Chris Johnson Still Thinks He is the Best Running Back in the NFL

All, NFL Jason Lisk June 4th. 2012, 2:30pm

Chris Johnson wants to prove that last year was a fluke and thinks that he is still the best running back in the league.

“I feel I am still the best back in the league, and I have no problem saying that. None of the active backs have done anything that I have done in the first four years, even though I had a bad year last year. So I still feel like I am the best back in the league.”

Johnson averaged less than 100 yards from scrimmage per game last year and scored only four touchdowns, two years after going for over 2500 total yards and a 2,000 yard rushing season. The disappointing season also came immediately after a prolonged and public holdout that extended into the preseason before he reached a long term deal.

You might recall that Chris Johnson predicted he would go for 2,500 rushing yards to follow up his 2009 season, so he’s never been constrained by realism or lacked in belief of his abilities. Johnson also said again that he wants to rush for 2,000 yards again and become the first back to do that.

What are the chances that Chris Johnson rebounds to actually be the best back in the league after last year’s disappointment. Here’s a list of the top yardage seasons at age 24 in the NFL, and Johnson was on top. Among those who reached 1,700 or more yards at age 24, Johnson joins Jamal Lewis, Barry Foster, Marcus Allen, Earl Campbell, Domanick Williams, Ted Brown, and Deuce McAllister as those that declined to finish outside the top 10 in running back numbers at age 26.

Domanick Williams was out of the league with a knee injury, Foster was hurt at both age 25 and 26, and retired. Of those backs, most of the decline was injury related. Earl Campbell and Chris Johnson are the only two on the list to play in every game at age 26, but put up far worse numbers. Jamal Lewis missed one game, and Deuce McAllister missed two.

Some of them had some bounce back seasons (Allen most notably had six more seasons with 1,000 yards from scrimmage), but none of them returned to make even an arguable claim to being the best back in the league, or for that matter one of the best four backs at any time after age 26.

[photo via US Presswire]

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69 Responses to “Chris Johnson Still Thinks He is the Best Running Back in the NFL”

