You can’ t lose with either NFL running back, but if you had a choice would you choose Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings or Chris Johnson of the Tennessee Titans?
It's way better than your AVERAGE sports blog!
By Samuel Ingro
Senior Writer
In the latest comment in a string of NFL offseason arrogance, Chris Johnson of the Tennessee Titans, recently took to Twitter to address his critics.
“Can these fake Titan fans STFU (shut the [expletive] up) on my timeline I don’t have a regular job so don’t compare me to you and I can care less if uthink I’m greedy.”
A regular job is certainly something that Johnson does not have. Each day, he lives out a dream that fans would give their left arm to achieve, a fact that he takes for granted. Walt Disney once proclaimed that “if you can dream it, you can do it.” While that thought is comforting, let’s face it, not everyone was born with the physical tools to be a running back in the National Football League.
Johnson has since backpedaled on his statement, claiming it was mis-interpreted, but the funny part is that he still does not understand why fans were enraged in the first place. It’s not that he called the fans who were concerned, fake. It’s the growing sense of entitlement and greed from athletes while the United States is in a down economy.
The Bottom Line:
While most blue-collared hard-working men and women struggle to make ends meet from paycheck to paycheck, Johnson had been in negotiations to make an astronomical sum of money–to play football. While a lot of fans would pay money just to take a hand-off from an NFL quarterback on LP Field, Johnson gets to do this while making an exorbitant sum of money per year, a number that the vast majority of the population will not even see in their lifetime.
It may not help that this comes on the heels of the NFL lockout, a feud between the owners and players to divide up a $9 billion dollar pie, which was made possible by the continued dedication of NFL fans each year to the sport.
Regardless of how broke and out of work the population gets, each season fans suit up in their $80 favorite team jersey, their $20 team hat, their $40 team sweatpants, buy their $60 game ticket, pay $20 to park and proceed to watch their favorite athletes compete on the field. Fans do not do this for players like Johnson to make $13 million dollars a season, but it is an inadvertent byproduct of it.
For many people, “Football Sunday” is the highlight of their week. The day that concludes the 40-60 hour work week that countless workers have to break their backs doing, just to take care of their families. Depriving Titans and NFL fans alike, of watching Johnson suit up and pound the football into the opposing defensive line this season is just a selfish slap in the face to the fans that support him.
Does Johnson deserve to be paid as a top running back in the league? Of course. Does he deserve to holdout the season and demand to be one of the highest paid in the league? Maybe. But does any athlete really deserve multi-million dollars per season?
In the words of the ESPN football crew: “C’mon man!”
Follow National Football Authority on Twitter: @NFAuthority & @IngroNFAuth
For more NFL coverage, follow @NFA_NFL
And don’t forget to like us on Facebook too!

After Larry Fitzgerald signed a eight-year, $120 million mega-deal, Tennessee Titans’ running back Chris Johnson is not too pleased. This may want to continue to star’s holdout.
Rumors have come up of a possible trade for Johnson, but the Titans are denying the case. He hasn’t asked for a trade, but if he ever does, coach Mike Munchak says the organization will definitely say no to the situation.
“We would figure he’s under contract for two years, he’s going to be a Titan and we would hope a longer term than that,” Munchak told the Associated Press. “But I don’t think that’s anything we would even give any consideration to. He’s with us one way or another, and hopefully it ends up being on the field.”
Johnson had another strong year, rushing for 1,364 yards with eleven touchdowns and a 4.3 yards-per-carry average. He made his big break after rushing for over 2,000 yards in 2009.
Johnson and his agent, Joel Segal, have met with the team’s general manager Mike Reinfeldt twice. Johnson had a tweet that had people buzzing, saying “I’ll give everyone update when the time is right.”
Tom Brady and Peyton are already the highest-paid at quarterback and Fitzgerald is at wide receiver. Johnson may be next for running backs, as the Titans have said they plan to make CJ the highest-paid back in league history. Johnson reportedly wants over $13 million per year with about $35 million guaranteed.
