Titans Position Analysis: RB

The Titans were fifth in the league in rushing last year, with 132 yards per game. Can they repeat that success this year? The o-line returns three starters and adds veterans Jake Scott and Eugene Amano, so the blocking should be decent again this year. FB Ahmard Hall will resume his role as a good lead blocker. It will be up to the backs to take advantage of the blocking and make the running game work again this year.
LenDale White is the incumbent and should have no problem retaining his starting role. In his first full season as a starter last year, White gained 1,110 yards. However, he averaged only 3.7 yards per carry, the second lowest average of all backs who gained 1,000 yards. Football Outsiders ranked him 33rd and 34th in the league in their two most important statistical categories. Still, he shouldn’t have much competition to challenge him for his starting job.
Chris Henry didn’t show me a lot for a second-round draft pick last year. I don’t see any way the Titans give up on him after only one season though, so his roster spot should be secure. What’s not secure is the amount of playing time he’ll get this year.
Chris Johnson, the Titans’ first-round draft pick, has a lot of potential and should get his share of playing time this fall. Jeff Fisher and Mike Heimerdinger have indicated they’d like to use Johnson in a variety of ways to get the ball to him. Let’s remember, though, that he’s a rookie and we shouldn’t expect great things from him his first year. And unless he somehow morphs into an Adrian Peterson, he won’t accomplish those great things.
Those are the only three running backs I see making the roster. Off the top of my head, I don’t recall a time when the Titans kept four, not counting the practice squad. When they keep three, the third is often a gameday inactive or plays on a few special teams.
Quinton Ganther will try again in his third year with the Titans. He’s spent most of his first two seasons on the practice squad, with occasional, but brief, promotions to the active roster. He shouldn’t have much of a chance at all of making the final 53-man roster.
Omar Cuff is an undrafted rookie free agent. In other words, he should be camp fodder, but hey, he’s got a chance to show what he can do. He was a touchdown machine in college and does have a chance at a spot on the practice squad.
Rafael Little is a little (pardon the pun) intriguing. Another rookie UDFA, he tore an ACL at the Senior Bowl but the Titans signed him anyway, knowing he wouldn’t be available in the near future. The Titans must think he could turn into a good contributor next year, but he’ll spend this year on Injured Reserve rehabbing his knee.
One thing to keep in mind is that the Titans have a new RB coach in Earnest Byner and new OC in Heimerdinger this year. None of the running backs have a history with EB or the Dinger and all should be more or less equal, starting off with a clean slate to earn a roster spot and/or playing time.
I sure hope White is able to remain injury-free this year. If so, the Titans should be OK at the RB position. If not, there could be trouble in Titanland. Henry remains unproven and Johnson is a rookie, so White’s health will be very important to the team’s success this year.