Titans Want to Give Johnson More Opportunities in '09

lol whatever man. You'd trade CJ for Kevin Smith, since they're equally as effective? Ya effing right dude

 

Yea, I'm not exactly sure I understand where Gloat is coming from with the whole "Kevin Smith = CJ" idea. I understand Smith's line is horrible and CJ's is amazing, but that doesn't really prove anything. If they were equal, the Lions would have at least been able to pull out a few wins regardless of the rest of their team. I'm not taking away from Smith's abilities. I'm just saying... he's no Chris Johnson.

If CJ was on the Lions last year, don't you think they would be able to win at least one game?

Maybe they're equal intelligence-wise, but not talent wise. No way.

 

Their numbers are very similar. Kevin Smith has to FIGHT for 4 yard gains. CJ can walk 4 yards before being touched.
And Matt Forte is another. I forgot about him.

And his line DOES matter in this convo. Kevin Smith breaks tackles, is met in the backfield by the defense and STILL gets .8 yards less per carry than CJ. CJ is a one trick pony- Smith is more versatile.

Numbers:

Carries
Johnson: 251
Smith: 238

Yards Per Carry
Johnson: 4.9
Smith: 4.1

Total Rush Yards
Johnson: 1,228
Smith: 976

Rushing TDs
Johnson: 9
Smith: 8

Receptions
Johnson: 43
Smith: 39

Yards Per Catch
Johnson: 6.0
Smith: 7.3

Total Receiving Yards
Johnson: 260
Smith: 286

Receiving Touchdowns
Johnson: 1
Smith: 0


Basically- Place CJ on the Lions and his stats would be very similar to Smith's. Maybe worse, because CJ depends on space much more than Smith does, and the Lions can't create it.

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-...e/Kevin-Smith-Highlight-WK-17-vs-Packers-2008

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-...17f/Kevin-Smith-Highlight-WK-15-vs-Colts-2008

Every run he has to do something pretty impressive to get whatever he gets. You ever see CJ make moves like that?

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highlights/09000d5d80d4b552/WK-15-Kevin-Smith-highlights

^Several runs there that look Madden'ish. It's against the colts, but still. How he stops and cuts is impressive.

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highlights/09000d5d80d82191/WK-16-Kevin-Smith-highlights
Almost every run he had to change direction. One even back pedaled.

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-...42/Kevin-Smith-Highlight-WK-13-vs-Titans-2008
^Is that David Thornton he makes look silly on that one? (can't tell)

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-...d/Kevin-Smith-Highlight-WK-10-vs-Jaguars-2008
^Caught from behind again. Definitely not the burner CJ is.

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-...e5/Kevin-Smith-Highlight-WK-07-vs-Texans-2008
^Does the Lambeau leap at the Cow's home. Came out of a pile.

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-...c/Kevin-Smith-Highlight-WK-06-vs-Vikings-2008
Breaks a tackle, hurdles a guy, jukes, and saves a few kittens from a fire.

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-cant-miss-plays/09000d5d80a380dc/Smith-TD-scamper
^ Marshal Faulk gets choked up...'amazing run'

If you can watch those and say he's not AS good as CJ (when factoring in offensive lines), then alright. But I doubt it's easy to do.
Everyone automatically assumes he's just ok because he plays for the Lions. He's not. He makes incredible moves, and if he were faster he could have cashed in on all the open field runs he gets when he's tackled from behind.

CJ = the track star.
Smith = the running back.

I love CJ, but he still seems like the type that is a system back that could fall off the face of the earth if his blocking isn't great.
If he could run like he did in the Ravens game consistently, I wouldn't doubt him anymore. He actually looked like a running back that game. A damned good running back.

 

In reading the original article for this thread, did anyone pick up on Dinger saying "IF" he'll work hard, this.... and that....? Maybe it's just me, but I thought I was picking up on it...

 

I'm content with CJ getting 300 touches a year(250 carries-50 catches) provided there is a solid back behind him who does his job.

I assume more touches means more pass receptions. Given that you have another back who has averaged 900 yards and 11 TDs the last 2 years and showed up in the best shape ever why ramp up CJ's carries? Makes no sense.

As to who is the best back between CJ-slaton-smith-forte? We will know in 5 years because durability and longevity will be the deciding factor. Each guy has his strong points. CJ and slaton are high average big play backs while the other 2 are more grind it out guys and forte is the best receiver of the bunch.

Not to pick but CJ did go down in the biggest game of the year when we needed him most. Let's not take his durability for granted.

 

I'll high five you on that one... a lot of evidence backing your case. I would still rather have CJ, but I'm definitely more impressed with Kevin Smith than I was before.

 

Here's the way I see it, barring any bonehead games in the playoffs; if CJ performs and gains the yardage to win ROY/MVP, and chances are the Titans will at least be in the SB anyway. I think CJ knows that too.

As long as CJ knowing that he's bad-:grrr::grrr::grrr: is confidence and not arrogance, I say let him keep doing what he's doing.

 

Good post Gloat.



My thoughts-

"Titans want to give Chris Johnson more opportunities in 2009." Here's what I say, I want to see way more opportunities for LW. It's his contract year, we may never have him again, so might as well use him up.

Also, we need Chris Johnson fresh for the second half of the season! I can live with him getting 250 carries. As long as 100 are in the first eight games, then 150 in the last eight games. I really just don't want to see Chris Johnson worn down by the end of the season.

 

I know cj hs a great line, but he didnt just walk through as you say. He faced many people in the box all the time.

 

I think his only goal should be a ring.