2012 NFL Free Agents: Why Tennessee Titans Must Target RB Marshawn Lynch

Despite having what was widely considered the best running back in the NFL preseason, the Tennessee Titans running game was dismal in 2011 as they averaged 31st with just 3.8 yards per rush. 

A holdout hangover was imminent as Chris Johnson notched his worst production in four seasons as a pro. A shaky offensive line didn't help, but Johnson obviously wasn't the same running back that got him the nickname "CJ2K" last season. 

Marshawn Lynch, one of the top RB free agents on the market, has rejuvenated his career with the Seattle Seahawks as he's become one of the most relentless and bruising backs in the league. Let's take a look at why he would be a perfect fit in Nashville. 

Great Complement to CJ

Remember the short-lived days of "Smash and Dash," when budding star Chris Johnson was paired with bruiser LenDale White?

I know I do. In 2009, the duo produced an eye-popping 5.2 average yards per rush, a league high for the year that only two teams have since surpassed.

Bringing in Marshawn Lynch would give Music City that same feel, except at a whole new level. Lynch is like White with more muscle and less fat. 

Titans fans grew weary of Johnson's running style last year, as he typically danced around the line for a second before tackling himself to avoid 300-pound linemen pummeling him. 

It was obvious in 2011 that defenses are learning how to contain Johnson and keep him from breaking out to 200-yard games. Even in many games that he eclipsed 100, he was featured so much that it slowed down the Titans offense and kept them from producing drives. 

Imagine the headache (physically and mentally) that would come when defenses scheme all week to stop Johnson, and an angry Lynch plows through their defensive front. 

If they both played at the level they're capable of, this could be one of the best one-two RB punches in NFL history. 

A Proven Starter Who Can Replace Johnson If Needed

Marshawn Lynch has had three 1,000-yard rushing seasons and averages seven touchdowns per season, including an NFL third-best 12 rushing touchdowns in 2011. He also averages almost 20 carries per game in those three seasons. 

These stats alone prove that Lynch is a workhorse who can shoulder the rushing load on his team.

We've all seen the rigors of a full NFL season for running backs, so it's not out of the blue to consider Johnson could miss some time in the near future. 

Titans backup running back Javon Ringer is capable of coming off the bench and stringing together a few decent runs, but isn't reliable enough to step in as the starter.

Lynch, on the other hand, has proven himself worthy of such a task. If Johnson comes out flat next year like he did in 2011, having Lynch on the roster would make Titans fans much more comfortable—and make Johnson play harder for his job. 

Beast Mode/Determination

As I mentioned earlier, Chris Johnson isn't exactly going to power through defenders and lay the lumber on linebackers. 

Marshawn Lynch does that with the best of them. 

As seen in one of the greatest single plays in NFL history above, Lynch is one of the strongest running backs—if not overall players—in the whole league.

His determination and will are things this Tennessee rushing attack needs desperately. CJ may attribute his down season to a lack of working out during his well-documented holdout, but there were dozens of plays where he gave up instead of lowering his shoulders and grabbing a couple extra yards.

That wouldn't be a problem with Lynch. He notched 63 first downs last season, good for third most in the NFL. That's not exactly Johnson's expertise.

They Have a Lot of Money to Throw Around

The Titans have more salary cap room than they've had in many years, and it's looking more and more like they won't retain big-money players Michael Griffin and Cortland Finnegan. 

Tennessee definitely has some more talked-about areas of concern such as defensive line, secondary and maybe bringing in a big name at receiver. But adding Lynch could put this team over the top and get much more out of Chris Johnson than they are currently getting.

It's a high-risk, high-reward move that the Titans aren't known for making. But if they roll the dice, it could pay huge dividends.