Football

Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Passing the 2,000-yard mark caps Johnson's Titan-ic year

By: Staff Writer

4/01/2010 1:00 AM | Comments: 0

SEATTLE -- Chris Johnson became the sixth player in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards in a season, then scored the go-ahead touchdown on a one-yard run with 4:33 remaining to send the Tennessee Titans to a 17-13 victory over the Seattle Seahawks in the season finale Sunday.

Johnson ran 36 times -- three short of Earl Campbell's franchise record set in 1981 against Seattle -- for 134 yards and both of the touchdowns for the Titans (8-8) against a Seahawks defence that hit him hard and was determined to stop him from making history on it.

"Those were hard yards today," Titans coach Jeff Fisher said. "And you have to compliment him, because throughout the season he practised every single day. I think he took two days off the whole season.

"That's an amazing feat."

Justin Forsett ran 10 times for 74 yards for the Seahawks (5-11). Matt Hasselbeck was 15-for-30 with a touchdown, but he threw an interception at the Titans' 27 on fourth down with 1:19 remaining. It was his 10th turnover in his last three games.

Johnson, the second-year dynamo, ran right, cut back inside and jumped over a teammate for a four-yard gain early in the fourth quarter. Game officials tossed the ball to the Titans' sideline as Johnson joined Eric Dickerson, Jamal Lewis, Barry Sanders, Terrell Davis and O.J. Simpson in the 2,000-yard club.

Otherwise, there was little acknowledgment of Johnson's second major milestone of the day, which came on his 32nd carry and while Seattle's Colin Cole was helped off with an injury.

Moments earlier, a holding penalty negated what would have been a far flashier way for Johnson to reach the milestone: a 62-yard touchdown romp that would have given him a chance at the all-time rushing record.

Johnson finished the season with 2,006 yards.

Redskins poised to punt Zorn

THE Washington Redskins plan to fire coach Jim Zorn on Monday, an official within the NFL told The Associated Press.

The Redskins planned to make the move on the day after the end of a disappointing regular season. Washington struggled early despite a weak schedule and finished 4-12 after losing 23-20 in Sunday's finale against the San Diego Chargers.

The official spoke to the AP on Sunday on condition of anonymity because no formal announcement has been made.

-- The Associated Press

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition January 4, 2010 C5

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