As mentioned in a previous blog.. MJD is far from underpaid..
Doing a little more statistical analysis, one realizes not only is MJD not underpaid.. he is currently overpaid when compared to the two running backs that got new contracts.
Now consider this, looking at production, salary since 2008, including 2012 signing bonuses and salaries for all three.
Maurice Jones-Drew2008-2012 - 24.2 Mil + 2012 4.5 Mil salary = Total compensation of 28.7 Mil by end of 2012 season
2008-2011 = 6775 yards of offense = $4236 a yard
Ray Rice
2008-2012 - 3.8 Mil + 2012 SB 15 Mil + 2 Mil salary = Total compensation of 20.4 Mil by end of 2012 season
2008-2011 = 6612 yard of offense = $3085 a yard
Matt Forte
2008-2012 - 3.7 Mil + 2012 SB 4 Mil + 5.8 Mil salary = Total compensation of 13.5 Mil by end of 2012 season
2008-2011 = 6218 yards of offense = $2171 a yard
What this proves overall.. is not that MJD is paid too much, but that the Jaguars DID treat him fairly in 2009, and are treating him fairly in 2012.
So instead of being grateful they stood up and gave him a good contract in 2009. He wants even more for past experience, even though THRU 2012.. he is getting 27% more than Ray Rice and 50% more than Matt Forte.
Because while Ray Rice and Matt Forte have carried thier teams the last two years they did it for under $1 Mil a year.. and deserved new contracts. All the while on average MJD was making at least 6x that.