Examining the Chris Johnson Holdout, and Who's Side to Take

If the Chris Johnson holdout wasn't national news then it certainly is now. An exclusive interview by ESPN with Johnson outlined his frustration with the Titans over his current contract that currently only calls for him to make $550,000 next season.

Johnson told ESPN that, "I wanna be one of the highest paid offensive players in the league."

Johnson did come this close to setting the single-season rushing record last season, but those are strong words. The Titans do have to re-work his contract because he did obviously out play that contract, but demanding to be the highest paid offensive player in the league is pushing it.

There are players that had to put in their time and prove on a consistent basis that they weren't a one-hit wonder. It's happened before and the Titans have to protect themselves to some degree.

On his twitter page, Johnson has said, "Its like how u expect ur players to give they all and put their bodies on the line when you not willing to give them what they deserve."

Parsing this makes more sense, as Johnson did play a huge role in the Titans' season turnaround last season. Even during the 0-6 start, Johnson was playing well. Once again, the Titans do have to throw Johnson a bone so to speak. He deserves more than what he's up for. A happy employee is a productive employee.

He also told ESPN that, "I want anywhere between 30 and 40 guaranteed".

This one really kind of surprised me. First of all that is a bold statement coming from a guy who has only put two years into his line of work. Sure, he's had two great seasons but what happens if those were the two best years he's got? What if defenses finally figure him out and he turns into just another average running back? What if a career-altering injury comes up next season with all of this guaranteed money? If that were to happen, then the Titans would be dead in the water.

You can't blame a team for being cautious about guaranteeing that much money to a player who's only been in the league for two years. How many job professions offer their employees that much of a pay increase in just two years? It just doesn't happen and in this regard Johnson is being extremely selfish.

If the Titans do end meeting that demand, Johnson is putting a ton of pressure on himself to perform and live up to his new "worth." He screwed up by taking the bait and naming a figure like that.

A below average season will leave Johnson looking like a fraud, so he better live up to his demands. This situation is far from being resolved, and recent history has shown that the Titans don't like to throw their money around.

They are very conservative when it comes to paying players. Sometimes it has hurt them and sometimes it has saved their behinds, with the most obvious example being Albert Haynesworth.

Neither side is budging, but after hearing Johnson's outlandish demands I have to side with the Titans at this point.