Rookie Johnson back rips 'bogus' vote
January 1
Tennessean
"One day after finishing second in the Associated Press NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year voting, Titans running back Chris Johnson lashed out against the selection process, calling "the whole thing bogus."
Johnson said his football peers and fans shouldthe winner of the annual award, not a panel of 50 sports writers and broadcasters who cover the league.
He added that since he received more votes to the Pro Bowl than any rookie and was the lone first-year player elected to the Pro Bowl, he should have won the award over Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan.
Johnson rushed for 1,228 yards and nine touchdowns, helping the Titans win the AFC South and earn the No. 1 seed in the playoffs.
"I did all I could do to win it," he said. "I feel like I did the best."
Ryan collected 44 votes, Johnson three. Johnson praised Ryan for what he accomplished, leading the Falcons recovering from the Michael Vick era back to the playoffs. Ryan passed for 3,440 yards with 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
Johnson said Ryan should have finished in a three-way tie for second with Bears running back Matt Forte and Texans running back Steve Slaton.
While Johnson talked about the award in the locker room, tight end Bo Scaife walked by and said: "He was robbed. … We need a recount!"
Injury report: Defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth said he has yet to run on his sprained left knee but feels on pace to return for the divisional playoff game Jan. 10.
"If the game was tomorrow, I couldn't play," he said.
Haynesworth sat out practice Wednesday, as did defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch (groin) and center Kevin Mawae (elbow).
Asked about playing Jan. 10, Vanden Bosch said: "I don't know where I'll be at. I'm just happy with the way it's been going. It's been improving every day."
Cramer returns: Tight end/fullback Casey Cramer signed with the Titans and took the roster spot of linebacker Josh Stamer, a leading special teams contributor who was placed on injured reserve.
Cramer, a fourth-year pro, played for the Titans in 2006 and '07, but they released him in August. He signed with the Dolphins and appeared in nine games with two starts before Miami released him Dec. 20.
Cramer said he spent Christmas at home for the first time in six years and was on the verge of signing with the Broncos when Fisher called.
Stamer suffered a groin injury in last week's loss to the Colts.
Vickerson returns: Defensive tackle Kevin Vickerson practiced Wednesday for the first time since serving a four-game suspension without pay for violating the NFL's policy on anabolic steroids and related substances."
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