Chris Johnson Will Benefit from Titans' Addition of Shonn Greene

[JasonHall]

Chris Johnson was initially vocal against the Titans' acquisition of Shonn Greene. He would later retract his statements, saying he was fine with the move as long as Greene doesn't "take away carries." Should Chris Johnson actually be worried about the transaction or should he be optimistic?Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson's NFL career has been somewhat of an enigma. Johnson followed up an impressive rookie season with a career-best 2,006-yard performance in 2009.

After two offseason holdouts, the former All-Pro was rewarded with a four-year extension, worth an average of $13.4 million, in 2011. However, the player known as "CJ2K" hasn't to live up to his paycheck, failing to rush for over 1,500 yards in each season since 2009.

Johnson has also done little to help the Titans' misfortune in the AFC South standings. Tennessee has finished under .500 in two of the past three seasons, while falling short of the postseason each year since 2008.

Uncharacteristically, the team's front office went on a shopping spree this offseason, signing multiple veterans in free agency. To the dismay of its franchise running back, Tennessee reached an agreement with former New York Jets starter Shonn Greene.

Johnson was vocal about his displeasure of the transaction, telling Robert Klemko and Jim Wyatt of USA Today that he was puzzled by the move:

"I have never been a big fan of the two-back system, so I don't know how we plan on using him. I'm not afraid of competition, but I was thinking we'd maybe get a draft pick for the other back. And you don't give a guy that kind of money to be just a goal-line guy and in tough-yardage situations. So we'll see what happens."

Johnson would later retract his statements, telling Jim Rome on The Jim Rome Show that he was in favor of the move as long as Greene didn't "take away any carries":

"I didn't like the move. I didn't think it was a smart move. [but] that's because of being too quick to say things and not really knowing the whole objectives of things. Once the offseason started, being here, being in the playbook and seeing the type of things they're trying to do, I don't think it was really a bad choice."

The Titans star has been vocal this offseason about his personal goals for 2013. Following Adrian Peterson's historic 2,097 season, Johnson looks to reclaim his place amongst the NFL's elite rushers and recapture the rushing title.

The addition of Greene will improve his chances. He is a capable back who will bring a new dimension to the Titans offense.

Rather than the speedy Johnson becoming fatigued by carrying a heavy load, the dual-threat of both rushers will create a change of pace and counter defensive schemes. Johnson will have fresher legs and could become the home run threat Titans fans saw in 2009.

Johnson will also be fortunate to run behind an improved offensive line. Tennessee invested $46.8 million on former Buffalo Bills guard Andy Levitre, while drafting Alabama standout guard Chance Warmack with the No. 10 pick in April.

There are little excuses left for the Titans' franchise player. Johnson will need to live up to the expectations of a pricey contract and is now in the best position to do so.

The addition of Greene, as well as a revamped offensive line, will benefit the former All-Pro greatly.

Photo courtesy Brian Hill Photography. Photo can be seen in original form on his website.

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[nine]

It's no secret:   the key to CJ getting more carries and being more productive is extending drives.....and a big part of extending drives is the ability to convert short yardage situations on 3rd and 4th downs.

 

I think most of us will agree that CJ is well below average in short yardage and goal-line situations.  It simply isn't his game.

 

Greene, on the other hand, is built for short yardage, and has thrived in such a role in years past. 

 

I'm expecting to see the carries split somewhere along the lines of CJ & LW in 2008.   It was quickly apparent that CJ had been tabbed as the team's primary RB....but whenever the offense faced short-yardage or got inside the 10-yard line, Lendale shouldered the load, and ended up with 15 TD's on the season.

 

Greene is obviously far quicker and more physical than Lendale White was.....and I think it will just make him that much more effective in short-yardage situations.

 

I suspect we'll see CJ on the field >70% of the time as Loggains looks to capitalize on his quick-strike home-run potential.   But when it comes time to battle it out in the trenches, or if CJ needs a breather for a series or two, I think Greene will provide a more-than-capable complement to CJ's high-risk/high-yield running style.....and that ultimately both players will benefit from the arrangement.  

