State of the Tennessee Titans Roster: Running Back
by Jimmy on May 14, 2009 4:02 PM CDT
in Commentary
28 comments
Unlike the quarterback position, there isn't a lot to debate when it comes to the running backs. This is easily the most talented and deepest position on the roster.
Chris Johnson is coming of a rookie season where he set the league on fire, and believe it or not, there is still a lot more he can do in this offense. You can probably count on one hand the amount of times he motioned out of the backfield and lined up in the slot. I am sure the reason they didn't let him do that much last season was because of the load that he was already carrying on the offense, but now with a full season under his belt, there is a good chance we will see him do that more. Also, he is really fast.
I think we all expect for LenDale White to have the best season of his career in this his contract season. While there is a part of me that gets really mad when guys do that, it will be just fine with me because the Titans will get the benefit of that in 2009, and then some team will give him a boatload of money in free agency. Then we won't have to worry about him anymore. (Although I will miss his interviews because there are very few guys out there who can come up with a term like swaggerjacked!)
Chris Henry is also fast, and there is a very good shot that he will be running into offensive lineman's backs in another city in 2009. The kid has a deadly combination of size and speed, but if you don't have vision it just doesn't matter.
I can't wait to see what they get from Rafael Little. He was a game changing running back before tearing up his knee, and it would be great if the Titans could plug him in there to give Crazy Legs some plays off next season.
Javon Ringer is another guy that I am pretty excited about. He proved in college that he is capable of carrying the load, and he is also very solid catching the ball out of the backfield. His best shot to be active on game day in 2009 will be to make an impact on special teams, but he could be a guy that could make an impact if CJ or The Round Mound go down with an injury.
And of course there is The Sarge, Ahmard Hall. Hall brings a lot to this offense that doesn't show up on the stat sheet, and he proved last season that he can make some plays when Dinger calls his number.
A lot of you didn't agree with me when I said quarterback was a strength of the Titans' roster, but I dare you to argue with me when I call running back the strength of the roster. These running backs combined with the offensive line that will be in front of them and a head coach that LOVES to run the football should bring good things to Nashville in 2009.
[UPDATE]- My apologies to the Bowling Ball, Quinton Ganther. He is a guy that got us all excited and does have some talent, but I just don't see anyway he can make the 2009 roster.
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You forgot to mention Vince Young
Shouldn’t VY be considered a RB? Maybe Wildcat? He’s got more career yds and tds than Little or Henry
by pigskinpundits.com on May 14, 2009 4:18 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
cant even make a running back thread without a VY convo breaking out ;p
"the views displayed by Mr.Norhtnashville in no way reflect the views of more mature Titan fans. Viewer discretion is advised. Loser.
by MrNorhtNashville on May 14, 2009 4:41 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
CJ is going to light it up this year..damnit...how come we have to wait this long for some football.
Reggie Bush is a Chris Johnson wanna-be
by titansfan615 on May 14, 2009 5:32 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Plenty of talent...
but will we keep all of them? Ahmard Hall is our only true fullback, so he stays. But there’s no way we keep four running backs. CJ, LenDale, and either Little or Ringer will be on the roster; the other one and Chris Henry are outta here.
by DoofusOfErasmus on May 14, 2009 6:30 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
you forgot ganther
we will have 4, however 5 is definitely questionable.
The Dual Threat, Official Enforcer/Stat Geek of MCM.
by hal41605 on May 14, 2009 6:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
titansonline
has the new depth chart with all the draft picks, in case anyone is wondering what it looks like as of now.
The Dual Threat, Official Enforcer/Stat Geek of MCM.
by hal41605 on May 14, 2009 7:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
most interesting development
dominique edison is already listed as 3rd string on one side (so either 5th or 6th overall) ahead of 3 vets: paul williams, craphonso thorpe, and mark jones.
The Dual Threat, Official Enforcer/Stat Geek of MCM.
by hal41605 on May 14, 2009 7:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Deep!
I love all our talent at RB. Ganther is probably gone along with Chris Henry. Maybe he will sign with the practice squad. That assumes that Ringer & Little have good camps.
by theologic on May 14, 2009 6:58 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Ganther can play fullback... and has when Hall has been injured in the past.
With that strength, he may well stick on the roster—unless Javon Ringer comes in and learns the FB position in addition to the HB stuff.
