In what is one of the more surprising, albeit less glamorous, free agent moves, Shonn Greene has signed with the Titans. The deal is for $10 million over three years – not bad money for an apparent back-up running back.
This move all but eliminates Greene's fantasy value. This comes as a blow to Greene owners as he had finally emerged as a capable RB2/flex option, averaging a workmanlike 3.9 YPC, gaining over 1,000 yards and chalking up eight TDs in 2012. Greene has never fully lived up to his draft day promise and now, barring injury, will be a limited-carry TD vulture.
The Jets' depth chart now stands depleted, with Bilal Powell as the front runner in the clubhouse to be the lead back. It seems very likely that New York will again address running back in the draft, as this is one of their top needs at this point. Unfortunately for Jets fans, running back is just one position on a laundry list of needs. (Note: They selected RBs in the middle rounds in 2009, 2010 and 2011 but have yet to find a workable solution.)
Moving south to Nashville, the signing of Greene likely spells the end for Javon Ringer. Ringer had been a dynasty darling at times, but never did much when given the chance. The good news for Chris Johnson owners is they now know who his handcuff will be. There's no more debating about Ringer vs. Jaime Harper.
The bad news is he’s going to lose some rushing touches here and there. I wouldn’t worry too much about that, however. Johnson is a solid threat in the passing game (something that certainly can’t be said about Greene). I’d expect the Titans to get back to having him as an integral part of the passing game. Johnson remains a borderline RB1 option – in the same range as guys like Matt Forte, Stevan Ridley and Demarco Murray.
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