Now that Jaguars owner Shad Khan has given his opinion on whether Maurice Jones-Drew deserves a new contract -- Khan is emphatic that Jones-Drew does not -- Jones-Drew's response is pretty simple: he's not showing up for training camp.
That's something we expected, and now ESPN's Adam Schefter writes that his sources say Jones-Drew will begin his holdout today. Clearly, as CBSSports.com's Mike Freeman writes, MJD is angry, and Freeman thinks he'll considering "testing the will" of the Jaguars.
Jones-Drew, as you know, signed a front-loaded five-year deal worth $30.95 million in 2009, and it seems clear that he's actually out-performed his contract (he's due $9.4 million in the final two years of that deal, though none of it is guaranteed). He's averaged 1,440 yards per season in the past three years to go with 33 combined total touchdowns.
If we're talking about a franchise running back's worth -- not to mention a running back who led the league in rushing last season -- $9.4 million in two years would make MJD underpaid.
But then Khan said this Wednesday.
"There's no decision here,” Khan told the Florida Times-Union. "It's his choice. There's been very little for us to do rather than wait on whatever he might choose to do.”
In other words, no new deal. So, Jones-Drew will use whatever leverage he's got and not show up to training camp. For a 27-year old guy who's quite possibly trying to capture one last big contract in his career, it's not a bad play. But unless Khan is bluffing, this could become an ugly situation and one that does not turn out well for Jones-Drew.
have fun staying away from teamates MJD. really showing how much of a NONE LEADER you are.
