Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson says his season cannot get any worse as he looks to earn his a huge new contract.
Fallen star running back insists he can get back to his best this season
Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson says his season cannot get any worse, as he looks to finally start showing the form that earned him a huge contract this year.
The 26-year-old, who became only the sixth player to rush for over 2,000 yards in a season in 2009, has managed only 302 yards in seven games this year at a paltry 2.8 yards per carry.
Johnson agreed a new four-year contract worth $53.5m in September, and he insists he will soon start to justify his mammoth salary.
The NFL lockout was followed by a personal hold out of his own from Johnson as he wanted a big new contract as reward for his superb form over the last few years - and similar to the $43 million Carolina handed DeAngelo Williams.
Ironically Williams has not been much better for the Panthers so far this season, but Johnson's lack of production has been a huge surprise and disappointment.
Big contract
"You don't get a big contract over expectations. You get a big contract over things you have done," Johnson said.
"This is a situation where it can't get no worse, really, so it can't do nothing but go up. I'm always eager to get back on the field and practice after a bad game and try to make it better."
The Titans face Cincinnati on Sunday and a tough Bengals run defence that has allowed an average of just 85 yards per game on the ground this season.
Johnson added: "They're pretty good. They are disciplined. They stay in their lanes and don't make many mistakes."
Titans coach Mike Munchak has confirmed Johnson still is the starter, but Javon Ringer handled backfield duties during the fourth quarter on Sunday and Titans fans even booed their former hero Johnson when he was on the field.
Fans
"I know if they're a true fan, they're with you through the ups and downs, anytime," he said.
"Through my first three years, I've been doing good, and they're my fans. As soon as I have a couple bad games, then they're automatically not my fans and boo me, this and that.
"They're probably just fans through fantasy football and something like that."
Although he has shown few signs of the rampaging CJ2K of old, Johnson insists he is remaining confident that he can turn things around sooner rather than later.
"You've got to stay confident," Johnson said. "You've got more games to play. It can easily turn around with one play. It'll be all right."
