49 replies to this topic

[titans&bucs&bearsohmy!]

I've heard Amano played like crap at C last season, so Titan homers, with him out for the year (tricep) is that a good thing, or is the 2nd string C that much worse? That could have a big impact on CJ's performance.

Yes...Amano was really bad last season -- though, to be totally fair, he wasn't the only problem on the interior-OL, as Leroy Harris was wildly inconsistent and Jake Scott was clearly over-the-hill and horrible. Amano was a pretty decent OG for the Titans a few seasons ago; however, we overpaid to re-sign him and he never quite worked out as a replacement for Kevin Mawae. Amano is really a backup quality OG in the NFL -- the type of player who can play OK for a few games each season but not someone that you want starting week-in-and-week-out. All that said, you never like to see a guy get hurt and this probably marks the end of his career with the Titans.

From a team perspective, I think this actually helps the Titans' starting OL, and it certainly makes the coaches' decision easier. The candidates for the starting C job are now Kevin Matthews, Fernando Velasco, and William Vlachos. Matthews has a good pedigree and his dad is the OL coach, which could help him win the job (i.e. nepotism). Velasco has played well when given the chance, and he offers some nice versatility. Vlachos is a rookie and lacks great physical tools but gets by on technique/smarts. Really...I think it comes down to Matthews vs. Velasco for the starting gig. In my opinion, Velasco is the superior player of the three; but I fully expect Matthews to "win" the job -- partially because of the family connection and partially because the Titans value Velasco's role off-the-bench and his ability to play both C and OG in the event of injury. I think all three make the 53-man roster, although Vlachos probably won't dress out for the games.

In terms of CJ, I think Matthews or Velasco would probably be an improvement over Amano.

I agree with all of this, except that Matthews won't win the job on nepotism. I heard his dad on the radio last week, and he said it is understood with his son that he will have to leave no doubt before he will name him the starter, and that the rest of the staff would largely make that decision before he would.

He seems to REALLY want to go out of his way to avoid charges of nepotism.

[ralphster]

Thus far it looks like Velasco is going to start at C. Will the Titans offensive line really be better this year?

[lesjroza]

Thus far it looks like Velasco is going to start at C. Will the Titans offensive line really be better this year?

I am watching them right now vs. Seahawks and they are not better. The 1s vs 1s Titans OLine has been dominated. The only real yds by CJ came on his own after cutting to the backside on 1 run. 1 sreen pass to CJ got tipped and never made it. CJ flat dropped the other. Incidentally, my fear as a Wright owner came to fruition and he has played on the outside every play that I could see on camera. N. Washington was in the slot and targeted regularly, Wright did not have a single target with the 1s to this point which is near the end of the 1st quarter.

[titans&bucs&bearsohmy!]

I am watching them right now vs. Seahawks and they are not better. The 1s vs 1s Titans OLine has been dominated. The only real yds by CJ came on his own after cutting to the backside on 1 run. 1 sreen pass to CJ got tipped and never made it. CJ flat dropped the other. Incidentally, my fear as a Wright owner came to fruition and he has played on the outside every play that I could see on camera. N. Washington was in the slot and targeted regularly, Wright did not have a single target with the 1s to this point which is near the end of the 1st quarter.

Yep. CJ has looked like a pile of crap. Stone hands (he's flat dropped three screen passes) and the line sucks. Of course, they've only been playing as a unit for a week, but not looking good so far.

Quite frankly, ringer has looked better than CJ.

[JtmoneyJag]

I took CJ last night at the 6th spot. Though most would think of DMC as a reach there, I was really debating on taking him over CJ. Did I make a mistake? Where are you CJ2K? I need the old CJ, come back!

[PATSSOX]

From Rotoworld:

CJ?K runs for 2 touchdowns in exhibition game

Chris Johnson rushed 10 times for 46 yards and two touchdowns in the Titans' second preseason game Friday night at Tampa.
Much better. Johnson played 20 snaps per our in-game count, and he showed explosive ability with numerous sharp cuts whenever he had room to operate. The Titans' offensive line remains a big issue, frequently allowing penetration into the backfield, but Johnson still has star-caliber legs. His highlight runs went for 10, 14, and 14, the latter two for touchdowns. We feel a lot more comfortable investing a first-round pick on Johnson after this game. He hasn't lost any juice, and he can really open it up when he sees green grass.
Aug 17 - 9:30 PM

I like it

Ill take 4.6 YPC and 2 TDs all day and any day. Top 5 RB you can mark it down again

[ralphster]

Ill take 4.6 YPC and 2 TDs all day and any day. Top 5 RB you can mark it down again

Until the next preseason game where he goes 12/29/0 and drops another 2 screen passes...

[Matt Mueller]

Aside from the obvious tds and stats how'd he look tonight?

Missed all games...will check highlights.

[PATSSOX]

Until the next preseason game where he goes 12/29/0 and drops another 2 screen passes...

That wont count because he will be saving it for the regular season


But i am glad to see him put up any decent #s. Everything i read this year points to him having a big year. If i am drafting in the 5-8 spot im taking him.

[ralphster]

I like playing in leagues with people like this. lol He held out of camp, didn't train (he stated this very openly) and played behind an offensive line with serious interior issues. Consider the Titans have an exciting new rookie WR, Britt (may or may not be ready) and Washington, along with Cook Jr coming into his own, Hutch being added to the interior of the line and possibly Locker starting at QB. What you have the ingredients for is a dynamic offense.

His first half of the season was horrid. He didn't know the new playbook and looked horribly out of shape. The end of the season was much different. He finished with respectable numbers from week 9 on. Not great, but not as bad as the first part of the season. Look at what hold outs did to other RB's throughout history. They've almost always bounced back to have big years the following season. Look at Steven Jackson in 2008. He had barely over 1,000 yards and only 40 receptions. Sound familiar? The following season he was in shape and had over 1,400 yards rushing and 50 receptions. He had over 1,700 yards in 2009 and had more carries on his legs with an offense that had no weapons. CJ can easily duplicate this.


Look at his schedule for 2012;

Patriots: Weak defense. CJ should see many receptions out of the backfield in this one.
Chargers: So far this schedule isn't scaring me. They have a weak defensive line and the defense is average.
Lions: Improving defense, but I suspect the screen pass will be utilized frequently. Toughest game so far.
Texans: Missing two starters from last season. Not sure how "great" their defense will be. Good, but not the #4 overall run defense they were last season.
Vikings: The Williams wall has crumbled. So has their hope of stopping CJ.
Steelers: Could be another tough matchup as they are for most RB's, although only #8 against the run in 2011.
Bills: Is anyone else looking forward to this matchup as a CJ owner?
Colts: Two sweet matchups in a row.

Skipping to playoffs:
Week 14 - Colts. Maybe the best matchup of any RB in the first week of the playoffs.
Week 15 - Jets. Ditto. They can't stop the run. Revis Island can be bypassed. Top 3 RB matchup AT HOME.
Week 16 - Green Bay. Middle of the pack run defense. Tougher game. Maybe. In Lambeau, so will be run first game plan, or so you would think. Green Bay finished 14th against the run last season.

His playoff matchups are good. Not the best, but much better than middle of the pack. There is no reason to think he can't be a top 5 PPR RB in 2012, at least in my mind. He is a very prideful man. His pride was hurt last season and I expect him to bounce back in a huge way.

Holy Thread Revive Batman! So how's drafting CJ0K in every league working out for you Cara?