While Dallas Cowboys fans are likely still riding the high from watching Stephen and Jerry Jones work down to the wire to ensure that wide receiver Dez Bryant would remain with the franchise for the foreseeable future, other pressing business remains that requires the organization's attention.
The running back spot, where the team is hoping some combination of Joseph Randle and Darren McFadden is able to replace the prodigious production of last year's leading rusher in the NFL, DeMarco Murray, could certain see some further attention paid to it this offseason, potentially in the form of former NY Jets ballcarrier Chris Johnson.
"Certainly, his big-money days are over in the league, but it's not about that at this point for Johnson, particularly after this spring's life-altering events," writes Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports. "Eventually he will find his market-value as the right player, at the right time, at the right price. And, call it a hunch, but I wouldn't be shocked if it ends up being Dallas, whether at some point during training camp or the regular season."
This wouldn't be the first time that Johnson's name has come up in conjunction with the Cowboys. The elder Jones indicated in May that Johnson was on a "short list" of running back names the team was considering, but said that he wasn't a "priority" at that point.
Johnson, who is currently recovering from a gunshot wound suffered during an unfortunate accident earlier this offseason, even went so far as to say that Dallas should "come holler" at him, adding that he believed he'd be a "good fit" with the Cowboys.
That may very well be and not just because of the limited options the Cowboys are facing at running back. From the sounds of things, Johnson may have more in the tank than his career-low rushing yards, attempts and touchdowns last season for the Jets would indicate.
"He still needs 18-25 carries, because you're going to need some volume to get him going and hit those home runs," a talent evaluator familiar with Johnson said, via La Canfora. "It might be 2, 1, 3, 5, but then it might be 71, 19. I actually thought he was the best back on that team last year. He'd be a good fit with some teams that run a lot of outside zone. You have to use him right and give him a chance to break the long ones, and he's got to be decisive and hit the hole. He can still play. He's not the guy he was, but he can still play."
Despite his recent downturn, Johnson still possesses ample speed and his 4.55 career average yards per carry is impressive in any light. He's also managed to rush for 1,000-yards in six out of his seven NFL seasons.
In short, if he's got anything left in the tank at all, it likely won't cost much for the Jones' to bring him in for a look-see in training camp and determine whether their two-headed running back duo should be amended to a three-back committee.
