Is it time for Munchak to blame Chris Johnson?

Chris Johnson's first three seasons have ranked him fourth all time among running backs with the most yards. In each of those three years he averaged five yards per carry. In the recent off-season, CJ2K waited out for a big contract that he felt like he deserved.

The season started slow for CJ2K. He had missed the whole of the pre-season and was carefully given more and more touches. After all, spending 56 million dollars on a player you want to keep him healthy. However in the recent game against the Texans, Johnson averaged 1.8 yard per carry and was out-performed by his backup. Johnson has rushed for 268 yards and a touchdown. Not quite quality worth 50 million.

Johnson's struggles have been blamed on the offensive line, lack of communication and even poor play calling. No one has blamed him. Is it time for Johnson to take responsibility? In my opinion, definitely.

The Titan's running-back commented after the game that, "I won't say that I'm the issue." Amazing. The man who wants a new contract and wont turn up to training camp. His greed has excelled his legs. Getting that huge pay off has led to arrogance and too much comfort.

Watching Johnson play you do not quite see that burst of speed, that claw for the extra yards that we use to. Ultimately I do not see the confidence in him. It would be nice to say that his lack of performance is because defences are focused in the run due to no passing game. But, Matt Hasselbeck has provided a new spark to the Titan's passing game and logically should open up lanes for Johnson. Even Nate Washington has become a big receiver after Kenny Britt went on IR.

I think it is time for Munchak to stop making excuses and covering Johnson's behind. Munchak responded to Johnson's comments on Sunday by saying, "I don't think he meant to say that he has stepped back and it's everyone else's problems." Did he not hear Johnson's comments? It is exactly what he said. Johnson was selfish when he held out for big money, selfish when he made negative comments on Twitter about the Titan's fans, and now he is selfish when there is a clearly an issue that he himself should own up to.

I would even go as far as to say that the reason the Titan's have not recently thrown the ball well is because teams are not worried about the run. Munchak has no choice but to stick by his multi-million dollar prized running back, but dropping him for a quarter or a game could help.

I do not buy into the idea that Johnson just wants money. He is an athlete. What he needs is a challenge. He needs to know that he is not guaranteed a starting place until he can handle it. Munchak would be doing everyone a favour by giving Javon Ringer the start or even split carries with CJ2K. It would also allow the fans to see Johnson fighting for his place back. The fans would be back on his side and the whole issue, whats wrong with CJ, would be over and Titans could potentially be play-off bound if they sort out this issue.

Al Davis Dies

The long-time Oakland Raiders owner, Al Davis, passed away on Saturday at his home aged 82. Davis has done some remarkable things at Oakland; although his methods have been criticised.

Al Davis was always a man on a mission. Whether he was in court victoriously taking his team to L.A. or suing the NFL for money after he moved the team back. He was an incredible figure when it came to joining the AFL and NFL together in 1970.

Oakland Raiders are, "deeply saddened by the passing." They released a statement explaining that, "Al Davis was unique, a maverick, a giant among giants, a true legend among legends, the brightest star among stars, a hero, a mentor, a friend."

NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell, issued a statement stating, "He defined the Raiders and contributed to pro football at every level. the respect he commanded was evident in the way that people listened carefully every time he spoke. He is a true legend of the game whose impact and legacy will forever be part of the NFL."

The man who loved his Raiders to, "Just Win, Baby" was found in his home in Oakland. The reason for his death has not been exposed yet.

As an Oakland fan I am sad to see such a great owners go. Davis took a lot of crap in my opinion for his drafting choices and relationships with coaches. I am glad that he go to an Oakland quarterback finally throwing the ball down field again and Darius Heyward-Bey finally show potential and have over 100 yards receiving.

Another Great Sunday Tomorrow- A great week of articles coming up!!

I love Sundays. Everything I do on a Sunday I love and enjoy to the utmost.

Tomorrow is going to be an even better Sunday. Why is this you ask? Well not only are Urban Saints incorporating water balloons in one of their games (I get to buy them so I bought like 40 of them), but my favourite NFL team are on Sky Sports against the Patriots. Yes I am an Oakland Raiders fan. We are looking not bad this season but I am not that optimistic that I believe that they are going to win against Brady and the Patriots who will be mad after their loss to the Bills last Sunday.

On top of that, the opening Asian tennis circuit has Andy Murray play Donald Young in Bangkok and Tipsarevic and WC Marcos Baghdatis play in Kuala Lumpur.

Upcoming Articles
ATP- reports on both Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur's finals. I expect Murray and Tipsarevic to win.
NFL- I was obviously write about the Raiders Patriots match, but also on another top as I am interested to see how Gabbert and Michael Vick handle this week.
Literature- I have read 2 chapters of the God Delusion by Richard Dawkins and would like to discuss it.
Filmer's Film Review- I watched Warrior yesterday so I will talk about that. I might also discuss Friends with Benefits and The Change Up.
Evangelical- London Christ Church meeting tomorrow so expect a review.

Happy Sunday everyone. FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER!!!

Put Professional Players in their Place!

The more power we seem to give professional athletes, the more problems that are existing. Carlos Tevez refuses to play, Chris Johnson holds out for more money, and Michael Crabtree gets drafted and then would not sign a multi-million dollar contract? Look at what has happened.

Tevez refuses to play after spending all summer trying to leave but he would not take a pay cut. Johnson holds out all pre-season so he can sign a huge contract. Darrelle Revis held out for seven months so he could get more money in 2010. Michael Crabtree refuses to sign a rookie contract unless he is guaranteed over $20 million in 2009.

After seeing an NFL lock out, the NBA currently has a lock out and the ATP are talking of a lock out as well. The NFL lock out has affected the level of the game in my opinion. The NBA lock out looks very long term because players are going to other countries to play. Andy Murray, Andy Roddick and Novak Djockovic has showed a lot of distaste towards a busy schedule and a lack of a post season.

What does the current professional athlete environment look like? To me it is starting to look like its all about me. The tennis season is very tough and the off season is small, it has very often been like that. Why is it like that? Everybody wants to see the best players play at all times. That is the life of a professional tennis player. Players are moaning about the schedule but the only events they have to play are the Masters and the Grand Slams. The other events are usually played due to money or the player feels like they need this.

The NFL had a lock out and seemed to solve all their problems. However, Chris Johnson's hold out really bothered me. Just like Revis the year before; Johnson still had two years left on his contract. The money probably was not what he deserved but he was still under contract. Johnson held out and it has really damaged his ability to perform this season so far. His hold out may have been worth it for him but for the team and the fans it certainly was not.

We now have rookies even demanding better contracts. Michael Crabtree held out for more money and he not even played a match for the 49ers. Crabtree is a perfect example of why power to the players really needs to be looked at. If a rookie can come in and demand more money when he is not even a proven asset then they have too much power.

The overall message when you think about Carlos Tevez, Chris Johnson and the ATP potential lock out is this: Employees are worth more than their boss or even the company. Andy Roddick said in a recent interview that, "I have been trying to tell people that talent usually wins in negotiations." My return argument would be that without somewhere to show case your talent it is worthless. Players need to be put in their place and quickly before the next generation of players go even further than the current generation.

NFL AND ATP ARTICLES UPDATED

The NFL and ATP pages have been updated with small stories regarding Sidney Rice's return and the Moselle Men's Open from Metz, France respectively. Please feel free to check them out.

Follow me on Twitter @atpnflandlife to get quick up to date tweets on article ideas and publishes.

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Happy Sunday everybody.

I'll be back on Monday to report on Moselle Open Final, NFL Sunday and hopefully my visit to London Christchurch.