Munchak: 50 yds a game won't cut it

The Tennessee Titans rushing attack is dead – dead last that is in rushing.
In years past, such a thought was unfathomable for a team so predicated and dedicated to running the football.

But now through five games, the Titans are averaging just 66.6 yards per game rushing, which means Tennessee is having a devil of a time running the football.

Chris Johnson has struggled, gaining 51 yards on 14 carries, and for the season has just 250 yards on 83 rushing attempts. Those are not exactly the numbers the Titans were looking for when they ponied up $30 million guaranteed as part of a $53 million package in August.

Obviously not all the blame falls on Johnson, as the Titans offensive line has had some issues as well. But some have criticized CJ, not only this year, but in the past, for not always hitting the hole quickly enough or trying to make too much when only a small amount might be there.

“I think Chris runs the way he runs. He's not gonna change the way he does things,” Coach Mike Munchak said. “He needs to play better. We need to block better. We all know that. When he's having 50 yards a game, that's not gonna cut it. He's a great player, and he needs to play great. And right now that's not happening.”

Munchak also said that for now the Titans won't contemplate any changes on the offensive line or with their tight ends. The same starting five has been on the field for the entire time except for the second half of the Titans' win over the Cleveland Browns when Fernando Velasco replaced an injured Leroy Harris at left guard.

“It definitely needs to get better. We're working on it, the only way you can work on it in practice. Unfortunately we've had two or three games where we've gotten away from the run game,” Munchak said. “We didn't get as many carries as we would have liked yesterday or in the opener because we couldn't score. But it's got to get a lot better than it is. I think we all agree on that.”