By Terry McCormick
FOXSportsTennessee.com
August 18, 2010
Tennessee Titans star running back Chris Johnson has always been cutting edge when it comes to gadgetry.
Johnson has embraced Twitter and in his spare time, Johnson likes to make use of USTREAM video.
Now, Johnson is getting to use some cutting edge tools on the field as well. Nike has given Johnson, who became only the sixth man in NFL history to run for 2,000 yards in a season, a special set of pads to wear under his football pants.
Rather than the pads having to be inserted into his regular football pants, Johnson is wearing in practice what he calls a �girdle� that has the hip pads, thigh pads, knee pads and tail pads already built in. He simply puts it on, and then dons his regular Titans uniform pants over them.
�I'm going to test them out to see how it all goes. They're still making a couple of changes and things like that so they'll be more comfortable on me and fit well,� Johnson said.
Johnson wore his regular attire in Seattle, so he hasn't had a chance to test the girdle out yet in a game situation or to actually take much of a hit in them. But that might be coming on Monday Night Football this week when the Titans host the Arizona Cardinals.
�We really don't tackle in practice, so I haven't really tested them out in a game this year,� Johnson said.
Johnson said the girdle is really light and does not inhibit him in anyway when he runs. And it helps that Nike has made him one a spokesperson for the newfangled pads. The girdle hanging in Johnson's locker says �28 CJ2K, Prepare for Combat.�
�I guess I'm like the spokesperson for them, all the billboards around the states and in magazines and stuff,� Johnson said. �I'm pretty much wearing them in photo shoots and stuff like that. I guess they're letting me test them out right now.
�It's just a thing where you don't need as much stuff. It's so I won't forget my knee pads or stuff like that. They're all in one girdle. ...When you have them on, it doesn't really feel like you have pads on at all.�
Nothing for granted
Jason McCourty got most of the first-team work in OTAs at the cornerback and has gotten more than his share in training camp and preseason thus far.
McCourty has been steady for the most part working with the first team as he battles Ryan Mouton, rookie Alterraun Verner and veteran Tye Hill for the starting job.
However, the 2009 sixth-round pick from Rutgers is taking nothing for granted as he tries to secure the starting job,.
�I'm not trying to get complacent at all,� McCourty said. �We've got good corners here. Tye Hill is getting healthy and Verner is continuing to make plays. I'm just trying to go out there and compete every day.�
Rookie watch
Titans coach Jeff Fisher indicated that rookie wide receiver Damian Williams has been fully cleared and should get his chance to return kicks and punts in Monday night's game with Arizona.
Williams began training camp on PUP because of a hamstring injury. He was restored to the active roster last week, but still was held out against Seattle as a precaution.
Scheduled back
Rookie running back LeGarrette Blount was scheduled to be back in time for Wednesday evening's practice. He has been excused since Saturday night's game in Seattle for personal reasons.
