Jamie Harper, Darius Reynaud, Javon Ringer, and the eventual benching (1 Viewer)

[rickyg]

I think this needs to be addressed here, and I don't understand why I'm not seeing more buzz about this topic already. Either I'm a genius and way ahead of the curve by wanting to target one or more of these backup RB on Tennessee or I am just wrong and not seeing something.

Is it impossible to bench CJ bc of the large sum of $$$ he is making? How much longer will Munch-#### continue to watch is prized rb go for 1.4ypc and vloud of dust before he starts having him share carries with one of these guys?

Javon Ringer seems to be first in line to get carries, but I think we have all seen what he is: solid, unspectacular.

Jamie Harper - I know very little about this kid except that he seems to have much more explosion than Ringer.

Darius Reynaud - Return specialist, but also intriguing. Blazing fast.

All three of these backs have the leg power and lower body strength to improve the titans run game immediately.

Does anyone have a beat on this situation? If one were to target one of these backs as a pre-emptive pickup in case CJ1/4K gets benched or is folrced to share carries who do you think is the ultimate beneficiary?

 

[lod01]

That turd is done as an NFl feature back. I like Harper become the starter eventually, probably next year.

 

[Soulfly3]

Either I a genius and way ahead of the curve

Incorrect.

 

[Kool-Aid Larry]

why would they bench the guy for having a crappy o-line and running against a stacked box?

oh, and the coach and qb, too.

 

[rickyg]

Either I a genius and way ahead of the curve

Incorrect.

lol fixed.

 

[rickyg]

why would they bench the guy for having a crappy o-line and running against a stacked box?oh, and the coach and qb, too.

There's only ONE way to find out just how much of the fault lies on CJ and that is to put another one or 2 of these backs in the game and see how they fare with the same o-line and calling the same plays. My guess is they fare better.

 

[Clifford]

Ringer will get first shot but I don't expect him to see more than 3 ypc. Still he will move forward on most runs which will put him head and shoulders above CJ.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

Last year, same thing, but Ringer & Harper really didn't do any better. Ringer had 3.1 YPC, Harper 2.6 YPC. They may again give these guys, with Reynaud, some carries to see if anything changes, but I don't think they will bench Johnson unless someone does something really special. I always thought Harper looked really good, but again he did no better than Johnson in YPC.

I do think that Ringer or Harper might start getting some red zone carries, especially at the goal-line and to me that's a bigger problem. Johnson still (believe it or not) piled up nearly 1500 total yards last year - but only 4 TDs. Harper, Ringer and Washington (from near the goalline) got 3 total rushing TDs by themselves.

So far this year in 3 games Johnson has 3 red zone carries, 1 red zone target, he has 1 yard rushing, zero catches, no TDs. That's an even bigger problem than his current YPC between the 20's.

 

[coachbobbyfinstock]

I think this needs to be addressed here, and I don't understand why I'm not seeing more buzz about this topic already. Either I'm a genius and way ahead of the curve by wanting to target one or more of these backup RB on Tennessee or I am just wrong and not seeing something. Is it impossible to bench CJ bc of the large sum of $$$ he is making? How much longer will Munch-#### continue to watch is prized rb go for 1.4ypc and vloud of dust before he starts having him share carries with one of these guys? Javon Ringer seems to be first in line to get carries, but I think we have all seen what he is: solid, unspectacular. Jamie Harper - I know very little about this kid except that he seems to have much more explosion than Ringer. Darius Reynaud - Return specialist, but also intriguing. Blazing fast. All three of these backs have the leg power and lower body strength to improve the titans run game immediately. Does anyone have a beat on this situation? If one were to target one of these backs as a pre-emptive pickup in case CJ1/4K gets benched or is folrced to share carries who do you think is the ultimate beneficiary?

No, you're not a genius. Clearly Ollie Hopnoodle is the Tenn back to own.

 

[zandbak]

why would they bench the guy for having a crappy o-line and running against a stacked box?oh, and the coach and qb, too.

