Maurice Jones-Drew is holding out on the Jacksonville Jaguars, or the Jacksonville Jaguars are holding out on Maurice Jones-Drew—it really depends on the perspective from which you view the situation.
Many have sided with Jones-Drew—or at least understand why MJD is holding out: to get as much money as possible after leading the league in rushing in 2011. Frankly, I don't hate him for a bold business decision at this point of his career due to the short shelf life of NFL running backs.
At the same time, though, the Jaguars organization is making the right choice to stand strong and not fold to Jones-Drew's contract demands.
Two sides theoretically making the intelligent decision to not fold in a contract negotiation—precisely what makes a holdout happen.
You see, Jacksonville's front office simply cannot pay Jones-Drew for what he did last year or has done since joining the team in 2006.
As alluded to in an article I wrote about Mike Wallace, the "thank-you-for-your-services" deals make absolutely zero business sense for a NFL organization.
Think about it.
Moreover, extending someone, even the "franchise guy," with two years left on his contract would set a bad precedent for the future. It would essentially encourage Jaguars players to not honor their initial contracts and to hold out years before their deals expired.
Lastly, and probably most importantly, there's the fact that MJD is 27 years old and has nearly 1,500 career carries on his NFL resume.
He's undoubtedly the most established offensive player currently on Jacksonville's roster. But as we've seen over the course of the last few seasons, the passing game has taken priority over the running game in the NFL, and the production of running backs can be inexpensively replaced.
Would the Jaguars love to have Jones-Drew in the backfield when the 2012 regular season begins?
Sure.
But they can't break the bank paying a 27-year-old running back for what he's done in the past, a guy with two years left on his contract no less?
Jacksonville's holdout must continue.
Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1274960-why-jaguars-are-smart-to-hold-out-on-maurice-jones-drew
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