Post by jcappy on Feb 16, 2015 21:15:56 GMT -5
espn.go.com/new-york/nfl/story/_/id/12335018/chris-johnson-blames-john-idzik-not-rex-ryan-limited-role-new-york-jets
Chris Johnson takes shots at Jets
Former New York Jets running back Chris Johnson, who will become a free agent March 10 because his option wasn't exercised by the team, took a couple of parting shots Monday, blaming dysfunction within the organization as the reason for his disappointing season.
Basically, Johnson accused the Jets of lying to him.
"I think I went into a situation where I was told one thing and it was another," he said on "The Rich Eisen Show."
Johnson said he signed with the Jets in April because former coach Rex Ryan promised him a substantial role, but it never materialized because Johnson believes former general manager John Idzik meddled and dictated playing time.
"Throughout the whole thing, I think last year, with that organization, I think a lot of the stuff was out of Rex's hands," Johnson said. "A lot of the things that we were doing I think it was out of Rex's hands. Don't nobody know, but it was a [bad] situation."
Johnson acknowledged he was referring to Idzik, who, along with Ryan, was fired after the season.
"Yeah, like a lot of things, probably, I guess, calling the shots, as far as with the team and things that goes on on Sundays and whatever," Johnson said. "I think a lot of it was out of Rex's hands because when I sat down and talked to Rex before I signed with the Jets, my role and my situation were explained to me totally different to what actually happened.
"That's just what it was. It was never a type of thing where I was just being outplayed or anything like that. It was never a situation where I got the opportunity to show my talents and be used the way that I was supposed to be used."
Statistically, it was by far Johnson's worst season, as he finished with career lows in carries (155) and rushing yards (663). On Saturday, the Jets announced they weren't planning to pick up a $500,000 option bonus.
Johnson, who turns 30 in September, was one-and-done with the Jets after six straight 1,000-yard seasons with the Tennessee Titans.
There was some revisionist history in Johnson's comments. When he signed in April, he told reporters, "This year, it's about winning, and I wanted to come into a program where I think we can win. If that [sharing carries] is what the coach feels will help us win, that's what we'll have to do."
Johnson got off to a slow start, as the coaches felt he was favoring his surgically repaired knee. The playing-time split tilted slightly toward Chris Ivory, who finished with 198 carries and a team-high 821 yards. Publicly, Johnson vented his frustration at various points during the season.
The Jets stumbled to a 4-12 season, but one of the few things they did well was run the ball. They finished as the No. 3 rushing offense.
Chris Johnson takes shots at Jets
Former New York Jets running back Chris Johnson, who will become a free agent March 10 because his option wasn't exercised by the team, took a couple of parting shots Monday, blaming dysfunction within the organization as the reason for his disappointing season.
Basically, Johnson accused the Jets of lying to him.
"I think I went into a situation where I was told one thing and it was another," he said on "The Rich Eisen Show."
Johnson said he signed with the Jets in April because former coach Rex Ryan promised him a substantial role, but it never materialized because Johnson believes former general manager John Idzik meddled and dictated playing time.
"Throughout the whole thing, I think last year, with that organization, I think a lot of the stuff was out of Rex's hands," Johnson said. "A lot of the things that we were doing I think it was out of Rex's hands. Don't nobody know, but it was a [bad] situation."
Johnson acknowledged he was referring to Idzik, who, along with Ryan, was fired after the season.
"Yeah, like a lot of things, probably, I guess, calling the shots, as far as with the team and things that goes on on Sundays and whatever," Johnson said. "I think a lot of it was out of Rex's hands because when I sat down and talked to Rex before I signed with the Jets, my role and my situation were explained to me totally different to what actually happened.
"That's just what it was. It was never a type of thing where I was just being outplayed or anything like that. It was never a situation where I got the opportunity to show my talents and be used the way that I was supposed to be used."
Statistically, it was by far Johnson's worst season, as he finished with career lows in carries (155) and rushing yards (663). On Saturday, the Jets announced they weren't planning to pick up a $500,000 option bonus.
Johnson, who turns 30 in September, was one-and-done with the Jets after six straight 1,000-yard seasons with the Tennessee Titans.
There was some revisionist history in Johnson's comments. When he signed in April, he told reporters, "This year, it's about winning, and I wanted to come into a program where I think we can win. If that [sharing carries] is what the coach feels will help us win, that's what we'll have to do."
Johnson got off to a slow start, as the coaches felt he was favoring his surgically repaired knee. The playing-time split tilted slightly toward Chris Ivory, who finished with 198 carries and a team-high 821 yards. Publicly, Johnson vented his frustration at various points during the season.
The Jets stumbled to a 4-12 season, but one of the few things they did well was run the ball. They finished as the No. 3 rushing offense.
