The Tennessee Titans released running back Chris Johnson on Friday. The former Titan had a huge contract and it made more sense for the Titans to move on rather than to keep him. Like every time a former Jeff Fisher player is on the market, the question is: should the St. Louis Rams sign him?
THIS JUST IN: Titans officially release RB Chris Johnson. pic.twitter.com/JzEjRbDa27
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 4, 2014
Here's Xanpham from Music City Miracles on Johnson:
The artist formerly known as CJ2K will be remembered for the 2008 and 2009 campaigns in which he was arguably the league's most dangerous back, and certainly it's fastest. In that 2009 season he rushed for 2,006 yards and set the league record for yards from scrimmage in a season with 2,509.
Johnson has never rushed for less than 1,000 yards in a season since he's been in the league. His lowest YPC season, last season, was 3.9 yards. Johnson is no longer a great running back, but he's been productive his entire career.
The Rams don't necessarily need a running back. They have last year's breakout rookie Zac Stacy and his back up Benny Cunningham, both coming off of successful rookie seasons. Running backs Isaiah Pead and Daryl Richardson might be good compliments to their power counterparts, but they weren't productive last season. The Rams could easily move on without one or both of them -- if they wanted to make room for Johnson.