Rushing Goals Remain High for Chris Johnson

Chris Johnson understands that expectations are high for him after rushing for 2,006 yards in his second NFL season in 2009.

“When you rush for 2,000 yards everybody expects you to do that every year, but they have to understand you’re not going to rush for 2,000 yards every single year,” Johnson told NFL Network’s Andrew Siciliano while on the set of “NFL Total Access” Wednesday. “When you rush for 2,000 yards, that’s the expectation that everyone has for you.”

That being said, Johnson believes he will run for 2,000 yards again.

“When Barry Sanders rushed for 2K I think it was like year six or year seven, so I feel like I have a lot of time to do it,” he said.

When asked if he can break Eric Dickerson’s NFL rushing mark of 2,105 yards, Johnson didn’t flinch.

“I believe I can do it,” he said.

When asked if he can do it this year, Johnson said, “I think I can…every running back’s goal is to break that record. It’s a situation where you’re working hard and you want to break the 2,105.”

Johnson hit on several other topics, including his record time of 4.24 in the 40-yard dash at the 2008 scouting combine.

“Actually when I came up I stumbled a little bit,” he recalled. “I don’t think I had the best start, but once I came out I kept my head down for a little bit and then I just ran.”

And if he hadn’t stumbled?

“I think I could have gotten a 4.19, 4.18…something like that.”

On a related topic, Johnson jokingly offered to help NFL Network host Rich Eisen improve his annual 40 time. Eisen has capped each of the last nine combines by running the 40 in his suit. On Tuesday, Eisen posted a 6.03 for the second straight year.

“First of all, he has to take off the suit,” Johnson said. “I’ve been watching him every year that he’s been doing it and he’s gotten a lot better. His start got a lot better and he stands out more. I just don’t think he has it in him. He can come work with me and I’ll get him better.”

When asked who would win a race with Johnson wearing a suit and Eisen wearing shorts, Johnson smiled and said, “I would beat him very badly. I still could probably run a 4.3 in a suit.”