In the next five weeks leading to NFL training camps, we're going to hear more and more threats from players saying they won't report to camp.
Kansas City Chiefs running back Larry Johnson is the latest in a long line of players barking about the possibility of being a training camp holdout -- and maybe even longer than that.
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| Larry Johnson wants L.T. money -- good luck with that. (US Presswire) |
Johnson joins some other top players in their quests for new contracts, including Chicago Bears linebacker Lance Briggs, New England Patriots cornerback Asante Samuel, Detroit Lions defensive tackle Cory Redding, Jacksonville Jaguars guard Chris Naeole, Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Darwin Walker and New York Jets guard Pete Kendall. All want new deals.
There's also talk about Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo getting a new long-term deal. Romo, who has one year remaining on his contract, isn't threatening to sit out, but you can bet he would love a new deal.
It's a good time to look at eight contract squabbles and render a verdict:
Larry Johnson, RB, Chiefs
He is scheduled to make $1.7 million this season, the final year of his five-year rookie deal. That's chump change compared to what many of the other running backs are making, including several, such as Ahman Green and Willis McGahee, who signed new deals this spring.
Johnson is coming off back-to-back seasons with 1,700-plus yards, so he can make a strong case for a new deal. But let's remember a few things. Johnson was on the trading block three years ago and nobody even sniffed making a deal for a third-round pick, which is what the Chiefs were asking.
Not only that, but Johnson has carried it 752 times the past two seasons, including 416 times in 2006. That's a lot of wear and tear, even if he did only carry 140 times his first two seasons in the league. He also benefited from playing behind one of the best offensive lines in 2005 and best inside three in 2006.
Johnson turns 28 in November. That's not old, but by running back standards it is an age of concern.
Verdict: Should Johnson be paid more than $1.7 million per year? You bet. Should he come close to L.T. money? No. The Chiefs should give him a new deal, but he's crazy if he thinks he's L.T. By the way, he might miss camp, but he won't sit out more than that. Not with the chance to become an unrestricted free agent after the season.
Asante Samuel, CB, Patriots
He is coming off a season in which he had 10 interceptions to tie Champ Bailey for the league lead. Now he wants to be paid for that season.
After watching Nate Clements get an eight-year, $80 million deal -- a deal that includes a lot of funny money in the back end -- Samuel is eyeing that same type of deal. The Patriots put the franchise tag on him, which means if he signs it, which he has not, he would be paid $7.7 million this season.
