Keep Texans Talk Google Ad Free!
Venmo Tip Jar | Paypal Tip Jar
Thanks for your support! 🍺😎👍

AJ no show/now back to work

Here's the thing about AJ's contract to me. He signed a 60 mil 15 mil guaranteed, deal over 8 years or whatever. 15 million guaranteed is really low, and if he's trying to up that number without changing the 60 overall, I could understand that. If he's asking for 50 million over the next 5 years, with 25 guaranteed, then I think he's just being greedy asking for a raise to Fitz's salary and getting more base money.
 
There's no need to pay him right now. He has absolutely no leverage....he's barely into the contract that he signed and he's not going to sit out the whole season.

Don't pay the man........atleast not this year. Sorry AJ, but you have no leverage here....maybe if you get the Texans into the playoffs we'll talk next year.

I agree that he has no real leverage. But this is yet another headache they just don't need. Because of his image, I am sure many fans will lash out at the Texans in general about being cheap given recent disputes. And without him there is no playoff chance. I think he is worth two #1's, but I wouldn't even think of trading him. He signed a dumb deal before, and isn't paid like the dominant force he is. However, I agree that this is a "his problem" and not a "team" problem. What he should be doing, if anything, is negotiating and if really that necessary in his eyes making it public while still showing up to all training for the time being.

But Uncle Bob has said before to make the playoffs and he'll pay. Well, they can't make the playoffs without him. And they don't need to pay immediately just due to OTA's, but something needs to be done by or during training camp. It's not like he'll be out of shape or anything, but he needs to be with the team working on being in sync and as stated before, working with our secondary.
 
All of the above. Pay the man. He's earned it and deserves it.

IIRC, AJ restructured his existing contract in order to clear up cap space so the team could sign more talent. He was a hero to everyone back then when he did it, but I guess that goodwill only goes so far.

This is just business, and AJ is not holding out, only not showing up to voluntary workouts.

I have absolutely no doubt that he will be there when it matters.

Its all about precedent, and this sets a bad one.

If we give him a new deal it signifies the following:
1) If you hold out and we need you badly enough, we'll cave
2) If you outplay your contract, regardless of how recently we resigned you, we'll give you more money

Neither of those are conducive to winning a championship. AJ deserves to be paid more. But the NFL is a business, he signed a deal for 8 years 3 years ago. I want him to get paid more because he's my favorite player. But I also realize that this would be a huge slap in the face to OD. And it would prevent us from signing more talent in the future. And it would put us in an awkward situation in the future when lesser talented players make the same demands. Saying no to AJ makes it easier for us in the future. "Dont even try a hold out. We didn't cave for AJ, the best WR in the NFL. We're not caving for you."
 
Except he's not in a "perfect situation to make these demands".

He's got 5 years left on his contract and hasn't even played out half the length of his current contract. HE HAS ABSOLUTELY NO LEVERAGE. Houston would be absolutely stupid to tear up that contract during this offseason.

The guy doesn't have a leg to stand on. You simply tell him, Andre we already have a contract with you, so when you are ready to be with your team and play, give us a call.

I disagree.

AJ is probably the best player on the entire team. If that ain't leverage, I don't know what is.
 
Except he's not in a "perfect situation to make these demands".

He's got 5 years left on his contract and hasn't even played out half the length of his current contract. HE HAS ABSOLUTELY NO LEVERAGE. Houston would be absolutely stupid to tear up that contract during this offseason.

The guy doesn't have a leg to stand on. You simply tell him, Andre we already have a contract with you, so when you are ready to be with your team and play, give us a call.

The Texans need him more than he needs the Texans. And its not like he is in desparate need of cash and can't afford to lose some game checks. It was stated back when he re-signed that it was to also help with the cap. They should help him.
 
Wow, I am so relieved. I thought there would be little to talk about between now and training camp. Has anyone heard if Duane Brown is going to hold out?
 
Here's the thing about AJ's contract to me. He signed a 60 mil 15 mil guaranteed, deal over 8 years or whatever. 15 million guaranteed is really low, and if he's trying to up that number without changing the 60 overall, I could understand that. If he's asking for 50 million over the next 5 years, with 25 guaranteed, then I think he's just being greedy asking for a raise to Fitz's salary and getting more base money.

