Chris Johnson News: Pro Sports Daily

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February 28

Tennessean

"Titans running back Chris Johnson led the league in rushing, and was named the NFL's Offensive Player of the Year in 2009. No one had more carries, and did more for his team. It's a touch act to follow, for sure, but already Johnson has set his goals higher for 2010 - he wants to be the league's Most Valuable Player. Coach Jeff Fisher told reporters here at the NFL Combine he thinks Johnson can improve. "As coaches we have to say absolutely, yes he can get better,'' Fisher said. "That is the way we are. We want our players to get better. There are some things the offensive staff will look at, some cuts up, and things we could have done a little more different with him. A little more ..."

Give Vince Young an assist for Chris Johnson's success

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February 5

Tennessean

"The key to Titans running back Chris Johnson's continued success is the play of quarterback Vince Young, according to Deion Sanders. "Vince has to be on his game to make sure Chris another year like last season,'' the former NFL star said. "Vince is maturing, he has lot further to go, but he will get there. He will. He is young. He is a baby. "But he is going to go only as far as the people around him, the people he looks up to. He has to make sure he surrounds himself with the right people where he is not always the leader, he is not always the smartest, or the richest. That's the only way you can be stretched as a person.'' As for what Johnson faces in his quest to repeat his 2,006-yard ..."

CJ contract extension? Not so fast, says Fisher

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February 5

Nashville City Paper

"Any plans Chris Johnson has for a renegotiated contract are "premature," according to Tennessee Titans head coach Jeff Fisher. Fisher, speaking from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., site of Sunday's Super Bowl, told WGFX-FM 104.5 The Zone that Johnson would likely have to wait regarding any extension, especially with a contract that contains three more seasons currently. "We've done things prior to players going into the last year of their contract. For me to come out right now, it's way too premature to say we have any intention of doing anything for CJ," Fisher said. Johnson, the NFL's Offensive Player of the Year, ran for 2,006 yards this past season, just his second in the league, and said at ..."

Deion: CJ needs VY to improve

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February 4

Tennessean

"Deion Sanders can't say enough good things about Titans running back Chris Johnson. But Sanders also said the key to Johnson's future success has a lot to do with his quarterback, Vince Young. If Johnson's going to reach 2,000 again next season, Young has to prove he can be a threat, Sanders said. But he liked what he saw as Young guided the Titans to eight wins in his 10 starts last year. "Vince has to be on his game to make sure Chris has another year like last season. He has to keep making progress, not go back. A lot is up to the quarterback,'' said the former NFL star. "Vince is maturing, he has lot further to go, but he will get there. I really believe he will. "He is young, he is a ..."

CJ claims FedEx Ground Player of the Year Award

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February 4

Nashville City Paper

"Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson picked up another award on Wednesday, as he was named the FedEx Ground Player of the Year. Johnson became only the sixth player in NFL history to run for 2,000 yards in a season, when he finished with 2,006 yards this season and broke Marshall Faulk's record for yards from scrimmage in a season with 2,509. Johnson beat out Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew and Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings to win the award, which was voted upon by fans. "I won the award. Thanks everybody for voting," Johnson sent out via his Twitter feed. Johnson appeared on WGFX-FM 104.5 The Zone from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., for a live interview ..."

Chris Johnson: 'I deserve to be the highest paid back'

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February 2

Tennessean

"Two seasons into the five-year deal running back Chris Johnson signed with the Titans as a rookie, most everyone would agree he's already outperforming his contract. That includes Johnson. And coming off a record 2009 season, he hasn't shied away from dropping hints. "Hopefully they'll want to give me a new deal. I think I deserve to be the highest paid running back in the league, or even the highest paid offensive player besides the quarterback,'' said Johnson, who scored the game-winning touchdown in Sunday night's Pro Bowl. "But it's not like I am not going out in the media saying, 'Pay me, I want a new deal now.' I am just saying, if they were to pay me, I want that. Hopefully they ..."

