Sunday was another entry into the steadily growing book of evidence that Chris Johnson’s 2011 season wasn’t simply an aberration.
Johnson was asked why the Titans running game has gone into hibernation after the game and the running back said that the team wasn’t executing well enough to succeed. At first he said that he didn’t know why that was, but then he expanded his answer a bit to suggest that some members of the Tennessee team need to do a better job of doing their jobs.
“People need to step up and do their job,” Johnson said, via John Glennon of the Tennessean. “They don’t need to let people beat them. It don’t matter who the opposing defense is, you can’t let your guy beat you. You just can’t give up plays. You have to make plays like they make plays. I can’t speak for the defense. I can only speak for the offense.”
It’s hard not to read Johnson’s comments and then look at the Titans’ offensive line as the unstated subject of his frustration. The line has changed a lot of personnel from the days when Johnson was regularly breaking huge runs and that’s certainly a factor in why Johnson has run for just 21 yards on 19 carries in the first two games. It’s not the only factor as the Titans offense has sputtered thanks to injuries at wide receiver, Jake Locker’s growing pains and Johnson’s own downgraded play.
The whole stew makes for an unpleasant reality for the Titans offense right now. And, at 0-2, they need to figure out some quick answers or they’ll make the entire season just as unpleasant.