Chris Johnson Fantasy News

Haley talks about Cheif RBs Charles and Jones
Thursday, June 3, 2010, 8:24pm

Kansas City coach Todd Haley spoke at the NFL owners meeting Tuesday.

He covered a lot of ground, centering on the team’s changes this offseason. Here is some of what Haley had to say about RBs Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones:

“In this day and age, it's a concern for everybody regardless of who it is because those guys talk a severe beating. If you don't have another quality back that you feel like if something happens to one or the other, there's a marked dropoff, then you're probably not doing yourself justice. I wouldn't say it's about Jamaal so much as it's about the way of the league right now. You need two quality backs.”

“I don't want to set a role for Thomas. Thomas first of all came in and really blew us all away just with his attitude and his commitment and love for the game and desire to keep playing and playing at a high level and to be part of something special. That was something big on his list. He had been a couple of different places where it turned around and he liked that feeling. He wanted to be a part of it here. We're all just really excited to get him on to the team and get him in the building. I know he's excited about getting going. I'm a big believer in letting these guys play and compete and that was a big part of getting Thomas in here was to bring the level of competition to what maybe we didn't have.”

Monday, May 31, 2010, 9:10am

From all accounts, Vince Young is having the kind of offseason the Tennessee Titans expect.

He's leading by actions and by words. He's putting in extra work. He's handling everything the coaches have given him.

"All of that work, everything that he's doing, is going to allow us to do more," Coach Jeff Fisher said. "... That's why his commitment thus far has been good."

Baltimore Ravens Ray Rice Having Stellar Offseason
Friday, May 28, 2010, 10:25am

Ray Rice accelerated into the end zone and didn't break stride until he left the ground, leaping into the air to dunk the football over the crossbar.

The Baltimore Ravens' star running back wasn't acting like it was a routine passing camp or like someone who recently had his wisdom teeth removed.

"It's all about having fun," Rice said. "You've got to have some spunk in practice. This is what it's all about. This is where my season was made last year, in minicamps, being here in the offseason. It's definitely been beneficial."

Last season, Rice used the offseason to emerge as a Pro Bowl runner as he developed into one of the top all-purpose threats in the game.

Rice rushed for 1,339 yards and caught 78 passes, piling up 2,104 yards from scrimmage to rank second in the NFL behind Tennessee Titans runner Chris Johnson.

Now, Rice is making a push for another big season. He's been in Baltimore ever since the season ended, reporting at a solid 210 pounds.

Thursday, May 27, 2010, 12:34pm

At One Nova-Care Way in Philly, wide receiver DeSean Jackson is in pretty much the same boat as Titans RB Chris Johnson. Like Johnson, the 2008 second-round pick clearly has outplayed his 4-year, $3.47 million rookie contract and is looking for an extension. Even hired The Extension King, Drew Rosenhaus, late last year, to help him.

But Jackson is facing the same difficult uncapped-year roadblock as Johnson: the 30 percent rule, which limits the year-to-year salary increases a player can receive in an extension.

While Jackson and Johnson are in the same boat, the two players have chosen two very different ways to deal with their current dilemmas. Jackson has dealt with his situation much more maturely. Just 2 years after falling into the middle of the second round of the draft because of character and work-ethic questions, the Pro Bowl wide receiver is rapidly developing into one of the locker-room leaders of a young Eagles team that has just one non-kicker over the age of 29 on its roster.

Maurice Jones-Drew Has A Better View
Sunday, May 23, 2010, 11:22am

Jacksonville running back Maurice Jones-Drew has established himself as one of the best players in the NFL at his position. And he's done it without the benefit of perfect eyesight. Jones-Drew was nearsighted, but has had offseason Lasik surgery and is seeing things more clearly than he did before.

“It was 70-40 before and now it’s 15-20,” Jones-Drew said. “I didn’t wear contacts. I was just out there playing off instincts. Blurry. You get used to it. I was nearsighted. So I could see up close, I just couldn’t see on those long passes.”

“It’s a huge difference," he added. "Now, I can see the laces. You can see them coming at you from 20, 30, 40 feet away.”

Andre Johnson misses OTA over contract
Monday, May 17, 2010, 2:12pm

Texan WR Andre Johnson missed the first OTA because he's unhappy with his contract that has five years left, according to John McClain.

Fisher Not Wild About Scaife's Absence
Saturday, May 15, 2010, 11:18am

Tennessee tight end Bo Scaife, like his teammate Chris Johnson, is staying away from voluntary workouts despite the fact he's under contract. Titans coach Jeff Fisher seems to think Scaife should be in Nashville.

