What does Chris Johnson have to do to get in the MVP discussion?

[Tailback U]

Guy is on pace to break Marshall Faulk's all-time single season total yards from scrimmage record and has a chance of breaking the all time single season rushing record as well.

He's probably going to get at least 2,000 yards rushing and nobody is even mentioning him in the MVP discussion at all. I don't get it.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/sh...-Chris-Johnson-needs-709-yards?urn=nfl,205842

Tue Dec 01, 2009 1:33 pm EST
Chasing Dickerson: Chris Johnson needs 709 yards in five games

By MJD

For 25 years now, Eric Dickerson has held the NFL's single-season rushing record with the 2,105 rushing yards he racked up in 1984. That record is now in some danger.

Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson, with five games to go, has the legendary record in his sights. Here's where we stand at the moment:

The green bar in the middle represents the ideal pace you'd like to be at by Week 11 if you're going to hit 2,105. As you can see, Johnson's a tiny bit off that pace right now, but it's nothing he can't make up.

It's doable. More doable than you think, even.

Johnson has averaged 126.9 yards per game on the year, and he'll need to average 141.8 over the last five if he's going to catch Dickerson. The news is better than it appears, though.

In the six games started by Kerry Collins(notes), Johnson averaged 99.3 yards per game. In the five games since Vince Young(notes) has taken over, he's averaged 160 yards per game. So he doesn't even have to get better to take down Dickerson's record. He's just gotta keep on keepin' on.

If you're wondering about the rushing defenses he'll face, they're nothing staggering. He's got the 15th, 28th, 12th, 21st and 18th ranked rushing defenses left on his schedule, giving up an average of 118.8 yards a game. The last five defenses he faced gave up an average of 119.

And if it does happen, it will happen way more impressively. Dickerson got 23.7 carries per game. Right now, Johnson is getting 19.7.

Things set up pretty well for Johnson, so Dickerson, you might want to start thinking about clearing your schedule on January 3rd so you can attend Chris Johnson's record-breaking ceremony. Don't worry, though. Your status as the most awkward sideline reporter of all-time will always remain safe.

Is it because VY has had a significant impact on his improved statistics? Does that take away from Johnson's production?

 

[Woy]

Merril Hoge said during the Cardinals/Titans highlights that he should be in the discussion.

I think he needs to continue his pace and the Titans need to make the playoffs. If that happens, I don't see any reason why he shouldn't get it or at least get a bunch of first-place votes.

 

[Point Blank]

Get them to the playoffs and he'll have a chance. Doubt he'd win it over a QB though.

 

[Sharkweather]

Because Drew Brees and Peyton Manning are 11-0. And play QB.

 

[Senser81]

Screw Chris Johnson. I'd give the MVP to "The Pace".

 

[ultfrisbee]

For the same reason Drew Brees didn't get it last year. 7-9/8-8/9-7 teams that don't make the playoffs don't get MVP titles

 

[Berowsk]

MVP titles are for the Most Valuable Player to their team. Imagine the Titans without Chris Johnson. They would be HORRIBLE. Same with the Colts and Saints though. It should be between CJ, Brees, and Manning with Manning (i mean Brees) of course winning it all.

 

[Senser81]

MVP titles are for the Most Valuable Player to their team. Imagine the Titans without Chris Johnson. They would be HORRIBLE.

They started 0-6 with Johnson on the team...

 

[Woy]

They started 0-6 with Johnson on the team...

Then do you give it to Vince Young if they win out? I mean they were 0-6 with Kerry Collins in there.

 

[ralaw]

They started 0-6 with Johnson on the team...

That's what I was going to say. The team was 0-6 until VY became the starter, so it seems to me that had something to do with it. The article even said that Johnson has gotten better since VY became the starter, so maybe the article should have been written on behalf of VY instead.

 

[Woy]

Johnson also only got the ball 20+ times once in that six game losing streak. And even in that game (@ NYJ) he only got the ball 2-3 times in the fourth quarter as Kerry Collins went 0-13 to preserve the loss.

 

[Hasselbeck]

Well if he's within 150 yards of the record in Week 17.. he's a mortal lock to get it since Seattle surrenders personal achievements as often as T.Dot makes a shitty ass post.

 

[RainboUnicorn]

MVP titles are for the Most Valuable Player to their team. Imagine the Titans without Chris Johnson. They would be HORRIBLE. Same with the Colts and Saints though. It should be between CJ, Brees, and Manning with Manning (i mean Brees) of course winning it all.

There is always going to be the argument as to weather MVP is best player in the league or the most valuable to their team.

You have to put Favre in the discussion. 24 td's 3 ints. Thats just unfathomable to me (especially since Cutler throws 3 int's a game).

 

[Woy]

There is always going to be the argument as to weather MVP is best player in the league or the most valuable to their team.

You have to put Favre in the discussion. 24 td's 3 ints. Thats just unfathomable to me (especially since Cutler throws 3 int's a game).

Agreed, Favre needs to be in the discussion.

 

[Hasselbeck]

Agreed, Favre needs to be in the discussion.

Barring Favre dropping off in December again like he has in recent years.. it's his award to lose at this point. 40 year olds simply don't produce like he has.

 

[Derrville]

Favre stays healthy hes gonna be the first 4 time MVP. No doubt about it.

 

[Archer]

Barring Favre dropping off in December again like he has in recent years.. it's his award to lose at this point. 40 year olds simply don't produce like he has.

Only way I see Favre losing is if the Saints or Colts go 16-0

 

[Woy]

Only way I see Favre losing is if the Saints or Colts go 16-0

Same. That or if his December woes come back.

 

[Hasselbeck]

Only way I see Favre losing is if the Saints or Colts go 16-0

Even then, look at his numbers.. he was expected to be the caretaker and just hand the ball off to AD. Instead, he's carrying this Vikings team right now.

24 TD's and 3 picks is unheard of for ANY QB.. much less a 40 year old.

 

[Derrville]

I think its Favres to lose no matter what.

Manning and the Colts have always been Juggernauts and Brees is playing lights out but the New Orleans defense is 100x better than its been in previous years and is a bigger reason than people give credit, to New Orleans' success.

Favre however took a Vikings team thats been solid for the last few years, that never could quite get over the hump, and spring shotted them to a new level that no one could have ever expected.