Chris Johnson told reporters Wednesday that he is "of course" prepared to hold out.

Come on now. I know everyone understands the 30% rule by now yet a lot or people still don't seem to take it into consideration. Do you seriously think it would be a good idea to give him the kind of money he's looking for, almost entirely upfront? And what makes people so sure he will just straighten up and be a team player from here on out if we do? As someone said earlier, what if he has another 2000 yard season? Does he pull the same kind of stunt? I can see it now... "I'm da onlyy playa ta eva rush fa 2000 yadds 2 timez. I jus can't play fa wut dey payin me."

What if we paid him all that money on the front end and...
... he goes down to a major injury?
... he pulls an Albert in the near future and decides he doesn't like what the team is doing anymore and wants out?
... he turns out to be a flash in the pan RB and never comes close to living up to his first 2 seasons again?
... the money changes him and he never puts forth the same effort in the future?

There are just too many possible negative outcomes to justify making CJ the NFL's highest paid RB before he's even begun his 3rd season in the league. Yes, he is worth more than he's getting paid. But he needs to play at a high level for a little longer than 2 seasons before he goes around demanding to be the league's highest paid offensive player. Ridiculous.

If he would've handled this differently I could've totally been on his side. That is, (1) respect the fact that it would be very foolish for the Titans to make him the highest paid offensive player in the NFL at this point, especially if that would require a largely upfront contract. And, (2) ask for the maximum allowable raise with a decent bonus with a promise to work out something better after this season. Oh, and (3) don't whine and complain publicly on Twitter and say things like "I can't play for $550 grand".

 

It does seem simple doesn't it? But I wouldn't be so quick to put the fact that it hasn't happened entirely on the FO. From the sound of it, CJ isn't looking for any kind of a "good faith" deal. Sounds like he wants to get paid like he's the best offensive player in the league. And he wants to get paid now.

 

JC is actually right... or close to being right. Bolt's acceleration isn't the greatest. If you watch his races, he takes a while to get going. I'm not sure if the 60 yard thing is accurate, but CJ would be able to beat Bolt in a 30 or 40 yard dash.


Also, I would really like dbc to explain why we should trade CJ for Ray Rice because that's one of the dumbest things I've heard lately.

 

WHAT!? There has never been a 1-2 punch like who? You realize the best game the Titans offense had last season was Week 2 (Collins at QB) against the Texans right? And no it wasn't the Cardinals game, we only scored 21 points. How about the Chargers game when playoffs were near? Vince poops the bed every year against the best teams that's why only 6 of his 26 wins have came against teams that ended the season with a winning record. CJ is special, yes. VY is average in this league and doesn't make anyone better.

 

What i meant was having the foresight of knowing CJ was actually going to sit the season out. I know Rice is more productive than CJ in street clothes. And yes, I think when people look back in ten years the Jones Drew like Rice will have the longer, more productive career. Rice had 1300+ yds rushing and 80 catches as a part time player last season.

 

I can at least see where you're coming from now, but you can't deal with the Ravens like that. Trading draft picks and backups would be different, but there's know way you can trade away your best player and give him to your most hated team.

 

trade him for AP and Percy Harvin

 

Now we're talkin'.

If AP could hold onto the ball like the average runner in the league, I'd take him over CJ any day.

 

The problem is the front office of the Titans organization is notorious for not paying their talent and CJ knows this. They knew that CJ was going to be good that's why they signed him to a 5 year deal instead of 3. He is the most dangerous player in the league and deserves a pay raise but the Titans are the cheapest team in the league and don't plan to pay him. I'm sure that if CJ had turned out to be another Adam Jones they would have torn up his 5 year deal and put him on his way.
If you are scared he will get hurt make his raise performance based or whatever just pay the man and let's go to the playoffs already!!