Is Chris Johnson Finally Rounding a Corner?

The NFL's most elusive back, Chris Johnson of the Tennessee Titans, had a miserable start to the 2011 regular season.

Johnson, who once ran for 2,000 yards in a season, has only rushed for 366 yards through the first eight games of the season. His production halfway through the season doesn't come close to the $53-million deal signed during the offseason as "one of the top playmakers in the league." 

Sunday, against No. 2 ranked Cincinnati Bengals run defense, CJ finally showed some progress in the running game. 

At the half, Johnson had 55 yards rushing on nine carries, but finished the game with 64 yards rushing on 14 carries. CJ averaged 4.6 yards per carry, easily his best of the year, and had 110 all-purpose yards for the game. 

It wasn't all about stats Sunday in Johnson's quest back into the upper echelon of running backs.

His effort, the offensive line's blocking schemes and the play calling proved to be the biggest differences Sunday afternoon.

CJ's cuts and jukes looked more like the "CJ2K" of old, not "CJ2.8 yards per carry" of recent. The zone blocking schemes spread the defensive lineman and linebackers, giving Johnson an open field to utilize. Much of the play calling was based on cutbacks as well, using the linemen to push the defensive line one way with Johnson following, then at the last minute, he would cut the other direction and be place in a one-on-one matchup with a linebacker or safety. 

If Johnson looks to follow up on a strong effort against the Bengals, he is going to have to break tackles en route to yards after contact. Thanks to Paul Kuharsky at the ESPN AFC South blog for bringing this gem to light. In the article, it states that Johnson had over 1,000 yards after first contact in 2009, the same year he rushed for over 2,000 yards.

If Johnson can continue to put all of these pieces back together, it should be an explosive end to the Titans' season. 

CJ looks to be finally rounding the corner back into elite status and will have a huge opportunity Sunday against the No. 27 ranked Carolina Panthers run defense.