Chris Johnson thinks he could beat Usain Bolt

Brian McIntyre - NFL.com

Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson ran a blazing time 4.24 seconds in the 40-yard dash at the 2008 NFL Scouting Combine. Johnson has used that speed to gain over 7,000 yards from scrimmage with 42 touchdowns as a pro, 10 of which are over 50 yards.

DDFP: Bolt and the NFL

Dave Dameshek and NFL's fastest man in history, Darrell Green, talk about Usain Bolt's NFL prospects and potential 40-yard dash time. Listen ...

Johnson also thinks he has the speed to beat Olympic record-holder Usain Bolt of Jamaica, who ran the 100 meters in 9.63 seconds for the gold medal Sunday in this year's summer games in London. He has one caveat, however: The distance must be a short one.

"I feel like if I would have kept training for track I'd have a chance, but I play football and he runs track, so it's totally different," Johnson said, via Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean. "I think I could still probably beat him in the 40. If I actually trained for the distance he trained for, I think I'd have a chance."

Around the League already reached out to Pittsburgh Steelers scout Mark Gorsack, who football fans would recognize as the starter at the 40-yard dash at the combine, to get his thoughts on whether Bolt, or anyone, could run a sub-4.0 time in the 40-yard dash. Gorsack didn't see it happening. With Johnson already running a 4.24, a race between the two speedsters would be probably be fairly close ... and brief.

Chris Johnson is fast, but he is out of his mind to think that he could beat Bolt.  Even if he trained his body purely for track and not football, the bio-mechanical advantage that Bolt has is enormous.  -Tiger

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Trent Richardson having surgery on Thursday

Posted by Josh Alper on August 9, 2012, 12:05 PM EDT

AP

It looks like yesterday’s word that Browns rookie running back Trent Richardson would be having arthroscopic surgery was correct.

Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealeris reporting that Richardson is “definitely”having the surgery on Thursday. Her report confirms that the intent is to remove a loose piece of cartilage in the knee. The surgery will be done by Dr. James Andrews, the same surgeon who performed the surgery to repair Richardson’s torn meniscus in February.

Brian Cushing released from the hospital

Posted by Josh Alper on August 9, 2012, 12:22 PM EDT

AP

Texans linebacker Brian Cushing is out of the hospital.

Cushing checked in on Tuesday night with an illness that coach Gary Kubiak described as flu-like symptoms. Cushing has recovered enough to get back on his feet and Kubiak is hopeful that he’ll be back with the team on Thursday afternoon.

Kubiak isn’t ruling Cushing out of Saturday’s preseason opener against the Panthers. If Cushing continues to feel well, it sounds like he’s going to play.

Sidney Rice plans to be ready for Week One

Posted by Mike Florio on August 8, 2012, 9:17 PM EDT

AP

Regardless of whether Braylon Edwards orTerrell Owens (or both) will be suited up for the Seahawks in Week One against the Cardinals, Sidney Rice says he will be.

In response to a report from Peter King of SI.com that Rice may not be ready for the regular-season opener due to shoulder and concussion issues, Rice tells Dave “Softy” Mahler of KJR radio in Seattle that Rice will play.

“I’m playing in the Cardinal game,” Rice said.  “My plan is to be out there September 9 versus the Cardinals in Arizona.”

Since a breakout season in 2009, with 1,312 receiving yards, Rice has appeared in only 15 of 32 games, due to injury.

Last year, his first in Seattle, Rice was plagued by shoulder and concussions problems.  In the offseason, he had surgery on both shoulders.

Rice has been practicing this year with the red no-touchy jersey.

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Bears raving about Alshon Jeffrey

Posted by Josh Alper on August 9, 2012, 9:07 AM EDT

Getty Images

There’s been a lot of optimism around the Bears this summer with their upgrades at receiver serving as the foundation for much of it.

Chicago traded for Brandon Marshall to be the kind of No. 1 receiver that the Bears have lacked since bringing Jay Cutler over from Denver. If you believe cornerback Charles Tillman, they also got a Marshall clone when they drafted wide receiver Alshon Jeffrey in the second round of the draft.

Thursday morning one-liners

Posted by Darin Gantt on August 9, 2012, 8:16 AM EDT

AP

The Bills’ defensive starters are excited for a look atRedskins QB Robert Griffin III tonight.

The Dolphins kicked off their 40th anniversary celebration of the 17-0 team of 1972 with a press conference/reunionyesterday.

Former Patriots backup QB Scott Zolak will replace Gino Cappelletti in the booth as the new color man on the team’s radio broadcast.

Matt Slauson has beaten out Vlad Ducasse for the Jets’ starting LG job.

Ravens rookie LB Stevie Baggs has a tattoo that reads “Shakespeare,” a nickname given to him at Bethune-Cookman because he made so many plays.

Bengals rookie LB Vontaze Burfict is excited for a chance to play in his first preseason game.

Despite a wave of bad news that hit yesterday, Browns fans were in a good mood at the team’s Family Night practice, with 17,238 showing up to watch.

Steelers WR Emmanuel Sanders has some catching up to do with Mike Wallace out.

Texans coach Gary Kubiak praised his team’s defensive backs, which have been a sore spot in the past.

Former college hoops star Joe Reitz has made it back to his hometown team, trying to a win an offensive line job with the Colts.

Jaguars DT C.J. Mosley is listed as the starter ahead of Terrance Knighton for now.

Titans coach Mike Munchak is ready to name his starting quarterback — for the preseason.

UFC Champion Benson Henderson visited Broncos camp Thursday, offering to give them his championship belt if they win a Super Bowl.

Chiefs first-round pick DT Dontari Poe has “a ways to go.”

Raiders RB Mike Goodson rejoined the team Wednesday after his injury scare.

The Chargers signed a pair of veteran offensive tackles to provide depth.

Injuries at corner are limiting what Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan can install.

Giants backup QB David Carr, fully clad, said he’s glad he’s not in the circus that is Jets camp.

Quarterbacks not named Michael Vick will be on center stage in the Eagles’ preseason opener tonight.

Redskins RB Evan Royster will get the start in tonight’s game, as the competition at the position continues.

Former Bears DE Alex Brown will sign a one-day contract and retire, and will be honored at tonight’s preseason game.

Lions TE Tony Scheffler dominated WR Nate Burleson in the team’s touchdown dance celebration contest last year, but Burleson wants the title back.

Packers NT B.J. Raji is trying to become more explosive off the ball.

Vikings WR Percy Harvin and S Harrison Smith were having words in practice and had to be separated.

Now healthy, Falcons DE Ray Edwards is ready to make an impact on the field instead of just at the pay window.

Panthers coach Ron Rivera stopped practice to rip his team after a poor effort early Wednesday.

The Saints and Patriots had a mutual admiration society going during their joint practices.

Bucs CB Eric Wright thinks he made the right decision coming to Tampa Bay (beyond the $37.5 million obvious reasons).

Cardinals CB Greg Toler’s looking better after missing last year with a knee injury.

Veteran RT Barry Richardson worked with the Rams’ starters, ahead of former No. 2 overall pick Jason Smith.

After a disastrous start to his first preseason game, 49ers QB Colin Kaepernickis hoping things are smoother Friday against the Vikings.

Seahawks WR Golden Tate wasn’t giving up 81 for Terrell Owens, saying: “Me and 81 have been through a lot. From donut shops to inactives . . .  I’m going to stay loyal to 81.”

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