[CMJ]

Good write up Jason

[WG53]

Lot of words. Nothing new added.

This is common knowledge dating back to 2008. CJ should be splitting carries with another runner.

The whole concept of a featured runner is becoming dated as more and more teams use a running back by committee approach. By doing so they lessen the wear and tear on each runner. They pay less for rbs and they negate the dependency on a single player.

CJ has always been a back whom is best used as a change of pace. Unfortunately he adds next to nothing as a blocker or receiver. When he was drafted people thought we were getting the next Marshall Faulk. That did not happen.

Edited August 15, 2013 by WG53

[CMJ]

lol

[IowaOiler]

Maybe Guru should look into finding an editor. 

[gatordude731]

This is common knowledge dating back to 2008. CJ should be splitting carries with another runner.

The whole concept of a featured runner is becoming dated as more and more teams use a running back by committee approach. By doing so they lessen the wear and tear on each runner. They pay less for rbs and they negate the dependency on a single player.

CJ has always been a back whom is best used as a change of pace. Unfortunately he adds next to nothing as a blocker or receiver. When he was drafted people thought we were getting the next Marshall Faulk. That did not happen.

I agree with everything except people expecting "Marshall Faulk" when he was drafted. I despised the pick and saw him being Chris Henry 2.0. Especially having Mendenhall taken the pick right before us(who I think we would've taken if he was there). Glad I was actually wrong on that one at least.

[OILERMAN]

The idea that CJ was fatigued from a "heavy workload" is a joke.

 

He was 9th in carries, which ranks among the lowest featured RBs in the league, he had 7 games with 16 carries or fewer carries and 10 games with less than 20 carries.

 

The year he had 2000yds he had 358 carries, more carries than any other RB in the league since 2009, including AP last year.

 

Less carries for CJ means less yards and less yards doesn't benefit CJ at all. In fact he'll likely pitch a fit when he loses carries to Greene

[Guest]

You are correct on the carries but the hope is for the workload for the RBs to increase providing we can be more successfull running the ball and getting 1st downs. Would be nice if the defense could get us the ball back as well.

 

CJ is just going to have to accept the fact he won't be running the ball 350 carries or having any chance at 2000 yards.  Even if he is having good success the team is going to give Greene his share of the carries and try to use the combination of the two to wear down other teams and improve the TOP.  It does open the door for CJ to still have a great year with a real good YPC as well as being used some in the passing game.  I also believe, and rightfully so, that the coaching staff will go with the hot hand.  Against some defenses it might make more sense to give Greene more carries.  And I see Munch using Greene in the 4th qt if we are trying to protect a lead more as well.  Especially on 1st and 2nd down.

 

I also doubt CJ will pitch a fit.  There is no evidence he is or ever has been that kind of teammate.  I see very little negatives in the scenario.  If CJ isn't running hard and being productive he will give up carries. 

 

I agree with everything you just said except for the last part. CJ has been bitching about running back by committee and sharing the spotlight from his 1st season on. You are crazy if you don't think he's going to be vocal about Greene taking carries. It will be worse if the team isn't winning.

[Nash]

It seems that part of the offensive plan will be for our running game to wear down a defense in the first half, and then control the game offensively in the 4th quarter..

[OILERMAN]

Aside from CJ throwing his OL under the bus and publicly stating he's fine with Greene being signed as long as he doesn't take carries from HIM there is no evidence he's that kind of teammate. 

[OILERMAN]

 It will be worse if the team isn't winning.

 

I actually don't think that will matter one bit

[reo]

I think CJ will manage if the team is winning then he'll talk in the offseason. If they're losing though, it could become an issue.

[Alcibiades]

CJ has always been a back whom is best used as a change of pace.

 

If you keep using 'who' and 'whom' incorrectly, you'll lose your Grammar Nazi privileges!

[begooode]

Aside from CJ throwing his OL under the bus and publicly stating he's fine with Greene being signed as long as he doesn't take carries from HIM there is no evidence he's that kind of teammate. 

CJ threw them under the bus, but Ruston threw them in the trash can.