Chris Johnson Aims to Maximize Opportunities, Boost Ranking

Chris Johnson isn’t going to demand a recount but he’s not happy about being listed at No. 62 in the Top 100 Players of 2013.

Although Johnson moved up 38 spots in the player-voted list from after the 2011 season to this past year, he didn’t want his name to appear in the countdown yet.

“Of course I’m angry. You know I’m angry,” Johnson said on NFL Network shortly after the announcement. “Even the year I went for 2,000 yards, I don’t know I think I was 10^th or 12^th. Come on, now, it just doesn’t make sense, but you know how this is. You never know who’s voting or who don’t like you or whatever.”

Johnson was listed at 100 after the 2011 season when he rushed for a career-low 1,047 yards on 262 carries (4.0 yards per carry) and four touchdowns. He added a career-best 57 receptions for 418 additional yards in a Titans offense that used the pass more than in previous seasons and threw for 3,923 yards.

This past season Johnson rushed for 1,243 yards on 276 carries (4.5 yards per attempt) and six touchdowns, including scores of 83, 80 and 94 yards. He added 36 receptions for 232 yards.

Johnson said he’s excited about all the additions the Titans have made to the offensive line and the shift to an offense that places more emphasis on running the football. He said he thinks the addition of Shonn Greene, who rushed for more than 1,000 yards in each of the past two seasons, will help both players and enable him to be the most productive he can be with each carry.

His real goal will be to build off last season, which was his fourth of five with at least 1,200 yards, and a higher ranking in the poll likely will follow.

“I’ve always been the guy where everything was on my shoulders, but just talking to the coaches and knowing the plans they want to do and the reasoning for why they brought another guy in,” Johnson said. “I understand it now. At the time, I didn’t understand it when they did it, but I understand it now. We’re going back to a run-first offense and trying to get back to how we had it when Coach (Mike Heimerdinger) was here. Some games we ran the ball 30 and 40 times. I’m not going to sit here and say I want to run the ball 35 times.”

Would Titans Benefit by Having Complement Power Back?

Would the Titans’ offense be more effective with a power running back to complement Chris Johnson?

That was one of the team’s hot topics at the scouting combine last week in Indianapolis.

GM Ruston Webster said it’s something the Titans will look at.

“Maybe a situational-type guy that can come in during certain situations and close the game, short-yardage or just give us a change of pace, something different,” Webster said.

Head coach Mike Munchak took it a step further during an interview with Mike Florio on NBC Sports Network.

“I think we’re going to have to add a different type of runner there,” Munchak said. “We had our most success, I think, when Chris first came into the league with LenDale White. We need a downhill guy, a heavy guy.”

Johnson rushed for 1,228 yards (4.9 avg.) and nine touchdowns his rookie season, while White added 773 yards and 15 touchdowns in a more physical role.

Munchak said Javon Ringer is a good zone runner and supplied that role but hasn’t been able to stay healthy. Plus, Ringer is scheduled to become a free agent.

“CJ’s never been injured. He hasn’t missed a game. He doesn’t miss practice. He’s special that way, but we don’t want to overuse him,” Munchak said. “We have to use him a little bit better maybe catching some more balls out of the backfield, maybe more on screens. He’ll get as many touches, but maybe do it in different ways and allow someone else to come in there, get a little downhill and help us create an identity that way.”

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.”

CJ2K Holds Onto Combine’s Record in 40 for Now

Titans running back Chris Johnson set the NFL Scouting Combine record by running a 4.24 in the 40-yard dash in 2008.

CJ2K will keep that record for now after Texas wide receiver Marques Goodwin came up a hair short, posting a 4.27 at Sunday’s timed event in Indianapolis.

“Proud to be standing strong,” Johnson texted NFL Network’s Scott Hanson after the official results came in.

West Virginia wide receiver Tavon Austin, Texas A&M wide receiver Ryan Swope and Auburn running back Onterio McCalebb all tied for second at 4.34 seconds.

Fastest 40-Yard Dashes at NFL Scouting Combine since 2002

4.24 – RB Chris Johnson (East Carolina) – 2008
4.27 – WR Marquise Goodwin (Texas) – 2013
4.28 – CB Demarcus Van Dyke (Miami, Fla.) – 2011
4.28 – WR Jacoby Ford (Clemson) – 2010
4.29 – CB D. Rodgers-Cromartie (Tennessee State) – 2008

Loggains Wants to Simplify Play Call Verbiage

Offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains wants to shorten and simplify the verbiage for his players in 2013, enabling them to focus more on making plays than thinking about where they need to be on the football field.

