My Chris Johnson Blog

For as long as I can remember, there's been an adjustment period for running backs as they come into the NFL. No matter how highly touted a running back prospect was, their first year was spent on the bench and in blocking situations to learn the ropes. Whether it's due to increasingly more pro-style offenses in college or simply coaches being more willing to let rookies spread their wings, there has clearly been an increase this year in rookie running back productivity. 3 rookies (Chris Johnson, Steve Slaton, and Matt Forte) rank among the top 15 yardage leaders in the NFL, with several others Tim Hightower, Jonathan Stewart, Darren McFadden, Felix Jones) falling in shortly behind, while each showing flashes of brilliance early.

All of the above mentioned running backs are part of a 2-back tandem except for Matt Forte, and that makes Forte an intriguing prospect. As a rookie, Forte is proving a capable feature back on a team that enters its bye week tied for the division lead. Forte has received 20 or more carries in all but two of the Bears games this season, and currently ranks 4th among all running backs in the NFL with 147 carries. He came into an extremely advantageous situation in Chicago, who had recently been disillusioned by Cedric Benson's lackluster attempt at power running game. Forte has a consistent running style (he has 0 fumbles all season) that fits well into Chicago's possession-based style of offense, and he has taken full advantage of his opportunities as a rookie starter.

Steve Slayton, on the other hand, earned his touches due to injuries to Ahman Green. He wasted little time showing the Texans that was a weapon to be utilized even when Green is healthy. Nicknamed "The Slasher" for his quick cuts and slashing play-style, Slayton also has proven himself to be a capable target out of the backfield, even while the Texans have been losing games. He has scored a touchdown in all but two of the Texans games, including the games he had to split time with Green in. Slayton has all the components to be a terrific positional player as a finesse back in a two-back system, and if the Texans could find a better compliment than Green, it could be one of the most dominant backfields in the NFL.

Speaking of the most dominant backfield on the NFL, another rookie, Chris Johnson, can boast that he is a part of it. Johnson and LenDale White (the NFL's touchdown leader) have formed a tandem so potent that it has carried the Titans to an undefeated record despite the loss of Vince Young. Johnson leads all starting backs with 5.1 yards per carry, and ranks 5th with 626 yards, which would be an impressive stat-line for a feature back, let alone someone splitting time with the NFL's touchdown leader. He's even managed to find the end zone himself 5 times. Once Vince Young returns to this offense, I'm not sure they'll even bother to line up wide receivers any more - just run, run, run, run.

While the position of RB has never been an old man's game, it's never been more clear that rookies can make an impact on their teams, and some can even be the difference maker that pushes their team over the edge.

The Tennessee Titans came of age in 2008 posting a 13-3 record and claiming the AFC South title knocking the Indianapolis Colts off of their perch. However, the season failed to end the way the Titans hoped as they were defeated 13-10 by the Baltimore Ravens in the Divisional Playoffs. The end of my fantasy season was far more favorable than the Titans as I claimed my 2nd Super Bowl title in 10 years. One of the big reasons I was celebrating around Christmas time when other owners were crying in their beer is Titans RB Chris Johnson. It all started in August when I saw Johnson break a long TD run during a pre-season game and I was amazed at his speed and I kept that vision in my head when my draft day came rolling around. I managed to steal Johnson in the 14th round of my draft and rode that train along with fellow rookie sensation Matt Forte to a championship and about $1100.00. Will Johnson be able to duplicate his success for 2009? Who are some of the other Titans to keep an eye on for the upcoming season? Let's take a look at the Titans fantasy potential heading into 2009.

Needless to say that Johnson was an integral part of my team last year on a weekly basis. Johnson splashed onto the NFL scene with 1228 yards and 9 TD's and also chipped in with 43 receptions for 260 yds and 1 TD. Amazingly, there could have been so much more but Johnson continuously lost goal line reps and subsequently TD's to Lendale "Cheeseburger" White. Week in and week out I would just sit him and wonder what kind of numbers Johnson would have if White were not around. Cheeseburger himself accounted for 773 yards on the ground but scored an astonishing 15 TD's. As much as fantasy owners hated Head Coach Jeff Fisher for this the bottom line is that the Johnson/White platoon scenario (eloquently nicknamed "smash and dash") proved to be extremely successful for Tennessee and because of that success don't expect much to change this year. Can Johnson repeat his extraordinary rookie campaign? In the mock drafts that I have been doing recently Johnson has been going anywhere from 8th to 16th overall and as I have mentioned in other posts I am not really sold on any of the top rated backs. They all have major questions including Johnson. First, Johnson will not sneak up on the NFL this year as he did in 2008. Furthermore, White will surely continue to steal the majority of goal line touches meaning Johnson will likely have to break a long run to score. If in my draft it comes down to taking him or say Larry Fitzgerald I will be taking Fitz just because it is a safer pick. Regardless, Johnson is a great pick but if you select him know that you will be losing a lot of TD's to White so be prepared for that. As for the Cheeseburger himself, I actually like him more than Johnson this year simply due to the aforementioned reasons.

Bottom line is that you are looking for TD's in fantasy football and White scored 15 of them last year and most likely will post at least 10 more this year. Moreover, White can be had at a far greater value than Johnson as he has been going in the neighborhood of the 5th-6th round in the drafts I have participated in thus far. In summary, both these guys will produce. Tennessee is a run first team and I have not heard anything coming out of Nashville indicating a change is forthcoming even with the acquisition of WR Kenny Britt from Rutgers. Treat Johnson is a number 1 back and White is a low end number 2 or high end number 3 RB.

Historically, when discussing the Titans receiving corps fantasy owners utilized that time to do various family chores such as taking out the trash or reading stories to their children rather than participate in the discussion. Basically what I am trying to say is that Tennessee's WR'shave been non-existent in terms of fantasy production for some time. The Titans are desperately hoping that Britt starts to change all of that. Fisher usually refrains from taking receivers in the first round but even he realized how desperate the situation had become at the position. Britt is an immense talent and is a nice choice in keeper and dynasty leagues however, he will more than likely go undrafted in most traditional formats. Keep an eye on him but keep expectations to a minimum. In terms of the other Titan receivers it is quite simple: Justin Gage may be worth a late round flier but no other Titan receiver including TE Bo Scaife is worth spending any type of draft selection on come August.

The Titans DST was a solid unit in 2008 but suffered a huge off season loss with the departure of DT Albert Haynesworth who signed with the Washington Redskins as a free agent. Keith Bullock still anchors down the defense but anyone who thinks the Titans will not miss Haynesworth is dreaming. Consider the Titans DST a number 1 option but keep expectations realistic without the big man in the middle. That concludes my examination of the AFC South. Next up: The AFC North and I will be starting with the defending Super Bowl champion Pittsburg Steelers.

Chris Limburg is the fanatical purveyor of gothicfootball.com: A Oakland Raider and fantasy football blog that provides commentary on everything that is the NFL and fantasy football. Sign up for my free newsletter at: [http://www.gothicfootball.com]