Fatal crash in Clark County
.JPG)
2008 OSU vs. Michigan
2008 Ebony Fashion Show
Chick Ludwig covers the Cincinnati Bengals. He also writes about his other passions: college football, basketball and golf.Home > Blogs > Chick Ludwig At Large > Archives > 2008 > June > 17 > Entry
Hefty issue: Jeremi’s contract & weight
===LUDWIG AT LARGE attempts to straighten out Jeremi Johnson’s contract for loyal readers===
Jeremi Johnson signed a six-year contract worth $7.5 million in April 2006, becoming the highest-paid fullback in the NFL at the time. He’s signed through the 2011 season.
He’s due to earn $950,000 in base salary in 2008. Coupled with his pro-rated signing bonus of $300,000 he carries a $1.25 million cap number this season.
That’s a lot of cash for a guy who went from 260 pounds to 300-plus and is nowhere near getting on the field. He’ll be working with strength & conditioning coaches during training camp at Georgetown College.
If he’s KNIFED (cut, released), the club will eat $900,000 of “dead money,” but save $350,000.
Daniel Coats is a better player … and ONLY makes $370,000. What a bargain!
BENGALS REWIND
This story ran in the Saturday, April 15, 2006, editions of the Dayton Daily News
Six-year deal a ‘dream come true’ for Bengals’ fullback
By Chick Ludwig Staff Writer
CINCINNATI — Jeremi Johnson pushed hard for a new deal and got it. Now he’s a Bengal for life.
Johnson, 25, became the highest-paid fullback in the NFL on Friday when he signed a six-year contract worth $7.5 million. In salary and signing bonus, he’ll earn $2.4 million this season.
“All it means is how hard I have to work now,” Johnson said. “I have to take it up more notches just to let them know how thankful I am for the opportunity that they’ve given me.”
The contract, which runs through 2011, replaces the one-year tender offer that Johnson signed Thursday as a restricted free agent.
“The negotiations still had some momentum (after the tender signing), and I’m very excited we’ve been able to secure Jeremi for the long term,” head coach Marvin Lewis said. “He’s a fantastic blocker and a threat as a receiver. Jeremi wanted to get this deal done, He wants to be a part of what’s happening here, and that’s a big plus for our team.”
Johnson (5-11, 265) enters his fourth season as the club’s No. 1 fullback. He’s the lead blocker for Rudi Johnson, who set Bengals’ single-season rushing records in each of the last two seasons (1,454 in 2004 and 1,458 yards in 2005).
Jeremi Johnson had a career-high three TDs in 2005 — all receiving. He caught 12 passes for 65 yards and rushed eight times for 14 yards.
“I’m in the first (draft) class of coach Lewis,” said Johnson, a fourth-round pick out of Western Kentucky in 2003. “That’s a special group. I take pride in being in his first class. It’s like a dream come true to have a whole career here.”
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2253 or cludwig@daytondailynews.com
Permalink | Comments (3) | Post your comment | Categories: Bengals
Comments
By bburton359
June 17, 2008 12:36 PM | Link to this
“I have to take it up more notches just to let them know how thankful I am for the opportunity that they’ve given me.” Did he mean notches in his belt?By Derrick
June 17, 2008 8:52 PM | Link to this
I think he meant the truck scales he needs to get weighed. What a waste. Another example of a player who doesn’t get it.By kirby
June 18, 2008 8:33 AM | Link to this
Good Lord… he looks like a house at the beginning of the 6/12 minicamp highlight video on bengals.com!