It’s that time of the year again, Tennessee Titan fans!
With training camp looming on the horizon, the staff at Total Titans will begin our annual pre-training camp look at how the Titans stack up at each position. Over the next few weeks, we’ll attempt to whet your ravenous appetites for football by providing our opinions regarding the team’s roster in the form of positional analyses.
First up… a look at the running back position.
Chris Johnson: We’ll he play or will he stay away?
One of the lingering stories of the offseason for the Tennessee Titans has been the contract situation of CJ2K. Playing under a rookie deal that he’s outperformed by leaps and bounds, CJ has been in search of a new contract that’s better suited for a player of his stature.
Unfortunately, factors such as the situation with the collective bargaining agreement and the Titans’ resistance to re-doing a deal at this point in the contract have led to whispers of a possible CJ holdout. Fortunately, there has been better news as of late, with recent speculation fixed upon a “compromise” that would bring Johnson to training camp in a few weeks.
Considering he’s the team’s best weapon on offense and is poised to continue his rise to the status of being one of the NFL’s best running backs, here’s to hoping the Titans and CJ can reach a compromise so we can brace ourselves for another exciting performance from Johnson in 2010.
Your time to shine, Javon Ringer
Despite showing us his potential last preseason, 2009 was a red-shirt year of sorts for Javon Ringer.
Forced to the bench due to being behind veterans such as CJ and the now-departed LenDale White, Ringer didn’t have the chance to build upon the positive momentum he established last August.
In 2010, Ringer should get his fair share of chances to carry the football. He’s the clear-cut favorite to land the team’s #2 RB position and despite playing behind CJ, Ringer should get his shot to tote the rock this year.
Personally, I like what Ringer brings to the table. He has great vision and despite lacking home-run speed, he has a veteran feel for playing the RB position. I expect Ringer to provide solid production when given the opportunity to run the football in 2010.
The Undrafteds
Two rookies who didn’t hear their names called during last April’s draft weekend: LeGarrette Blount and Stafon Johnson, will have a solid chance to make the Titans’ roster this year.
Blount, infamously known for his post-game punch of a Boise State player last year, will get a shot of being the Titans’ short-yardage back. Wearing the #42 jersey that previously belonged to the workout warrior himself, Chris Henry, Blount is a powerful back who unlike the aforementioned draft bust, his the hole with authority.
Johnson is one of the feel-good stories of Titans’ camp as he attempts to start his NFL career after having it (and his life) jeopardized by an unfortunate weight-lifting accident. He’s certainly a guy we’ll all be rooting for to make the team’s 53-man roster.
The journeyman
Veteran Alvin Pearman will be facing long odds to make the squad in ’10. He hasn’t had a carry in a NFL regular season game since 2006 and with the team upgrading the return units by drafting Damian Williams, Pearman’s chances of sticking around on special teams’ have also been endangered.
Final Thoughts
CJ, if he doesn’t holdout, is clearly the guy who will see the bulk of the carries in 2010. Ringer should serve as the #2 back with Blount emerging as the Titans’ battering ram in short-yardage situations.
Any thoughts/opinions regarding how the Titans stack up at RB? Feel free to add them in the comments’ section below.
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