Chris Johnson at one point, what seems like an eternity of years ago, was a top level running back in the NFL. He broke away in 2009 rushing for an astounding 2,006 yards on the ground, 5th highest in NFL history. It seemed he was ready to become the next great one for the archives of football history. Add in his 503 YDs receiving and he was responsible for 2509 total yards and 16 total TDs on the season, while the Tennessee Titans were middling, yet again, with an 8-8 record and 3rd in the powerful AFC South.

But, then came along the last few complicated seasons, where Chris Johnson has become a dissimilar back than he was in every sense of the word. Using his field vision and his sudden fast feet and quick cuts to dip and dodge defenders to break off into huge runs all over the field, in 2009 and 2010 combined, he had 35 runs of greater than 20 YDS. Since, over the last 2 seasons, he only has 11. What happened to CJ28?

Confidence is beginning to crumble to the ground, between his own talent as well as his teammates concern as well. Above all, after his contract issues he had last season, the year following, where he ran for 1364 YDs and 11 TDs, he signed a monster deal worth 56 million dollars for 6 years and 30 million guaranteed the highest RB paycheck in the NFL. Suddenly it looks like the Titans would have been better putting the funds in another place. Since signing the contract and getting paid massively, he has not earned the cash.

His yards/carry average has considerably dropped from 5.6/ carry in 2009 all the way down to a paltry 3.8/carry over the last 18 games. He has put on weight, playing at a reported 10-15 lbs heavier than he had in the past; it could have something to do with his lack of instant ignition off the handoff. Granted it makes him sturdier and tougher to bring down, but I question if it’s slowing down his progress off the ball. Johnson was never built to be a pounding back like Peterson or MJD, he was built for speed, uncover a hole, and sprint through. It’s not happening any longer.

To put things in some perception, in 2011, he was outrushed by Shonn Greene, Reggie Bush, and was tied with Beanie Wells, all RBs who do not hold anywhere near the clout that Chris Johnson once held. And plainly do not make the major cash that CJ28 is making.

He plays in a division that is stacked with some excellent running backs, with Arian Foster and Maurice Jones Drew. Both backs who have been way better than Johnson over last several seasons. He is no longer the dynamic yard gainer that he once was. His consistency has long since departed, as is his spot as a top 3 back anymore.

Personally, I would put him at around the top 12 area of RBs in the league. If this trend continues, which I imagine it will, Javon Ringer, when healthy, could test Chris Johnson for more of the workload for the Titans, as well as the bruising Jamie Harper, and then the Titans can have the highest paid RB2 on their roster.

Written by Mike Anthony of VegasTopDogs.com