“Let them get out of the huddle knowing what to do so they can figure out what they have to do to make the play successful,” Loggains said during an interview Tuesday morning on Nashville’s 104.5 The Zone. “They shouldn’t be breaking the huddle wondering what the play is and where they need to line up…once you break the huddle, now you can think about what you have to do and how you’re going to do it.”

As players become more confident in processing play calls, they will play faster and become more productive, Loggains said.

“I believe that once these guys know where everyone is supposed to be, they can play fast and there will be less reads in the offense than there have been in years past,” he said. “I think that’s the biggest thing — where their confidence can go to the next level.”

Loggains hit on several other topics Tuesday:

(on the development of Jake Locker)

“We wanted to grade Jake on how he really played and the thing that stood out was that once we started getting banged up around him, that’s when he was trying to do too much because he felt it was on him to make a play. I do believe the injury to his shoulder affected him as the season went on.”

(on Locker pressing late in the season)

“I think at the end of the season he was trying to do too much. In the Green Bay game when Mike Otto got sick and we were playing with all those new linemen, I think in his mind if he didn’t step up and have his best game, we didn’t have a chance. I think he put too much on himself. It really slowed him down. And as you know, when you try to do too much, it’s the worst thing you can do because you’re not going to play fast and you’re going to hurt your football team by doing that.”

(on Locker’s accuracy)

“I don’t consider it as big of an issue as people make it out to be. It’s a combination of Jake being on the same page with the receivers, the pass protection holding up and him making the throws that he needs to make. It falls somewhere in between all three of them. When you’re synced up with the receivers and getting protected, it’s your job to make the play and he needs to go do that.”

(on if Titans will incorporate the “pistol” offense like San Francisco used with Colin Kaepernick)

It’s something we’re definitely going to study. It’s not too far off from what we were doing as a coaching staff in 2006 and 2007 with Vince Young. The biggest thing is the quarterback’s ability to run the ball. When you make that kind of commitment that we have a running quarterback and we’re going to do some of that stuff, it can hide the formation a little bit — what side the back is going to and hide what side the zone read is going to be.

(on expectations for Kenny Britt in 2013)

My expectations are very high for Kenny because I know what type of player he can be. He needs to step up and take his game to the next level, both on and off the field because we are expecting a lot from him and he can be a really special football player. When he’s healthy, he’s as good as anyone in the league.

(on things Britt needs to work on)

He needs to work on getting off press (coverage). I think that showed up in the Monday night game against the Jets. He really struggled against Antonio Cromartie. You saw the wiggle that Kendall Wright has, and he separated against Cromartie. That’s the biggest thing that Kenny needs to improve on. Our new wide receivers coach Shawn Jefferson is really going to be able to help him with that.

(on his assessment of Kendall Wright’s rookie season)

I thought Kendall played better than what most rookies play. He was a first-year player coming out of the spread offense and gave us a little taste of what he can do. He’s extremely quick and is a really good kid. Football is important to him and we expect him to have a better year than he did last year.

(on getting Chris Johnson back to his 2009 form)

I went back and watched all of our 2008 and 2009 games, and some from 2010 — and the biggest thing for Chris was he was our leading receiver. He had 50 receptions and averaged 10 yards a catch. Watching that film compared to this year, getting him back involved in the passing game will help open up the run game as much as anything. That’s a weapon that is hard to find.

(on potentially adding a bruising running back to compliment Johnson)

I think if you’re going to run to win and you get into the four minute offense where you’re up and you need to start pounding people, it’s really important for us to find that guy that can take a little burden off Chris and maybe play some third down stuff just from the simple fact that’s six or seven collisions that Chris isn’t going to take that will help prolong his career because he’s a smaller guy with speed. During the LenDale White/Chris Johnson “Smash and Dash” season (in 2008), LenDale had 15 touchdowns and took a lot of the burden off Chris. It brings a different element to your offense.

Chris Johnson’s Cleats up to $6,140 on NFL Auctions

With more than 11 days remaining in the auction to raise money for families of victims of the Newton, Conn. shooting tragedy, Chris Johnson’s cleats have garnered 75 bids, with the current high at $6,140 on NFL Auctions.

All of the funds raised through the auction will be donated to the Sandy Hook School Support Fund as established by the United Way of Western Connecticut.

Individuals may also text NEWTOWN to 80888 to donate $10 to this special fund.

Click here to make a bid!

Chris Johnson Approaching 7,000 Career Rushing Yards

Running back Chris Johnson could reach a rare career milestone this weekend, but he will need one of his best career performances to do so.

Johnson currently sits at 6,832 career rushing yards. With 168 rushing yards in the 2012 finale against the Jaguars, he would become the fourth player in NFL history to reach the 7,000-yard rushing mark within his first five seasons. The only players to previously accomplish the feat are Eric Dickerson (8,256 yards from 1983-87), LaDainian Tomlinson (7,361 from 2001-05) and Emmitt Smith (7,183 from 1990-94).