I was wondering if the guaranteed money wasn't a big issue. AJ got $15 on an 8 year deal. Fitz got $30 guaranteed on a four year deal, plus he got a condition that if he is franchised he is owed $23 mil for that season.

I'd like to see this done as an extension/raise. Bring him up to Fitzgerald territory, add two years so he is under contract until 36 and then bump the guaranteed money.
 
Players in sports that get to elite status are extremely competitive. They want to win everywhere, not just off the field. AJ is being paid well (so is everyone else in the league). But he's not being paid in line with his performance compared to other players.

Dear AJ

I can comply with my existing contract better than you can.

Signed,
Larry Fitzgerald

(Problem solved)!
 
I disagree.

AJ is probably the best player on the entire team. If that ain't leverage, I don't know what is.

Andre has no leverage because he is signed for 5 more years. You have no leverage when you have a long-term contract already signed.

If Houston signs him to another contract it is because they want to keep him happy.
 
We are a fickle bunch.

Most players only get one shot to make the BIG money. This is AJ's, and I can't blame him. To be honest, I thought he was nuts to take the deal that he got a couple of years ago. I truly believe AJ is one of the least egotistical guys in the NFL, and I think that kept him from getting what he was really worth because at the time, I don't think he knew just how much he was worth. Well, now he realizes it and has put up incredible numbers over the past two seasons (as well as for his career) and more and more analysts are calling him the best WR in the game. He simply wants to get paid like it, and this is his one chance to get paid like it.

Pay the man, Rick!
 
Andre has no leverage because he is signed for 5 more years. You have no leverage when you have a long-term contract already signed.

Hard to say these days. If all else fails he can throw a fit like every other disgruntled player in the league until the team trades him or cuts him outright (highly unlikely given what we know about AJ).

Sure it would tarnish his image, but he would achieve his ultimate goal (getting paid).

I hate to say it, but another team's fans can cheer just as well for AJ as we can....
 
Don't really know why everyone's freaking out about this right now. This is early and he's just missing VOLUNTARY workouts.

I'd wait a few weeks to see how this thing carries on and what the team's position is and what Johnson's position is right before training camp. Until then, this situation is not one that everyone should be freaking out about and arguing over.
 
Look if you are a any kind of sports fan, then shut up about these athletes wanting more money. It's because we as a country love sports that these athletes are paid so much, and I have no problem with that, and neither should you since you as a fan are contributing to their salary.:slapfight:
 
All of the above. Pay the man. He's earned it and deserves it.

IIRC, AJ restructured his existing contract in order to clear up cap space so the team could sign more talent. He was a hero to everyone back then when he did it, but I guess that goodwill only goes so far.

This is just business, and AJ is not holding out, only not showing up to voluntary workouts.

I have absolutely no doubt that he will be there when it matters.

Sure but don't get too harped on the "voluntary" aspect of it. Nothing is truly voluntary in the NFL. They won't get docked pay but you'd be kidding yourself if you didn't think one would be ruffling feathers by missing camp. Any camp!

One can't deny that Andre's making a statement here. A pretty bold one too. I expect nothing to come out of this this year. Just him putting his foot down and making himself heard. Once the voluntary label comes off and starts to impact his pocketbook... he'll be right back on the field.

Business as usual in the NFL.
 
If AJ were to hold out and not play that would kill our offense. That's leverage. The point about AJ helping the team with his contract 2 years ago are right. He helped the Texans, now the Texans can help him. Kolb got a retarded contract with an 11m dollar bonus frontloaded this year, and I think the Texans could re-work his contract to keep the length and give him some extra dough this year since it is uncapped. Hell, even if they gave him a brand new one it would not upset me in the least.

How many of you would be comfortable seeing AJ in a Titans uniform?
 
Hard to say these days. If all else fails he can throw a fit like every other disgruntled player in the league until the team trades him or cuts him outright (highly unlikely given what we know about AJ).

Sure it would tarnish his image, but he would achieve his ultimate goal (getting paid).

I hate to say it, but another team's fans can cheer just as well for AJ as we can....

He's worth the #1 money of any WR in the league. I just don't think he has any leverage being in a five year contract.
 