1
Nathan Wind Says:
June 4th, 2012 at 2:37 PM
He’s not even the best RB in his division now that Arian Foster is in the mix.
2
Senator Jersey Says:
June 4th, 2012 at 2:38 PM
Could argue (maybe wrongly, but still) not even 3rd best in his division.
3
molemaninthemorning Says:
June 4th, 2012 at 2:38 PM
Phillip Rivers of running backs.
4
Babar 2.0 Says:
June 4th, 2012 at 2:39 PM
He’s not even the best RB in his division now that Arian Foster is in the mix.
Maurice Jones-Drew too.
5
scripty Says:
June 4th, 2012 at 2:40 PM
< Trent Richardson
6
spencer096 Says:
June 4th, 2012 at 2:40 PM
Phillip Rivers of running backs.
wouldnt that be an RB on a great passing team that gets a bunch of meaningless rushing yards to burn out the clock in games already decided? kinda like how rivers’ gets his numbers via passing a lot from behind (pun?)?
in that case…i have no idea.
7
payaso Says:
June 4th, 2012 at 2:41 PM
And that’s why you hold out if you’re an elite NFL player. It could all be gone so fast.
8
njensen79 Says:
June 4th, 2012 at 2:41 PM
After last year’s contract debacle, this dude shouldn’t even be talking right now.
9
scripty Says:
June 4th, 2012 at 2:43 PM
Bedmark
10
GloriousMullet Says:
June 4th, 2012 at 2:43 PM
He’s not even the best RB in his division now that Arian Foster is in the mix
Hell, you could even argue that Ben Tate, even behind Arian, is a better back. I think he is.
11
Eric T0upal aka BrawnyTom Says:
June 4th, 2012 at 2:43 PM
How I will always remember Chris Johnson.
12
spencer096 Says:
June 4th, 2012 at 2:44 PM
Hell, you could even argue that Ben Tate, even behind Arian, is a better back. I think he is.
i wouldn’t go that far…tate’s a 2nd fiddle while CJ’s proven what he can do at full speed over the course of a full season. who knows what tate would do away from houston where he’s the big ticket…
13
molemaninthemorning Says:
June 4th, 2012 at 2:45 PM
wouldnt that be an RB on a great passing team that gets a bunch of meaningless rushing yards to burn out the clock in games already decided? kinda like how rivers’ gets his numbers via passing a lot from behind (pun?)?
in that case…i have no idea.
Moreso that his stats are just deceiving.
/does nothing all game because he’s a bitch and can’t run at scary big men
//breaks one huge run, is suddenly elite
14
sousedbergin Says:
June 4th, 2012 at 2:45 PM
After last year’s contract debacle
Not sure how $30 million guaranteed qualifies as a debacle.
15
spencer096 Says:
June 4th, 2012 at 2:45 PM
How I will always remember Chris Johnson.
the speed on the kick return at 0:37 is unreal.
16
irishmafia Says:
June 4th, 2012 at 2:46 PM
hoping this Doug Martin cat is the real deal….One Punch and him should be a good combo if Martin lives up to the hype
17
GloriousMullet Says:
June 4th, 2012 at 2:47 PM
who knows what tate would do away from houston where he’s the big ticket…
He was jam up while Arian was out for a few games last year….. ran very similar numbers.
18
Eric T0upal aka BrawnyTom Says:
June 4th, 2012 at 2:48 PM
hoping this Doug Martin cat is the real deal….One Punch and him should be a good combo if Martin lives up to the hype
Both will benefit having V-Jax taking the top off the defense, especially if they use Freeman right, and stop forcing the check down offense they had last year.
19
irishmafia Says:
June 4th, 2012 at 2:50 PM
good point my man Brawny, but Freeman needs to bounce back from his awful season
20
HuskerDawg Says:
June 4th, 2012 at 2:50 PM
How I will always remember Chris Johnson.
Good god. That dude is so fucking fast.
21
Nathan Wind Says:
June 4th, 2012 at 2:51 PM
“who knows what tate would do away from houston where he’s the big ticket…”
Funny coming from a Browns fan. B/C there was a good deal of talk before the draft that the Browns were talking to the Texans about the Browns’ first round pick (the one in the 20′s) for Ben Tate. Obviously, they decided to do what they did instead. I’m guessing the only way they’d have done the Tate trade was if they could get into that no. 2 spot and get their franchise QB.
22
spencer096 Says:
June 4th, 2012 at 2:51 PM
He was jam up while Arian was out for a few games last year….. ran very similar numbers.
that’s what im getting at…similar numbers are to be expected in an offense that’s proven what it can do for RB stats, behind a damn good OL with a potent passing game.
