If the NFL’s best running back Chris Johnson decides to hold out it would definitely affect the odds on the Tennessee Titans at the sportsbook. Johnson led the NFL with 2,006 yards last season and he was a major force for the Titans. He is a player that impacts the NFL odds at the offshore sportsbook.
Sportsbook odds indicate that the Titans are 27-1 long shots to win the Super Bowl. Those odds would definitely go up if Johnson is a holdout. Johnson has skipped Tennessee’s voluntary practices in hopes of getting a new contract. Johnson is getting some support as Hall of Fame running back Marshall Faulk is in his corner. He told a local newspaper that Johnson should hold out. “Without a doubt, if more money is what he wants, he has to hold out,” Faulk said, “You have to know who you are dealing with. The Titans aren’t known for caving in or paying, it doesn’t matter who you are. In my opinion, there is no way he can come in and play under the current contract.”
Johnson signed a $12 million dollar contract in 2008 and he has three years left on that deal. He got $7 million guaranteed as part of that deal but his base salary for 2010 is only $550,000. “Chris has outplayed his rookie deal. He has beyond exceeded the expectation where he was drafted,” Faulk said to the newspaper. Johnson was the AP Offensive Player of the Year last season. After last season ended Johnson mentioned wanting a new deal. “That’s something my agent has got to take care of, my agent and upstairs,” Johnson said.
Offshore sportsbook stats indicated that Johnson rushed for 2,006 yards on 358 carries last season to lead the NFL. He was almost 600 yards ahead of Stephen Jackson of the Rams who finished second in rushing yardage. Johnson was the first player in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards and catch 500 yards in the same season. He set another record as he was the first NFL player to rush for three touchdowns of 85 yards or longer in a career. There have been only two running backs in NFL history to start their careers with more rushing yardage. Eric Dickerson and Edgerrin James are the only two running backs to start their careers with more yards than Johnson.