Thread: C.J. Negotiations Worth Keeping an Eye on; May Affect Forte's Deal

Originally Posted by The Benjamin

Extensions are fine as long as you honor what is already signed. Meaning he is due to make what? 550K this year? Keep this year as it is.

I doubt with as much cap space as the Bears have left that they won't want to use some of it up on Forte's extension and that's their option but for the sake of our debate about this Forte has already agreed to play this year for $550k if he doesn't get his extensions before the year ends. So I guess that ends the debate. He's agreed to honor his contract and awaits an extension.

Originally Posted by The Benjamin

Thats all we can ask for.

Then give him the extension he deserves

Just posted a follow up article to what's happening in the Bears Forum. Lovie is schmoozing him but it looks like JA isn't exactly being overly generous. We've got some cap and cash so I don't why they don't just get it done.

Here's some comment about it from Matt Bowen. He makes points here that are also applicable to the Forte situation.


Is C.J. worth 'QB money?'

Titans need to pay big for the RB, but there has to be a limit. Matt Bowen


Print ThisSend ThisAugust 25, 2011, 05:30 AM EST
20 Comments



The Titans won’t compete in the AFC South without Chris Johnson. Try to spin it any way you want, but this team needs the playmaking ability of Johnson to flip the field, produce explosive gains and create scoring opportunities for QB Matt Hasselbeck.

To do that, you have to pay the man—with big money.
ICONThe Titans should make Johnson the highest paid RB in the league, but they can't hand out QB money.

Recently, the NFP’s Andrew Brandt detailed the negotiations (or standoff) between the Titans and Johnson. And yesterday, we heard again that the two sides are far apart on reaching an agreement. From Johnson’s perspective, he deserves a new deal—because his production speaks for itself. All you have to do is turn on the tape to see that.

Make him the highest paid RB in the league? No questions here. Pay him more than the Panthers DeAngelo Williams ($21-million in new guarantees) and set the eventually bar for the Vikings Adrian Peterson.

However, the one thing you can’t do is pay Johnson with "QB money" (or Larry Fitzgerald money). Have to draw the line there, because the position he plays doesn’t warrant that type of cash. Running backs wear down. And when their legs go—and the burst through the hole vanishes—they become easily replaceable.

Saw it myself playing vs. Eddie George. One of the top players at the position when I came into the league as a rookie. But by the time he put on a Cowboys uniform, a shell of what he used to be.

Does that put the Titans in a tough spot? Of course, because from a football standpoint they need Johnson to show up. No practice time during camp, no live action in the preseason. In fact, they need this deal as much as C.J. does.

Like I said above, Johnson should be the highest paid player at the position, and I would work up a contract today to get that done. Love watching him play the game. But there are limits here—because his production won’t last down the road. That’s life at the RB position in the NFL.

Follow me on Twitter: MattBowen41

Originally Posted by soulman

Here's some comment about it from Matt Bowen. He makes points here that are also applicable to the Forte situation.


Is C.J. worth 'QB money?'

Titans need to pay big for the RB, but there has to be a limit. Matt Bowen


Print ThisSend ThisAugust 25, 2011, 05:30 AM EST
20 Comments



The Titans won’t compete in the AFC South without Chris Johnson. Try to spin it any way you want, but this team needs the playmaking ability of Johnson to flip the field, produce explosive gains and create scoring opportunities for QB Matt Hasselbeck.

To do that, you have to pay the man—with big money.
ICONThe Titans should make Johnson the highest paid RB in the league, but they can't hand out QB money.

Recently, the NFP’s Andrew Brandt detailed the negotiations (or standoff) between the Titans and Johnson. And yesterday, we heard again that the two sides are far apart on reaching an agreement. From Johnson’s perspective, he deserves a new deal—because his production speaks for itself. All you have to do is turn on the tape to see that.

Make him the highest paid RB in the league? No questions here. Pay him more than the Panthers DeAngelo Williams ($21-million in new guarantees) and set the eventually bar for the Vikings Adrian Peterson.

However, the one thing you can’t do is pay Johnson with "QB money" (or Larry Fitzgerald money). Have to draw the line there, because the position he plays doesn’t warrant that type of cash. Running backs wear down. And when their legs go—and the burst through the hole vanishes—they become easily replaceable.

Saw it myself playing vs. Eddie George. One of the top players at the position when I came into the league as a rookie. But by the time he put on a Cowboys uniform, a shell of what he used to be.

Does that put the Titans in a tough spot? Of course, because from a football standpoint they need Johnson to show up. No practice time during camp, no live action in the preseason. In fact, they need this deal as much as C.J. does.

Like I said above, Johnson should be the highest paid player at the position, and I would work up a contract today to get that done. Love watching him play the game. But there are limits here—because his production won’t last down the road. That’s life at the RB position in the NFL.

Follow me on Twitter: MattBowen41

I guess we've heard a very similar line come from JA this past week when he talked about "drawing the line in the sand" and getting on with the season. Bowen is spot on when he talks about the positions and how quickly a RB's production can decline. (eg; Chester Taylor) Teams seem lax to give out huge upfront guarantees to a guy who's one knee injury away from ending his career. (eg; Curtis Enis).

To me the best balance in these matter seems to be a lowering of the signing bonus and instead an increase in annual salaries plus annual roster bonuses and other bonuses for production. This way the RB gets some security from the upfront bonus but must remain healthy and productive throughout to receive all it promises. That gives the team it's needed protection.

Player agents need to understand this too and not begin negotiations with the expectation that they're gonna make their client the highest paid member of the team. Sorry bud but it ain't gonna happen. RB's don't get QB's $$$$.