Chris Johnson's score lifts AFC to Pro Bowl win, 41-34

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February 1

Tennessean

"Chris Johnson set some lofty goals heading into his first Pro Bowl. After a record-breaking season, the Titans running back wanted to top it all off by putting on a show and winning the all-star game's most valuable player award. As it turned out, he hardly got a chance. Quantcast Johnson played in just three series, but scored the game-winning touchdown on a 2-yard run with 5:59 remaining as the AFC defeated the NFC 41-34 at Sun Life Stadium. Most of the night, Johnson sat back and watched as some of the NFL's other stars took turns making plays. Johnson said it was worth it. A year ago, he wasn't able to play in the game because of an injury. "The starters didn't get to play as much, but ..."

Chris Johnson makes his touches count

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February 1

Tennessean

"Chris Johnson set some lofty goals heading into his first Pro Bowl. After a record-breaking season, the Titans running back wanted to top it all off by putting on a show and winning the all-star game's most valuable player award. As it turned out, he hardly got a chance. Johnson played in just three series, but scored the game-winning touchdown on a 2-yard run with 5:59 remaining as the AFC defeated the NFC 41-34 at Sun Life Stadium. Most of the night, Johnson sat back and watched as some of the NFL's other stars took turns making plays. Johnson said it was worth it. A year ago, he wasn't able to play in the game because of an injury. "The starters didn't get to play as much, but when I ..."

CJ scores winning TD in Pro Bowl

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February 1

Nashville City Paper

"Tennessee Titans star Chris Johnson scored the decisive touchdown on a 2-yard run as the AFC edged the NFC 41-34 in Sunday's Pro Bowl in Miami. Johnson had just 19 yards on just four carries in the game, but capped an 11-play, 76-yard march in the fourth quarter as the AFC earned the victory. Titans quarterback Vince Young completed 6 of 12 passes for the AFC for 47 yards, but was intercepted by Philadelphia's Asante Samuel. Defensively, Kyle Vanden Bosch had one tackle for the AFC in the game."

Titans' Chris Johnson works way to stardom

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January 30

Tennessean

"Chris Johnson is the wrong guy to challenge. Born on the wrong side of town. Too skinny. Not smart enough. The Titans running back faced those tests and others, and each time he emerged a better athlete, a better person. Mike Cullison, his high school coach in Orlando, Fla., remembered when Johnson broke his leg in the first game of his senior season. Johnson attended all but one practice until he could return to action. "He would come out with the cast on, helmet and shoulder pads," Cullison said. "He wanted to get back on the field so bad. That's just him. He's a very, very, very determined-type person." That trait has been displayed repeatedly the past two years as Johnson rocketed to ..."

Titans get trip on Chris Johnson's dime

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January 30

Tennessean

"A number of Titans sacrificed their bodies to pave the way for running back Chris Johnson during his record-breaking season. Now he's paying them back with a trip to South Florida. Johnson invited the entire offensive line, tight ends Alge Crumpler and Bo Scaife as well as fullback Ahmard Hall here for Pro Bowl week. It's an all-expenses paid gift courtesy of the man who was rewarded for his 2,006-yard season by being voted to the Pro Bowl. "Alge and I thought it was a good idea to take our wives down for a vacation,'' Hall said. "C.J. is paying for everything, so it's great. C.J. knows he definitely didn't get that 2,006 yards on his own, so it is a token of his appreciation to us for ..."

Byner firing caught Titans' Johnson off guard

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January 27

Nashville City Paper

"Titans running back Chris Johnson said he had no idea running backs coach Earnest Byner was about to be fired. The Titans let Byner go over the weekend and hired Kennedy Pola away from the Jacksonville Jaguars to replace him. "I was surprised. I didn't know anything about it," said Johnson, who held a conference call with Nashville media on Wednesday. He is in Miami, where he is practicing for the Pro Bowl. Johnson is coming off a 2,006-yard campaign, making him only the sixth player in NFL history to run for 2,000 yards in a single season. Even though Byner's dismissal was odd, he said trusts coach Jeff Fisher, who made the move. "I'm not sure why or anything like that, but you've got to ..."

