Chris Johnson is the best running back in the NFL. He's one of the best offensive players in the game, and he's certainly one of the best players in all of football. And yet, he is due to make to just $550,000 in 2010. Does that seem fair to you?
Johnson, the 24th pick in the 2008 draft by the Tennessee Titans, signed a 5-year, $12 million contract when he entered the league. He burst onto the scene with a 1,228 yard season on the ground, sharing carries with LenDale White in the process. Last season, he became just the sixth player in league history to rush for 2,000 or more yards in a season -- he finished with 2,006 -- and he broke Marshall Faulk's single-season yards from scrimmage record as well. Without him, the Titans wouldn't have won many games in 2009. They will have a hard time winning games going forward as well. Which is why Johnson deserves to be paid, immediately.
The elusive running back is holding out of voluntary practices and is threatening to hold out of training camp as well. And it's hard to blame him. Running backs have a short shelf-life in the NFL, especially when they are getting as many carries as Johnson has gotten and likely will continue to receive. Most running backs begin their fall from grace around the age of 30. Signing a third contract is anything but a guarantee, which is why that second contract is so important to get. It's just as important to get it now, when Johnson, 25, is at his best.
Unfortunately for Johnson, there are a few things that make it difficult for the Titans to give him a raise. The biggest obstacle is getting around the 30 percent rule, which does not allow a player's salary to increase by more than 30 percent during an uncapped year. A 30 percent increase in Johnson's 2010 salary would be roughly $1.6 million, which is not close to what he deserves. Despite the 30 percent rule, the San Francisco 49ers were able to give star linebacker Patrick Willis a new contract. That contract contains multiple signing bonuses, which is the only real way to get around the rule. For the Titans, paying Johnson $50 million in signing bonus money would be a large financial commitment that could strap them in signing other players down the road.
The Titans are a smart franchise. Owner Bud Adams, general manager Mike Reinfeldt and head coach Jeff Fisher know what it takes to win in the NFL. They should realize that Johnson is a rare talent, and should be paid as such. A player like Johnson doesn't come around every day. He has remarkable speed, feet, vision, toughness -- everything that makes a great running back. Should the Titans get into playoff contention this season, which is a good bet, Johnson will become a key factor. Teams can throw the ball all they want, but the running game is what really wins late in the season and in the playoffs. Johnson has the ability to steal the show in December and January, and the Adams certainly wants to see him wearing while a Titans uniform while doing so.
Financial consequences be damned, Chris Johnson must be given a contract worthy of his talents.
It's time for the Titans to pay the man.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Addai on the way out in Indy?
In an informative question-and-answer column for the Indianapolis Star, Colts beat writer Mike Chappell raises an interesting point following a question about the status of running back Joseph Addai going forward.
"Addai has been a very good back for the Colts and I expect him to have a solid season in 2010," Chappell writes. "But after that, it should be time to turn to Donald Brown and find someone to work as his backup. That's life in the NFL.
Zone Coverage must agree with Chappell here. Addai was an excellent back early in his career, and it looked as if he was going to be good enough to stay with the Colts for years to come -- a good replacement for Edgerrin James. He rushed for 1,081 yards and seven touchdowns his rookie season, when the Colts marched all the way to a Super Bowl title. Addai had over 100 yards in that championship game against the Bears, and he arguably could have been named the game's MVP.
The problem has been that Addai hasn't shown any improvement, and his numbers have mostly been in decline since his rookie year. He's not a great running back, and is therefore expendable. The Colts are anything but a run-heavy team, so it's not as if the position is of great concern. Donald Brown looks like he's going to be a good player should he stay healthy, and Mike Hart has also flashed some potential.
Addai's contract runs through the 2010 season. Currently 27 years old, he should have no trouble finding a job in the 2011 offseason.
"Addai has been a very good back for the Colts and I expect him to have a solid season in 2010," Chappell writes. "But after that, it should be time to turn to Donald Brown and find someone to work as his backup. That's life in the NFL.
Zone Coverage must agree with Chappell here. Addai was an excellent back early in his career, and it looked as if he was going to be good enough to stay with the Colts for years to come -- a good replacement for Edgerrin James. He rushed for 1,081 yards and seven touchdowns his rookie season, when the Colts marched all the way to a Super Bowl title. Addai had over 100 yards in that championship game against the Bears, and he arguably could have been named the game's MVP.
