Munchak Stands Behind CJ
Posted by on October 31, 2011 – 3:51 pmTitans head coach Mike Munchak insisted Monday that Chris Johnson will remain the team’s starting running back, despite his recent struggles on the field.
“We still believe in him. He’s our starter, and his teammates feel the same,” Munchak said.
Munchak said people expect a lot of Johnson because of his salary and how he is perceived to be one of the top backs in the league.
“People expect an awful lot from him every time he steps on the field,” Munchak said. “When you come short of that and as a team we struggle, everyone’s trying to figure out what’s wrong. Something must be wrong.”
Munchak said Johnson needs more opportunities in the open field.
“It’s hard to make guys miss in that box area in small quarters,” Munchak said. “He has the best chance when he bounces a hole and creates some space to make a guy miss. The more opportunities he gets, hopefully he’ll get the chance to make that guy miss.”
Munchak believes Johnson has handled the criticism well, knowing expectations are extremely high for the three-time Pro Bowler.
“He’s handling the situation where expectations are so high I don’t know how he could…unless we’re running for 200 yards a game,” Munchak said.
Munchak had no reservations about Johnson’s future.
“He has a lot of football left and I think he’ll do some great things for us.”
Tags: Chris Johnson, Mike Munchak
Posted in titansonline.com Blog | 9 Comments »
By Brandon on Oct 31, 2011 | Reply
I love to see the coach backing up his player. CJ will be ok. He’s still one of the very best in the league. GO TITANS!
By Jerrod on Oct 31, 2011 | Reply
CJ has to quit thinking he will get 50 yards on one carry and just run the ball. Everyone is behind him he has to be patient and more smarter with his runs and it will happen. Go Titans
By Titans 1999 on Oct 31, 2011 | Reply
Cj will get his yards, O-line is struggling to. One thing Chris does need to do is get his physical presence back. Even if he cant get back to line of scrimmage, lower his shoulder and hit somebody. Pump up his teamates to do the same.
By Tunecom on Oct 31, 2011 | Reply
Has everyone noticed that CJ just doesn’t seem to be that fast this year and very hesitant. Why don’t we run more end arounds like the Texans and why can’t we throw passes 10 yards plus and not 8 for more first downs. Come on coach !
By lee murray on Oct 31, 2011 | Reply
For all you people who kept saying ” pay the man”, this should be a real learning experience. I don’t see the same running back finding a hole and shaking the tacklers. I see a running back going in the fetal position when the defense gets close. Why would he take a chance of getting hurt when you are a multi-millionare! The Titans have just gotten screwed of 50 million dollars. You may get mad at this, but time will verify what I’m saying.
By lukr on Nov 1, 2011 | Reply
This is a perfect example of a guy that got paid and doesn’t give a darn about his team, his fans, or his city anymore! Just going through the motions and collecting his paycheck. I remember a couple of years ago he said he was the best back in the league. I believe that goes to AP, guy got paid and still runs hard. Sometimes a guys true character doesn’t show until he gets paid. Congrats Titan fans, you have an overpaid QUITTER on your team
By 21gant on Nov 1, 2011 | Reply
Its not all Cjs fault cause it all starts with the O line, if you look at film n highlights that are shown on tv The O line is letting every team fill in each gap but when your Cj2k in not producing hey ur gonna get all da heat…If Cj keeps running heard things should come around
By Wayne C on Nov 2, 2011 | Reply
Cj is a good back and i think he will step up..
By bikenut on Nov 6, 2011 | Reply
So if I am reading correctly its all the O lines fault and Not CJ’S.
But IT IS Funny How J Ringer Can get DOUBLE The Yards IN a Game than cj
It may be that CJ has pushed it to far , this is the second year he has
held out for more money……… It may be that the players are tired of him and his
show me the money crape………………………