Chris Johnson surprised Titans fired assistant

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January 27

Tennessean

"Titans running back Chris Johnson has a 2,000-yard season under his belt, but doesn't have the clout to save a position coach he liked and respected. Johnson said on Wednesday he was surprised to learn running backs coach Earnest Byner had been fired. No one asked his opinion before the move was made, not that it would've mattered, he said. "I wasn't asked. I feel like that's not my situation, so no matter what I said about it I couldn't have saved (his job),'' Johnson said in a conference call from the Pro Bowl site in South Florida. "If I could have saved it that's something I would have been called about before the decision was made. But no matter what I have to say about the situation, ..."

Titans' Johnson makes another All-Pro list

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January 19

Nashville City Paper

"Another All-Pro team and another honor for Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson. This time, Johnson is a member of the Pro Football Weekly/Pro Football Writers of America All-Pro Team. Johnson was the only Titans player selected to the honors team. No Titans players were among the all-rookie team picked by the panel either. Johnson led the NFL in rushing with 2,006 yards, becoming only the sixth man in league history to reach the 2,000-yard plateau in a single season. Johnson also set a new record for yards from scrimmage with 2,509 yards in combined rushing and receiving."

Ochocinco to race Titans' Johnson?

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January 15

ESPN.com

"The Cincinnati Bengals got a player in the Pro Bowl after all. Bengals receiver Chad Ochocinco was selected as an alternate Friday. He replaced injured New England Patriots receiver Wes Welker (knee) on the AFC roster. Ochocinco reacted to the news by declaring he would take part in a charity sprint. "Adam I am racing Chris Johnson, the loser is giving there pro bowl check over to those in need in Haiti," Ochocinco wrote on Twitter, referring to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter."

Chris Johnson unanimous All-Pro selection

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January 14

Tennessean

"A day after being named the NFL's Offensive Player of the Year, Titans running back Chris Johnson was named to the Associated Press All-Pro team as the only unanimous pick. Johnson led the NFL in rushing with 2,006 yards during the 2009 season, which ended with him rushing for over 100 yards in 11 straight games. Johnson, who's headed to the Pro Bowl later this month, is the only Titan on the Associated Press All-Pro first team. Tackle Michael Roos was selected to the second team. During a season when he set the NFL mark for yards from scrimmage, Johnson got all 50 votes from a nationwide panel of sportswriters. San Francisco linebacker Patrick Willis came close with 49 votes. The Titans ..."

Titans' Johnson named Offensive Player of the Year

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January 14

Nashville City Paper

"Just as he ran away from NFL defenders this season, Chris Johnson ran away with the NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award on Wednesday, garnering 38 ½ of a possible 50 votes. The Tennessee Titans running back finished the season with 2,006 yards rushing and became the first player in NFL history to have more than 2,000 yards rushing and 500 yards receiving in the same season. That accomplishment also broke Marshall Faulk's league record for yards from scrimmage in a single season. "It feels like a big dream. It is all hitting me now — what I have done this whole season. I can sit back now and say, 'Wow, I really had a dream season.' All of the hard work is really paying off." New Orleans ..."

Two 2Ks for Johnson? Don't bet on it

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January 14

Tennessean

"The Titans hope Chris Johnson remembers how to share. That's because the Associated Press 2009 NFL Offensive Player of the Year has earned a bit of a break next season, whether he wants it or not. In hopes of preserving his effectiveness and prolonging his career, the Titans are unlikely to give Johnson as many carries as he got during his super second season. Coach Jeff Fisher said as much the day after Johnson became the sixth player in league history to rush for 2,000 yards. "I'd like to see, not balance," Fisher said, "but I'd like to see another back involved in the rotation." That, of course, could threaten Johnson's next goal: becoming the first player to reach the 2,000-yard ..."

Chris Johnson voted NFL Offensive Player of the Year

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January 13

Tennessean

"Titans running back Chris Johnson on Wednesday was named The Associated Press 2009 Offensive Player of the Year, his crowning achievement in a season to remember. Johnson became just the sixth player to rush for more than 2,000 yards in a season. He finished with 2,006 in a year that ended with 11 straight 100-yard games. Johnson received 38 1/2 votes from a nationwide panel of 50 sports writers and broadcasters who cover the NFL. Saints quarterback Drew Brees, who received nine votes, was a distant second. "I kind of realize what I did and I feel like I had a dream season," Johnson told the Associcated Press. Johnson's goals next season are breaking Eric Dickerson's single-season rushing ..."

Titan Chris Johnson makes a run at pitchman status

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January 11

Nashville City Paper

"When the Titans toyed with the spread-option formation at times this season, Tennessee fans got a chance to see what running back Chris Johnson could do as a pitchman. Now, all of America might get the chance to see what Johnson can do as a different sort of pitchman. After becoming just the sixth man in pro football history to run for 2,000 yards in a single season, Johnson and his agent Joel Segal are preparing to launch the star running back's second career - as advertising spokesman. They hope to solicit endorsement offers by taking advantage of the 24-year-old Johnson's sudden rise from an unheralded East Carolina back to NFL superstardom in just two years. Even by Johnson's speedy ..."

Titans' Chris Johnson plans busy offseason

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January 5

Tennessean

"Titans running back Chris Johnson has a new signature — CJ2K — and his offensive linemen will soon be delivered new Rolex watches with the feat engraved on them. A day after becoming just the sixth player in NFL history to go over 2,000 yards in a season, Johnson was all smiles on Monday — until the subject turned to the controversial holding call on fullback Ahmard Hall. The holding call cost Johnson a 62-yard touchdown run in the Titans' 17-13 season-ending win over Seattle. With those yards, Johnson could have made a run at Eric Dickerson's single-season rushing mark of 2,105 yards. Referee Ed Hochuli made the call. "There's no way that was a hold. That was not holding at all,'' Johnson ..."

CJ runs Rolexes to 'mates; eyes record in '10

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January 5

Nashville City Paper

"A day after joining the 2,000-yard club, Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson said he is ready for a busy off-season and a potential repeat performance. Johnson finished Sunday with 134 yards in a 17-13 win at Seattle to end the 2009 season with 2,006 yards rushing, and said he believes he can one-up himself next year to get Eric Dickerson's single-season rushing mark of 2,105. "It gives me something to look forward to next year — 2,105," Johnson said. "Not getting the record, that's something I can look forward to doing next year." Both Johnson and Titans coach Jeff Fisher believe the 24-year-old running back can possibly duplicate his 2,000-yard season, something that has never ..."

Sources: Johnson vs. Bolt race planned

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January 4

ESPN.com

"Chris Johnson is the sixth NFL player to rush for more than 2,000 yards. But how would he fare on a running track, without a helmet and pads, against the world's fastest man? We just might find out. Sources close to the situation told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter that representatives for the Titans running back and Olympic champion Usain Bolt of Jamaica have spent recent days trying to set up a race between the two men to determine who really is the world's fastest human. The race would be used to raise money for charity. Bolt won three gold medals at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, setting world records in the 100 meters and 200 meters and sharing a third world record with the ..."

Johnson joins exclusive 2,000-yard club as Titans close with victory

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January 4

Nashville City Paper

"A questionable holding call kept Chris Johnson from having a chance to break Eric Dickerson's single-season rushing record, but neither an official's flag nor the Seattle Seahawks could keep the Tennessee Titans star from reaching the 2,000-yard rushing club as its sixth member Sunday at Qwest Field. Johnson ran for 134 yards on a career-high 36 carries in Tennessee's 17-13 victory, reaching the milestone on a four-yard carry with 9:50 to play in the game and finishing with 2,006 yards rushing for the season. Johnson joined Dickerson, Jamal Lewis, Terrell Davis, Barry Sanders and O.J. Simpson in the 2,000-yard rushing club - running fifth, finishing three yards ahead of O.J. "It means a ..."

Young calls for Titans in Super Bowl next season

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January 4

Nashville City Paper

"Vince Young rebounded from his worst start of the season on Christmas night against San Diego with a solid performance that provided a nice assist to Chris Johnson in his successful quest for 2,000 yards on Sunday. Young was 17 of 28 for 171 yards with one interception in helping the Titans past the Seahawks, 17-13. He finished his return as the starting quarterback with an 8-2 mark over 10 games. That would appear to have Young entrenched as the Titans starting quarterback for the foreseeable future, one that Young says will include a Super Bowl next year. Asked what his pledge for 2010 might be, the fourth-year quarterback did not hesitate. "Super Bowl, Super Bowl, Super Bowl," Young ..."

Holding call cost Chris Johnson

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January 4

Tennessean

"Referee Ed Hochuli defended it, Titans running back Chris Johnson regretted it, and fullback Ahmard Hall couldn't believe it. Neither could Seahawks linebacker David Hawthorne. But everyone involved in the controversial holding penalty that wiped out a 62-yard touchdown run by Johnson in the fourth quarter could probably agree on one thing - that it surely made Eric Dickerson a lot more comfortable. Johnson finished with 134 yards in Sunday's 17-13 win over the Seahawks and reached 2,006 for the season. The biggest downer of the day came with 11:42 remaining in the fourth quarter when his touchdown celebration was stopped so he could be informed it was coming back because of a holding ..."

Yes, the Seahawks lost again -- but at least they didn't suck

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January 4

Seattle Post-Intelligencer

"The futility fest between the Seahawks and Tennessee Titans Sunday at Qwest Field was important for just two people: Titans running back Chris Johnson and Seahawks coach Jim Mora. Johnson was rewarded. The NFL rushing leader became only the sixth player to run for 2,000 yards in a season, and also topped Marshall Faulk's record for most total yards. Mora? Not so much. His team stayed in the game for almost 59 minutes, but the emotional highlight of the day was a superb downfield block by the quarterback, Matt Hasselbeck. That's like enjoying a romantic song for the drum solo. For the fourth time in a row -- but the blessed final time this season -- the Seahawks lost, this time 17-13. They ..."

Titans have a record runner

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January 4

Tennessean

"The work was done, for the day and for the season, yet this was a photo opportunity no one involved wanted to pass up. So in the moments after the Titans beat the Seahawks 17-13, a group of men in blue and white gathered on the turf at Qwest Field. There were offensive linemen, fullback Ahmard Hall, tight end Alge Crumpler and position coaches — and they all wanted to pose with Chris Johnson. "This is a moment I think we're all going to remember for the rest of our lives," guard Jake Scott said. "You never know in this league if you're ever going to get a chance at something like this again. You might as well get a picture so we have something to remember it by. It's special.'' Johnson, ..."

Titan Chasing a Rare Mark That Matters

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January 1

New York Times

"Football fans love statistics; they'd say so if they weren't so busy updating their fantasy rosters. But N.F.L. records and plateaus hold little interest for most. There are no hallowed numbers, like a .400 batting average, a 20-win season, or 3,000 career hits, for players to spend their lifetimes chasing. There's 2,000 rushing yards - achieved by just five players, including the record holder and Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson - and there are a lot of ho-hum accomplishments. Peyton Manning surpassed the 50,000-yard passing mark for his career against the Jets on Sunday, but fans were too angry that Manning was removed from the game as a pre-playoff precaution to celebrate the ..."

Titans' Johnson having fun in pursuit of record book

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December 31

Nashville City Paper

"As Chris Johnson tries to etch his name into NFL annals as the sixth man in history to reach 2,000 yards and perhaps break Eric Dickerson's record of 2,105, one thing is certain. The Tennessee Titans star is enjoying the ride. "I'm having fun because something like this, it'll probably only happen once in a lifetime, so you've got to take advantage of it while you're doing it," Johnson said. And why not? With 1,872 yards for the season, Johnson needs just 128 more to become the sixth man in NFL history to reach the 2,000-yard plateau. He needs just 75 yards between rushing and receiving to break Marshall Faulk's single-season record of 2,429 yards from scrimmage. But he wants more. In ..."

CJ is Titans' one, and only, Pro Bowler

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December 30

Nashville City Paper

"Running back Chris Johnson has been named the starting running back for the AFC in the 2010 Pro Bowl. Selections were announced Tuesday evening for the game that will be played Jan. 31 in Miami this season. Johnson, who leads the NFL with 1,872 yards rushing and needs just 128 yards to become the sixth player in league history to run for 2,000 yards, has been named to the Pro Bowl for the second consecutive season. Last year, he was named to the all-star team, but was unable to participate because of an ankle injury suffered in the AFC Divisional Playoffs against Baltimore. Johnson and Earl Campbell are the only two running backs in franchise history to earn Pro Bowl status in their first ..."

Chris Johnson is only Titan in Pro Bowl

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December 30

Tennessean

"Titans running back Chris Johnson is heading back to the Pro Bowl. The NFL's leading rusher was named to the team Tuesday. Johnson is within reach of the 2,000-yard rushing plateau and is 234 yards away from Eric Dickerson's single-season record of 2,105 yards. He is also within reach of Marshall Faulk's NFL record of 2,429 yards from scrimmage. The Titans (7-8) end the regular season Sunday at Seattle (5-10) with no chance to make the playoffs."

Pursuit of 2K all that's left for Titans

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December 28

Nashville City Paper

"The quest at Qwest is the only meaningful aspect left to the Tennessee Titans' 2009 season after their Christmas night 42-17 shellacking courtesy of the San Diego Chargers at LP Field. That "quest" of course is running back Chris Johnson's pursuit to become the sixth running back in NFL history to reach 2,000 yards rushing in a season. Johnson recorded his 10th consecutive 100-yard rushing game on Friday night, going for 142 yards on 21 carries with one touchdown. That gives him 1,872 yards for the season, leaving him needing to rush for 128 yards Jan. 3 against the Seattle Seahawks in order to reach the milestone. "That record would mean a lot to me," Johnson said. "That was one of my ..."

Rushing records drive lame-duck Titans

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December 28

Tennessean

"Titans running back Chris Johnson is 128 yards from rushing immortality, from adding his name to the short list of NFL players to gain 2,000 in one season. He's 234 yards from becoming the all-time single-season rushing king. Problem is, he has just one game left to accomplish the feats. The Titans end a roller-coaster season Sunday at Seattle. Can he do it? Johnson, never short on confidence, said yes. "That record would mean a lot to me," he said. And it would mean a lot to the Titans (7-8). Johnson's ambitions might be the only significant motivation they have in taking on the Seahawks (5-10), who are coming off a 48-10 loss at Green Bay. "It's something we pay close attention to, as ..."

Chris Johnson nears 2K, record

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December 26

Tennessean

"Running back Chris Johnson has finished shopping for the Titans who've blocked for him during his memorable season, though he's not ready to reveal what he splurged for just yet. "I don't know,'' tight end Alge Crumpler said after Johnson ran for 142 yards on Friday night. It remains to be seen just how memorable Johnson's season will end up being. Against the Chargers he turned in his 10th straight 100-yard performance. He now has 1,872 rushing yards and needs 234 next Sunday against the Seahawks to set the single-season rushing mark. Eric Dickerson is the current record holder with 2,105 yards. The most Johnson has run for in a game is 228 yards, against the Jaguars earlier this season."

Johnson's pursuit of 2,000 yards adds suspense to meaningless finale

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December 26

Nashville City Paper

"The quest at Qwest is the only meaningful aspect left to the Tennessee Titans' 2009 season after their Christmas night 42-17 shellacking courtesy of the San Diego Chargers at LP Field. That "quest" of course is running back Chris Johnson's pursuit to become the sixth running back in NFL history to reach 2,000 yards rushing in a season. Johnson recorded his 10th consecutive 100-yard rushing game on Friday night, going for 142 yards on 21 carries with one touchdown. That gives him 1,872 yards for the season, leaving him needing to rush for 128 yards Jan. 3 against the Seattle Seahawks in order to reach the milestone. "That record would mean a lot to me," Johnson said. "That was one of my ..."