Johnson has rushed for 168 yards in a game five times in his career and once this season, a 195-yard effort at Buffalo on Oct. 21.

Most rushing yards in a player’s first five seasons, NFL history:

1 – 8,256 – Eric Dickerson (1983-87)
2 – 7,361 – LaDainian Tomlinson (2001-05)
3 – 7,183 – Emmitt Smith (1990-94)
4 – 6,995 – Earl Campbell (1978-82)
5 – 6,926 – Walter Payton (1975-79)
————————————————–
6,832 – Chris Johnson (2008-12 – active)

In franchise history, Johnson currently owns the third-best rushing total for a player’s first five seasons. He needs 43 rushing yards to pass Eddie George (6,874) for second place and 164 rushing yards to pass Earl Campbell (6,995) for the top spot.

Most rushing yards in a player’s first five seasons, franchise history:

6,995 – Earl Campbell (1978-82)
6,874 – Eddie George (1996-00)
6,832 – Chris Johnson (2008-12 – active)

Chris Johnson’s Cleats up for Auction to Benefit Sandy Hook School Support Fund

Chris Johnson first offered a tribute to the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings by writing each of their 26 names on the cleats he wore on Monday Night Football.

Now those same cleats in which Johnson scored on a franchise-record 94-yard touchdown run are up for auction, with 100 percent of the funds raised to be donated to the United Way’s Sandy Hook School Support Fund.

Fans can click here to bid on Johnson’s cleats.

The auction will remain open until Jan. 7, 2013.

Chris Johnson Can Crack Top 5 on Franchise Touchdown List

Running back Chris Johnson recorded a 94-yard rushing touchdown last week against the Jets, setting a record for the franchise’s longest run.

The score gave Johnson 47 career touchdowns. He has reached the end zone 43 times on rushing plays and four times on receptions.

Now tied for the sixth-highest touchdown total in franchise history, Johnson’s next touchdown will place him in a three-way tie for fourth place, joining Ernest Givins (48 from 1986-94) and Ken Burrough (1971-81).

Most career touchdowns, franchise history:

74 – Eddie George (1996-03)
73 – Earl Campbell (1978-84)
51 – Charley Hennigan (1960-66)
48 – Earnest Givins (1986-94)
48 – Ken Burrough (1971-81)
47 – Chris Johnson (2008-12)
47 – Drew Hill (1985-91)
47 – Haywood Jeffires (1987-95)
40 – Derrick Mason (1997-04)
36 – Steve McNair (1995-05)
36 – Lorenzo White (1988-94)

Chris Johnson Sets Franchise Record with 94-Yard Touchdown

Chris Johnson ripped off a franchise-long 94-yard run, giving the Titans a 7-3 lead with 8:53 remaining in the second quarter at LP Field.

It topped the previous franchise record of 91 yards, set by Sid Blanks against the Jets on Dec. 13, 1964 and matched by Johnson against the Houston Texans on Sept. 20, 2009.

Johnson’s run was the longest in the NFL since a 95-yarder by Minnesota Vikings running back Chester Taylor on Oct. 22, 2006.

It also marked Johnson’s sixth career touchdown of over 80 yards, extending his record for the most in NFL history.

In addition, it was the second-longest touchdown run in Monday Night Football history, second only to Tony Dorsett’s 99-yard run on Jan. 3, 1983 at Minnesota.

Johnson became the third player in NFL history with multiple 90-plus yard TD runs, joining Ahman Green and Bo Jackson.

In five NFL seasons, Johnson now has reached the 1,100-yard mark for the fourth time.

Johnson talked about his long run after the game.

“It was an inside zone play and they were pressing,” Johnson said. “Kyle DeVan got on his man and I came right behind him. Once I jumped through the line, I saw nothing but daylight. From there, it was just hitting it.”

Johnson said when teams stack the box, it increases his ability for long runs if he can get past the initial line of defenders.

“No matter what run you have, you always know if you get behind those guys there is a good chance you can go all the way,” he said. “It’s a situation that I just read it and stayed with it and cut back through the offensive line, that’s when I saw the daylight.”

And once he reaches daylight, the chances of catching him are slim.

“I feel like once I get through the line or whatever, I don’t feel like I can get caught,” Johnson said. “It’s a situation where a lot of teams like to play a lot of guys in the box against me. Anytime they do that, you are not going to have a lot of good runs, but you’ve got to take advantage when they slip. When they slip, you’ve just got to make them pay for it.”

And that’s exactly what Johnson did.