CJ2K?

[c_hawkbob]

The Titans just released CJ2K.

I think he'd be an interesting fit here. He's 28, still has that sub 4.3 speed, and is still one of the most dynamic playmakers in the NFL given a decent team around him. Pete was a big (and vocal) proponent of the thunder and lightning backfield, making serious hay at USC with White and Bush ... bringing Johnson here would give us the ultimate examples of both the thunder and the lightning.

Of course CJ2K would have to be willing to be a situational player and maybe take less cheddar than a team that wanted him to carry the whole load would be willing to give him ... but it at this stage maybe he's ready for that.

[RiverDog]

The Titans just released CJ2K.

I think he'd be an interesting fit here. He's 28, still has that sub 4.3 speed, and is still one of the most dynamic playmakers in the NFL given a decent team around him. Pete was a big (and vocal) proponent of the thunder and lightning backfield, making serious hay at USC with White and Bush ... bringing Johnson here would give us the ultimate examples of both the thunder and the lightning.

Of course CJ2K would have to be willing to be a situational player and maybe take less cheddar than a team that wanted him to carry the whole load would be willing to give him ... but it at this stage maybe he's ready for that.

So if we did bring him in, who's going to be the odd man out? Turbin or Michael?

It would seem to me that running back is the least of our needs. I'd rather us find a decent OL with the limited resources we have available rather than spending it on a situational running back.

[c_hawkbob]

So if we did bring him in, who's going to be the odd man out? Turbin or Michael?

Most likely.

and who's talking about need? You could (and I believe did at one time or another) say that Percy wasn't a need either.

[kalibane]

I think he might have something left but I don't see losing Turbin or Michael being an acceptable trade off for signing Johnson. Especially when his price tag is going to be far more expensive than either of them.

[RiverDog]

So if we did bring him in, who's going to be the odd man out? Turbin or Michael?

Most likely.

and who's talking about need? You could (and I believe did at one time or another) say that Percy wasn't a need either.

You didn't answer my question. Which RB are you going to part with, Turbin or Michael?

IMO we had one hell of a lot more of a need for a WR not to mention more financial resources and draft capital last season prior to the Harvin trade than we do for a RB this year.

[NorthHawk]

He's not a bad blocker at RB for a speed guy so he might not be a bad idea if money wasn't the issue.
Unfortunately both Harvin and CJ2K would probably cost too much considering the signings we have to do in the next year.

[HumanCockroach]

I'm pretty content to see if Micheals is that lightning to Lynch's thunder, no need to be chasing storm fronts to find it IMHO.

[Zorn76]

At 28, he's gonna be looking for the biggest payday he can get, and he won't find it in Seattle.

[Eaglehawk]

Would not be a bad deal, but with Turbin and Michael I don't see anything happening unless the guy as Bob says takes less cheese then let them compete for the best man for the final spot with either one of them getting the final cut.

Not likely in my opinion though.

[monkey]

The Titans just released CJ2K.

I think he'd be an interesting fit here. He's 28, still has that sub 4.3 speed, and is still one of the most dynamic playmakers in the NFL given a decent team around him. Pete was a big (and vocal) proponent of the thunder and lightning backfield, making serious hay at USC with White and Bush ... bringing Johnson here would give us the ultimate examples of both the thunder and the lightning.

Of course CJ2K would have to be willing to be a situational player and maybe take less cheddar than a team that wanted him to carry the whole load would be willing to give him ... but it at this stage maybe he's ready for that.

So if we did bring him in, who's going to be the odd man out? Turbin or Michael?

It would seem to me that running back is the least of our needs. I'd rather us find a decent OL with the limited resources we have available rather than spending it on a situational running back.

Turbin would be the odd man out, because C. Michael is going to be the eventual replacement for Lynch. Don't forget Spencer Ware as well.

Now to your main point, we don't NEED a RB, clearly that is true, but having that speed merchant who can stretch the field horizontally as well as vertically, is part of the Pete Carroll offensive blueprint.
I believe that the only reason we'll likely not pursue CJ2K (though I'd bet anything that Bob's thinking on this is closer to Pete's than many of you guys realize!) is because we already have that guy.
This year, we'll see a one two punch featuring Christine Micheal as Marshawn's primary backup this year, and maybe even more importantly, we'll see tons of Percy Harvin!

Many of you guys seem to forget that Percy Harvin was brought in specifically to be that speed merchant, because you can shift him behind center and hand him the ball, as well as giving him sweeps and screens.
He can play the part of Reggie Bush in Pete's offense because he played that part at Florida and in Minnesota. He basically is Reggie Bush, only a helluva lot better and with more focus on the receiver role than the running back role....but again, he does BOTH!
Which again, for all you doubters out there, is why they traded for him, and paid him so much in the first place.

