Tennessee Titans RB conspiracy theory

Let me first preface this by clearly stating that if CJ was here then maybe none of this would be an issue. The Titans would continue on the path that they have traveled and hopefully end up with a better record than last year. With that being said, I would like to now hone in on the current Titans depth chart and possibly uncover an underlining coaching conspiracy.

The titans had four running backs at the end of last season: Chris Johnson, Javon Ringer, Stafon Johnson (I.R.) and Herb Donaldson (P.S.). These four running backs were all slated to return the following season, but to be honest the Titans have only used two RB's while having CJ in the back field. Despite the current situation and reality of the Titans, first year head coach Mike Munchak decided to draft running back Jamie Harper in the fourth round. This decision is questionable considering the way the Titans run Johnson and how they appear to be satisfied with second teamer Javon Ringer.

This action would lead me to believe that Harper was drafted for another reason. It was obvious that CJ was going to hold out for a bigger contract and the amount of camp he missed would be unknown. So, was Harper drafted to fill a camp spot or a roster spot and if it's a roster spot, then whose?

Javon Ringer has been in the Titans organization for 3 years. Ringer was third on the depth chart in 2009/10 behind CJ and Lendale White. It wasn't until the 2010/11 season, after White was traded to Seattle, that Ringer moved up to the number two spot. Many even questioned his ability to hold on to that position as Stafon Johnson made a huge impact in training camp last year. Ringer stepped up, Johnson got hurt, Blount was released and by the end of preseason he had locked his spot in on the depth chart. Ringer was used behind CJ last year and ended his season with 51 carries for 239 yards and averaged 4.7 yards a carry. It would appear that with his production last year that the he would be a valuable asset to this year’s team, but with all new personnel maybe this is not the case?

Harper immediately began on the depth chart as third (despite two of last year’s RB's returning). It's clear that if they drafted him then they were going to keep him, but how did he jump ahead of S. Johnson and Donaldson?  Was this position just given to him because he was drafted by the NEW coach, or did he outperform these two other guys? Don’t get me wrong, Harper has had a tremendous impact on the Titans preseason. He has scored in all three games and was deemed the starter in weeks 2 and 3 (after Ringer suffered a hip injury that has sidelined him the past 2 weeks). He appears to be a beacon of hope to Titans fans showing that this coach knows what he's doing and has brought in a high quality back.

Stafon Johnson was slated to make the team last year and possibly see valuable minutes, under Fisher, until he was injured the first preseason game. He was highly impressive in camp last season and showed that he was of NFL quality in last year’s preseason opener. That was until he returned on the field in the fourth quarter and was injured on a play. The results were a dislocated ankle and a broken fibula. This would sideline Johnson for the year. Fisher saw talent in S. Johnson and decided to keep him as a Titan and place him on season ending injury reserve. Johnson came back to camp this year having only been cleared to run 4 weeks before. Despite his obstacles, he has returned and is now faced with possibly being cut. He has run the ball extremely well in the first two games, and after week two I'm left to question some decisions of the coach. S.Johnson was sidelined against the bears and didn't get in until the fourth quarter. Both Harper and Donaldson seemed to be suffering against the Bears defense but Johnson was still not used. Is this because the other running backs are better, or is this because if Johnson did well people would question why he's so low on the depth chart?

Herb Donaldson was a practice squad player last year and was listed as being 5th on the running back depth chart, under S. Johnson, but for some reason has entered the game before Johnson the last two weeks? I guess no one has bothered to ask why? Johnson has statistically outperformed Donaldson for the last two weeks. S. Johnson is first in yards per carry(5.1) for the Titans and 16th in the NFL this preseason in total yards rushing (108 yards as of 8/27/11).

With all this being said I am left with a series of questions: Is Harper indeed Ringers replacement and possibly CJ's? Is S. Johnson being held back so he doesn't outperform the newly drafted and highly touted Harper? Is Donaldson going to make the team and not S. Johnson? Why is there so much happening at this position and no one speaking out about it?

The truth is there is always a plan and scheme that a coach uses. People, we are talking sports here! I've listened to several interviews with Munchak and can clearly see that what he's saying and what his intentions are may be two different things.  Fact, the titans need a red zone back. This is clearly what Harper was drafted for. Ringer nor S. Johnson have even had the opportunity to run in goal line situations. Donaldson failed and Harper has been successful, I think, 3/5 attempts.

It appears to me that the conspiracy is simple. The Titans have hired a coach that wants to separate himself from Fisher and begin his new coaching era. The problem with this is oftentimes people are sideswiped with these plans. It's clear that Stafon Johnson is a player that will be affected by this transition, but what's not so obvious is that Javon Ringer and Chris Johnson will be too. Ringer will drop to 3rd on the depth chart and CJ's touches will decrease as he begins to share the ball with Harper. As for Donaldson, he may make the practice squad again, but then again maybe not. So, Tennessee Titans fans, I urge you to be be careful about what appears to be great because as we all know, "looks can be deceiving."

Now I ask you, "Is this a conspiracy or just necessary changes?" I look forward to hearing your opinions on this matter.