But the deal needs to get done quick as the season-opener starts on September 11. Javon Ringer may have to do some duty, but has missed some pre-season time. However, he could be available for the last game in the pre-season on the first day of the new month. Tennessee also has draft-pick, Jamie Harper, who could do some carries if a deal doesn’t get done in time.
Tennessee has also considered getting a running back from free agency who has gotten some experience. Clinton Portis has been an option as they look to add a veteran back.
Whatever happens, Tennessee is preparing for the worst.
“It’s something where you’re always being aware of what’s out there in case this would grow into an uglier situation than we’d hoped,” Munchak said.
The Titans are really hoping their star will be ready to go against the Jaguars on the 11th.
TENNESSEE—Chris Johnson will most probably set there, laughing. Laughing at what the folks have seen saying of him that his production could drop. Just recently, Minnesota Vikings’ star running back Adrian Peterson was making negative comments about the league-leading 2,000-yard rusher of last season for the Tennessee Titans. Peterson would say he is better than Johnson although he has a much bigger problem than Johnson which ruins his status as the number one running back in the league currently: fumbling. However, he said what he said.
“You’ve got to understand you’re talking to a guy … that’s just the mentality that I have,” Peterson said, as transcribed by Judd Zulgad of the Star Tribune. “I have ultimate respect for the guy and he’s a heck of a player. I remember at one point and time me talking on the phone to Chris Johnson. He was telling me, ‘I’m just a big fan of yours. I like your style.’ Some (of the) advice that I gave him was, ‘I play this game to be the best player ever to play the game. That’s my mentality.’”
Peterson said he is the best in the league. Not Johnson, as many people would think currently.
“If you want to be the best running back then you’ve got to believe it before you can accomplish that,” Peterson said. “My mentality doesn’t change. I wish everyone the best that they succeed. But ultimately I play this game to be the best and I’m going to work my tail off to accomplish that goal.”
Peterson is not only one of the many doubters and naysayers of Johnson. Many question if he can be able to put this type of production on for the next five years or so. They don’t think he can keep that type of production for this upcoming season, which begins just this week. But he is probably laughing. He will prove them wrong.
Chris Johnson had to make something of himself that hard way. He played excellent in the high school level of football, many questioned if he can apply that to the NCAA, since many of the teams he faced were just absolute garbage to say at the least. The best he could get was a place called East Carolina University. There, Johnson shined, but many didn’t notice. Again, people questioned his ability since the teams ECU faced were not that good and elite as many of the other colleges out there in NCAA football. It was all just a waste, then.
But Johnson didn’t give up. His last chance to prove himself was at the NFL Scouting Combine held in Indianapolis, Indiana. Johnson made his mark and helped his status in the NFL Draft, running a 4.24 in the 40-yard-dash. That timing was the fastest they saw at the Combine that year. From there, he would get drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the early 20′s of the Draft.
It was not a happy pick by many of the Titans’ fans. They were actually pretty stubborn and very unhappy with the selection the Titans made. With LenDale White already there, it just seemed like no use of having Johnson since he also came off a 1,000-yard rushing year. Johnson also seemed like one of those speedy backs who couldn’t take a hit. But he would prove the naysayers wrong.
Johnson would go on for a fabulous year and getting honored for it. He would rush for 1,228 yards along with nine touchdowns. He would gain about five yards per carry. He would also create a solid one-two punch with LenDale White, otherwise known as Smash-and-Dash. But Johnson was easily outperforming White, and the next year, it was Chris Johnson’s moment to steal the show on the stage.
2009 would be a huge feat for any sophomore player, sophomore running back, and many many many running backs in NFL history in general. He would rush for 2,006 yards with 14 touchdowns along with 5.6 yards per carry. He was rolling and was becoming a savior and a so-called God or Messiah to many fantasy football owners. Johnson was the man.
Now entering a new year with the Titans, Johnson is out to prove the naysayers wrong again. He probably hears the same thing everyday: Will his production slip? Experts would say just a little bit or maybe very low in the 1,400 yards range or something like that. All-in-all, many don’t think he will at the top of his game like he was last year. They say it just seems impossible for him top out what he did in 2009.