So really, Bob is on the right track with his thinking here, Pete Carroll's offensive blueprint calls for a speed back, I just think that Percy Harvin will be playing that role, which is why we don't need CJ2K, but if it weren't for Percy, I would guarantee you Bob would be right, and Pete would be all over it..

Good call Bob! I briefly had the exact same thought when he was released, until I remember that it's Percy, not C Michael, who is slated to be the lightning to Lynch's thunder.

[FolkCrusader]

I love CJs ability and to be honest Bob, your suggestion of looking to be a change of pace back could be an excellent way to stretch out his career. The problem is all of CJs advice comes from his family and they are all about the money. Where ever he signs, guaranteed it will be for the top money offer on the table. I doubt that would be here.

Personally, I think we have some pretty great rushing options. Beast and Turbo did pretty well last year. I have come to accept that Turbine does not have a much east-west in him, but I thought his north-south looked a little more explosive than in his rookie season. I am excited to see more CM, and it sounds as if Pete and John want the same thing. He seems to really want to run the ball. A year of waiting might really light a fire under him. There is also Spencer Ware that both Pete and John were pretty high before he was injured last season. Although he is a FB, they felt he was also an excellent runner. Plus we have seen what Percy can do from the slot. I think he has a few more tricks as well.

[Distant Relative]

" During Friday's "Around The League Podcast," Chris Wesseling predicted Johnson will land a one- or two-year deal earning approximately $4 million annually. That's a substantial pay cut from the $8 million Johnson was scheduled to make this season, but still counts as an above-average salary in the depressed world of the NFL running back."

I doubt the Hawks bite on CJ due to the fact they drafted CM last year. CM is younger and has the potential for a bigger upside IMO.

[c_hawkbob]

Greater potential than becoming one of only seven men in the history of the NFL to rush for over 2000 yards?

Christine's got good potential but you might be embellishing things just a bit.

[HumanCockroach]

That was a long time ago Bob, and there isn't anyway to change that. IMHO Sanders was the greatest back to ever play the game, and I'm not hoping they sign him out of retirement either. "Potential" means the ability to become something, what Johnson is isn't potential, his ceiling was reached, and it was several years ago, he really just isn't the same back he was, he has straight line speed, and really not a whole lot more. Behind this line, in this offense he wouldn't be all that productive IMHO, as he has never really been a guy to run over people, or even really a guy to make people miss, he's a guy that can exploit a hole with his incredible speed, and really always has been.

Sure he would be a nice complimentary back, IF he was uber cheap ( which he isn't) uber young ( which he no longer is) or didn't need a ton of carries to get his homeruns ( which he does) or even if it was an area of need ( which it isn't). He's fast ( but not as fast as he was) and has had a steady decline in productivity in the last four years.

I would have been ok with Jackson at 4 mil a year, just don't see a need in this circumstance to even think it with Johnson

[Distant Relative]

Greater potential than becoming one of only seven men in the history of the NFL to rush for over 2000 yards?

Christine's got good potential but you might be embellishing things just a bit.

Like I said Bob, just my opinion. Call it what you will.

CM hasn't had an opportunity as of yet. CJ has and he was cut by the team in which he had the stellar year for.

I guess my point is, I'd rather see what CM has to offer than pay a past his prime RB. That said I think the "cheddar" could be utilized better. That's all.

[RiverDog]

Bottom line is that we have a lot bigger fish to fry, and very little resources with which to fry them. We have some big gaps to fill on the OL, at WR, and on the DL.

Here's a pretty good article about why the Titans and Johnson parted ways:

http://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/ ... t/7363405/

[Zorn76]

Pretty good article on CJ there.

I dunno. I just don't trust the guy. At the end of the day, I want Lynch to get the lion's share of the carries, and nothing about Chris Johnson would suggest that he'd be happy in a situational or #2 role in terms of PT and touches.

And while the forecast may not be as rich a one for him upcoming, it's certainly going to be more than we're willing to pay, IMO.

He just wasn't the same after he signed his fat deal a couple years ago. And that's telling, though it's hardly unusual for a skill position player these days. I don't see a match here. It's still too early to rest Marshawn appreciably during the regular season, and CJ would be too high priced a backup for what he'd end up doing in Seattle.

Even if he came at a reasonable contract, a running by committee approach makes it more difficult for any one RB to get into a rhythm, and rhythm for each of these guys can only be established as the indisputable #1 for their respective teams.

[NorthHawk]

If we did sign CJ2K, it would mean Michael would sit for another year at least.
I seriously doubt the FO would do that.

[PasadenaHawk]

I could see him ending up in Dallas or Oakland.