Chris Johnson vs. Titans Organization

First off, lets take a look at the players prospective. Chris Johnson is arguably the best running back in the NFL. After being drafted with the 24th overall pick in the 2008 draft, Johnson has rushed for 4,600 yards, the most by any back in that time span. Johnson is still working through his rookie contract, a measly five year 12 million dollar deal with only 7 million guaranteed. With only two years left on his contract, Johnson is now sitting out until he is receives a contract that makes him one of the highest paid “play makers” in the NFL. You can bet after seeing Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald’s new contract with $50 million guaranteed, Johnson’s offer will be somewhere in that vicinity. Now, the Titans organization is willing to make him the richest running back in NFL history, but it will be on their own terms.
Titans owner Bud Adams is one of the most notorious owners in the NFL. Whether he is flipping the bird to the fans of the Buffalo Bills or getting rid of his coach and starting QB in the same year, Adams continues to be an embarrassment to the NFL and Titans fans everywhere. Adams and Titans GM Mike Reinfeldt have both been on camera to voice their discontent with Chris Johnson and his demand to sit out. Reinfeldt made it publicly known that the Titans organization is willing to make him the most highest paid running back in NFL history, and all he has to do is show up. He even came to the point where Chris Johnson doesn’t even have to practice or play in the preseason. The most important thing is that CJ2k gets to know his new teammates and coaches and begin to make himself familiar with head coach Mike Munchak’s new offense. The only problem is…..Chris Johnson isn’t budging.
It’s very difficult to choose a side in this standoff. On one hand, Chris Johnson deserves anything he asks for. Without Johnson, the Titans offense lacks that homerun hit that is so hard to defend. Chris Johnson is a game changer. With the new addition of quarterback Matt Hasselbeck and Kenny Britt on the verge of stardom, the Titans have the makings of a very potent offense with Johnson leading the way. Now on the other hand, Adams makes a very compelling arguement. Johnson is biting the hand that feeds him. In the history of the NFL, in more times than not, the player is the one that caves first. If the organization were to give in to the players demands, it would start a huge chain reaction for future holdouts. Bud Adams is willing to go with Javon Ringer and Jamie Harper while they wait on Johnson, both who have been looking relatively strong in the preseason. With everything been said, Chris Johnson needs to show faith and show up so he can get paid. At the end of the day, he is the employee and Bud Adams makes the rules and if he wants to play football and get paid to do it, he needs to show up……plain and simple. The next few weeks will be the most interesting as the regular season draws near. Titans fans and fantasy owners of Johnson will remain at the edge of their seat waiting on a resolution, a resolutiong that doesn’t seem to be ending soon.