If AJ were to hold out and not play that would kill our offense. That's leverage. The point about AJ helping the team with his contract 2 years ago are right. He helped the Texans, now the Texans can help him. Kolb got a retarded contract with an 11m dollar bonus frontloaded this year, and I think the Texans could re-work his contract to keep the length and give him some extra dough this year since it is uncapped. Hell, even if they gave him a brand new one it would not upset me in the least.

How many of you would be comfortable seeing AJ in a Titans uniform?

Never wanted that ever to happen at all...
 
In a put up or shut up league, he really has put up and probably could use a new deal. That being said though, he really doesn't have any leverage and Rick Smith and co. are probably putting more emphasis right on guys like OD that really haven't even seen one big pay day yet for their production. I think this could wait another year.

I don't know if it's that big of a story until he holds out of training camp or preseason.
 
Its all about precedent, and this sets a bad one.

If we give him a new deal it signifies the following:
1) If you hold out and we need you badly enough, we'll cave
2) If you outplay your contract, regardless of how recently we resigned you, we'll give you more money

Neither of those are conducive to winning a championship. AJ deserves to be paid more. But the NFL is a business, he signed a deal for 8 years 3 years ago. I want him to get paid more because he's my favorite player. But I also realize that this would be a huge slap in the face to OD. And it would prevent us from signing more talent in the future. And it would put us in an awkward situation in the future when lesser talented players make the same demands. Saying no to AJ makes it easier for us in the future. "Dont even try a hold out. We didn't cave for AJ, the best WR in the NFL. We're not caving for you."

'eh, I don't know about precedent. And besides, what precedent did AJ establish by being the best WR in football and restructuring a deal on the crappiest team in football to make room under the cap for more talent?

Dude signed his contract after we went 2-14 and 6-10. Think about that. He could have played it out and asked whatever he wanted from whoever he wanted. Can you even begin to imagine how many rings he'd be sporting if he was with the Colts or Patriots?

Sure, AJ has no leverage with regards to forcing the franchise to re-do his contract....but there is the little fact he's the best WR in football, much less the best and most loyal player on this team. Leverage is subjective. He can bring bad publicity just by this story existing. He knows that, and he's not one to showboat or talk crap in the media.

The Houston Texans, Inc. is a billion dollar industry. All this "team loyalty" by customers...errrr....fans is so sad it's funny. BTW, where is the defining line between being a customer and being a fan? I'm always confused about that...

Anyway, it's just business.

Sure but don't get too harped on the "voluntary" aspect of it. Nothing is truly voluntary in the NFL. They won't get docked pay but you'd be kidding yourself if you didn't think one would be ruffling feathers by missing camp. Any camp!

Don't get confused about the VOLUNTARY aspect of it. The word has meaning, and OTA's are truly voluntary, as per the NFL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement.

With regards to "ruffling feathers"; According to all the retired players interviewed about subjects like this, they all side with the player. It is a brotherhood, and they understand there is a business side to it. N.D. Kalu was guest hosting a radio show earlier today and talked about this very subject. He said the only time players even talk about these situations is over a beer after practice, and even then only when it's over-the-top like a T.O. situation.

If he's ruffling the front office's feathers, so freakin' what. They get paid to deal with this crap, so deal with it. I could honestly care less about the front office. They exist to make money off of the careers of players like AJ.

AJ is the 800 pound gorilla on this team that can sit whever the hell he wants.

He won't miss any training camp or mandatory practices. Bank on it.
 
I am not going to ready all eight pages but I'll just probaby he should get paid like a number one WR. But there is a huge difference between should get paid more and NEEDING more money. He is signed a a deal two seasons ago and he should live up to it. Maybe he has seen the light and sees that he is the best wideout in the NFL and wants number one money but the Texans are not his only source of income by any means. He has large company deals and what not. If he handles his money the right there is not any reason he should need more untill 2014. I am all for sports figures earning the most money offered to them because of their short careers but to me AJ just wants bragging rights to be paid the most money and that does not fly in my book. If you detest your contract that badly then show up like a man do your job and talk about it. You'd probably be much better off anyway. AJ should be at OTA's IMO. All that being said, I am not angry. What can I do? Make him go? Nope. He is not there so his teammates must go on without him. That is all there is for them to do.
 
