Grievance Decision Likely Next Week

There’s the chance Special Master Stephen Burbank has been busy in the last 24 hours and will be ready on Friday to release  his decision on the grievance involving Larry Johnson. 

But more than likely the annoucement will not come down until early next week.  The NFL Players Association representing Johnson and the NFL Management Council representing the Chiefs made their arguments during a 3 1/2-hour hearing at the University of Philadelphia Law School.  The NFLPA’s general counsel Richard Berthlesen told the Associated Press that a ruling should come down within a week.

Johnson’s grievance was originally set to be heard with one filed in the name of former Atlanta defensive back Jimmy Williams.  But Burbank decided to pair Johnson’s situation up with the grievance involving New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress.

Again, the NFLPA says the Chiefs violated the collective bargaining agreement between the league and players because of language in Johnson’s deal.  There was wording in the contract that removed the guarantee on future  money if the running back was suspended by the NFL.  That happened last November.  Johnson can still earn the money - his base salary for 2009 - but it’s not guaranteed.

If Burbank upholds the Chiefs clause, they could release Johnson and not take a salary cap hit for the guaranteed base salary.  It would also make him easier to trade, since another team without a renegotiation would inherit the deal.  But cap relief is not imperative to the Chiefs right now, because they have plenty of room available under the ‘09 limit of $127 million.