Tennesse Titans: Chris Johnson Should End Holdout Now

Tennessee Titans star RB Chris Johnson should be carrying a football around his team's preseason practice field instead of the stubborn stance he has demonstrated off the field in his current contract dispute.

The NFL's leading rusher (4,598 yards) over the past three years has refused to report to camp until the Titans rework his existing contract that the organization already reworked last season.

Johnson should be back at work with his Tennessee teammates, knowing that Titans GM Mike Reinfeldt has publicly stated the franchise's want to make the electrifying CJ the highest paid running back in NFL history. However, the Titans want him in camp first, learning the new system of first-year head coach Mike Munchak, and becoming acclimated with some of his new teammates.

Instead of sitting out until the Titans reward him with a new mega-rich deal, Johnson needs to be running back to his squad that finished 6 - 10 in 2010, and witnessed the RB's rushing average per carry, rushing yards per game and rushing TD's per season noticeably slip from his breakout 2009 season.

Instead of catching additional grief from an increasingly disgruntled Titans fan base, Johnson needs to be catching screen passes from newly acquired QB Matt Hasselback and learning a new offense from the new Tennessee coaching staff.

Instead of following former Titan RB Eddie George's advice to use his recent three year success as leverage in contract negotiations, Johnson needs to be following his new lead blockers as they open holes for him in the Titans preseason.

Instead of breaking his team's chances of starting strong under Munchak's new Tennessee regime, Johnson needs to be breaking tackles on the football field where he is currently under contract to play.

Last year, the Titans demonstrated their commitment to Johnson by reworking his contract.

This year, Johnson needs to reciprocate by dropping his intractable hold out. The three-time Pro Bowler should show his commitment to an organization that needs him to show up for camp now.

The Titans will rework his current contract just as they reworked his rookie contract last season.

At least until Johnson demands his contract gets reworked again..... at the beginning of next season.

Straight talk. No static.

MIKE - thee ultimate talking head on sports!

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