There's only ONE way to find out just how much of the fault lies on CJ and that is to put another one or 2 of these backs in the game and see how they fare with the same o-line and calling the same plays. My guess is they fare better.

Or you know, you could actually watch the game. CJ got hit multiple, 3 or more times, as he was handed the ball on a handoff. It doesn't matter who's running.

 

[Abspara]

I think this needs to be addressed here, and I don't understand why I'm not seeing more buzz about this topic already.

Probably because the Titans are a complete mess offensively. O line sucks, OC sucks, QB is unreliable, etc. Theres more to the forest than just one tree. If you were a D coordinator facing the Titans under those circumstances what would you do knowing CJ is there? You would likely stack the box to prevent CJ from going off. Thats Exactly whats happening and why CJ is only getting 10 attempts or so per game. Titans can only call plays that the Defense gives them. If you havent yet try watching a few Titans games and watch just how much help the Titans are giving CJ to compete. He will not be benched because the Titans are very aware of why the run game is failing. Its not all on CJ as many of these box score experts seem to think.Im not in any way defending CJ but please dont think its all on the RB. Its not. Harper and Ringer also failed last year under similiar leadership by Chris Palmer and Mike Munchak.

 

[rickyg]

why would they bench the guy for having a crappy o-line and running against a stacked box?oh, and the coach and qb, too.

There's only ONE way to find out just how much of the fault lies on CJ and that is to put another one or 2 of these backs in the game and see how they fare with the same o-line and calling the same plays. My guess is they fare better.

Or you know, you could actually watch the game. CJ got hit multiple, 3 or more times, as he was handed the ball on a handoff. It doesn't matter who's running.

I don't deny that the o-line is a big part if the problem. But that is all the more reason why they need a rb that can actually BREAK a tackle. I'm not saying that they actually have that rb on their roster. I'm no sure. But it seems that it wouldn't be crazy to assume that at least ringer and Harper have more leg drive than CJ, who is a very smallish back. If Tennessee wants to go anywhere this year they will need to run the ball better. That's just common knowledge. They might stick it out with CJ bc of all the money he I getting paid. But my guess is they give one of these guys a legitimate shot to see what gives.

 

[Goat Herders]

Johnson isn't getting benched. Relax.

 

[SameSongNDance]

Neither of these dudes hold value behind that OL, none of them. I can think of 20+ handcuffs I'd rather have.

 

[rickyg]

Johnson isn't getting benched. Relax.

That's what she said!

 

[munygon2]

RW blurb today:

ProFootballTalk's Mike Florio does not expect Chris Johnson to be a Titan in 2013.If Johnson is on the Titans' roster the week after the Super Bowl, $9 million of his $10 million 2013 base salary becomes fully guaranteed. There's just no way they can pay a guy who is averaging 3.75 yards per carry with four touchdowns over his last 21 games that kind of coin. Florio suggests the Titans could/should be willing to trade Johnson now instead of getting nothing for him after the season. Perhaps the 4-1 Cardinals, who have lost Beanie Wells and Ryan Williams, will make an offer.

Does Harper get a shot at being the number 1 RB? I already see that he will be active Thursday night and will get playing time.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

RW blurb today:

ProFootballTalk's Mike Florio does not expect Chris Johnson to be a Titan in 2013.If Johnson is on the Titans' roster the week after the Super Bowl, $9 million of his $10 million 2013 base salary becomes fully guaranteed. There's just no way they can pay a guy who is averaging 3.75 yards per carry with four touchdowns over his last 21 games that kind of coin. Florio suggests the Titans could/should be willing to trade Johnson now instead of getting nothing for him after the season. Perhaps the 4-1 Cardinals, who have lost Beanie Wells and Ryan Williams, will make an offer.

Does Harper get a shot at being the number 1 RB? I already see that he will be active Thursday night and will get playing time.

I like Jamie Harper" skill set, but I think he's a career depth guy, not a feature back. Sure he could get a shot this season, if Tennessee does trade Johnson (although I doubt they do), but long term they either draft a RB or sign someone to be their feature back next season.