If AJ were to hold out and not play that would kill our offense. That's leverage. The point about AJ helping the team with his contract 2 years ago are right. He helped the Texans, now the Texans can help him. Kolb got a retarded contract with an 11m dollar bonus frontloaded this year, and I think the Texans could re-work his contract to keep the length and give him some extra dough this year since it is uncapped. Hell, even if they gave him a brand new one it would not upset me in the least.

How many of you would be comfortable seeing AJ in a Titans uniform?

No, I wouldn't be comfortable with AJ in a Titan jersey. Good thing is AJ is locked up for another five years with Houston. Only way he gets out is if Houston trades him and it's not going to be to the Titans. So I'm not too worried about him being a Titan.
 
The team's policy under Smith has been to only negotiate with players who are participating in team activities. Smith pointed to what star middle linebacker DeMeco Ryans did last offseason when he was unhappy with his contract.

"One of the things that was real smart on his part was the fact that he was upset that we had not been able to come to terms with an agreement, but he came back and was a part of the offseason workout and he was with his teammates, he was a leader and he did things the right way," Smith said. "He played his contract out and he was rewarded."

"You'd like to have all your people out here working, especially when we're trying to go do something we never have done," Smith said. "So the ideal situation is to have everybody working together, but as we talked about last week, you've got to be able to deal with distractions."

Smith said he has spoken to the receiver but wouldn't divulge details about their conversations.

"Obviously we want Andre here," coach Gary Kubiak said. "I know he and Rick are talking, so we'll get it worked out. We're not worried about Andre. He'll do his job."
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/story/13404384/texans-wr-johnson-skips-practice-wants-new-deal
 
We are a fickle bunch.

Most players only get one shot to make the BIG money. This is AJ's, and I can't blame him. To be honest, I thought he was nuts to take the deal that he got a couple of years ago. I truly believe AJ is one of the least egotistical guys in the NFL, and I think that kept him from getting what he was really worth because at the time, I don't think he knew just how much he was worth. Well, now he realizes it and has put up incredible numbers over the past two seasons (as well as for his career) and more and more analysts are calling him the best WR in the game. He simply wants to get paid like it, and this is his one chance to get paid like it.

Pay the man, Rick!

How is this AJ's one shot to make big money? He got a huge contract and signing bonus in 2003. Then, they signed him to his current 8 year deal with 2 years remaining on his original deal. So, he has already had 2 huge signing bonuses worth close to $30 million, plus he's made somewhere between $5-$10 million in other bonuses, and he has made multi-millions in salary every year since 2004.
 
I am very sympathetic towards players holding out for a deal when they haven't had a big contract yet. A guy like OD, who was drafted in the 4th round, could get injured and never really cash in on his effort and production. Even a guy like A.Boldin, who was drafted late in the 2nd round, has been a great player but unable to score a deal that represents all he's accomplished. However, AJ was given a monster contract as a rookie and then an enormous extension. So, he's received about $40 million in only signing bonuses, not to mention salary. If he does this, I think I'm going to have to boo him.

obviously, I went overboard here. If he sits out training camp, though... then, you better believe he'll get the Dunta treatment from me.
 
Being under contract means little in this league when you don't perform and when you overperform. I've seen plenty of players crybaby their way out of a city. If AJ decided to play but not perform as he has in previous seasons (think Randy Moss in Oakland) he could easily keep the Texans out of the playoffs and then we'd probably see a regime change. Think he won't get traded? It can happen at any time. Give the man what he wants he's been nothing short of spectacular.
 
Being under contract means little in this league when you don't perform and when you overperform. I've seen plenty of players crybaby their way out of a city. If AJ decided to play but not perform as he has in previous seasons (think Randy Moss in Oakland) he could easily keep the Texans out of the playoffs and then we'd probably see a regime change. Think he won't get traded? It can happen at any time. Give the man what he wants he's been nothing short of spectacular.

Exactly, couldn't say it better...
 
AJ wants to win maybe he should not worry about his contract so other key players may get paid to help AJ get to where he wants to be like Mario and O.D. JMO.
 
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!

I've been off the board for a couple days, what the hell is happening?!?!?

There's a pain in my chest and I can't breathe...
 
