Chris Johnson Makes the Tennessee Titans Contenders in the AFC South

The Colts may not be the powerhouse team they have been in the past, but they should claim the AFC South title.

Peyton Manning's health is worrisome. If he's healthy, the division is the Colts' for the taking. If he's not, it becomes more open.

The Tennessee Titans were 6-10 last year, which was good enough for a fourth-place finish. Their offseason has been dominated by one question.

When will Chris Johnson sign his contract and get on the field?

Thursday, we got that answer, as Johnson and the Titans agreed to a contract.

Since coming into the league in 2008, no player has rushed for more yards than Johnson.

With 1,364 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns in 2010, Johnson had an impressive "down year."

Along with Johnson in the backfield, the Titans have a serviceable NFL quarterback in Matt Hasselbeck. He's not the star that he was in the early-mid part of the 2000s, but he still has a good season or two left in him.

That statement does come with an asterisk: Hasselbeck still has a good season or two left in him as long as he isn't expected to carry the team to victory.

If that ever becomes the case, the Titans are in a lot of trouble.

Fortunately, that’s just a lot of speculation at this point that we’re not going to be able to prove or disprove.

Johnson will be where he belongs when the season begins: on the field with his teammates. With that, Tennessee’s opponents will put all of their attention on Johnson, which will make Hasselbeck and the rest of the Titans offense more dangerous.

Again, it’s not likely that the AFC South is up for grabs. As long as Manning is on the field, the Colts are the class of the division. Houston can make a challenge, but they need strong years from a lot of players.

Last year, Matt Schaub threw for 4,370 yards with 24 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Andre Johnson caught 86 passes for 1,216 yards and eight touchdowns. Arian Foster rushed for 1,616 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Despite all of those numbers, the Texans only managed a 6-10 finish. They will need at least that kind of production from the stars, as well as better performances from other players, in 2011 to vie for the AFC South title.

The Jaguars are good, but they will need a strong season from David Garrard at quarterback to improve on their 8-8 record.

If Manning’s not healthy, the division is there for the taking. With Johnson on the field, the Titans are a team that can claim it.