regardless, i haven’t seen anything from tate that makes me think he’d ever be able to go for 2,000 like CJ did. going forward? no idea, but if we’re only using recent history, i’ll take CJ who even in a “shitty” year still was an average starter who’s just a year removed from an epic season.
23
Eric T0upal aka BrawnyTom Says:
June 4th, 2012 at 2:51 PM
//breaks one huge run, is suddenly elite
He ran for 2,000 yards, with another 500 receiving. That’s what made him elite.
24
spencer096 Says:
June 4th, 2012 at 2:53 PM
Funny coming from a Browns fan. B/C there was a good deal of talk before the draft that the Browns were talking to the Texans about the Browns’ first round pick (the one in the 20′s) for Ben Tate. Obviously, they decided to do what they did instead. I’m guessing the only way they’d have done the Tate trade was if they could get into that no. 2 spot and get their franchise QB.
interesting…hadn’t heard those rumors either.
25
TheRealAC Says:
June 4th, 2012 at 2:53 PM
speaking of RB’s… just got a trent richardson autographed helmet.
/humblebrag
26
St. Bear Says:
June 4th, 2012 at 2:54 PM
And that’s why you hold out if you’re an elite NFL player. It could all be gone so fast.
I’m already stockpiling popcorn for the Darrelle Revis show this summer/fall.
27
spencer096 Says:
June 4th, 2012 at 2:54 PM
I’m already stockpiling popcorn for the Darrelle Revis show this summer/fall.
i hate sequels.
28
Eric T0upal aka BrawnyTom Says:
June 4th, 2012 at 2:56 PM
While I don’t think he’ll ever become the best RB in the league again, I think he has one more elite (Top 5) season left in him. ~ 1,800 total yards with 16 TD’s either this year or next.
29
St. Bear Says:
June 4th, 2012 at 2:56 PM
i hate sequels
You’re not one of those snobs that likes Rocky over all the others, are you?
30
HuskerDawg Says:
June 4th, 2012 at 2:56 PM
Both will benefit having V-Jax taking the top off the defense, especially if they use Freeman right, and stop forcing the check down offense they had last year.
It all hinges on Freeman for Tampa. If he rebounds this year, that team can win the division. Obviously NO is still the favorite, but I think Atlanta and Carolina are average personified.
31
T.E. Says:
June 4th, 2012 at 2:56 PM
I was watching some segment on him on NFL Network, and the whole crew referred to him as “CJ2K” the entire time. It was fucking infuriating.
32
njensen79 Says:
June 4th, 2012 at 2:57 PM
Not sure how $30 million guaranteed qualifies as a debacle.
Yeah I was going more towards his production after said 30 million arrived in his account.
33
spencer096 Says:
June 4th, 2012 at 2:58 PM
You’re not one of those snobs that likes Rocky over all the others, are you?
oh hell no…tho im not a fan of rocky III (thought II and IV were way better).
also, if i had a gun to my head, id probably take godfather II over the original.
34
GloriousMullet Says:
June 4th, 2012 at 2:59 PM
that’s what im getting at…similar numbers are to be expected in an offense that’s proven what it can do for RB stats, behind a damn good OL with a potent passing game.
regardless, i haven’t seen anything from tate that makes me think he’d ever be able to go for 2,000 like CJ did. going forward? no idea, but if we’re only using recent history, i’ll take CJ who even in a “shitty” year still was an average starter who’s just a year removed from an epic season.
I hate you
speaking of RB’s… just got a trent richardson autographed helmet.
/humblebrag
I hate you
35
njensen79 Says:
June 4th, 2012 at 2:59 PM
Funniest part about this whole thing is that he never was the best.
36
HuskerDawg Says:
June 4th, 2012 at 2:59 PM
Just saw some gameplay of Black Ops 2. Not gonna lie…it looked pretty badass.
37
HuskerDawg Says:
June 4th, 2012 at 3:00 PM
I hate you
You can’t just go to the local T-Town tailor and pick that up along with autographs from every other Bama player?
38
Eric T0upal aka BrawnyTom Says:
June 4th, 2012 at 3:01 PM
If he rebounds this year, that team can win the division
I think he rebounds, but i am a big fan of his and am probably biased. I felt a lot of his struggles were the OC dumbing down the offense for Blount and M. Williams who came in from the lockout out of shape and not exactly ready to hit the books. Schiano will clean up that offense and Freeman will flourish running off of play-action.
