Chris Johnson's Holdout - Are You Concerned?

Tom Kessenich · Post by **Tom Kessenich** » Fri Jun 24, 2011 4:06 am

Obviously the lockout isn't over yet so it's far too soon to get too concerned about anything until that's resolved. But it's never too soon to start projecting and one of the top players in fantasy has a potential red flag this season.

Chris Johnson and a possible holdout.

NFL Network's Jason LaCanfora reported last night that Johnson will not report to camp unless he has a new deal. CJ is set to make $800,000 in 2011 and has clearly outperformed his rookie contract. Holdouts are bad enough since many players (especially RBs and WRs) who go through them often get injured early in the season because of missed camp time. Combine a possible holdout with an entire offseason of missed workouts due to the lockout and one could argue what was a potential concern before could escalate into a full-blown red flag.

There's also the fact that the Titans could be going with a rookie QB unless they are able to sign a veteran stopgap until Jake Locker is ready. Then again, it's not like the Titans' QBs have been very good lately and Johnson has still put up stud-like numbers every year of his career, including his banner 2009 season.

Put it all together and CJ, who is going anywhere from 2-6 in early drafts, will fall under the microscope. The question is how much of a concern is his potential holdout combined with any other perceived issues? Are you becoming skittish or not? As many here know, I'm a huge CJ fan so it will take a lot to shake my belief in him. A holdout, though, could do just that.

What does everyone here think?

[ August 10, 2011, 11:19 AM: Message edited by: Tom Kessenich ]

Diesel · Post by **Diesel** » Fri Jun 24, 2011 4:18 am

CJ is looking for a $30 million dollar deal, and will not play unless he gets this guaranteed money contract. Its all on the Titans now. Do they sit CJ down like the Chargers did with Vincent Jackson last year? Or do the Titans pay the man what he believes he is worth?

Unfortunately, I see this getting ugly. CJ is still a 1st round pick, but I'd be MUCH more comfortable taking AP or Charles. Is CJ still worth his weight if he misses a month into the season? I don't think so, and that's what looks like a possibility if the Titans don't pay the piper.

Tom Kessenich · Post by **Tom Kessenich** » Fri Jun 24, 2011 4:30 am

For me Marc it boils down to how much time, if any, that he misses. A day or two is no big deal. A week and I'm starting to get a little nervous. More than that and I'm officially concerned.

It's not so much the holdout itself - although that's an issue - but it's the holdout combined with no OTA's or mini-camps due to the lockout. That's a double whammy and as much as I love CJ I'm not sure even someone as talented as he is can avoid falling victim to it.

Diesel · Post by **Diesel** » Fri Jun 24, 2011 4:36 am

Lendale White is still available if the Titans want to save some money.

Pappy · Post by **Pappy** » Fri Jun 24, 2011 4:50 am

I believe that the Titans see themselves as a playoff team no matter who ends up starting at QB this year. Without CJ the playoffs just aren't a possibility for them, and they know this. Unless CJ is asking for a ridiculous amount of money, I can't imagine them not finding some way for him to be on the field week 1.

We went through this before and everyone thought they wouldn't pay him and he would sit out a good chunk, or all, of the season. They ended up reworking his contract. He has earned a larger contract and they will give it to him.

Tom Kessenich · Post by **Tom Kessenich** » Fri Jun 24, 2011 4:54 am

I agree Pappy. The smart money says this will get done with minimal (if any) damage. The Titans can't afford to start camp without Chris Johnson. He's their most important, most valuable and most talented player.

Pappy · Post by **Pappy** » Fri Jun 24, 2011 5:09 am

It is looking like CJ owners are going to be getting some good value for him this year. I am in the middle of a dynasty draft and he didn't go until the 6th pick. To me he is the 2nd MAYBE 3rd player off the board in any format.

Tom Kessenich · Post by **Tom Kessenich** » Fri Jun 24, 2011 5:13 am

Originally posted by Pappy:
It is looking like CJ owners are going to be getting some good value for him this year. I am in the middle of a dynasty draft and he didn't go until the 6th pick. To me he is the 2nd MAYBE 3rd player off the board in any format. I agree. He's third on my board and if he falls lower I view that as a great value pick. I've seen that happen in some drafts already and that's a great way to start your draft.

Diesel · Post by **Diesel** » Fri Jun 24, 2011 11:24 am

I'm going to play the devil's advocate here. CJ isn't asking for a raise in his yearly salary. He wants 30 million dollars. I don't think this will go down as smooth as you guys do.

mws123 · Post by **mws123** » Fri Jun 24, 2011 12:06 pm

If the Titans blink and decide to give him the cash, I wonder if the Texans will accomodate Foster. I know he said that he would not hold out, but....