Since rushing for an astonishing 2,006 yards during the 2009 season, Chris Johnson has come back to earth. His numbers have still been solid — especially with how pass-heavy the league has become — and he’s eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark in each of his four NFL seasons. However, Johnson was clearly the best back in the league in 2009. Since then, many would argue that he has tumbled from the top. In Johnson’s mind, he hasn’t.
“I know it is one of those ‘What have you done for me lately?’ situations,” Johnson said according to the Tennessean. “People are not going to look at me as the No. 1 running back in the league. There are people out there who aren’t going to give me the respect I deserve. But at the end of the day it doesn’t matter what anybody else thinks.
“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.”
From a talent standpoint, that may be the case. Johnson seemed uninspired last season after signing his $53.5 million extension. As overall backs, I think most teams in the league would take Ray Rice, LeSean McCoy, Arian Foster, or Maurice Jones-Drew over Johnson at the moment — especially when taking attitude into account. That being said, Johnson can easily prove he is still the best back in the league if he gives 100% effort over the course of a 16-game season. Titans fans are certainly hoping that will be the case.
H/T Pro Football Talk
Photo credit: Brett Davis-US PRESSWIRE
