Chris Johnson – ‘History Deal’

First thing that springs to mind when I say that name? Speed, and tons of it.

As was the case after the 2009 season, Chris Johnson wants more money from the Tennessee Titans. Remember he was talking about wanting a ‘history deal’, which I can only conclude meant he wanted the biggest contract ever given to a Running Back.

There is no doubting the guy’s skills, but is he really good enough at this stage of his career to command such a deal? Now history suggests that your third year in the league is what you would call the ‘norm’ for a player, in that the production from the third year (based on being a 16 game starter) is how you will generally perform year in year out as an average.

Let’s see what Johnson has done.

In 2009 when he had a mega year (his total yards for that season rank him 6th on the all time list) he put up the following numbers:

2006 rushing yards;
5.6 ypc average;
125.3 yards per game;
14 rushing TDs;
50 receptions;
503 receiving yards; and
2509 total yards from scrimmage.

That is a massive year for any RB. This is what prompted the talk of wanting more money. And it’s hard to blame him considering this was such a good season.

In 2010 he followed his big year with:

1364 rushing yards;
4.3 ypc average;
85.3 yards per game;
11 TDs;
44 receptions;
245 receiving yards; and
1609 total yards from scrimmage.

That is a massive difference from 2009, he dropped off almost 1000 total yards. Now there could be many reasons for that but I would guess it was a combinations of two reasons. Namely, a slightly lingering injury and defences being more aware of how he plays, and what his skill set is. This was the third time they had seen him but only the second as a full-time 300 carry a season player. Maybe they made adjustments, and maybe Johnson will have to do the same now.

On the face of it, I don’t think Johnson can command the biggest deal ever for an RB. He needs at least another year or two to show what his performances will be. If he goes back to the 2009 season then yes, he probably does command such a deal. Otherwise, he should simply be one of the Top 5 highest paid RB’s if not number one in any season. But I do not think he is at a stage in his career where he deserves that sort of money.

We’ll see what happens, when the NFL goes back to work I think Johnson will stay at home. On the face of it he is saying all the right things and doing the right things by turning up to player workouts. But when that new CBA is signed, I don’t think we will see Johnson at a Titans’ facility until they reach a new agreement on a contract.

For the Titans sake and for the fans, I hope they agree a deal soon. I want to watch Johnson play and reach those heights of 2009 or even surpass them. And then he can get that history deal he is looking for.

Content courtesy of J_Dogg