The problem has been that Addai hasn't shown any improvement, and his numbers have mostly been in decline since his rookie year. He's not a great running back, and is therefore expendable. The Colts are anything but a run-heavy team, so it's not as if the position is of great concern. Donald Brown looks like he's going to be a good player should he stay healthy, and Mike Hart has also flashed some potential.
Addai's contract runs through the 2010 season. Currently 27 years old, he should have no trouble finding a job in the 2011 offseason.
J.P. Losman headed to Seattle
Former first-round draft pick J.P. Losman is the newest member of the Seattle Seahawks, his agent announced last night. In an e-mail to the Associated Press, Gary Wichard let it be known that Losman agreed to a one-year, $630,000 contract. He signed on the dotted line Wednesday.
Losman, 29, was a first round pick of the Buffalo Bills in 2004. He spent five years with the team, never living up to the hype of his draft status. Derailed by injuries and poor performances, Losman was nothing short of a disappointment. He showed some promise in 2006, when he passed 3,501 yards and 19 touchdowns. He also threw 14 interceptions that season, and it was the only time he played all 16 games in a season.
Matt Hasselbeck and Charlie Whitehurst are already on the roster, so Losman likely will have no chance to move up on the depth chart.
Marshall had surgery on other hip
The football-following world was well aware that Miami Dolphins receiver Brandon Marshall has been dealing with a hip issue from some time now, and had it surgically repaired last year. What we did not know is that Marshall has an issue with the other hip, and thus was forced to undergo a procedure on it, according to Jeff Darlington of the Miami Herald.
Though the Dolphins don't seem too worried about the development -- head coach Tony Sparano called it "routine" it has to be of some concern that Marshall has needed surgery on both hips within the course of two years. The good news for Dolphins fans is that Marshall's play hasn't declined, so it would appear that the team didn't get coaxed into giving an injured player a large contract.
Marshall, as noted by Darlington, won't be able to return to the field until training camp.
Though the Dolphins don't seem too worried about the development -- head coach Tony Sparano called it "routine" it has to be of some concern that Marshall has needed surgery on both hips within the course of two years. The good news for Dolphins fans is that Marshall's play hasn't declined, so it would appear that the team didn't get coaxed into giving an injured player a large contract.
Marshall, as noted by Darlington, won't be able to return to the field until training camp.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Report: Roth wants a trade
Apparently, Matt Roth loves controversy. Less than a year after forcing his way out of Miami, the Cleveland Browns linebacker wants a trade.
Via Adam Schefter comes word that Roth is unhappy with current contract talks, and the situation won't be easily resolved.
Roth is a restricted free agent, and he believes that he should receive a big contract, something Cleveland is by all appearances unwilling to give him. In this case, the Browns are right to stand pat here. Roth recorded just four sacks last season, which isn't anything special. Why should the Browns shell out the big bucks for him when they could simply wait and see how he plays next season, and then make a decision?
The problem for Roth is that Cleveland has all the leverage here. If Roth refuses to sign his tender, which Schefter reports is likely to happen, the Browns can reduce the offer -- forcing him to play for less money in 2010.
Another question: Who gave Roth this sense of entitlement? Roth has registered a total of 16-and-a-half sacks in his career. After he forced his way out of Miami, he joined the Browns in Week 12. The Browns would be absolutely crazy to hand him a new contract after seeing him play just six games. And by continually creating problems for the teams he plays for, he's beginning to look less appealing to other franchises.
A word of advice for Roth. Shut up, sign the tender, and play at a higher level. Then the Browns will give you the money you are looking for.
Via Adam Schefter comes word that Roth is unhappy with current contract talks, and the situation won't be easily resolved.
Roth is a restricted free agent, and he believes that he should receive a big contract, something Cleveland is by all appearances unwilling to give him. In this case, the Browns are right to stand pat here. Roth recorded just four sacks last season, which isn't anything special. Why should the Browns shell out the big bucks for him when they could simply wait and see how he plays next season, and then make a decision?
The problem for Roth is that Cleveland has all the leverage here. If Roth refuses to sign his tender, which Schefter reports is likely to happen, the Browns can reduce the offer -- forcing him to play for less money in 2010.
