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| There's only one direction Tennessee's running game can go, Chris Johnson says. |
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Call it looking on the bright side or being an optimist. Then again, Chris Johnson has a point.
Surely, the Tennessee Titans' ground game can only get better since it's already the worst in the NFL.
The man who led the NFL in yards rushing during his first three seasons now is tied for 34th in the league this season after signing a $53.5 million extension with $30 million guaranteed. The Titans rank last in the NFL yet again, averaging 68.9 yards per carry, and Johnson watched backup Javon Ringer from the sideline in the fourth quarter last week.
Johnson couldn't wait to get back to work.
"Basically this is a situation where it can get no worse really, so it can't do nothing but go up,'' Johnson said. "I'm always eager to get back on the field and practice after a bad game and make it better.''
A rough season has turned even more challenging over the past few days. Titans coach Mike Munchak tried to make it clear Monday that Johnson remains their starter at running back, yet critics unhappy with his performance compared to the always popular backup want to see if Ringer can produce if given more carries.
He's also been booed at most home games this season, but Johnson said the criticism doesn't bother him.
"I know if they're a true fan, they're with you through the ups and downs, anytime. Through my first three years, I've been doing good, and they're my fans. As soon as I have a couple bad games, then they're automatically not my fans and boo me, this and that. They're probably just fans through fantasy football and something like that.''
Actually, Johnson has had six bad games and one 101-yard rushing game as the Titans (4-3) prepare to host Cincinnati (5-2) on Sunday.
Johnson has just 302 yards on 107 carries with a 2.8-yard average, and that ties him for 34th in the NFL with the likes of Jackie Battle of Kansas City and Daniel Thomas of Miami, a pair of backs who have had far fewer carries than the three-time Pro Bowler. And 46 NFL players have had longer rushes than Johnson's best this season, which went for 25 yards.
Johnson said it's easy to keep his confidence up since it can't get any worse.
"You've got to stay confident. You've got more games to play. It can easily turn around with one play,'' Johnson said. "It'll be all right.''
Ringer is averaging 3.5 yards per carry, but the third-year back out of Michigan State refuses to be pitted against his friend no matter what anyone says.
"I haven't done close to what he's been able to accomplish,'' Ringer said. "I'm trying to get to where he's at. I know that he knows that he's the starter, and I'm trying to show what I can do to be a productive running back in the NFL. And right now, I'm the No. 2 guy, so I'm just trying to be the best I can and come in and give him a spell and give him a breather whenever I can.''
Munchak said it's frustrating for all when one of a team's best players isn't getting the opportunity to do what they feel he can.
"Expectations for him are high for all of us, for him, the fans, for his teammates, but I think people realize that it doesn't just happen,'' Munchak said. "You can't go out there on a Sunday and wish it. We have to go out there and earn it and right now we are not, and that is frustrating as we all know. We have been frustrated by it, and it gives people (something) to ask about and wonder why everyone has an opinion on it and until we fix it, they are going to be entitled to that.''
Johnson is just 100 yards shy of 5,000 rushing for his career, and even with this slump, he still ranks second only to Adrian Peterson of Minnesota (5,239) for most yards rushing in the league since 2008.
Opponents who remember Johnson breaking loose on long TD runs through his first three seasons keep preparing as if that's the back they'll see. Cincinnati ranks second in the NFL, giving up 85.4 yards per game, so running will be tough Sunday. Bengals defensive tackle Domata Peko said Johnson's struggles have been surprising.
"Because he's Chris Johnson,'' Peko said. "I think he's just one play away from breaking tackles and making big plays. He still has his speed, and he's a great back. We're just going to try to bottle him up.''
NOTES: DE Dave Ball (Achilles tendon) and FB Ahmard Hall (back) did not practice along with S Chris Hope (left forearm). ... S Michael Griffin (hip) returned to practice after sitting out Wednesday to rest. ... LB Colin McCarthy (hamstring) and TE Craig Stevens (rib) practiced for a second straight day.
