CBSSports.com Senior NFL Columnist Pete Prisco visited Chris Johnson at Titans camp over the weekend and heard straight from the workhorse's mouth: A 2,000-yard season is in reach.
"It's doable," Johnson said of his goal of 2,000 rush yards, his other goal being to be on a playoff team. "Of course, it's doable. I can't do it getting 11 carries a game. What motivates me is I want to get to 2,000 yards again. Be the first back to do it. I've been to the playoffs once, and I want to get back there."
Johnson lamented over the last two seasons, not quite pinning his lack of success on his offensive line but almost hinting that it was a detriment.
"I've never been the guy who complains about the line or anything like that. You just roll with it," Johnson said. "But look at the other backs in this league -- Adrian, (Arian) Foster, (Jamaal) Charles. Look at their tapes, they have room to run."
Johnson's offensive line was a nightmare but the Titans have addressed it this offseason, adding first-round pick Chance Warmack and free agent guard Andy Levitre. Offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains is set to dedicate much of the offense to Johnson as well.
Prisco writes, "Johnson thinks if he can get 22 carries a game -- 25 is too many he said -- he has a real chance. But it would mean his 4.5 per-rush average from a year ago would need to be a lot higher."
Johnson averaged 5.6 yards per carry over 358 carries in his 2,006-yard 2009. He's averaged 4.3, 4.0 and 4.5 yards per carry in the three years since, all of which saw him fall under 320 carries.