Smash and Dash NO MORE!!!

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

CHRIS JOHNSON A DREAM???

The days of “Smash and Dash” are over, at least in Nashville.

Chris Johnson said Tuesday he is branching out, leaving fellow Titans running back LenDale White to find his own nickname.

Johnson, in fact, has already found a new moniker — “Every Coach’s Dream.’’ White might be leaning toward calling himself “Every Opposing Coach’s Nightmare’’ — at least that was his first reaction when told about Johnson’s declaration of alias independence.

“Smash and Dash have had a divorce — that’s official,’’ Johnson said. “I have to be my own guy, so no more Smash and Dash, that was last year. Every Coach’s Dream, that’s me. Because they say every team has its own identity. I feel for me, I can’t be noticed as a group any more. I am my own guy.’’

There have been no indications of a falling out between Smash (White) and Dash (Johnson), who became tight last season as Johnson raced to 1,228 yards and White barreled to 15 touchdowns.

They unveiled the nickname in October after combining for 317 yards and four touchdowns in a win at Kansas City, where Johnson celebrated a score by banging on pep-band drums behind one of the end zones. Smash and Dash T-shirts were printed shortly thereafter.

Later in the season, Panthers running backs Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams claimed they had the nickname first, leading to some good-natured, long-distance banter between the duos. Now Stewart and Williams can have it all to themselves.

Johnson failed to inform White he’s now a solo act — White had already left the locker room after Tuesday’s practice — but word spread fast.

“It doesn’t matter what he says about that. I don’t know what he’ll think,’’ Johnson said with a smile. “You know how it is when you come home and your wife has everything packed up by the door — you’ve got to go? It is kind of like that situation. We’re going on separate ways.’’

White, reached later by phone, said he and Johnson still needed to talk.

“You know the little brother who always falls off his bike, and the big brother comes in and shows you how to ride it? Eventually the little brother learns how to ride it, but that one time they slip up and bust their head and they forget what big brother taught him,’’ White said. “We’re going to have to go back in the lab and figure things out and then we’ll definitely be hearing an apology out of my younger brother. … But I guess it’s now ‘Smash and I’m Going to Whoop His … ’ We’ll talk.’’

Whatever they call themselves, the personable and confident running backs want to capitalize on their successful 2008 season, which landed Johnson in the Pro Bowl.

White, who was listed at 235 pounds last season but appeared heavier, is having a good offseason and said Tuesday he’s down to 229. Johnson earlier said his goal this year is to lead the league in rushing and win NFL Most Valuable Player.

Johnson has also asked fans following his Twitter account for touchdown dance ideas since he plans on being in the end zone more than the 10 times he was there last season.

“I have gotten some suggestions,” he said, “but nothing that has caught my attention as of yet.’’

Guard Eugene Amano said Johnson has done enough to stand on his own accomplishments, with or without a witty sobriquet.

“LenDale is big on the whole nickname thing, but I think Chris wants to come out on his own and be his own man and I respect him for that,’’ Amano said. “He is good enough to do that. I think he is going to have an unbelievable year and he can only get better from what he did last year. He is learning and he is growing as a football player. The sky is the limit for him.’’

Other Titans shrugged when they heard the nickname news.

“I just care about how they play, what kind of guys they are in the locker room,’’ linebacker Ryan Fowler said. “As long as they both play hard and play well, that’s all I care about. You can call them ketchup and mustard if you want.’’

QUESTIONS!!!

Would you consider calling J-Stew and D-Will Smash and Dash again???

What do you think of Chris Johnson's cocky attitude on leaving Smash(White) out there to dry.

[Nu Guns]

I think it is pretty selfish.

Johnson is a great back, but it looks like he wants a spotlight here and is displaying a real "me" persona. I hate that in a player, it should be all about the team not yourself.

[ItsNotGonnaBeAlright]

First John and Kate, and now this?

Can any mediocre celebrity couples stay ah, oh, wait, lost intrest.

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

First John and Kate, and now this?

Can any mediocre celebrity couples stay ah, oh, wait, lost intrest.

haha OUCH

[mantal]

I think it is pretty selfish.

Johnson is a great back, but it looks like he wants a spotlight here and is displaying a real "me" persona. I hate that in a player, it should be all about the team not yourself.

I wouldn't want to be associated with Lendale White either, would you?

[Carolina Crazy V2]

That was a jerk move by Johnson. What would you say if Stewart were to say that he wanted no part of Double Trouble anymore?

I wouldn't want Smash and Dash back because it would seem pretty pathetic. Like if your friend dumps this girl that you like and you immediately ask her out...plus i'd have to make a new avatar.

[Metal_Sparty]

I wouldn't want to be associated with Lenwhale either, would you?

Fixed it for you.

[jasonluckydog]

First John and Kate, and now this?

Can any mediocre celebrity couples stay ah, oh, wait, lost intrest.

:hand:

nice,rep for you.

[5158Poundin]

I don't think it's cocky for CJ to want to be known on his own merits. It's just a publicity thing to have a catchy nickname, who cares?

The whole nickname thing isn't what's important anyway...it's that they play as a team. I could care less if Stewart and Williams have nicknames or don't. I just want them to BRING their A game every game and leave the league in the dust.

[CBDellinger]

On the list of things I could give a f^ck less about... this is pretty high up there...

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

On the list of things I could give a f^ck less about... this is pretty high up there...

It's just something to talk about if you don't care than don't comment.

[mantal]

On the list of things I could give a f^ck less about... this is pretty high up there...

Yeah but you're an asshole...

j/k

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

Yeah but you're an asshole...

j/k

haha

[5158Poundin]

On the list of things I could give a f^ck less about... this is pretty high up there...

:yesnod: