No Running Back Love
Apr 16, 2014, 5:35 PM | Updated: 8:21 pm
Free agent running back Chris Johnson visited the New York Jets on Tuesday.
CJ’s story is THE paragon example of the devaluation of running backs in the NFL. He’s 1 of 6 players to rush for at least 1,000 yards in his first 6 seasons. Don’t let that fly over your head: 1 of 6. And the names of the 6 are a veritable who’s who of rushing the football. Johnson joins Barry Sanders, Curtis Martin, LaDainian Tomlinson, Eric Dickerson and Corey Dillon in this rarified group. CJ is accomplished. He rushed for 2,006 yards in 2009.
And Johnson’s first visit to another team happens April 15? He was cut by the Tennessee Titans on April 4. This is more evidence that running backs are undervalued by general managers, as if we needed more proof.
CJ would be an excellent compliment to Chris Ivory in the backfield and, ultimately, it’s the reason why I think he ends up in NY. Ivory is thick, 6-0 225 pounds, Johnson is quick. Johnson would be a nice change up to Ivory.
And the Jets run a combination of a zone blocking scheme and power scheme. They used to be almost exclusively a zone scheme team but moved away from it in the second half of last season. And they had excellent results. But if Johnson comes aboard, look for them to re-introduce the tackle zone. CJ runs that play as well as anybody I have ever seen.
But after watching the curious story of Chris Johnson, regardless of what happens…Oh, how the mighty have fallen!
Update: According to media reports Chris Johnson agreed to a deal with the New York Jets Wednesday afternoon.