Chris Johnson calls record attainable

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December 25

Tennessean

"Eric Dickerson shouldn't consider his record safe just yet, according to Chris Johnson. The Titans running back said he thinks he can still set the NFL's single-season rushing mark. Dickerson ran for 2,105 yards with the Rams in 1984. Johnson has 1,730 yards, meaning he needs to average 188 yards in the last two games to pass Dickerson. "I have not closed the book. Anything is possible,'' Johnson said. "I still think it is in reach. I still think it's possible. Of course you're going to need a huge game. It is not going to be easy.'' Johnson, the league's rushing leader, has racked up nine straight 100-yard games. But he's not happy with his recent production. In the past three games he ..."

Titan on the fast track

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December 23

San Diego Union-Tribune

"It's sort of like getting a confession out of a bank robber who's been caught red-handed and blue-faced, courtesy of the ink bomb that went off in the bag of stolen money. Well, duh. Still, Chris Johnson said it happens nearly every weekend, the postgame approach of opposing defensive players who tell him something he and everybody else already knew. They tell the Tennessee Titans running back extraordinaire that he had their undivided attention over the previous three-plus hours, explaining the eight or even nine men waiting for Johnson "in the box." For all the good it did them. "A lot of guys come up to me right after the game and mention that," said Johnson yesterday via phone from ..."

Chris Johnson's run at NFL record eases up

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December 21

Tennessean

"Chris Johnson is getting closer to history; he's just moving at a slower pace these days. The Titans running back rushed for more than 100 yards for the ninth straight game Sunday, finishing with 104 yards on 29 carries in the 27-24 overtime win against the Dolphins. He had to work hard for every yard. Johnson managed just 33 yards on 15 carries in the second half as the Dolphins clamped down. "They made it to the line of scrimmage and they're very talented,'' Coach Jeff Fisher said of the Miami defense. "They're a very talented group of defensive players.'' Johnson has 1,730 yards — 270 shy of becoming just the sixth player to reach 2,000. He has a big hill to climb to get to Eric ..."

Tennessee's Chris Johnson becomes third tailback to gain 100 yards on Dolphins

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December 21

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

"As the fastest man in the NFL streaked downfield with two 300-pound blockers in front of him, and one defender standing between Chris Johnson and the end zone, seven points seemed inevitable. Miami Dolphins safety Tyrone Culver could have made a halfhearted effort to bring Johnson down, taking on one of his escorts to eventually get driven out of the play as Johnson used his 4.24 40-time speed to turn the screen pass he caught into a track meet. But Culver didn't. He navigated through the traffic of blocker, shed the lineman, forcing Johnson to cut his run inside, eventually brought Tennessee's record-setting tailback down with an arm tackle he never got credit for (fellow safety Gibril ..."

Titans' Chris Johnson wants yards at any price

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December 20

Tennessean

"No matter the down, no matter the distance, Chris Johnson wants the football. No matter the time, no matter the score, the Titans running back would like every opportunity to edge closer to the NFL's single-season rushing mark. The last thing he's worried about is being overworked. So it came as no surprise to Coach Jeff Fisher when, with 16 seconds remaining and the Titans leading the Rams 47-7 on Sunday, Johnson was in his ear asking for a running play instead of a kneel- down. Fisher just smiled and called for his quarterback to take a knee. On this day, enough was enough. One has to wonder, however, if the Titans might be pushing their jaw-dropping running back to the point of ..."

Johnson making history for Tennessee

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December 20

Charlotte Observer

"In only his second season, Tennessee's Chris Johnson is making it hard to fathom how he was only the fifth back selected in the 2008 NFL draft. He's turning out to be one of the most explosive, electrifying backs we've seen in years, legitimately earning a spot alongside Minnesota's Adrian Peterson as the top two players at his position in the league. Over the final three weeks, Johnson, a former East Carolina star, needs 479 yards to top Eric Dickerson's 1984 record for most rushing yards in a season (2,105) and 413 to surpass Marshall Faulk's '99 mark for most yards from scrimmage (2,429). Even if he misses those records, he could become the sixth player in league history to rush for ..."

