Countdown to Titans camp: run game

The 2013-14 Tennessee Titans football season is less than two weeks away. Last time we previewed the wide receivers. Today...the run game.

Tennessee's run game was abysmal at the start of last season, and the offensive line was atrocious. They didn't have time to hold themselves accountable...they were already flattened by the bus that Chris Johnson threw them under....game after game. CJ had no room to talk, he was often seen pulling an MC Hammer in the backfield on short yardage situations. 

But I digress.

As the season went along, the run game did improve, and CJ finished the season with just under 1,500 total yards (1,243 rushing 232 receiving). But don't let those numbers fool you, the Titans were 21st in the league in rushing offense, and could not run the ball when they needed to...short yardage situations.

Hopefully that will change this year.

Running back Shonn Greene was picked up as a free agent this off season. Greene was a 1,000 yard rusher the last two seasons for a terrible Jets offense, and will be the first legitimate threat to Johnson's carries since the LenDale White days. Johnson was a rookie then.

Chemistry with the running back unit could be a problem. CJ has already publicly stated that he does not agree with Greene's signing. And we all know that CJ is all about one thing...his stats. Head coach Mike Munchak has already stated that Greene's role will not be relegated to short yardage back. Munchak went as far to suggest that he will go with the "hot hand" in game situations.

Uh oh.

In a perfect world the Titans would envision a two back system, with Johnson doing the heavy lifting and Greene...who's more of a power back...finishing off drives.

But who lives in a perfect world..right? And this is CJ we're talking about. Could he become a distraction?

The offensive line got a huge boost with the addition of Chance Warmack, who was drafted with the 10th overall pick in this year's draft. Several quality free agents, including a much needed center, were added to the mix as well. Injuries kept the starting unit from playing together during mini camps. They must gel quickly when training camp begins if the running game is to improve this season. Quarterback Jake Locker desperately needs them to come through this year.

Next up...the defense.            follow @plcolter