Another question: Who gave Roth this sense of entitlement? Roth has registered a total of 16-and-a-half sacks in his career. After he forced his way out of Miami, he joined the Browns in Week 12. The Browns would be absolutely crazy to hand him a new contract after seeing him play just six games. And by continually creating problems for the teams he plays for, he's beginning to look less appealing to other franchises.
A word of advice for Roth. Shut up, sign the tender, and play at a higher level. Then the Browns will give you the money you are looking for.
Crayton M.I.A. from Cowboys OTA's
Disgruntled Dallas Cowboys receiver Patrick Crayton will not be present this week as the team opens up its organized team activities.
Crayton was recently given permission to seek a trade, though nothing appears imminent. A talented player, Crayton's $2 million base salary for 2010 likely is holding back any team's that would like to acquire him.
Last season, Crayton had 37 receptions for 622 yards and five touchdowns. Mostly playing in the slot, he was a valuable target for quarterback Tony Romo. With the addition of rookie Dez Bryant via April's draft, Crayton realizes that there probably won't be enough balls to go around, and he is mostly likely to get the shaft.
Though his agent, Fred Lyles, claims that isn't trying to send the Cowboys a message, it's clear that Crayton is anything but happy with the way the offseason has played out in Dallas.
Should the Cowboys eventually release him, expect him to find multiple suitors on the open market. Crayton has value as a receiver and in the return game, and more than a few teams will jump at the chance to grab him for a lower salary.
Crayton was recently given permission to seek a trade, though nothing appears imminent. A talented player, Crayton's $2 million base salary for 2010 likely is holding back any team's that would like to acquire him.
Last season, Crayton had 37 receptions for 622 yards and five touchdowns. Mostly playing in the slot, he was a valuable target for quarterback Tony Romo. With the addition of rookie Dez Bryant via April's draft, Crayton realizes that there probably won't be enough balls to go around, and he is mostly likely to get the shaft.
Though his agent, Fred Lyles, claims that isn't trying to send the Cowboys a message, it's clear that Crayton is anything but happy with the way the offseason has played out in Dallas.
Should the Cowboys eventually release him, expect him to find multiple suitors on the open market. Crayton has value as a receiver and in the return game, and more than a few teams will jump at the chance to grab him for a lower salary.
Andre Johnson deserves a new contract
Normally when a player is demanding a new contract with five years still remaining on his current deal, I refuse to take it seriously. But in the case of Houston Texans receiver Andre Johnson, things are different.
Johnson, who signed a eight-year, $60 million contract in 2007, is skipping organized team activities in the hopes of getting a new deal from the Texans. And he deserves it.
Casual football fans don't know much about Johnson, mainly due to the fact that -- unlike the Chad Ochocinco's of the world -- he's a quiet guy who simply does his job. Moreover, the Texans rarely get the national television treatment (they had one Monday Night Football appearance in 2009). As a result, people are not aware of the incredible talent that Johnson is.
For my money, he's the best receiver in football. At 6-3, 225 pounds, Johnson has the perfect size for the position. He has fantastic hands, good speed and will run any route that is asked of him. In an interview with NFL Network, Jets All-Pro cornerback Darrelle Revis described Johnson as a "beast," which is about as accurate a statement as anyone could give.
Johnson led the league in receiving yards last season with 1,569, and he also had nine touchdowns.
The Texans typically wouldn't even consider giving a player in Johnson's boat a new contract, but the team should break policy for a player as special as Johnson.
Johnson, who signed a eight-year, $60 million contract in 2007, is skipping organized team activities in the hopes of getting a new deal from the Texans. And he deserves it.
Casual football fans don't know much about Johnson, mainly due to the fact that -- unlike the Chad Ochocinco's of the world -- he's a quiet guy who simply does his job. Moreover, the Texans rarely get the national television treatment (they had one Monday Night Football appearance in 2009). As a result, people are not aware of the incredible talent that Johnson is.
For my money, he's the best receiver in football. At 6-3, 225 pounds, Johnson has the perfect size for the position. He has fantastic hands, good speed and will run any route that is asked of him. In an interview with NFL Network, Jets All-Pro cornerback Darrelle Revis described Johnson as a "beast," which is about as accurate a statement as anyone could give.
Johnson led the league in receiving yards last season with 1,569, and he also had nine touchdowns.
The Texans typically wouldn't even consider giving a player in Johnson's boat a new contract, but the team should break policy for a player as special as Johnson.
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