESPN.A few of the later discoveries were found rather disturbing, as detectives found out days after the tragedy that the gun found under McNair's girlfriends body, was indeed hers. Records show she bought it 2 weeks prior of the shooting. Another shocking discovery found was that all of the doors and windows were locked from inside the house, preventing anyone from entering or exiting the home. Both families claim the couple had a healthy relationship, and neighbors never heard any ruckus or fighting coming from the two. Steve was better known for his years as a Tennessee Titan and member of a 1-2-punch with former teammate and running back Eddie George. The 2 became close friends and led their team to the playoffs in 5 consecutive seasons, coming 1 yard short of tying SuperBowl XXXIV with time expiring. The reason of this tragic event may never be known. McNair was still married to his former wife, and is survived by his 3 children.