Ted Ginn Jr. didn't back down from race with Tennessee Titans' Chris Johnson, Joey Porter says

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December 18

Miami Herald

"Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter verbally slapped down Wednesday's claim by Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson that Dolphins wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. backed out of a match race down Miami Beach's Ocean Drive. But Porter did acknowledge being a spark behind setting up a Ginn-Johnson race last Memorial Day weekend, when hip-hop-themed parties drew fans, entertainment celebrities and sports figures to South Beach. ``The race was supposed to be here at the [Dolphins' Davie practice] facility. You're not going to have two Pro Bowl guys like that running out there on the concrete in the street,'' Porter said Thursday. ``[Johnson] knew where the race was set up. He was in our town. It ..."

Chris Johnson says he's faster than Dolphins star

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December 17

Tennessean

"Titans running back Chris Johnson has never backed down from a race. The same can't be said for Dolphins receiver Ted Ginn Jr., at least according to Johnson. During a conference call with South Florida media on Wednesday, Johnson revealed he was at a pool party in Miami last offseason when Ginn and Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter bragged about how Ginn could beat him in a race. "They thought I wasn't going to be up for it. But he backed out,'' Johnson said. "When it really got down to it, they backed out and never showed up. … You know how it would have ended up. He knows, too. That's why he didn't come.'' Ginn's version of events was slightly different. "It wasn't anything like I didn't ..."

Johnson, Ginn not quite off to the races

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December 17

Nashville City Paper

"Another week, another athlete potentially in a race Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson. This time, it's Miami Dolphins wide receiver Ted Ginn, Jr., whom the Titans face on Sunday at LP Field. According to both players, a meeting at a pool party in South Florida over the off-season set of a debate about who was faster and with Ginn challenging Johnson to a race. Johnson said he accepted the challenge and Ginn did not show up for it. "We were in Miami over the off-season. We were at a pool party, and him and Joey Porter were talking a little trash about the race or whatever, and they thought I wasn't going to be up for it," Johnson said. "But I was up for it and he just backed out. ..."

Titan's Chris Johnson sports fast feet, worries Miami Dolphins

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December 17

Miami Herald

"Picture this. A handful of NFL stars are throwing down this past summer at a pool party near Ocean Drive on South Beach when the chirping begins. Somehow -- possibly initiating from the mouth of Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter, although no one really knows for sure -- someone mentions something about the speed of Miami wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. and Tennessee running back Chris Johnson. ``It was some guys in the party who wanted to go out and see who's faster,'' said Ginn, who was among a group of guests that included Johnson, Titans quarterback Vince Young and Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco, among others. What nearly happened next would have been enough to make a screenwriter (or a ..."

Johnson accuses Ted Ginn Jr. of backing out of match race

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December 17

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

"Those who accuse Ted Ginn Jr. of seeking the sidelines whenever possible suddenly have more ammunition. Titans running back Chris Johnson, the NFL's leading rusher, provided it with his amusing charge that Ginn backed out of a hastily arranged match race down Ocean Drive one night this past summer. "It was real," Johnson said Wednesday during a conference call with South Florida reporters. "We were at a pool party and [Ginn] was talking. I said, 'Let's go.' " According to Johnson's version, he headed for the street wearing tennis shoes and flanked by an entourage that included Bengals receiver Chad Ochocinco and Titans quarterback Vince Young. Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter was there on ..."

Chris Johnson: Ginn wouldn't race

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December 16

Tennessean

"Titans running back Chris Johnson says he's never backed down from a race. The same can't be said for Dolphins receiver Ted Ginn, Jr., at least according to Johnson. On Wednesday, Johnson revealed he was at a pool party in Miami this offseason when Ginn and Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter bragged about how Ginn could beat him in a race. Yet when Johnson accepted the challenge, Ginn was nowhere to be found. "They thought I wasn't going to be up for it. But he backed out,'' Johnson said. "When it really got down to it, they backed out and never showed up. … You know how it would have ended up. He knows, too, that's why he didn't come.'' Johnson, who was clocked at a 4.24 seconds in the ..."