He has been receiving praise, however. Much praise. But they are still many people doubting his ability, like Adrian Peterson. Many analysts and experts claim other running backs are still better as names like Adrian Peterson come out and even Frank Gore. Peterson even claimed he was better in the following quotes said to the Star-Tribune, which was seen earlier in this column. But what is on Chris Johnson’s mind?
“The goal is 2,500 so I am going to stick to that. I feel like it is very realistic. People didn’t think 2,000 was realistic when I set the goal last year and I made a lot of people believers, so I am going to stick to that,” he told the Tennessean.
He also told this to the Sporting News, “I made a decision to change my nickname to Every Coach’s Dream. I feel like I’m the best player in the NFL. What more can a coach want from the position? You’ve still got people debating — is it Chris Johnson or Adrian Peterson? No way possible there should be a debate about who’s the best running back in the NFL.”
SBnation.com claimed that Johnson had swagger. And indeed he does. Johnson said after this year, he will fully put himself as the number one back in the league. And I don’t doubt that. For opposing teams and defenses going against CJ, they better watch out. Johnson is bigger, better, faster, stronger, and he is ready to show that he is truly the number one back.
With his golden smile, his dreadlocks swaying in the air, and another six points on the board, Johnson is ready to commit.
Commit to excellence.


Written by Isaac Barrow
10. Tennessee Titans: I don’t think you can say enough about the job Jeff Fisher has done in his tenure as head coach of the Tennessee Titans. He took over in 1995, and since then the team has gone 128-102. In my opinion, he is just a title away from greatness.
The Vince Young saga was an absolute disgrace, but you could tell part of the run the Titans made last year was Jeff Fisher coaching. In his years, the Titans have been in contention pretty consistently, and have won 10 games six times, which is remarkable considering this is indeed the NFL, where the word “consistency” loses its meaning.
That’s why teams who you can bet contend every year like the Pats, Steelers, and Colts are so unique.
And you know they draft well. The Titans have pulled off some magical draft picks. Drafting Chris Johnson and Michael Griffin back to back was nothing short of miraculous. Johnson was fantastic as a rookie, and Griffin is one of the best safeties in the NFL, and was a ballhawk last year.
Pacman Jones and Vince Young were terrible picks, but the Titans also have picked Michael Roos, who is one of the best left tackles in the NFL, DT Albert Haynesworth (2002, first round), Keith Bulluck (2000, first round), Jevon Kearse (1999, first round), Samari Rolle (1998, second round), and even the late Steve McNair (1995, first round).
Let’s not forget Derrick Mason, who was drafted by Tennessee in the fourth round in 1997 and is one of the most productive receivers in the game.
9. San Diego Chargers: People underrate the job the Chargers have done over the years, but they really shouldn’t.
Yes, they did draft Ryan Leaf. But over the last 10 years, they have done a tremendous job and appear to have the AFC West locked up for many years to come.
In 2001, they laid the foundation, drafting both QB Drew Brees (Purdue) and RB LaDainian Tomlinson (TCU) back to back. They continued to pull off good drafts and do to this day, selecting Quentin Jammer and Ben Leber early in 2002, Drayton Florence and Mike Scifres in 2003, and 2004 was a gem of a draft class.
They took Eli Manning, which translated to Rivers, and also took Igor Olshansky, who was a good DT until leaving last offseason.
They also got Nate Kaeding, Nick Hardwick, Shaun Phillips, and Ryan Bingham. I think it’s one of the more underrated draft classes in the last decade. And who can forget the last four years, when they have gotten countless good football players, including Shawne Merriman, Luis Castillo, Vincent Jackson, Antonio Cromartie, Marcus McNeill, and even Eric Weddle?
Since 2004, the “Bolts” are 54-26, and while some of that can be attributed to the weak division they play in, a lot is also a credit to the class of that organization.
8. Dallas Cowboys: The five Super Bowls speak for themselves.
True, the Dallas Cowboys haven’t won a playoff game since 1996, but that’s not to say they aren’t a great organization. In fact, during that period, they are 105-103, and in the last five years, are 46-34.
