After the 2008 season, Titans tailback Chris Johnson wasn’t pleased with one specific piece of postseason hardware.
Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, not Johnson, was named the offensive rookie of the year, prompting Johnson to call the voting process “bogus.”
Ryan outpaced Johnson in the polling, 44 to 3.
But that same process (50 Associated Press writers and broadcasters cast ballots) resulted in Johnson securing a vote for league MVP — one more than Saints quarterback Drew Brees (the offensive player of the year) received.
This year, Johnson is hoping for a different outcome in the MVP voting.
“Of course I should be [in the conversation],” Johnson said Wednesday, according to Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean. “And I’m about to start a campaign, an MVP campaign.”
Johnson has 1,396 yards rushing in 11 games, which puts him on pace for 2,030 over the course of a full season. Given Johnson’s ability to gain yards in large chunks, Eric Dickerson probably should be getting a little nervous right now, since the single-season record of 2,105 might be in peril.
As we’ve been saying about the entire MVP race, which has more viable candidates than any MVP race we can recall, there are still five chapters to be written. What happens in those final five chapters will go a long way toward determining who wins the award.
And if Johnson breaks Dickerson’s record, the Titans make it to the playoffs despite an 0-6 start, and Johnson doesn’t win the MVP award, we might be prepared to agree with his past assessment of the process.
no chance for MVP, there are better player performing in better teams with much better records.
although this, i would love that he passes Dickerson’s rushing record. he’s a great athlete, with great speed, balance and agility. speed kills..
Florio,
There was no “hating going on” anywhere in this post, I’m proud of you…..I know it had to be hard for you.
This dude is unbelievable lately.. Though I think a lot of his production is a result of VY literally being a 2nd running back on the field.. CJ had a killer game week 2, but pretty average numbers till VY took over.. Relax, the dude is crazy good.. Just not an MVP..
funny…you would think he would be focused on helping the Titans get into the playoffs instead of individual awards.
I haven’t heard Favre, Manning, or Brees mention anything about launching an “MVP Campaign”….oh that’s right….it’s because they put their teams above all else and don’t “campaign” for individual accolades.
Vince Young would deserve MVP over Chris Johnson if the Titans make the playoffs. And I hate Vince Young.
That’s pretty arrogant of any player to expect the league MVP award.
He is going to break the record. I doubt he will get the MVP nod but breaking the single season rushing record is quite a feat. Huge game this weekend, if the Titans beat the Colts watch out. Nobody wants to play them right now, Vince and company are hot.
I see Florio posted who won player of the week awards.
Gee, I “wonder” where the post is on Brett Favre being named the NFC offensive player of the month for November ???
I guess Olbermann, I mean Florio “forgot” to post THAT story !
QB’s get the notoriety– sorry CJ but even now Vince is the talk of the Town
Well if they go 10-6, I think it would be hard to overlook Vince Young in those talks. No matter how many yards CJ racks up, VY will have been the difference maker, turning a 0-6 team into a 10-0 team.
I have all the love in the world for CJ, but he was there for the 6 first games, and wasn’t valuable enough to win any of those.
No way would either the Saints be undefeated if Brees didn’t play there. Nor would The Colts without Peyton. And Manning is on pace to break the single season passing yards record.
The Vikings wouldn’t be where they are without Favre.
Chris Johnson should be considered, but a winner? I don’t think so as of right now.
What a jerk! He should shut up and let his play talk for him. And if he breaks Dickerson’s record, that will say it all: MVP.
Doesn’t the MVP usually come from a team with not only a *cough* winning record *cough*, but one that at the very least makes the playoffs ? Which would seem unlikely given where the Titans are.
Is it insane to say there is 4 players that deserve MVP? We got two QBs that are making 16-0 seem possible. Brees utilizing so many weapons in so many different ways. Manning is basically using 2 unheard of receivers to compliment Reggie Wayne. Then throw in Favre who is on pace for 35 TDs with only 4 INTs. Oh and don’t forget that guy named Chris Johnson who might break the single season rushing record. One of these things happening a year is amazing. This year we have 4 happening.
I would have a hard time with the MVP trophy going to someone who plays on a team that started 0-6 and can end up 10-6 at best. CJ is great and his stats have been great all year long but the man obviously wasn’t valuable enough to the team to matter the first 6 games. Now Brees, Manning, and Favre, they’ve made an impact on their teams, which are consistent… that’s MVP material.
And I say this as a huge Titan fan. We have no league MVPs on our team.
Too much emphasis is placed on win/loss record. This is an individual award. That doesn’t mean you start by looking at the rosters of playoff-bound teams. Johnson should absolutely be in the discussion. Then again, so should defensive players.
