Why in the hell did I not hear more about this guy before??? He ran a a legit electronic timed 4.24 40 yard dash at NFL Combine…ridiculous. I’m not a Titan’s fan…but the highlights I’ve seen of this season pretty much give him Rookie Of The Year(sorry Matt Ryan).
And this college highlight is ridiculous. It’s like he’s not even running hard and just “skates” around defenders…sick:
I like Steve Slaton better. He’s going to be an incredible back for the Texans. But yeah, Chris Johnson is pretty sick.
[quote]byukid wrote:
I like Steve Slaton better. He’s going to be an incredible back for the Texans. But yeah, Chris Johnson is pretty sick.[/quote]
Oh yeah…Slaton is going to be good. Felix Jones also if he stays healthy. People say that Adrian Peterson runs like Eric Dickerson…but IMO,he runs more like Walter Payton. Chris Johnson has that upright,sprinter type style like Dickerson.
But with the way the Titans are playing right now…its going to be hard to not give him ROTY. Realistically,Matt Ryan is right on his heels with bringing the Falcons back to contender status.
Just wanted to point out that most people that have elite track speed (and this is NOT the majority of the NFL) will give the illusion of running effortlessly because a huge part of elite sprint speed is the ability to relax the muscles quickly following a contraction. This will ultimately allow them to cycle their legs quicker.
Watch people that don’t have this ability and they look like they are straining. I always tell my high school football clients that they can’t “strain for speed”. You have to relax when you are running at top speed. Chris Johnson is a great example of effortless running. He’s just gliding around, as you pointed out. Fun to watch, even more fun to own in fantasy football…
Yeah, because TEN only got two nationally televised regular season games this year, only true NFL fans and fantasy folks have witnessed how well his talent has translated to the pro ranks.
Any other year and he’s the hands-down offensive ROY. But that’s going to Matty Ryan this season so maybe this guy stays undercover for awhile longer.
Here’s another clip. Granted it’s against DET but it’s clear how much faster he is than everyone else, even at the pro level.
He was pretty well known in Va. with EC being only down the road. The motto “speed kills” is the definition of this kid.
Yeah I picked him up in my fantasy league, and he’s brought me nothing but consistent, quality starts for much of the season.
Why didn’t you hear about him? Because he was drafted out of ECU. Not exactly a powerhouse program. You also must not have watched or read any combine coverage. Shame on you.
Also, 4.24 is awesome, but if he didn’t have the vision combined with COD ability and balance, the speed alone wouldn’t cut it in the NFL. It’s the combination that makes him so good.
Rookie of the Year? Probably not. There are too many other rookie backs having equally impressive seasons for teams that aren’t nearly as good, like Slaton with HOU and Forte with CHI. The success of those guys makes CJ’s season not stand out as much.
Also, the Titans were already a playoff team last year. Matt Ryan brought the Falcons back from laughing stock to playoff contention in his first season playing the game’s most difficult position. That is why he is going to run away with the award this year.
[quote]Steel Nation wrote:
Why didn’t you hear about him? Because he was drafted out of ECU. Not exactly a powerhouse program. You also must not have watched or read any combine coverage. Shame on you.
Also, 4.24 is awesome, but if he didn’t have the vision combined with COD ability and balance, the speed alone wouldn’t cut it in the NFL. It’s the combination that makes him so good.
Rookie of the Year? Probably not. There are too many other rookie backs having equally impressive seasons for teams that aren’t nearly as good, like Slaton with HOU and Forte with CHI. The success of those guys makes CJ’s season not stand out as much.
Also, the Titans were already a playoff team last year. Matt Ryan brought the Falcons back from laughing stock to playoff contention in his first season playing the game’s most difficult position. That is why he is going to run away with the award this year.[/quote]
Cool.
[quote]Affliction wrote:
Just wanted to point out that most people that have elite track speed (and this is NOT the majority of the NFL) will give the illusion of running effortlessly because a huge part of elite sprint speed is the ability to relax the muscles quickly following a contraction. This will ultimately allow them to cycle their legs quicker.
Watch people that don’t have this ability and they look like they are straining. I always tell my high school football clients that they can’t “strain for speed”. You have to relax when you are running at top speed. Chris Johnson is a great example of effortless running. He’s just gliding around, as you pointed out. Fun to watch, even more fun to own in fantasy football… [/quote]
This a hundred times over.
The best sprinters make it look effortless. I’m still trying to learn how to do it. I’ve realized I’m faster in pickup football than on the track because I’m concentrating LESS.
[quote]Beowolf wrote:
Affliction wrote:
Just wanted to point out that most people that have elite track speed (and this is NOT the majority of the NFL) will give the illusion of running effortlessly because a huge part of elite sprint speed is the ability to relax the muscles quickly following a contraction. This will ultimately allow them to cycle their legs quicker.