I don’t see this drought lasting too much longer. They have the pieces in place. They have a quarterback, a dangerous run game, a scary offensive line, and a solid defense. They have what it takes. Jerry Jones is a fantastic owner, and not so much as a GM, but I like what I see in this Cowboys organization. People still heckle Jones as a GM for trading draft picks for Roy Williams, but they are still good drafters.
In the last few years, they have made some good decisions in the draft room. Felix Jones was great as a rookie until he was hurt, and Tashard Choice really came on as the year progressed.
The 2005 draft was underrated for the Boys. They took DeMarcus Ware first, who, in four years, has 53-1/2 sacks. Let’s not forget Kevin Burnett, Marion Barber, Chris Canty, and Jay Ratliff. And in 2003, they took Jason Witten, Terrence Newman, and Bradie James. Say what you will about the Roy Williams trade and the $1.15 billion stadium. This team wins—and the right way, at that.
7. Green Bay Packers: The days of Brett Favre are long gone, and if I’m a Packers fan, I’m not too sad about it. They have a brilliant organization.
Since 2001, they are 75-53, and while that has a lot to do with Brett Favre’s presence, they have the looks of a great team now. Aaron Rodgers is an elite quarterback, and proved that last year. Ted Thompson and the Packers definitely handled that situation perfectly, opting for the future in Rodgers.
It’s very hard to evaluate drafts so prematurely, but it’s pretty obvious the 2009 Packers draft class was a good one, as they got two solid prospects in the first round. Not only did they get that, they added to their defense—something they needed to do.
You can’t question the drafting. James Jones, Aaron Rouse, and Mason Crosby figure to play prominent roles in the future and both Rouse and Crosby were starters last year. Throughout the last few years, they have been inconsistent. But you can’t criticize what they get when they’re on.
Since 2001, they’ve gotten some good players like Javon Walker, Najeh Davenport, Nick Barnett, Nick Collins, Brady Poppinga, A.J. Hawk, and even Jermichael Finley, who has truly emerged during the preseason. Let’s not forget Greg Jennings, drafting Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila in the 2000 draft in the fifth round, and finding a diamond in the rough in 1999 when they picked Donald Driver in round seven.
6. Baltimore Ravens: Most great NFL players don’t make great front office executives, but Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome is a rare exception.
For 13 years, he was a great tight end for the Cleveland Browns, catching 662 passes for 7,980 yards and 47 touchdowns. His average season consisted of 51 catches, 614 yards, and four touchdowns.
In 1999, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. In 1996, when the Browns moved to Baltimore, he became the general manager of the Baltimore Ravens, and his first draft picks rate as one of the best draft classes in NFL history, as he took both Jonathan Ogden and Ray Lewis in the first round.
In franchise history, the Ravens are 107-100-1, with one Super Bowl victory. Like every team, the Ravens are off from time to time, but always regroup with drafting. They have taken Ray Lewis, Jonathan Ogden, Terrell Suggs, Peter Boulware, Chris McAlister, Todd Heap, Haloti Ngata, Sam Koch, and of course, Ed Reed. Not a bad core of players in just 13 years of franchise existence.
The Ravens always draft well, and more recently, found their franchise quarterback when they selected Joe Flacco in 2008. This franchise has a bright future—and present.
5. Indianapolis Colts: The Colts changed the direction of the franchise in the 1998 draft. They had a choice to make. They could either take Washington State quarterback Ryan Leaf, who threw for 3,637 yards, 33 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions as a senior at Washington State, or they could take Peyton Manning, who threw for 3,819 yards, 36 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions for the Tennessee Vols.
They decided to take Manning, who in 12 years with Indy, has 9 Pro Bowls, 3 MVPs, and one Super Bowl ring.
On the other hand, Leaf is considered the biggest bust in NFL history, as he threw 14 touchdowns and 35 interceptions and is currently in jail. Good decision, Indy.
But it’s not just this. Over the last decade or so, the Colts have done a good job in pretty much every draft, as they have taken some very good players like Joseph Addai, Anthony Gonzalez, Antoine Bethea, Kelvin Hayden, Bob Sanders, Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark, Cato June, Dwight Freeney, Ryan Diem, and of course, Jeff Saturday.