Miles Austin is a legtimate MVP canidate. The Cowboys are .800 since he started and they win at a .900 rate when they throw him the ball.
Not quite buddy. Getting numbers on a bad team means nothing. If you lose more than you win it may not be your fault but it means that teams are content to let you do what you do because it isn’t gonna beat them. When you are winning and putting up numbers it means there was nothing that could be done to stop you. That is why players on winning teams get these awards.
Just because he put up those numbers on a team that will finish 8-8, doesn’t mean he should be the League MVP.
Did Jamal Lewis get MVP votes when he had his 2k yard season?
Patrian says: “Miles Austin is a legtimate MVP canidate. ”
Did I really just read that??
Real MVP’s don’t launch campaigns.Enough said.
I agree as a long time Titan fan, I’m embarrassed by his narcissism. He could be one of the bests ever. But I agree he needs to shut up and let his play do the talking.
You guys are hilarious. Looks like he was specifically asked if he should be in the MVP discussion and he answered it and then made a joke about.
relax ppl.
this is y that guy gets me so nervous..if u have to lobby to get hardware u dont deserve it, just shut up and let your play talk for u. as for the ROY comon it was a no brainer that ryan gets it 1st hes a QB 2nd a rookie that LED a team from down in the dumps to a playoff berth-granted he had help w/ turner but still hes the qb what did CJ do yes put up very good numbers while splitting his time with LW but thats it
All I know is he is the MVP of my FF team!
CJ is a monster, and is carrying my fantasy team, but he needs to shut up.
Worry about winning games, not winning individual awards. Guys like LT, AP, MJD, etc. all couldn’t care less about this stuff, as long as they win.
Not going to happen. I think Chris Johnson is an amazing athlete, but I’m not sure if he is on the same level as a Manning, Brees, Farve, or Brady.
Chris Johnson can rush for 3,000 yards, but how valuable are you if you team doesn’t make the playoffs? How valuable are you if your team started 0-6?
He has a strong and almost undeniable case for Offensive Player of the Year, but he will not be named this years League MVP.
MJD is the better MVP than CJ. TDs mean alot more than yards.
Just how many talented, but crass, players does the NFL need?
I’m sorry, I think the kid has loads of talent, but ANYONE can run through the holes his offensive line is creating. Look all his runs are like 60+ and its because he has big lanes and speed. Just because you can run through them doesn’t make you MVP worthy… Besides, VY would take credit for the MVP title if it was given to any Titan player. He’s the one leading them to wins..
…he’s the mv JACKASS…he must be a democrat – if you say it it must be so…
How valuable are you if your team is below .500?
Love CJ and yeah I am hoping he doesn’t get too caught up in the #’s because we need him to help us win unselfishly on a continual basis. Man there is way to many issues from the media trying to divide that locker room and we don’t need the players to get the I syndrome. Hope he shows up big Sunday!!
Dear CJ,
We love you.
Sincerely,
FF owners of Chris Johnson.
Adam-Chris Scheftersen says:
December 2, 2009 5:34 PM
Too much emphasis is placed on win/loss record. This is an individual award. That doesn’t mean you start by looking at the rosters of playoff-bound teams. Johnson should absolutely be in the discussion. Then again, so should defensive players.
==================================
This may just be your dumbest post yet shitterson! Too bad i handed out my asshat of the day award already
That’s ok, i have you penciled in as a favorite for the asshat of the year!
I don’t think it matters who wins the award, just as long as I don’t have to hear Chris Johnson speak. Honestly, the guy went to college, but struggles to put together any intelligent statements.
so you tag vikes fans for this because we’re supposed to kick up a fuss and declare that while their back is hot, ours is still tops…
MVP goes to QB’s first, RB and WR’s next and then defensive players.
Having the press vote for it yields predictable results.
@sven
I imagine he tagged the vike’s and the saints because favre and brees are who most places are saying should be mvps. You ass jockey its got nothing to do with trying to rile up vike fans.
“Patrian says:
December 2, 2009 5:42 PM
Miles Austin is a legtimate MVP canidate. The Cowboys are .800 since he started and they win at a .900 rate when they throw him the ball
”
OMG. I know you Cowboy fans are homers but DAMN, you gotta be kidding, right? No one can be that stupid.
First of all, unless you set an alltime record, starting out a team 0-6 automatically removes you from the balloting.
Secondly, campaigning for MVP? Seriously? Can you imagine how much of a s***storm would be created if Brett Favre tried to pull that? Just by the fact that he’s telling people he SHOULD be MVP, should remove him from all consideration by any sports media jounalist worth his salt.