Chris Johnson Needs to Take Some Responsibility For His Own Shortcomings

Former East Carolina running back Chris Johnson was supposed to be the next great thing when the Titans took him in the first round of the draft back in 2008. He showed some promise when he shared time with LenDale White during his rookie season, but the following year when he got the bulk of the carries and gained over 2000 yards.

Everyone assumed it was going to be smooth sailing for him after that, but his production dipped over the next four years and his attitude worsened so the Titans let him go.

via Bleacher Report

The New York Jets picked him and it looked like a match made in heaven. The Jets were at their best when they ran a lot which is exactly what he wanted to do--but he didn't. Johnson only got the call 155 times while Chris Ivory got it 198 times.

As a result, he had the worst season of his career with just 663 yards and one touchdown so the Jets lets him go. As could be expected, rather than take any responsibility he is throwing the blame on general manager John Idzik. According to Johnson he didn't get his carries because of Idzik.

"I think a lot of it was out of Rex's hands because when I sat down and talked to Rex before I signed with the Jets, my role and my situation were explained to me totally different to what actually happened."

So what he is saying is that Rex Ryan told him one thing, but Idzik was calling the shotss. That's why he did not get more carries than he did.

"That's just what it was. It was never a type of thing where I was just being outplayed or anything like that. It was never a situation where I got the opportunity to show my talents and be used the way that I was supposed to be used."

So the 155 carries was not a chance to show his talents? The 24 receptions that he only gained 151 yards on were not enough of a chance to showcase his talents? What does he need? 300 carries? 50 receptions?

Chad--you get the carries when you show that you are going to do something with them. Bottom line is you did very little with the carries you got. In the end you did not play like a guy worth a half million bonus or a $3.5 million base salary.

That's why you got cut. Not Idzik or anyone else. You did a bad job of running the ball. Quit throwing people under the bus and not taking any responsibility.

This will never happen, but if Johnson was smart he would go to one of the veteran combines the NFL is hosting this year. I'm assuming that there is going to be an interview part to it. He could use that time to say that he is the reason his career is what it is and not anyone else. It would give him a chance to take responsibility for a change.

His ego will never let that happen though so it would not be shocking if this is the end for CJ2K.

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