MJD Contract Dispute Turns Ugly

Added on Aug 22, 2012 by Scott in

NFL

Maurice Jones-Drew’s holdout for a new deal remains at an impasse. Jaguars owner Shad Khan said on Tuesday that the “train is leaving the station,” meaning MJD better get on board or prepare for the team to move on without him. Naturally, Jones-Drew didn’t take kindly to Khan’s comments, so he responded the way disgruntled players always do: he suggested a trade.

Thia type of talk from both sides is par for the course in these types of negotiations. Either the Jags will cave in to salary demands, MJD will return with his tail between his legs, or neither camp will budge, meaning the team will be without their best player for an undetermined amount of time.

What won’t happen is a trade. At 27, MJD is still in his prime and is coming off a rushing title in 2011. However, any team interested in acquiring his services would have to first negotiate a long-term extension for a running back with suspect knees who’s been sitting on his butt for the last few months.

As great a talent as Jones-Drew is, handing him a lucrative five-year contract is risky for the Jaguars, which is why they’re reluctant to do so. Running backs normally hit the wall around age 30. If Jones-Drew were to play out the final two seasons of his current deal, he’d be on the cusp of declining at 29.

Of course, the Pro Bowl runner is fully aware of his longevity which is precisely why he’s holding out now to grab as much cash as he can. However, he also knows that sitting out into the season won’t help his cause. Front office people frown upon players willing to put themselves ahead of the franchise.

In other words, Jones-Drew is in a tight spot. He can either cross his fingers and hope Khan opens up the coffers, or suck up his pride and get back on the field. The clock is ticking.

Source: NFL.com