39
ohheelyeah Says:
June 4th, 2012 at 3:02 PM
As an ECU alum, I can remember being completely in awe of his speed. It’s one thing to see it on TV, but to see it up close, you knew that the second he got by the front 7 he was on his way to the endzone. I have never seen someone that fast on a football field in-person.
On a slightly more objective note, I think the word is out on how to stop him: contain the edges. If he has to take 25 rushes up the middle, he will be in for a long day. Now, do I think he has a 1500-2000 yard season still in him? Hell yeah. Just because you know how to stop him doesn’t mean you always will.
And to the haters talking about being scared of big guys or a stat deceiver: isn’t the idea NOT to get tackled and to run for as many yards as possible? As if there were a better formula for being an NFL runner?
40
St. Bear Says:
June 4th, 2012 at 3:02 PM
You can’t just go to the local T-Town tailor and pick that up along with autographs from every other Bama player?
I’m sorry, you must be thinking of Columbus, OH.
41
kaiserwilhelmreems Says:
June 4th, 2012 at 3:02 PM
Just saw some gameplay of Black Ops 2. Not gonna lie…it looked pretty badass.
play one and you play them all.
COD FPS is getting a bit long in the tooth.
42
irishmafia Says:
June 4th, 2012 at 3:02 PM
Funniest part about this whole thing is that he never was the best
2009?
43
johndewar Says:
June 4th, 2012 at 3:02 PM
While I don’t think he’ll ever become the best RB in the league again, I think he has one more elite (Top 5) season left in him. ~ 1,800 total yards with 16 TD’s either this year or next.
I think this is going to depend who the QB of that team is.
If they decide to trot Jake Locker out there, I’m not so sure.
44
cleet Says:
June 4th, 2012 at 3:03 PM
Just saw some gameplay of Black Ops 2. Not gonna lie…it looked pretty badass.
I’m so sick of the anti-COD crowd out there now. I will definitely be buying it when it comes out.
45
Eric T0upal aka BrawnyTom Says:
June 4th, 2012 at 3:04 PM
Funniest part about this whole thing is that he never was the best.
Bullshit! He was by far the best in 2009.
46
cleet Says:
June 4th, 2012 at 3:04 PM
There are little nuances in each one that make it slightly different and I think the game is perfect for casual gamers like me.
47
HuskerDawg Says:
June 4th, 2012 at 3:04 PM
play one and you play them all.
COD FPS is getting a bit long in the tooth.
Agree, though the online play is where it’s at, and at first I thought the futuristic arc would be a bad idea, but I suspect it will enhance the online gameplay 5 fold.
48
njensen79 Says:
June 4th, 2012 at 3:05 PM
2009?
One great year doesn’t make him the best. I am more of a full resume type guy.
49
ohheelyeah Says:
June 4th, 2012 at 3:06 PM
I’ll be honest, I love the weapons/game modes/kill streaks in the Infinity Ward titles, but MAN the gameplay is so much better in the Treyarch titles.
50
spencer096 Says:
June 4th, 2012 at 3:06 PM
I’ll be honest, I love the weapons/game modes/kill streaks in the Infinity Ward titles, but MAN the gameplay is so much better in the Treyarch titles.
yep.
and the maps in black ops were so much better than MW3′s it’s not a contest.
51
kaiserwilhelmreems Says:
June 4th, 2012 at 3:07 PM
Agree, though the online play is where it’s at, and at first I thought the futuristic arc would be a bad idea, but I suspect it will enhance the online gameplay 5 fold.
i hope so. I’ve been trending more towards 3rd person perspective games, FPS has been hard for me to get into for a while now.
52
ohheelyeah Says:
June 4th, 2012 at 3:09 PM
Yeah, forgot to give maps their fair credit.
My most favorite aspect of any of the COD titles: Running around Firing Range or Stadium with Marathon, Lightweight, Slight of Hand and a Stakeout shotgun. EASILY got a K/D of 5:1 and at least one set of attack dogs every round.
53
irishmafia Says:
June 4th, 2012 at 3:10 PM
One great year doesn’t make him the best. I am more of a full resume type guy.
back to your earlier comment, you said he was never the best….like Brawny and I pointed out, 2009 he sure was
54
molemaninthemorning Says:
June 4th, 2012 at 3:13 PM
CS:S > CoD
55
mizerle06 is sarah phillips Says:
