Former NFL speedster Chris Johnson reacts to draft prospects and their fake 40 times
By John Buhler
Chris Johnson knows exactly what 4.2 speed looks like, so don’t try to fool him, please.
One of the fastest running backs to ever play in the NFL is Tennessee Titans legend Chris Johnson.
The former East Carolina standout famously ran a 4.24 40-yard dash at the 2008 NFL Scouting Combine. This helped Johnson become the No. 24 overall pick by the Titans. He spent six of his 10 NFL seasons in Nashville, making three straight trips to the Pro Bowl from 2008-10. Johnson broke the 2,000-yard single-season rushing threshold in his sensational second year in the NFL.
So when veteran cornerback Charles James tweeted out what 4.2 speed actually looks like, you better believe Johnson reacted favorably to it. All these fake 40 times diminish what Johnson did in Indianapolis over a decade ago and what he did in the early part of his career for the Titans. Even in his mid-30s, Johnson can still probably beat many top prospects who say they run a 4.3 40.
https://twitter.com/ChrisJohnson28/status/1377642755887931393
Chris Johnson shouldn’t let these NFL Draft prospects get away with fake 40s
Because of the ongoing global pandemic, there was no 2021 NFL Scouting Combine. It had been held annually in Indianapolis for who knows how long. What made the combine so special is that it created somewhat of an equal playing field for top prospects coming out of blue-blood programs, as well as giving guys from smaller schools like Johnson coming out of East Carolina their chance.
With those times recorded in Indianapolis being official, it was very difficult for prospects to muddy up their 40 times. While they could always run a 40-yard dash at their schools’ respective Pro Days, the time run at Lucas Oil Stadium is what most NFL diehard fans remember. Even if somebody claims their 40 time in 2021 is legit, good luck trying to convince James … and Johnson.
A fake 40 time is not going to help you be faster than Johnson coming out of East Carolina in 2008.
Next. Dak Prescott is expected to run less going forward. dark