Chris Johnson, RB, Tennessee Titans (1 Viewer)

[richn]

#2 pick ......if he's there for me on the way back @ #23 have pair him with Rice.

 

[Raider Nation]

The Tennessee Titans have lost a starter on their offensive line to a training camp injury.

Eugene Amano, a center who started all 16 games last season and was slated to start again this season, is out for the season with a torn triceps, coach Mike Munchak confirmed today.

The Titans searched in free agency for potential improvements over Amano at the center position, but after their attempts to sign Jeff Saturday, Scott Wells and Chris Myers failed, they figured they would have Amano back this season. Instead, they need to scramble.

Kevin Matthews, who was listed as second behind Amano on the Titans’ depth chart, is currently being held out because of post-concussion symptoms. That leaves Fernando Velasco, a third-year player who has just three starts in his NFL career, to move over to the starting center spot.

 

[the spanker]

Is Rotoworld Evan Silva a credible writer on football match-ups? Today I'm reading through his "Match-ups" article and he states a foreboding warning flag about Chris Johnson. He writes:

"Johnson's low target count is a reminder that he won't play much in passing situations this season. He's lost the third-down job outright to Ringer due to pathetic pass blocking, which could cost Johnson significant field time when the Titans fall behind. Whereas CJ?K had 28 preseason carries, he didn't have a single catch. ... ."

But on Aug 28 on Rotoworld I read the exact opposite:

Coach Mike Munchak remains confident that Chris Johnson will have a bounce-back season despite his 2.9 YPC average in three preseason games. Johnson has flashed 2008-09 form; unfortunately, his offensive line isn't opening any more holes than they did last year. "C.J.'s had a great camp," Munchak said. "Having a great sense of what we're doing, running with confidence ... We cannot forget that he can make a lot a lot of plays catching the ball because of that speed, he can make plays at any time. So he's going to be a big part (of our offense)." Aug 28 - 2:32 PM

What's going on here? Cj2k Tenn's most dangerous weapon who never caught less than 43 in his career won't be the 3rd down back?

Any homers have insight to this?

 

[Banger]

Is Rotoworld Evan Silva a credible writer on football match-ups? Today I'm reading through his "Match-ups" article and he states a foreboding warning flag about Chris Johnson. He writes:"Johnson's low target count is a reminder that he won't play much in passing situations this season. He's lost the third-down job outright to Ringer due to pathetic pass blocking, which could cost Johnson significant field time when the Titans fall behind. Whereas CJ?K had 28 preseason carries, he didn't have a single catch. ... ."But on Aug 28 on Rotoworld I read the exact opposite:Coach Mike Munchak remains confident that Chris Johnson will have a bounce-back season despite his 2.9 YPC average in three preseason games. Johnson has flashed 2008-09 form; unfortunately, his offensive line isn't opening any more holes than they did last year. "C.J.'s had a great camp," Munchak said. "Having a great sense of what we're doing, running with confidence ... We cannot forget that he can make a lot a lot of plays catching the ball because of that speed, he can make plays at any time. So he's going to be a big part (of our offense)." Aug 28 - 2:32 PMWhat's going on here? Cj2k Tenn's most dangerous weapon who never caught less than 43 in his career won't be the 3rd down back?Any homers have insight to this?

I tend to listen to the coach in these situations as opposed to some guy with an opinion.

 

[[icon]]

zero chance cj3 doesn't catch 40+ balls if healthy this year. Guy is lethal in open spaces.

 

[Raider Nation]

CJ1K running his gums again.

He earned trips to the Pro Bowl, made the covers of magazines and had fantasy football owners scrambling to get in position to pick him. He even earned a catchy nickname — CJ2K.

Coming off a disappointing 2011 season, however, the Tennessee Titans running back believes plenty of fans, media and even coaches and other players have written him off.

"I know it is one of those 'What have you done for me lately?' situations," Johnson said. "People are not going to look at me as the No. 1 running back in the league. There are people out there who aren't going to give me the respect I deserve. But at the end of the day it doesn't matter what anybody else thinks.

"I feel I am still the best back in the league, and I have no problem saying that. None of the active backs have done anything that I have done in the first four years, even though I had a bad year last year. So I still feel like I am the best back in the league."

After collecting a $53.5 million contract extension last September following a lengthy holdout, Johnson averaged a career-low 4.0 yards per carry. In five games, he rushed for less than 25 yards.

He finished the season with 1,047 yards. Only two years earlier he became just the sixth player in NFL history to run for more than 2,000 yards (2,006) in a season. Through four seasons he has 5,645 yards — more than any back over the same time frame.

So could there be anything to Johnson's perceived slight?

NFL Network's top-100 player ranking for 2012 had Johnson 100th, and not just behind established star running backs Adrian Peterson, Maurice Jones-Drew, Ray Rice and Arian Foster.

Darren Sproles (86), Marshawn Lynch (94) and Willis McGahee (98) were also ahead of Johnson, as were fullbacks Vonta Leach (45) and John Kuhn (92).

"There's a lot of backs now who probably didn't do anything the year before and then they rush for 1,500 yards and they are the top back," Johnson said. "It's crazy, really."

The Titans, including coach Mike Munchak, said the fifth-year pro has made a great attempt this offseason to improve.

For the first time in recent years Johnson has been a regular participant in the team's offseason workout program, which he hadn't participated in since after his rookie season in 2008. In previous years, he worked out with a personal trainer in Orlando and returned to Nashville for most of the organized team activities.

And since last season the 5-11 Johnson has packed on about 10 pounds. He said he weighs around 199 and feels like a stronger player.

"Chris has been great," Munchak said. "He looks good and he has a great attitude, so he is doing everything he needs to come back and have a great year. I think that is encouraging for everyone to see, and that is what you want from one of your top players, that kind of attitude that he has had. He has been awesome.

"He has been here five days a week, not three, not four. A lot of the weeks he has been here all five when that is not even necessary to do. And I think he is realizing the benefits of being here and the benefits of being around his teammates."

Johnson should also benefit from more work with second-year offensive coordinator Chris Palmer and an offensive line with an interior that remains a work in progress.

"He's doing everything that they're asking him to do, and he's here and that's a great start," quarterback Matt Hasselbeck said. "He wasn't here at all last year. That's never easy when you're trying to mesh with new people and stuff like that. He's a great player and a professional, so I'm sure that he'll be back to being C.J."

Johnson, of course, believes that will be the case. With the Titans having strengthened their receiving corps, he thinks defenses will have to divert attention away from him.

"I want to go for another 2,000 yards," Johnson said. "I want to be the first back to go for 2,000 yards twice, and I think it can be done. It doesn't matter what anybody else thinks. I think it can be done."

Two games down... still needs about 2,000 yards.

 

[onehung]

zero chance cj3 doesn't catch 40+ balls if healthy this year. Guy is lethal in open spaces.

He is also lethal to the people that own him. :(

 

[Pots]

zero chance cj3 doesn't catch 40+ balls if healthy this year. Guy is lethal in open spaces.

People were probably expecting other stats to compliment the 40 catches out of him being a top 6 pick