Since 2000, when Peyton really got settled in, the Colts are ridiculously consistent, with a 101-43 record, good for an almost unbelievable .701 winning percentage. You have to respect the way the organization does things.
4. New York Giants: Another underrated organization. The Giants are excellent drafters, handle cap well, and are a very-well respected team throughout the NFL.
Of course, we all remember the Eli Manning-for-Philip Rivers swap during the 2004 draft, and it’s debatable who got the edge there. Eli has won a ring, but individually, Rivers has clearly had the superior career. That 2007 magical run the Giants had was fun to watch.
They beat some teams many thought of as clearly superior, like the 18-0 Patriots, along with Brett Favre’s Packers, who won 13 games that year. Eli grew up during the playoffs, making much smarter decisions.
The Giants definitely draft well. They go by the “best player available” philosophy, which most smart teams use. And since 2000, the results speak for themselves. In 2000, they added Cornelius Griffin and Dhani Jones, both guys who panned out, just not with New York.
In 2001, they added Jeremy Shockey, who was certainly a good tight end there from 2001 to 2007. They even got Osi Umenyiora, David Diehl, and William Joseph the next year, certainly an impressive draft. Others since 2002 include Chris Snee, Eli Manning, Justin Tuck, Brandon Jacobs, Mathias Kiwanuka, Aaron Ross, Jay Alford, and Kevin Boss.
3. Philadelphia Eagles: The way Joe Banner, Jeffrey Lurie, and the Philadelphia Eagles handle cap astonishes me. They are able to sign big name guys every offseason like Jason Peters, Asante Samuel, and Stacey Andrews, but still have plenty of cap room to make sure their core of players stay happy.
And nobody can question the way they draft. For every bust like Jerome McDougle (1st round, 2003), there’s a Donovan McNabb, Shawn Andrews, Mike Patterson, Brian Dawkins, Brian Westbrook, DeSean Jackson, Tra Thomas, Trent Cole, or a Stewart Bradley.
Every owner likes comfort. They like to have stability at both head coach and quarterback. They want to have guys they feel can produce year in and year out, but can also do it for a while. The Eagles have gotten that in Andy Reid and Donovan McNabb.
Reid has been head coach for ten years and has a 97-62-1 record, and in my opinion, is just a Super Bowl victory away from Hall of Fame consideration. McNabb is also that. He’s been an Eagle for 10 years, and the numbers speak for themselves: 29,320 passing yards, 194 touchdowns, 90 interceptions, 3,109 rushing yards and 26 rushing TDs, along with an 82-45-1 starter’s record. Need I say more?
2. Pittsburgh Steelers: It’s easy to hate the Steelers. However, I can’t do it.
They have the six Super Bowl rings, had a dynasty during the 1970′s, and have two Super Bowls in the last five seasons. But they win the right way. They are a class organization. They draft brilliantly, chase guys who can play, but also have character, and have respectful players and coaches.
You can hate them, but you almost have to have respect for them. In the 1974 draft, they got John Stallworth, Mike Webster, Lynn Swann, and Jack Lambert—four Hall of Famers in a single draft.
They haven’t had a draft so impressive since, but they’ve still been solid. Since 1998, they’ve added guys like Hines Ward, Alan Faneca, DeShea Townsend, Joey Porter, Aaron Smith, Marvel Smith, Casey Hampton, Larry Foote, Kendal Simmons, Brett Keisel, Troy Polamalu, Ben Roethlisberger, Heath Miller, Santonio Holmes, Lawrence Timmons, and LaMarr Woodley.
And who can forget them picking up James Harrison on the waiver wire as an undrafted free agent out of Kent State and turning him into a 2008 NFL defensive player of the year?
1. New England Patriots: It’s hard to put anyone above the Steelers, but if anyone is a better organization than them, it’s Robert Kraft, Bill Belichick, and the New England Patriots.
Like the Steelers, many people despise the Pats, but also like the Steelers, it’s for no real good reason. They win too much. That about wraps up those fans’ justifications.
