In his strongest comments yet about his contract situation, Chiefs running back Larry Johnson tells Jason Whitlock in a Kansas City Star interview that he is ready for a holdout if the team doesn't give him a new contract. OK, are you prepared for a long holdout?"I'm prepared," Johnson said matter-of-factly. "They (my agent and father) got me saving money. I'm hustling to get more money to put in the bank. They already started setting aside different accounts, if that would have to happen. They're already telling me to be cautious about how I spend, where I go and stuff like that. To make sure that if it goes down like that, then I've got to be able to pace myself so I won't be in trouble."
Johnson has one year left, at a $1.7 million salary, on the contract he signed as the Chiefs' first-round draft pick in 2003. A $1.7 million salary is a bargain for a player of Johnson's caliber, but that's just the way contracts in the NFL work: Your first contract is based on how good teams thought you'd be when you entered the league, not how good you actually are.
At the same time, Johnson knows all too well that the Chiefs have caved in to their star running back's salary demands before. During Johnson's first training camp, he was the backup to Priest Holmes, who threatened to leave before the start of the regular season if the Chiefs didn't give him a new deal. The Chiefs agreed, tearing up Holmes' old contract and giving him a lot more money.
If the Chiefs were willing to do that for Holmes, Johnson must figure they'll be willing to do it for him, too. After all, Johnson is younger than Holmes was in 2003, he has less injury history than Holmes did in 2003, and he's a better runner now than Holmes ever was.
But the truth is, the Chiefs know they made a mistake in giving Holmes a raise, and that mistake makes it less likely that they'll do the same for Johnson. That means that if Johnson is serious about a holdout, it will probably be a long one.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
6-21-2007 @ 8:33AM
Kevin said...
If Herm Edwards showed up at my job, intent to run me into the ground I might consider renegoiating as well. The productive part of his career may be over in two-three years.
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6-21-2007 @ 9:05AM
Chris said...
LJ seems to just want a fair market value. Another part of the interview said the media's claims about him wanting an $80 million dollar contract are a "bit misleading".
It will only be a matter of time before we see which side wants to play the hardest ball.
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6-21-2007 @ 9:23AM
SportSnipe.com said...
Larry is making a good decision with holding out. A player of his caliber should be getting paid way more than $1.7mil. What a novel concept though, save money and cut back on spending?? I don't think I've ever heard that from an athlete.
http://www.sportsnipe.com
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6-21-2007 @ 9:51AM
Sandy said...
If Tony Romo can get the Cowboys in talks after the little he showed, LJ has earned the right to get the same.
Pay him what he's worth, KC, or let him go to a team that appreciates his talent.
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6-21-2007 @ 12:17PM
david a. said...
The article just goes to show that not every young athlete of star quality is exceedingly stupid with their career negotiations or their money. Hey Larry, if the Chiefs are too exceedingly stupid to invest in a devastating run game, come up to Oakland. You and JaMarcus would get along great.
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6-21-2007 @ 2:53PM
Chiefs#1Fan said...
Hey look I agree with both sides. Johnson just wants to protect himself just like the Chiefs do. Do I think that LJ is worth more money "Hell Ya". He is the 2nd best if not the best in the league at his postion. I believe that in "07" season he will be the leading rusher in the league cus I think that LT "The best at his position" and the Chargers are going to take a step back with Norv Turner running the show. Herm, Carl and LJ will get a deal worked out before the beginning of the season that will make all parties happy and then they can get the train rolling. If not they might as well trade him then. Listen here David no player in the right mind would ever want to play for the Raiders right now when you got "Running for his life Russell" and Lets not forget "Night of the Living Dead Davis", and plus a coach that hasn't proven a thing, so I'll be watching that train wreck 0-14 season.
Scott K.
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6-21-2007 @ 5:36PM
Eric said...
He may be worth more than he is getting now but, he is no LT he could not block to save his life and still would not try!He is self centered and only worried about his stats.Just how many extra hits did Trent take last year due to his inabilty to block?
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6-21-2007 @ 5:55PM
Matthew.Noll said...
Saving Money...What a novel concept!
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6-21-2007 @ 6:33PM
jim wise said...
I don't understand people renegotiating CONTRACTS. Isn't a contract a COMMITTMENT from BOTH parties for stated terms and time ?? BOTH parties COMMITT knowing future risks. WHAT makes these overpaid athletes SO special ??
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6-21-2007 @ 7:51PM
Jon said...