And I think of all the overtime I worked to pay for season tickets!! I'm the fool here, not AJ. My season tickets cost me over $4000 this year, and I stressed over that. NOW we have a MULTI-millionaire holding out on my team cause he don't think he's making enough money!! The insanity of this falls in my lap, cause I'm one of the thousands who put up with this kind of BS!!

And for all of you who think we can't win a SB without AJ need to stop and think about the NO Saints! They freaking won a SB without ANY player of AJs calibur, except DB, so don't tell me we can't win without AJ, that's BS!!
 
AJ is worth millions of dollars while others are over here struggling so he should suck it up the bottom line here is you and me are hurting much more than he is.
 
I disagree.

AJ is probably the best player on the entire team. If that ain't leverage, I don't know what is.

He's the best player on the team that's under contract for another 5 years.....and he ISN'T A QUARTERBACK.

That's called NO LEVERAGE. All you need to do is look at Chad Johnson and the Bengals.


Andre Johnson has no leverage and the Texans would be stupid to give in to him "this year". Talk after next season. You can't just rip up contracts when players haven't even honored half the contract.....it creates a bad precedent that other players will point to.
 
'eh, I don't know about precedent. And besides, what precedent did AJ establish by being the best WR in football and restructuring a deal on the crappiest team in football to make room under the cap for more talent?

Dude signed his contract after we went 2-14 and 6-10. Think about that. He could have played it out and asked whatever he wanted from whoever he wanted. Can you even begin to imagine how many rings he'd be sporting if he was with the Colts or Patriots?

Sure, AJ has no leverage with regards to forcing the franchise to re-do his contract....but there is the little fact he's the best WR in football, much less the best and most loyal player on this team. Leverage is subjective. He can bring bad publicity just by this story existing. He knows that, and he's not one to showboat or talk crap in the media.

The Houston Texans, Inc. is a billion dollar industry. All this "team loyalty" by customers...errrr....fans is so sad it's funny. BTW, where is the defining line between being a customer and being a fan? I'm always confused about that...

Anyway, it's just business.



Don't get confused about the VOLUNTARY aspect of it. The word has meaning, and OTA's are truly voluntary, as per the NFL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement.

With regards to "ruffling feathers"; According to all the retired players interviewed about subjects like this, they all side with the player. It is a brotherhood, and they understand there is a business side to it. N.D. Kalu was guest hosting a radio show earlier today and talked about this very subject. He said the only time players even talk about these situations is over a beer after practice, and even then only when it's over-the-top like a T.O. situation.

If he's ruffling the front office's feathers, so freakin' what. They get paid to deal with this crap, so deal with it. I could honestly care less about the front office. They exist to make money off of the careers of players like AJ.

AJ is the 800 pound gorilla on this team that can sit whever the hell he wants.

He won't miss any training camp or mandatory practices. Bank on it.



:bravo: Great Post!
 
NFL network (total access) just hit the nail on the head. Basically said everything I feel about the situation.

Sorry AJ. Love ya and you're my favorite player, but no way the Texans can rip up your contract this year and give you your 3rd contract in 7 years.

And people need to stop talking about how "team friendly" that deal was. The contract was so team friendly because it was FRONT LOADED. Half the contract has already been paid and now that the "team friendly" part of the contract is starting to come into play and his yearly base salary is starting to decrease Andre wants a new contract.......what's so "team friendly" about that?
 
I want to make it clear I am not saying he should not try to earn more money but just show up and ask later. I am not worried though as far as him holding out though because I have faith he'll be there ready to go in July when he has to I would just like to see him helping out his new teammates as early and as often as possible. That is what bothers me the most about him missing OTA's simply because I know how badly he wants to win it all or so he says.
 
NFL network (total access) just hit the nail on the head. Basically said everything I feel about the situation.

Sorry AJ. Love ya and your my favorite player, but no way the Texans can rip up your contract this year and give you your 3rd contract in 7 years.

And people need to stop talking about how "team friendly" that deal was. The contract was so team friendly because it was FRONT LOADED. Half the contract has already been paid and now that the "team friendly" part of the contract is starting to come into pay and his yearly base salary is starting to decrease Andre wants a new contract.......what's so "team friendly" about that?
At least honnor half of the other deal first.
 
At least honnor half of the other deal first.

This is what I'm saying....


