Tennessee Titans: Chris Johnson's 2012 Contract Is Guaranteed

In 2011, Chris Johnson spent more time falling down than running in open space.

After earning a $53.5 million contract extension that cut short his training camp, Johnson set career lows in nearly every category last season.

Big contracts in the NFL are often mirages because they include "out" clauses in subsequent years. According to Jim Wyatt, the Titans did nothing, allowing Chris Johnson's 2011 salary of $8 million to be fully guaranteed. Another $9 million becomes guaranteed early in the 2013 league year, which means the team has another decision to make. 

It was easy to let 2011 slide.

After all, the deal was signed last August, approximately seven months ago. The Tennessee Titans need Johnson to spend a full offseason with the team. He prefers to train in his hometown of Orlando, according to the Orlando Sentinel.

The team is dedicated to improving the interior offensive line. Steve Hutchinson signed with the team last week (via the Seattle Times). Two high-profile free agent centers in Scott Wells and Chris Myers visited the Titans.

Both signed elsewhere, but don't discount a veteran like Jeff Saturday (via CBS Sports).

If a center signs, expect Eugene Amano to battle Leroy Harris for the starting right guard slot. The team could still draft a guard and/or center in April.

While the team attempts to upgrade the run blocking, it's up to Chris Johnson to find the 2009 magic.  The East Carolina product had seven 50-plus yard touchdowns that season, including three greater than 80 yards. He put up video game numbers, and that kind of success in his second year in the league made him less likely to take the smart run up the middle rather than trying to push everything outside. 

After gaining 100-plus rushing yards in 12 straight games to finish 2009 and start 2010, he's had 11 such games in the last 31. The touchdown drop is equally as shocking, with four last season after 10, 16 and 12 his first three seasons. 

With one more season like 2011's 1047-yard effort, the Titans will think twice before guaranteeing any more dollars for Chris Johnson.