Jim--there's one loaded question that hangs from your comment: if a contract is a commitment from both sides, then how come teams are allowed to cut players prematurely? I never understood why everyone gives players a hard time for dishonoring a contract, but doesn't care when a team does the same thing.
In baseball, the CBA guarantees all contracts. A team can't cut a player prematurely, and a player can't hold out. Football doesn't have that. Which is fine, but it leaves the door wide open for a player to hold out.
If you want players to stop holding out, then guarantee their contract. If you don't want to do that, prepare to accept the consequences.
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6-21-2007 @ 9:19PM
Eldon Nieto said...
LJ is a great player, pay the man. If he continues to cry for every little thing, pack his diaper bag!!!
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6-22-2007 @ 12:07AM
DON said...
Cry baby. I love LJ & I think KC will take care of him. Sandy,davidA, Sport snipe, especially Raider fans wake up & quit defending all these cry baby athletes. I just put in a 13 hour work day & I am happy/blessed to work.
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6-22-2007 @ 3:45AM
Cubbiessosa said...
The Chiefs should look and see if they can strike a deal with LJ but if the right trade deal is on the table they should pull it right away. After all, when Priest was still dominating, they drafted LJ in 2004 as a backup plan. The same can be said here, in that well they might not get the same production from one guy, more and more teams are showing how replaceable the running back position is today. Look what happened in Indy with Addai and Rhodes (after losing James), Denver every year, etc. If the offer was overwhelming as stated earlier they could improve at another position and still make an offer to a player like Mike Anderson (little used last year, signed big deal), maybe acquire Warrick Dunn (different scheme less need for outside runner) or attempt to acquire DeShaun Foster (who is going to see his carries decreased for Williams). These would work for a year and the way Herm works his mixes with RB's this might just 'be in the same ballpark' as LJ's production and definitely you'd see a better effort in pass-blocking.
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6-26-2007 @ 4:34AM
steve said...
I agree, put any decent runner behind the KC line, and they are going to put up some major numbers. Buy low, sell high, and let LJ go.
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6-30-2007 @ 11:34AM
Eric said...
Denver has done it for years.
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7-21-2007 @ 7:25PM
JT said...
What Offensive line in KC are you talking about? You do know that two of there best O-linemen have retired within the last two off-seasons? This franchise is heading in the wrong direction. If you have a chance to trade LJ for draft picks and young players, then the Chiefs should do it. Even if he comes back and decides to play this year, he will hold out again next year when the Chiefs put the Franchise tag on him. And by that time, they will not want to sign him to a long term deal because he will be pushing 30. Chiefs are using him now and will continue to do so as long as he helps them win. But I think Jamal Anderson showed the ill-effects of a 400+ carry season. Two or three of those in a row and LJ will be limping to his next team. Whining and self-centered aside, If LJ doesn't get his contract this off-season, he will never get it. He knows that, as well as all of us do. I don't agree with the Holding out, but this is his last chance to get the money he deserves.
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7-21-2007 @ 7:26PM
JT said...
What Offensive line in KC are you talking about? You do know that two of there best O-linemen have retired within the last two off-seasons? This franchise is heading in the wrong direction. If you have a chance to trade LJ for draft picks and young players, then the Chiefs should do it. Even if he comes back and decides to play this year, he will hold out again next year when the Chiefs put the Franchise tag on him. And by that time, they will not want to sign him to a long term deal because he will be pushing 30. Chiefs are using him now and will continue to do so as long as he helps them win. But I think Jamal Anderson showed the ill-effects of a 400+ carry season. Two or three of those in a row and LJ will be limping to his next team. Whining and self-centered aside, If LJ doesn't get his contract this off-season, he will never get it. He knows that, as well as all of us do. I don't agree with the Holding out, but this is his last chance to get the money he deserves.
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7-23-2007 @ 10:47AM
Billy Long said...
Look! just pay the man! Or the Chiefs 2007 season is done!......Lamar Hunt would of.
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8-04-2007 @ 12:36PM
Rex said...
Jon, holding out is not morally equivalent to being cut. For starters, the contract allows for being cut. Just as it also allows for the player to "retire." Can somebody chime in on the "retire" rules? Because I know that, when cut, and this matters, Jon, a player is immediately a free agent. But a holdout is a different animal. It's a breach, pure and simple. Extortion is more apt.
Does he "deserve" more? Deserve's got nothing to do with it. He deserves what he gets. We all do. And good for him if KC gives him what he wants. But have some intellectual integrity and admit that his method lacks integrity. It might work, and others have done it before him. But it puts the team in a bind, far worse than a player finds himself if cut.
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