The girl in the picture is Allison Stokke, a very well-known pole vaulter thanks to the internet. In fact, there now seems to be a run on women pole vaulters... http://olympicgirls.net/girls/athletic-girls/pole-vaulting-girls/
So if AJ gets more guaranteed money, then proceed to miss 6 games to injuries next year, should he return that extra to the Texans?
Youre missing the point. If a player underperforms he can be cut, so if he over performs isnt it only fair that he get a raise??? Especially considering hes the best player in franchise history?
So you're saying it's okay for players to negotiate incremental raises to whatever he feels is market value(despite not being on the market), because the team's option is all or nothing, AND get screwed over from the accelerated bonus.
Hell no. Your talking about the Best Player on the Team. Without Andre this team wouldn't win 6 games.
That's good to hear, but on the other hand, you hate to set a precedent that it's ok to whine and sit out to get more money...I'm sure something will be done, but nothing over the top...he deserves it, he's the best receiver in the NFL... and how the heck did allison stokke get involved...lol.
the team is trying to get to the playoffs and without said player they have no chance. Andre has a lot of leverage.
You mean the leverage to go into debt because he's not getting his paychecks each month? Btw, by your incredibly insightful assertion, the Texans can't win 6 games without Andre. Does this mean that mean he's worth 3+ wins each year by himself(9 wins - 6 or less wins = 3+ wins due to AJ)? Yet we managed to go 2-14 with such a stud in the fold. Now, did I just blow your mind?
he'd be fine holding out all year and getting signed by another team next season. Remember 2007 when we started 2-0 after beating Carolina coming from behind on the road then Johnson got hurt and didn't play for the next 7 games? Here was our record during his absence. 2-5 You must not know that the QB is the person who gets the ball into the WR's hands and If you think David Carr was in any way good then you should stop posting
He's under contract for 5 more years. If he wants to sit out, it'll be 2016 when he will get his shot with another team...and he will be 35 years old. Dude has no leverage here.
Johnson eager to rejoin Texans Saying his absence from the team's first three voluntary practices over a contract dispute was "out of character", Houston Texans receiver Andre Johnson told KRIV-TV in Houston that he was eager to rejoin his teammates Thursday. "My big thing is I just want to be out there with my teammates and help us accomplish our goals," Johnson told KRIV. "Me sitting out is not going to help, so I chose to come back." Johnson has five years left on an eight-year contract worth $60 million that included $15 million in guarantees. He is considered one of the top receivers in the NFL, but his contract doesn't place him among the highest-paid players at his position with Larry Fitzgerald and Brandon Marshall earning significantly more. The Texans reworked his original contract three years ago when it had two years remaining. "Me not showing up is out of my character and that's why I'm here. I just hope things will work out," Johnson told KRIV. "I feel like the team understands my situation and I know theirs and we can meet at a certain point and get it done and have a successful season," he told KRIV. Johnson's uncle and agent Andre Melton told The Associated Press that a meeting Wednesday with the team's front office went "extremely well." Johnson's return is a smart move in dealing with a team that has had a policy under general manager Rick Smith to negotiate only with players who are participating in team activities. Melton seemed encouraged by his talk with team officials on Wednesday. "I'm pretty sure it will be a win-win for everybody," he said when asked if he believes the two sides can agree to a deal that will make Johnson happy. Johnson, the third overall pick in 2003, is entering his eighth season. He has led the league in receiving in each of the last two seasons. www.espn.com
This just validates that it was the Greedy Idiot Uncle behind most of this. Sure I'm thinking Andre does feel underpaid when compared to Fitzgerald and Marshall but he's never been the type to WANT to do something like holding out or skipping practices. I hope they restructure his deal somehow to where both parties will be happy.
Well if that's the case then The leverage he does have is: The Team loses and loses and Kubiack loses his job so that seems like a lot of leverage to me.
True, he could sit out...but ultimately, Im sure he's more worried about his own paycheck than Kubiak's. The team has the advantage here if they really wanted to be assholes about the situation.
I think he has a lot of leverage. He is the BEST player on our team and one of the best players in the NFL. His contributions to our team on and off the field are of obscene levels of importance. If he were to actually decide to sit out this year and have the mentality that he would continue sitting out until he gets a new contract, there is no way in hell we would let a guy of elite talent level just sit there until his contract ran out. By doing that we would just be proving a point for 5 years that we won't put up with that and to prove that point we're willing to let a guy that would be viewed as a hot commodity around the league continue to be on our payroll and contribute nothing. He would definately be dealt to a team that is willing to get him a new deal before the second year of him sitting out even started.
I don't see the argument. Pay him. Its not any run of the mill player here. He's the best player our franchise has had and the best in the world at his position. On top of all that, he is a great leader and ambassador for the team. We're so close to being really good, keeping him happy is a priority. With him back with the team, it just goes to show how much of a class act he is.
i don't think there is an argument. AJ was going to come back and Texans are/were willing to sign him. AJ could have shown up and started talking a reworked deal from day 1. But, i have a suspicion that he was "advised" to not show up to OTA for dramatic effect. The fact that after one day of "negotiation" with the uncle and everyone seems welcome to work something out just shows to me more that the texans have no problem working a deal.
Looks like some writers were looking at ways of getting AJ to bite and maybe persuade AJ to leave the Texans. Here's what he said today... I think he deserves the money for his character as much as his play on the field. Other players should take notes. LINK
