#TBT- Chris Johnson, RB, Arizona Cardinals
-Hoover26 October 29
This #TBT goes to one of the most electrifying players in NFL history, Chris Johnson. The thirty year old back has rushed for 567 yards so far this season, and has impressed many with his turnaround from last year. He is within one hundred yards of surpassing his total for last season, and the only person to rush for more this year is Devonta Freeman. Johnson has also returned to the style of running that earned him the nickname CJ2K. He can break a run for a touchdown at any time, from any place on the field, and on any play. He holds the NFL record for most TD rushes of 80 yards, and is still the only player to ever rush for 2,000 yards and have 500 receiving yards in the same season. But, that was 2009, and this is 2015.
A lot of people thought Johnson was done being CJ2K after a steady production dropoff in the last few years. However, the Cardinals were willing to bet that Johnson could stay healthy long enough to make a serious impact on the uncertain Arizona backfield. With Andre Ellington a talented yet inconsistent and injury prone option, and rookie David Johnson unproven as a feature back, Johnson falls into his role as the star perfectly. He is the seventh ranked running back in Defense-adjusted Yards Above Replacement (footballoutsiders.com), and the eighth ranked fantasy running back (per nfl.com scoring). I could go on forever.
With Carson Palmer (five years Johnson’s elder) also having a throwback season, Johnson has had plenty of space to have one of his own. Palmer is third in the NFL in passing yards this year, so defenses have to guard against the long ball. And, with defenders not stuffing the gaps, Johnson has all the space he needs to embarrass opposing defenses.
Once Johnson gets going, you can barely see him, much less stop him. His forty yard dash time of 4.24 is tied for the fastest electronically timed forty in combine history (Bo Jackson’s 4.12 hand timed run is the fastest overall). While he may not be able to run a 4.2 now, the speed and acceleration is still evident in his play. Tap into the fantasy gold mine that is Chris Johnson, this week’s #TBT. You will not regret starting him.
A lot of people thought Johnson was done being CJ2K after a steady production dropoff in the last few years. However, the Cardinals were willing to bet that Johnson could stay healthy long enough to make a serious impact on the uncertain Arizona backfield. With Andre Ellington a talented yet inconsistent and injury prone option, and rookie David Johnson unproven as a feature back, Johnson falls into his role as the star perfectly. He is the seventh ranked running back in Defense-adjusted Yards Above Replacement (footballoutsiders.com), and the eighth ranked fantasy running back (per nfl.com scoring). I could go on forever.
With Carson Palmer (five years Johnson’s elder) also having a throwback season, Johnson has had plenty of space to have one of his own. Palmer is third in the NFL in passing yards this year, so defenses have to guard against the long ball. And, with defenders not stuffing the gaps, Johnson has all the space he needs to embarrass opposing defenses.
Once Johnson gets going, you can barely see him, much less stop him. His forty yard dash time of 4.24 is tied for the fastest electronically timed forty in combine history (Bo Jackson’s 4.12 hand timed run is the fastest overall). While he may not be able to run a 4.2 now, the speed and acceleration is still evident in his play. Tap into the fantasy gold mine that is Chris Johnson, this week’s #TBT. You will not regret starting him.