About a minute after the Titans selected East Carolina RB Chris Johnson at No. 24 in Round One, I received a text from my buddy Matt asking, “Didn’t the Titans draft him last year?” I chuckled because I had exactly the same thought. We’re referencing, of course, Tennessee’s absurd second-round pick of Chris Henry in ’07, who personified the definition of a “workout warrior.” Henry was a marginal runner at Arizona who dazzled scouts and coaches with his measureables in pre-draft workouts enough to convince Tennessee to reach for him early.
After a thoroughly uninspiring rookie season, the Titans evidently felt they needed another running back to complement LenDale White. So who do they draft in the first round? Another mid-round prospect whose crazy workout numbers enabled him to make a lot more money than he should be earning. Yes, there are differences between the two. Johnson was incredibly productive in college — albeit primarily against Conference USA competition — and is considerably smaller and faster than Henry, but their commonality was too humorous to ignore.
Speaking of those workout warriors, for the most part teams should be commended for avoiding those guys in the first round this year. Outside of Johnson, only the Cardinals’ selection of CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie would I consider a reach based on Combine numbers.
Comments (4)
Okay, I get it. The Titans are less than thrilled with LenDale White, & would probably love to replace him. Given White's penchant for looking like the Pillsbury Doughboy, I can understand that. But come on, Tennessee, don't you think you ought to have given Vince Young some help at receiver? Or do you somehow expect Roydell Williams to become something he isn't, a superstar NFL receiver? Overlooking for the moment the fact that Chris Johnson was the biggest reach of the first round, it's not like he fills a huge need for the Titans at all. If Vince Young is to have any hope of taking the next step in his development, he absolutely has to get some first class help at the wide receiver position. Now mind you, I'm not saying that there were any definite superstar receivers in this year's draft, because I personally thought, & the draft seemed to bear this out, that there were no receivers worth taking in the first round at all. But couldn't the Titans have been creative, traded down into the early or even mid second round & gotten someone to help Vince Young? They would've garnered some needed extra picks, & given their biggest asset the help he so desperately needs. If nothing else, bring in his former battery-mate at Texas, Limas Sweed. They probably could've quickly built on the familiarity they had from their college days & at least provided some kind of weapon in the passing game. As it stands, they have an old tight end with two bad knees they signed in free agency in Alge Crumpler, whose best days are probably behind him, & a group on non-descript wide receivers who would be hard pressed to be number two guys on most teams. Vince Young & Titans fans deserved better.
Steve Pilato
Green Bay, WI
Posted by Steve Pilato | April 29, 2008 7:30 PM
Posted on April 29, 2008 19:30
We'll see!
Posted by Anonymous | May 8, 2008 3:52 PM
Posted on May 8, 2008 15:52
Everybody thinks they know more then the teams who do this for a living. Even the professionals don't know who will succeed in the NFL. Johnson will be dangerous this year quiet everyone who said the Titans reached for him!
Posted by Anonymous | May 8, 2008 4:07 PM
Posted on May 8, 2008 16:07
I dunno I think the Texans had the biggest reach in the third round. As for wide receivers no one picked one until the second round. That would have been a reach in the first. Probably should have traded to get a earlier second to grab one. I don't think they're unhappy with White just looking for a compliment to him. Good stats and good measurables and best rb available. Besides the Titans love to run. Not too bad a pick though not the best either.
Posted by Hosef | May 13, 2008 1:31 AM
Posted on May 13, 2008 01:31