Watch people that don’t have this ability and they look like they are straining. I always tell my high school football clients that they can’t “strain for speed”. You have to relax when you are running at top speed. Chris Johnson is a great example of effortless running. He’s just gliding around, as you pointed out. Fun to watch, even more fun to own in fantasy football…
This a hundred times over.
The best sprinters make it look effortless. I’m still trying to learn how to do it. I’ve realized I’m faster in pickup football than on the track because I’m concentrating LESS.[/quote]
Hmmm, I wonder if there’s any literature out there talking about honing this technique
Hopefully you guys saw Chris Johnson’s TD run against PIT earlier today. I’m not sure what was more impressive: that smooth cut inside (Ike Taylor got his ankles broke on that) or his high stepping from the ten (cause he def saw that All-Pro safety closing in fast)
He is a good back, but i’m not sure how you have never heard of him. The Titans have been one of the more talked about NFL teams this year. Like others said, this year has been full of great rookie running backs.
The reason why Matt Ryan is the ROY is not only the leadership and good stats he has brought the team, but the ability to make a horrible team a playoff team. Without Ryan they aren’t a playoff team, without Johnson the Titans would still be in the playoffs. A great QB is a lot harder to find that a great RB. That plus a QB has a lot longer life in the NFL.
I go to ECU so I have gotten to see a lot of him. But I have to say this might be the best rookie class ever and if not then one of. There are two great QB, a slew of RBs (dont forget about Stewart, has 900+ yrd and 9 TD) Otta out of Pitt could have been a Pro-Bowl gard and I think will be. There are also a hand full of other rookie O-line men and players on D who dont get any shine but are playing really good
[quote]Himora22 wrote:
I go to ECU so I have gotten to see a lot of him. But I have to say this might be the best rookie class ever and if not then one of. There are two great QB, a slew of RBs (dont forget about Stewart, has 900+ yrd and 9 TD) Otta out of Pitt could have been a Pro-Bowl gard and I think will be. There are also a hand full of other rookie O-line men and players on D who dont get any shine but are playing really good[/quote]
Otah is playing RT for Carolina, but you’re right he has played very well.
Everyone knows how well Flacco, Ryan, Johnson, Stewart, Forte, and Slaton have done.
Others:
Jake Long - Just as steady as predicted. Poor man’s Joe Thomas.
Ryan Clady - Solid on the left for Denver.
Sam Baker - Everyone thought this was a reach. Maybe, but Baker has played very well protecting Matt Ryan’s blind side.
Branden Albert - Solid pick by KC.
Felix Jones - Will be special if he can stay healthy.
DeSean Jackson - Has maturity issues but the talent is there.
Ray Rice - Was making valuable contribution to Ravens before injury.
LeRon McClain - Joe Flacco’s new battering ram. Making Willis McGahee look really expendable this offseason.
Jerod Mayo - Leading NE in tackles. Revitalizing aging D.
Keith Rivers - Lone bright spot on horrible Bungles D before Hines Ward introduced him to pureed food: - YouTube
I’m sure I’m missing some, but yeah this is a great rookie class. Too bad the Steelers got the ass end of it. Mendenhall didn’t do anything before Ray Lewis wrecked his shit, and Limas Sweed is fucking horrible. Our 6th and 7th rounders have been light years better than our 1 and 2. That’s not good.
Steelers didn’t do as bad as the Chargers. The Chargers traded next years 2nd round pick to draft RB/FB Jacob Hester who hasn’t done shit this year. With all the great RBs in the draft that had to have been the worst one.
[quote]strungoutboy21 wrote:
Steelers didn’t do as bad as the Chargers. The Chargers traded next years 2nd round pick to draft RB/FB Jacob Hester who hasn’t done shit this year. With all the great RBs in the draft that had to have been the worst one.[/quote]
Antoine Cason has come up huge for us though
[quote]Steel Nation wrote:
Otah is playing RT for Carolina, but you’re right he has played very well.
[/quote]
LoL. See, I proved my own point. I spelled his name wrong (what else is new) and changed his position. The O-line gets no respect at all.
[quote]Ballin4Christ32 wrote:
strungoutboy21 wrote:
Steelers didn’t do as bad as the Chargers. The Chargers traded next years 2nd round pick to draft RB/FB Jacob Hester who hasn’t done shit this year. With all the great RBs in the draft that had to have been the worst one.
Antoine Cason has come up huge for us though[/quote]
He’s been good for a CB who plays in a lot of nickel situations. I guess i’m still upset that Lo Neal is gone and they drafted Hester.
[quote]strungoutboy21 wrote:
He’s been good for a CB who plays in a lot of nickel situations. I guess i’m still upset that Lo Neal is gone …[/quote]
And he’s much appreciated in his new home. 