Is Knowshon Moreno Viable Option For Tennessee Titans?
Feb 2, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Denver Broncos running back Knowshon Moreno (27) recovers a fumble in the end zone against the Seattle Seahawks for a safety in the first quarter in Super Bowl XLVIII at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Rumors and speculations have been floating around for quite some time now that the Tennessee Titans may not be retaining Chris Johnson for this upcoming season and that his release is inevitable. With that comes the rumors and speculations of what the Tennessee Titans will do to replace him and there are many options they could take.
The Titans still have Shonn Greene under contract and could decide to stick it out with him and just sign depth. They could also go out and draft a running back to either learn under Greene for a year then carry the load shortly after or to draft one that can step in and perform immediately. Then there is the option of looking to free agency to fill the void left by CJ.
Assuming Chris Johnson isn’t with the Tennessee Titans next season, I have read online and across numerous sites that some fans want the Titans to pursue current Denver Broncos running back Knowshon Moreno as potential void filler. While I can see why some would point to Moreno as the next running back savior for the Titans, I want to be the first to tell you that Moreno is not the answer for the Titans. Other options should be pursued over Moreno and signing him would be a mistake for the Titans.
Why is this? First off, look at Moreno’s stats over the last few seasons since coming out of Georgia:
2009 – Played in all 16 games, had 947 totals rushing yards and 7 touchdowns
2010 – Played in 13 games, had 779 total rushing yards and 5 touchdowns
2011 – Played in 7 games, had 179 total rushing yards and 0 touchdowns
2012 – Played in 8 games, had 525 total rushing yards and 4 touchdowns
2013 – Played in all 16 games, had 1,038 total rushing yards and 10 touchdowns
If you simply compare those stats to that of Chris Johnson, if wouldn’t make sense to ever cut Johnson and Moreno. Moreno has been much less productive than CJ and has had problems with injuries in the past. Both of these things are obvious downgrades from Johnson.
Moreno hasn’t really lived up to the hype he had coming out of college. A former first round draft pick, Moreno struggled to find his feet in the NFL and after a promising rookie campaign really declined until this past season. With the emergence of Montee Ball in Denver, expect Moreno’s days to be done as well. So why would the Titans release a player like Johnson to pick up someone like Moreno? It simply doesn’t make sense. While Moreno had a successful season it doesn’t merit 1) Picking him up over another potential option 2) Giving him money that may not turn into results and 3) Dropping Johnson over him would be foolish.
Keep in mind this simple stat: Chris Johnson even in this so called “down season” rushed for 1,077 totals yards. That is STILL more than what Moreno rushed for.
With all this in mind, Titans fans need to put to rest any idea that Moreno would be a good fit or replacement at running back over Chris Johnson.
Disagree with me on Moreno or think CJ deserves to be back? Let me know in the comment, on Facebook, or via Twitter at @Titan_Sized or my personal account @NPitak.
(All statistics for Moreno and Johnson provided via ESPN).