Why the Tennessee Titans Shouldn't Give Chris Johnson the Money He Wants

If the Tennessee Titans want to be a serious contender in the AFC, they need to make their star running back, Chris Johnson, a happy man.

Johnson has been one of most elusive backs in the NFL since he came into the league three seasons ago. He is two yards short of 4,600 for his young, NFL career, and he has yet to hit is prime. Having said that, Johnson feels he deserves "high-profile" quarterback money.

That's just not going to happen.

There is no doubt that Johnson is one of the flashiest, fastest and all-around exciting athletes in the NFL today. He forces defenses to stack eight in the box, and helps the rest of his team capitalize by using him as a decoy. At this point in time the Titans are in a rebuilding phase, but there is no doubt that Johnson remains the core of their offense.

But the fact of the matter is, he's just not going to be one of the highest-paid players in the game.

One of the highest-paid running backs?

Definitely. And as well he should.

Let's be real. If it wasn't for Chris Johnson last season, the Titans were a three-win team. Are they expecting Javon Ringer to give them 1,400 yards a season? I think not.

The thing that Johnson needs to realize is that although he is an elite running back, he has one playoff game under his belt (a defeat at that), and in 2010 was as inconsistent as any running back in the entire NFL.

He was held under 100 yards seven times in 2010, and every one of these sub-100 yard games saw Johnson fail to reach the 70-yard mark. During Week 12 against Houston he was held to five yards on seven carries, and against solid defenses like the Steelers and the Eagles, Johnson was held to a combined 100 yards and failed to reach the end zone entirely.

Sure, he feasted on mediocre defenses like the Dolphins, Raiders and Redskins, but a running back who wants "highest-paid player in the league" money should show a little more consistency.

Only Adrian Peterson has put up numbers equivalent to those of Johnson, and he's still playing out his rookie contract. This is the second consecutive year in which Johnson has held out. What does that say to his integrity?

Both parties need to reach an agreement soon. The Titans want Johnson. Johnson wants to play football. There's no question he's going to get paid. He is too big of an asset to a rebuilding  organization to let go.

Owner Bud Adams made it perfectly clear he did not want Vince Young returning to the team. He went out and drafted Jake Locker to show the entire league that within the next few years, the Titans will be a force to be reckoned with. After all, they're only three years removed from a 13-3 record and a number one spot in the AFC playoffs.

With the rookie Locker sure to take the reigns under center, emerging, (yet troubled) receiver Kenny Britt putting up Pro Bowl-caliber numbers, and Johnson in the backfield, the Titans have the potential to have one of the best offenses in the league.

But for now, the two sides must agree on a deal that makes both parties happy. Johnson is trying to change the market of the NFL and making his own stock rise astronomically. With the salary cap implemented under the new collective bargaining agreement, Johnson has to realize that the organization must cater to its other players as well.

Before he starts running his mouth about 2,500-yard seasons, Johnson should focus more on putting up better numbers against solid defenses. Anybody can take advantage of a horrible defense. There's a reason those defenses are so horrible.

But come on, man. Fifty-three yards against the Broncos? Fifty-three yards against the Jaguars? And five measly yards against the Texans? Those were three of the worst defenses in the entire league during the 2010 season.

One word: consistency.

And two holdouts in consecutive seasons. Something's gotta give.