Kerry R. Thompson, Sr.
DeSean Jackson and Chris Johnson say to themselves, “You know what, I ain’t about to go out there and injure myself. I have to look out for my body. If I don’t look out for my money, who is? This is a business; and I am handling my body in a business way.” The media as well as fans look at it as a slap in the face to the organization. Where is the loyalty they say? Why not honor their contract with their John Hancock on it? They are made to be villains, robbing the organization? They deserve more money? Why? I only make 35 a year fans say. It looks ungrateful.
Then you have Matt Forte’. He says, “I am going to put the organization first. I am going go out and run hard, block hard, and give 100% to my organization and my team mates. They need me. I know they are going to take care of me.” Matt goes out there for 12 games, 997 yards and 52 receptions later. Things are looking great. Then Derrick Johnson comes free and tackles Matt Forte’; Grade 2 MCL sprain. Now he is on the sideline, wondering did he ruin his chances of getting a long term deal.
Is there ever a right way to handle this?
DeSean Jackson has been a game breaker for the Eagles. He made an IMMEDIATE impact for the Eagles. One of the only reasons he didn’t go in the first round was because of off the field questions. DeSean has had his hot dog moments, but he has not be involved with drugs or been caught up with being a crime kingpin. No play has been more memorable than the punt return against the Giants that sealed the division for Eagles and eliminated a bitter division rival. DeSean Jackson opens this offense up. Without him as a deep threat, the Eagles can’t open up Bren Celek underneath or Jeremy Maclin on crossing routes and underneath routes. It will allow for a safety to play up in the box, and hamper LeSean McCoy’s ability to run. The Eagles have built this team around speed. DeSean Jackson has a flat salary of $565,000 this year. Jackson in his 4 years at Philly has 229 yards for 4,085 yards and 21 TDs. As a punt returner, he has 116 returns for 1,226 yards and 4 TDs. He is averaging 10.6 yards per return. And this guy didn’t deserve a raise?! Yet he was called selfish and Vince Young made more than him this year in 3 games along with a GANG of other guys. How do you NOT resent an organization for that? How can you go out there and give everything you have and you just signed Mike Vick to a 100 million dollar contract?
Chris Johnson has been one of the best backs in the NFL since he has arrived. CJ 2K. If I put his numbers up, there is no need to even talk about why he wanted a new contract. In four seasons he has been the crown jewel of that offense; 5, 645 yards, 38 TDs, 194 receptions, 1,426 receiving yards, and countless highlight reel runs. Chris Johnson’s work speaks for himself. Each year, the Titans have put him off until finally he held out, not only to protect his body, but to protect what he worked so hard for. His money! Not to mention that he plays for a mediocre team in the Titans that has been doing nothing over the years to get better offensively.
These are the harsh realities that these NFL players have to go through each time they tie up those cleats, and put on that team’s jersey. You can have your family settled in a city that you think you are going to spend the rest of your life in. You then get a phone call saying that you have been traded and you have to be up and out of the city within 24 hours. Or over the offseason you get cut because of the salary cap. The NFL is a business first; and players who regard their bodies as that as well. So when the media portrays these guys as being greedy, it is not always the best choice of words. Put yourself in this situation. You come to work EVERYDAY and you out work your peers, yet your peers are getting paid more than you are. Most of us feel that way anyhow. But you actually have the leverage as a player to say, I deserve more money; and you can sit out of your job until they pay you what you feel you deserve. Chris Johnson continued to sit out. Jackson decided to go ahead and come to camp.
But you saw what it did to both.
Chris Johnson got his payday and rushed for 1,047 yards. Mike Munchak wasn’t really giving Johnson the ball this year either. Over the past 2 seasons Johnson tallied over 300 carries. This year he was at 262. But he was still a thousand yard rusher and he didn’t have a mini camp. DeSean Jackson had 58 catches for 961 yards and 4 TDs. He was suspended a game, and clearly didn’t give his all this year. He didn’t have a game over 6 receptions and he only had 2 one hundred yard receiving games. This season didn’t help Jackson’s claim for the big money he felt he deserved.
If the NFL does what’s best for their team financially, then these players should have the same opportunity. I applaud the players that go out there and give their all, even though they are unhappy with their contract. But to the players that hold out and get their money, I agree with everything you are doing. If you don’t care about your family, your body, your contract who else will? Because the NFL is looking out for what’s best for them; paying you the LEAST amount possible.
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