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Defense runs on empty

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Updated Nov 4, 2009 8:30 PM ET
     
 
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - It was a record-breaking performance by the Jaguars defense. But not the kind to brag about. More embarrassing than anything else. Jacksonville held opposing running backs to no more than 83 yards rushing in one outing through the first six games. Then Tennessee's Chris Johnson nearly tripled that to force his way into Jacksonville's record books Sunday while leading the Titans to a 30-13 drubbing. Jacksonville's run defense gave up a franchise-record for team yardage (305) and individual yardage as Johnson ran for 228 yards (9.5 yards per carry) and two touchdowns. Johnson also set the record for the longest touchdown run from scrimmage against the Jags (89 yards) with his TD in the fourth quarter. His 52-yard score in the third quarter ranks as the third-longest scoring run against the Jaguars . "Yeah, I kept the game ball and I'm going to put it in my office with the rest of my game balls," Johnson said. Perhaps he should. Before Johnson's rushing clinic, the most the Jags had given up on the ground was 179 yards (on Oct. 30, 2005) to St. Louis running back Steven Jackson. Johnson's 89-yard run in the fourth-quarter - in which he sidestepped Reggie Nelson, bulldozed Brian Russell and outran the rest of the Jags - should make a few highlight reels. "They whipped our butts," defensive end John Henderson said. Nose tackle Terrance Knighton couldn't disagree. Asked if the defense's inability to stop the run was demoralizing, Knighton said, "Yeah." "That's the No. 1 rule on any defense: You don't let a team run on you," he added. "Johnson is a great running back. When you have a chance to make plays on him, you have to because he can break the game open anytime. We missed tackles at the point of attack, and once he gets to the second level - it's a race - a lot of guys don't catch him." Johnson, quarterback Vince Young and backup running back LenDale White combined for an average of 6.2 yards on 49 runs. Although he didn't say it specifically, Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio seemed to call his team soft for its performance against the Titans. The coach also indicated that his team might be better performers in practice than in games. "[We were] actually calling out the plays [knowing what they were going to do]. There was no trickery to it. We didn't shed blocks, tackle and leverage anywhere near where you have to in this league to be any good," Del Rio said. "Without that, it can get ugly. Somehow between when we leave the practice field on Friday afternoon - when we feel really good about the preparation - [to when] we show up Sunday for the ballgame, we're not bringing the energy, the tempo, the intent that we're showing in practice that makes us all feel good. "We're not consistently showing up with that on Sunday."
Tagged: Terrance Knighton, Rams, Raiders, Chris Johnson, Jaguars, Steven Jackson, Chris Johnson, Titans

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