June 4th, 2012 at 3:18 PM
MetalStorm > Tank Hero > CS:S > CoD
56
SouvenirCity Says:
June 4th, 2012 at 3:24 PM
Don’t. Pay. Running Backs. Franchise them until they are no longer useful then place them in a waste receptical.
57
Eric T0upal aka BrawnyTom Says:
June 4th, 2012 at 3:29 PM
Don’t. Pay. Running Backs. Franchise them until they are no longer useful then place them in a waste receptical.
Can’t wait to watch brittle Cutler throwing picks as teams drop 8 with no threat of a run game since Forte will be holding out because of the cold hearted Bears FO.
58
HuskerDawg Says:
June 4th, 2012 at 3:36 PM
MetalStorm > Tank Hero > CS:S > CoD
Grand Theft Auto >>> everything
59
spencer096 Says:
June 4th, 2012 at 3:37 PM
Don’t. Pay. Running Backs. Franchise them until they are no longer useful then place them in a waste receptical.
sounds like drafting super talented RB’s high isn’t a bad idea then, especially with the rookie caps.
60
HuskerDawg Says:
June 4th, 2012 at 3:41 PM
Don’t. Pay. Running Backs. Franchise them until they are no longer useful then place them in a waste receptical.
And this is why as a RB I would hold out, too. And I’d do it in my prime.
61
HuskerDawg Says:
June 4th, 2012 at 3:41 PM
sounds like drafting super talented RB’s high isn’t a bad idea then, especially with the rookie caps.
I think you may see more of this. The top back goes high because they can wear him out for 4 years before going forward.
62
spencer096 Says:
June 4th, 2012 at 3:42 PM
I think you may see more of this. The top back goes high because they can wear him out for 4 years before going forward.
exactly why i didn’t mind giving away a couple late draft picks to get richardson…even happier now that blackmon’s driving drunk again.
63
Eric T0upal aka BrawnyTom Says:
June 4th, 2012 at 3:48 PM
Specner, one other benefit is to a top pick on a RB is it comes with a 5th year (as opposed to 4 years fro back half 1st rounders). Makes fro easy cost control through the prime of Richardson’s career.
64
spencer096 Says:
June 4th, 2012 at 3:50 PM
oh yea…the tables have been turned on draft strategies.
wonder if we’ll ever see pass rushers get devalued like RB’s were. seems a stable of fresh rushers is better than an elite one surrounded by garbage.
65
angry Says:
June 4th, 2012 at 3:53 PM
Don’t. Pay. Running Backs. Franchise them until they are no longer useful then place them in a waste receptical.
So the Bears’ method.
Can’t wait to watch brittle Cutler throwing picks as teams drop 8 with no threat of a run game since Forte will be holding out because of the cold hearted Bears FO.
I love Forte, but I think the Bears are alright without him. He’s been a huge percentage of their offense, but they’re making changes to allow for more passing. Also, I think Michael Bush is a damn good for a backup.
66
Eric T0upal aka BrawnyTom Says:
June 4th, 2012 at 3:54 PM
I think Michael Bush is a damn good for a backup.
He is when he is healthy. Both games.
67
phillymantis915 Says:
June 4th, 2012 at 3:56 PM
Grand Theft Auto >>> everything
Sony is going to announce something big with GTA V tonight…book it. That and Assassins Creed 3.
68
Wide Word of Sport (?) Says:
September 24th, 2012 at 3:10 PM
Eric T0upal: Also, while its not a great offense, the Titan offense is good enough to allow Johnson to finish as a top 5 RB in fantasy.
As in won’t rush for 2,000 yards again? Quite the limb you are going out on.
Titan offense is good enough to allow Johnson to finish as a top 5 RB in fantasy.
WWoS: As in a top 5 RB again. If he’s top 5, it may be only because so many share time. I’m biased from watching him way too much the past few years, but I don’t think he creates offense on his own anymore. He needs great blocking and a good QB (a large amount of his offensive value is in the screen pass game) to be good now. I don’t think he touches 1500 yards again*.
Dunno if that quoted right… but I tried to warn y’all.
69
Wide Word of Sport (?) Says:
September 24th, 2012 at 3:12 PM
The best part was Mike Martz trying to be smart saying how much better CJ is with a lead blocker, after a ‘big’ (12 yard) run, followed by a replay showing great blocking to the right, and CJ just going the other way anyway, and just benefiting from overpursuit, not from ‘following’ his blockers.