DannoE
"You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one."
by DannoE on May 15, 2009 7:09 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
henry should bulk up and be a fullback
all he does is run in to people anyways. might as well be blocking rather than being tackled.
by rolypoly32 on May 14, 2009 9:46 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
interesting depth chart...
notice Mitch King is listed as 3rd string LDT..over 2 others
Reggie Bush is a Chris Johnson wanna-be
by titansfan615 on May 14, 2009 10:07 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I know I'm in the minority here
but I think Chris Henry is going to start to make an impact this year as our number 3 back and will be our number two back behind CJ when LenWhale leaves. You guys all say that he has no vision and that’s something you can’t teach, I disagree; vision can be taught but you can’t teach Javon Ringer or Rafael Little how to be 6’0 233 with 4.40 speed.
Cortland Finnegan is a beast
by Titansfan_559 on May 14, 2009 10:27 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
If vision can be taught...
then Chris Henry is a very slow learner.
He had his chances and he didn’t make the most of it. He is gone.
Go Titans!
by Pinoy Titan on May 14, 2009 11:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Three Amigos...CJ/JR/RL!!!!
This is the trio that gets me fired up….. I like Lendale….but like alot of fans it angers me that he decided to try harder this year, not last year. He better, because if the two new guys have great camps…Fisher just might trade Lendale while he can get something for him. Ok…probably not….but maybe.:)
I think if Chris Henry was going to play he would have by now. IMO
by zero defects on May 14, 2009 11:23 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Q
We have so many running backs that even Jimmy left one off.
by numbertenox on May 14, 2009 11:47 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Titans running backs > Strength
I love our RB situation this year. CJ aiming to be the league’s top rusher. Lendale motivated and coming in the best shape of his pro career. I love the depth also, Little and Ringer. little white johnson ringer?
This year CJ and Lendale would be one if not the best RB duo in the NFL. I’m gonna say right now that CJ is going to be my first pick in my fantasy team this year.
Go Titans!
by Pinoy Titan on May 14, 2009 11:53 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Yup
Add in the fact that we have a good situation with O-line, and looks like some improvement in the receiver corps, and sure seems like the running game should be even more effective this coming season than it was last year.
I don’t get too upset about Lendale waiting till now to ramp up his work ethic or his occasional mouth foot intersections. He’s been so much fun to watch. I’m very glad we have a lot of options in the pipe to replace him next season, though, cause sure seems like a great setup for him this year to launch himself into a much higher paying contract with a team more starved for backs. Only thing is if some of these new guys are so good they start to eat into his playing time (which is already limited due to CJ), we may see a lot more foot mouth disease from him. He’ll be pissed if he’s all dressed up for his contract year and can’t get in the window to show himself off to other teams.
by numbertenox on May 15, 2009 12:13 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
just wait till they start using him in the slot once in a while
he is going to give teams fits with that speed. you almost have to slide an extra corner over to cover him in that situation, cuz he will torch a linebacker or most safeties.
The Dual Threat, Official Enforcer/Stat Geek of MCM.
by hal41605 on May 15, 2009 1:28 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I hope we throw it to CJ more this year
I understand the argument for keeping it a lighter load last year, but anytime you get the ball in his hands the game can change quickly. I can’t count how many times last year I was yelling at my TV for them to dump pass it to him.
Also, it seems I might be a bit lonely on this one, but I hope we retain LenDale after this year.
now with less meyton panning.
by Pride of the Southland on May 15, 2009 8:49 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
same here
Lendale complements CJ well.
Go Titans!
by Pinoy Titan on May 15, 2009 1:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
true
but there are a lot of other big slow guys who work a lot harder than lendale every year, not just contract years, who would have just as many TDs as he did if given the same number of goal line carries. im pumped to get this year out of him cuz it’s obvious he’s making the push for more dollars on his next deal, but after that i think he is completely and utterly replaceable. it doesn’t mean he has to be replaced though, but if his salary demands get too high, it would be smart, it think, to let him move on.
The Dual Threat, Official Enforcer/Stat Geek of MCM.
by hal41605 on May 15, 2009 1:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh and that caption: priceless!
now with less meyton panning.
by Pride of the Southland on May 15, 2009 8:51 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
The thing about LenDale...
he’s not spectacular. He’s not a game breaker. But the does what he’s asked to do. When we were on the goal line or needed short yards, we could count on him to deliver. People seem to forget all those 3rd-and-1’s or 4th-and-1’s when Chris Brown was our RB, and he would get stopped short. He could rip long runs but couldn’t be counted on in short yardage situations. So it’s not like what LenDale does is just riding CJ’s coat tails. A reliable short yardage back is vital to the type of offense the Titans like to run.
by DoofusOfErasmus on May 16, 2009 12:34 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
good memories..
man i cant wait to watch that again
Reggie Bush is a Chris Johnson wanna-be
by titansfan615 on May 17, 2009 5:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
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