I wouldn't be upset if they tore up the contract in the future, but to ask them to do it this early is just ridiculous and no way in hell should the Texans do it.
 
This is what I'm saying....


I wouldn't be upset if they tore up the contract in the future, but to ask them to do it this early is just ridiculous and no way in hell should the Texans do it.
That just means other players will think hey, all I have to do is honnor half of my deal and then demand a new one.
 
Let the faction divide...

In the Blue Corner, Pay the Man.

In the Red Corner, Play Man Play.

Let's get it on...
 
And people need to stop talking about how "team friendly" that deal was. The contract was so team friendly because it was FRONT LOADED. Half the contract has already been paid and now that the "team friendly" part of the contract is starting to come into play and his yearly base salary is starting to decrease Andre wants a new contract.......what's so "team friendly" about that?

Yep. That says it all.

I love ya AJ, but your interests weren't negotiated skillfully. You hired a family member instead of a professional. You have to expect to lose something if you didn't play your cards right.

It's like the guys on NFL Live just said:

"Who's Larry Fitzgerald's agent?"

"Eugene Parker."

"Call Eugene Parker."
 
This is a shitty subject for me cause I stand to make myself sick over the fact players are making way too much money, and owners are paying them by raising our ticket prices and food costs.

- AJ has a contract, play the )(*)$@ thing out. You signed it, honor it.
- If the NFL goes on strike I'm likely to be done, this is ridiculous.

The average family can no longer afford to go to a game, I'm tired of watching the average American family getting squeeze out for people to get paid way more money than they can possibly spend.

Unfortunately people keep paying them..
 
AJ is worth millions of dollars while others are over here struggling so he should suck it up the bottom line here is you and me are hurting much more than he is.

I'll probably get flamed for my opinion on players making millions, but I can't blame them for asking for more. NFL owners are billionaires and making ridiculous amounts in profits from our season tickets, PSL, beer, souvenirs, etc. The amount that they pay players is very small compared to what they actually make.

If an NFL players wants more money, I'm fine with it. Pay Andre Johnson what he deserves. He's one of the top 10 players in football.
 
It'd be nice if a contract was actually worth the paper it was printed on. And that goes for both sides.
 
I'll probably get flamed for my opinion on players making millions, but I can't blame them for asking for more. NFL owners are billionaires and making ridiculous amounts in profits from our season tickets, PSL, beer, souvenirs, etc. The amount that they pay players is very small compared to what they actually make.

If an NFL players wants more money, I'm fine with it. Pay Andre Johnson what he deserves. He's one of the top 10 players in football.
They are already paid enough for their needs and then some. Get paid more that is fine but handle things better.
 
And I think of all the overtime I worked to pay for season tickets!! I'm the fool here, not AJ. My season tickets cost me over $4000 this year, and I stressed over that. NOW we have a MULTI-millionaire holding out on my team cause he don't think he's making enough money!! The insanity of this falls in my lap, cause I'm one of the thousands who put up with this kind of BS!!

:fingergun:

I'm not piling on at all, SheTexan; just using your post as a jumping off point. The finances of the NFL have exceeded ridiculous, but ultimately, it all falls back on the fan. I gave up my PSLs and season tickets after the '08 season for a variety of reasons (Rosencopter, anyone?), but the viability of it was one big reason. I just decided I have better things to do with my money, like setting fire to it rather than giving it to a bunch of millionaires playing for billionaires who don't give two shits about me.

I view movies the same way, to be honest. It's entertainment, and there's a certain price I'll pay, but for the most part, they've exceeded that. I'd love for more people to step back and take a hard look at it and set their own personal limits and see where that takes them.
 
I'll probably get flamed for my opinion on players making millions, but I can't blame them for asking for more. NFL owners are billionaires and making ridiculous amounts in profits from our season tickets, PSL, beer, souvenirs, etc. The amount that they pay players is very small compared to what they actually make.

If an NFL players wants more money, I'm fine with it. Pay Andre Johnson what he deserves. He's one of the top 10 players in football.

This is one of the reasons that players should not discuss their salaries, it's the same reason that people aren't work don't want to talk about their salaries, cause it'll create jealousy, greed, and issues.
 
By the time these players are done with the ads, photoshoots, playing, and whatever else they do behind closed doors they really do not give a darn about you or I.
 
Back
Top