The Patriots win, but not like the Yankees, they win the right way. They build from within. If you look around the Pats’ depth chart, almost everyone is homegrown. Except Randy Moss and Wes Welker, the Pats have a roster of players they drafted.
Tom Brady was a sixth-round pick. The whole offensive line is homegrown, and eight of the 11 defensive starters were drafted.
That’s phenomenal. The Patriots have the wins for the right reason. They don’t buy everybody much like the Washington Redskins do.
In fact, it’s quite the opposite for the Pats. It seems they are firmly against using the free agent market to win games. It’s understandable that people hate the Pats. They win too much.
But you have to respect how the organization works. They win the right way, and it shows it’s not just because of Tom Brady, as after losing him in the first game last year, they still managed to go 11-5, with Matt Cassel—who hadn’t started since high school. It was a credit to the coaching, especially Belichick, and the depth of the team. So they are my No. 1 organization.
// <
Now that it seems that Michael Crabtree is the only first-round draft pick to not have a deal signed. Now, things are getting worse for him.
Crabtree says he is willing to skip this year’s NFL season and re-enter the NFL Draft in 2010 unless if he gets a good deal signed with the San Francisco 49ers. Crabtree had received a five-year $20M deal but he passed it.
I think that is just outrageous what decision he just made. Crabtree may never have a second-chance at that kind of money. The 49ers are willing to go without him and it seems they will not give him a deal higher than what they gave him already.
It seems Crabtree will just make zero dollars this year besides getting $20M more. Besides, with the quarterbacks the Niners already have, Crabtree will not play that big of a role coming into this year. That means being paid $20M is a real smart deal.
If I were Crabtree, I’d take the money. Crabtree, we know you deserve more money but you just have to deal with what you got already. You can’t just dilly-dally away. It’s not smart what you are doing.
I really do believe Crabtree is not going to sign with the Niners, period. I think San-Fran can make a better investment if they could trade him. How about a team like, say, the Tennessee Titans. It actually will work for both teams.
The 49ers can trade troubled Mike to the Titans for quarterback Vince Young. But how can a trade be possible the Niners haven’t even signed Crabtree. It can be one of those sign-and-trade deals. I think the Titans have the money to pay Crabtree and I think they’ll be willing to do this trade.
Vince Young would be a great fit for the Niners, I guess. Well, not a great fit, but better than where they stand with Shaun Hill. With Young not that happy in Tennessee because Kerry Collins stealing his place, don’t you think he would be much more happier to stay with the Niners and probably be their franchise-QB?
I suppose it could all work out. It would be the right thing to do. Trust me, the Niners can’t succeed with Alex Smith nor Shaun Hill. The best they have is just go for Young. As Rookie of the Year a couple of years ago, Young is the right choice for this team.
He has the speed, the arm, and athleticism. He is has some negatives on him in which he can improve on soon. Young can also have some solid targets to throw to like Isaac Bruce, who still has some left in the tank. Josh Morgan is a sleeper for fantasy football fans and showed signs of awe last year.
Vernon Davis will also be out there to help Young as well. And with the a solid running game alongside with the one-two punch of Frank Gore and Glen Coffee, I think San Francisco has a team.
The Titans will also be benefited from this cause as well. With Kerry Collins as the quarterback, he has some nice targets to heave to; guys like Bo Scaife, Alge Crumpler, draft-pick Kenny Britt, Nate Washington, Justin Gage, and Crabtree himself. The Titans would have great targets and have a great running game in Chris Johnson and LenDale White.
The Titans look to bang on the door in the AFC South with Michael Crabtree. It assuredly looks like both teams will definitely account from this if this trade were to occur. I think the Niners should indubitably be convinced of attempting this. It can work.
Singarju Krishnachaitanya: Essay writing regularly assigned work that has a great significance in...
Josh Dhani: ...
Anonymous: talented kid for sure but to the wiazrds....defense anyone?...
Anonymous: I thought they were in New York the way the crowd was cheering for Lin...
Anonymous: The hell with Clippers..DAVID STERN did alot of teams DIRTY.......