Paying the Players

This is the time of year in the NFL when the best players feel they are underpaid and want more money. They show it by not attending voluntary OTA's, and let it be known through their agents they are unhappy with their contracts. Two of the best players in the game, Andre Johnson of the Houston Texans and Chris Johnson of the Tennessee Titans, want to renegotiate. One has a very good case, the other has a good point but won't get much sympathy.

Chris Johnson rushed for over 2000 yards in 2009, and with inconsistent play at the quarterback position he was their offense. He is also playing out a rookie contract that will pay him $550,000 in 2010. Tennessee is getting a wonderful return on their investment. Johnson is a gamebreaking back who can beat you running the ball and catching it out of the backfield. He has been arguing for more money for a while now and he should get it.

But Tennessee can point to Terrell Davis and Jamal Anderson as to why they should hold off with the new contract. Davis and Anderson lead their teams to the Super Bowl at the end of the 1998 season, then both players got hurt with serious knee injuries in the opening weekend of the 1999 season and never fully recovered. Running backs have a shorter and shorter shelf life in the NFL. Tennessee can argue that handing out a huge signing bonus to Johnson when he has the potential to get hurt the same way is pointless when he still has at least 2 years left on his contract. But when you are not willing to pay your best player it smacks of cheap. Tennessee needs to pony up and pay their thoroughbred back before it's too late.

Andre Johnson has already signed a big extension. 8 years, $60 million, with $15 million in guaranteed money. He has five years left on his contract. Johnson has been one of the best receivers in the league and with the development of Matt Schaub he is only getting better. But how much more money is he worth? He has never played in a playoff game, and only been on one team that has had a winning record. He got the big contract after putting up big numbers. What he needs to do now is get his team in the playoffs. Then he will have more leverage. Chris Johnson led the Titans to the best record in the NFL his rookie season. Andre Johnson has yet to have that effect in Houston.

Looking at their current contracts, Chris Johnson is underpaid. Andre Johnson is undeserving. Chris needs a new contract. Andre needs to put up or shut up.