Titans To Ignore The Passing Game Even More Now

The Tennessee Titans are all but eliminated from the playoffs. After last season’s 13 win season, the 2009 campaign has to seem like a huge disappointment. There’s only one thing the Titans have left to play for: Chris Johnson’s quest to reach 2000 rushing yards.

The Tennessee Titans, especially the offensive linemen, are as committed as the second-year running back to helping Johnson become only the sixth player in NFL history to run for 2,000 yards in a season with an eye toward Eric Dickerson’s single-season record of 2,105 yards.

OK, that’s the type of thing you’d expect them to say. The question for fantasy owners is how much will the play calling be changed to accommodate Johnson’s quest. The Titans are already a run-heavy team. Will they throw less solely to give Johnson the chance at the record? Will that significantly reduce the stats from QB Vince Young/Kerry Collins and the receiving corps?

Make no mistake. As much as Johnson has targeted becoming the first player since Jamal Lewis in 2003 to rush for 2,000 yards, this has become a team goal. The Titans kept handing the ball to Johnson in the fourth quarter against St. Louis, trying to boost his yardage.

Handing the ball off to your RB during garbage time is hardly proof of a big change in the game plan. Still, if your fantasy team is counting on Vince Young or Kenny Britt, this is one more thing to worry about. As if counting on Vince Young in your fantasy playoffs isn’t enough.