SportsCenter Blog Has An Interesting Theory About Chris Johnson’s Holdout

Yesterday, I looked at the ongoing contractual dispute between Chris Johnson and the Tennessee Titans. To recap: 2009 rushing title holder Chris Johnson, who is scheduled to earn $550,000 in salary next year in the third year of a five-year rookie contract, would like to renegotiate his deal in order to become the highest paid offensive player in the sport. The Titans would prefer not to do that at the moment, what with an increasingly probable player lockout on the horizon, or they would at least not like to renegotiate at the price Johnson is asking.↵↵Obviously, I did not consider the full range of options. As a mystery blogger at ESPN would have you believe, this turmoil all boils down to petty animosity between Johnson and Vince Young over a vacation trip snub.↵

↵↵⇥Of course, we have our own theories on why CJ has been a no-show at practice. Two weeks ago, Vince Young made it public that he plans on taking Tennessee’s receiving core on a “most-expenses-paid trip” to Houston or San Diego to further connect with his teammates. Johnson, who led the Titans in receptions with 50, was not on the guest list. It’s possible CJ is holding out until VY apologizes for the snub.↵↵↵I wish there were someone in particular to call out on this cockamamie idea, but there’s no author listed on the post. Am I to assume this an editorial “we,” or is there somehow a prevailing sentiment in Bristol that Chris Johnson is overly concerned about whether he was invited on a vacation with teammates to the point that he is willing to take a career risk in order to solicit an apology from the person who organized it?↵

↵↵Look, I don’t know Chris Johnson. And there’s a better than likely chance that someone at ESPN has the resources to meet him, so maybe they just happen to have the bizarre and unlikely inside scoop. But considering it’s couched as a theory, I doubt that is the case. It’s clear to even the most casual football observer why a running back, who’s career longevity is even more precarious than most of the players in other positions, would want to maximize his earnings as quickly as possible. When that money comes, Johnson can take all the vacations he pleases.↵

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