“Bo must have reasons for it,” Fisher said. “He was compensated pretty well last year and he’s going to be compensated pretty well this year. I think we’ve treated Bo pretty well.”

Chris Johnson Staying In Shape
Saturday, May 15, 2010, 10:32am

Chris Johnson may be staying away from Nashville as he awaits a new contract, but that's not stopping him from staying in shape. Titans wide receiver Nate Washington conducted a football camp recently in Toledo, Ohio, where Johnson was among the guests and assured his teammate that his Florida workout sessions are paying off.

"I asked him if he put on a little weight — no gut, no, no — I'm talking thicker, stronger looking," Washington said. "He assured me, 'Big bro, I am working.' And I said you don't have to tell me that, I know. He looks great, really.''

RB Chris Johnson, TE Bo Scaife still no shows
Thursday, May 13, 2010, 2:34pm

Coach Jeff Fisher said he thinks RB Chris Johnson would like to be in Nashville working out with his teammates. The same goes for TE Bo Scaife.

“I think they are not here because of the advice they’ve been given," Fisher said. "And they’d like to be here, it's just the situation they are in.

“There is always going to be a day where there’s a wedding or there’s a graduation but when guys decide not to come in because of their contract that is a different matter and I’m not going to dwell on it,’’ Fisher said. “But these things work themselves out. I am sure that (Johnson) is working and that he is not planning on sitting out the season. I am sure he’ll come in pretty soon."

Johnson wants a new contract. Scaife has signed his $4.9 million tender but wants a long-term contract.

Vince Young Aims To Improve His Aim
Sunday, May 9, 2010, 7:43pm

Vince Young had a career revival in 2009, but he still wants to get better. His goal is to improve his passing when he heads to his left.

"Sometimes I let my hips open up too much and I kind of fling the ball instead of being more balanced and having a good base and good frame in making a better throw to the left,'' Young said. "So that is one of the main things I am working on, keeping the ball higher and not getting too relaxed. It's part of trying to be a complete quarterback.''

Titans count heavily on RB Javon Ringer
Sunday, May 2, 2010, 12:23pm

Titans RB Javon Ringer, a fifth-round pick last year, was the only running backon the field as the Titans practiced twice last week.

With LenDale White traded to the Seahawks, and Chris Johnson training in Florida, the second year RB Javon Ringer knows an opportunity when he sees one. "A lot of things have gone through my mind,'' he said. "During the draft, when LenDale did get traded, my first thought for him was, 'Best luck to LenDale.' And then I pretty much knew C.J. wasn't going to be around, so I knew I was going to be the main running back here.

"My whole mind-set was to make sure I know my assignments and make sure when I am out there I know what I am doing. I just want to make sure people feel comfortable with me in there, and make sure our offense didn't miss a beat.''

When the Titans return to the field in mid-May, undrafted rookies LeGarrette Blount and Stafon Johnson will be there.

Ringer has the edge. Michigan State's second all-time leading rusher put together an impressive training camp last year but was slowed by a back injury and got only eight carries during the season.

Thursday, April 29, 2010, 5:38pm

No one with the Titans seems too concerned about running back Chris Johnson's absence so far this offseason. His teammates have his back and it’s clear Coach Jeff Fisher is being careful not to ruffle the feathers of his best player.

“He is under contact, and I am concerned about the players that are here, not the ones that are not,’’ Fisher said Thursday. “I would love for everybody to be here. I don’t think you can substitute outside the building the workload that we get done here. It is obvious and has been documented over the years but there’s always exceptions and I hope that C.J. is taking good care of himself while he is not here.’’

Chris Johnson misses Titans first offseason practice
Tuesday, April 27, 2010, 5:19pm

Running back Chris Johnson was absent as the Titans held their first practice of the offseason on Tuesday, according to sources familiar with the situation.

Johnson wants a new contract and in January told The Tennessean he’d like to be the highest paid offensive player in the NFL.

Among those also absent from Tuesday's OTA: tight end Bo Scaife and linebacker Stephen Tulloch. Scaife signed his $4.9 million tender in March but hasn't reported to the offseason program while Tulloch, a restricted free agent, remains unsigned.

Sunday, April 25, 2010, 10:53am

LenDale White's exit leaves Javon Ringer, a fifth-round pick last year, as the backup to Titans RB Chris Johnson.

CJ Spiller to the Bills at #9
Thursday, April 22, 2010, 8:37pm

The Bills have used the 9th overall pick on RB C.J. Spiller. Spiller is considered the most explosive back in the draft, drawing comparisons to Chris Johnson. Expect this to signal the end of Marshawn Lynch's time in Buffalo. Unfortunately for the Bills, they still lack a legitimate starting QB and #1 WR.