Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson runs a play during an NFL football minicamp on Thursday, June 13, 2013, in Nashville.NASHVILLE - Chris Johnson often is asked how many yards he thinks he can rush for in any season, and the player nicknamed CJ2K always responds with the same answer: 2,000.
But Johnson said he is rarely asked about his team goals and gets tabbed as a selfish player for mentioning his personal goal.
Still, he believes he can run for 2,000 yards again and help the Titans make the playoffs. His ultimate goal is helping them win the NFL championship.
"Every year I want to rush for 2,00 yards, and I feel like if we are doing what is right and we are making plays on Sunday and if I get to that yardage, I feel like we can be a playoff team and hopefully win the Super Bowl," Johnson said.
Johnson said he knows people need something to talk about, but he's surprised how much attention he gets every time he mentions his annual goal to become the first man to run for 2,000 yards in a season twice. But he said he's not going to talk about team goals when asked specifically about his personal plans.
Those team goals are why the running back entering his sixth NFL season has been a regular in the Titans' offseason program this year, getting to know all the new players they brought in to help the franchise rebound from a 6-10 season. It's been three seasons since Johnson ran for 2,006 yards and became the sixth man in NFL history to reach 2K.
It's been even longer since the Titans last made the playoffs.
"Oh, it's been forever," Johnson said. "It seems like I've never even been to the playoffs. So it's a situation that I really want to get back there."
The Titans want success for him also.
"There's no doubt he needs to have a big year," coach Mike Munchak said. "We're planning on him having a big year, because obviously that means things are going well for us."
The three-time Pro Bowl running back seems very happy with the changes both in the offense and the help the Titans got him this offseason. Munchak officially named Dowell Loggains as the offensive coordinator, and Johnson sees evidence in the playbook of turning back to a run-heavy offense after a heavy focus on passing the past two seasons under former coordinator Chris Palmer.
The Titans also revamped the interior of the offensive line with their first free-agent signee in left guard Andy Levitre and their first draft selection, right guard Chance Warmack. They signed veteran Shonn Greene as the change-of-pace back this team hasn't had since LenDale White in 2008 and 2009. Johnson pointed out White scored a lot of touchdowns in 2008, and that was the year the Titans went 13-3.
Johnson said he's also able to share with Loggains what plays he's most comfortable with, and he appreciates new running backs coach Sylvester Croom's ability to have more input into the offense with both Munchak and Loggains.
Greene ran for 1,000 yards in each of the past two seasons with the Jets, and he's 26 pounds heavier than Johnson. He said Thursday that he's not worried at all about how much playing time he'll get this season. He also thinks targeting 2,000 yards rushing is a good goal for Johnson to have.
"I think he's capable of doing it, and I think everyone in this team is going to strive to help him get that done," Greene said.
Titans, Hunter agree
The Titans announced Thursday that they have agreed to terms with former Tennessee Volunteers receiver Justin Hunter, their second-round draft selection.
The 6-foot-3 Hunter caught 106 passes for 1,812 yards and 18 touchdowns in his three seasons as a Vol. He was second-team All-Southeastern Conference as a junior after 73 receptions for 1,083 yards and nine touchdowns. His 73 catches ranked second in school history, while his yards were third best.