Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson (28) is hit by Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Ronde Barber (20) in the first quarter. (AP Photo/John Russell)

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Tampa Bay Coach Raheem Morris doesn’t typically use the Tampa-2 defense the team’s former coaching staff originated. / Chris O’Meara / Associated Press

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Talk about your decision to leave school early and enter the NFL draft?

“I think things happen for a reason. God had a plan for me. I felt like I was ready to play at the next level. I knew I could run, block and catch and be a dynamic player in the NFL. There really wasn’t one reason I left early. It was a combination of things. I wasn’t sure about the new offense they were bringing in (at Clemson), and I wasn’t sure what my role in that offense might be, so I felt like it was a good time to leave. I have no regrets about leaving early.”

Clemson certainly has turned things around offensively. How do you think you’d have done in that offense?

“That offense has been unbelievable. Those guys are my brothers and I couldn’t be happier or more proud of them. Tajh (Boyd) is having a great season, and Andre (Ellington) is running great. They are all stepping up and playing great, and I think they are finally going to get that ACC championship this year. A little part of me wishes I was back there running in that offense, but I made the right decision.”

What’s Chris Johnson really like?

“He’s a great guy. He always tries to keep things loose. He works harder than anyone on the team, and I’ve learned so much from him this year. He likes to laugh and joke around, but when it’s time for work, he wants to work and you better bring your A-game. He’s a perfectionist. He practices like he plays and that’s what makes him one of the best running backs in the NFL?

How fast is Chris Johnson? Faster than C.J. Spiller?

“They are two of the fastest guys I’ve ever been around. When Chris hits a hole, he hits it full speed and C.J. is the same way. You think a guy has an angle on Chris and he blows right past him. I’d love to see those two guys race each other. I’m not sure who’d win. They both have crazy speed. But on a track, I’d have to go with Jacoby Ford all day.”

At 6-2 and 235 pounds, you’re big enough to be a fullback. Any talk of playing some at fullback?

“Not really. They use me a little bit as a back-up to Ahmard Hall, but there’s no talk about moving me to fullback. Being a fullback is a totally different mentality. If they need me to play some fullback, I’ll do it. Whatever gets me on the field.”

You’ve got Jared Cook and Shaun Smith, both former USC players on the team. With the Clemson-USC game this week, what’s that been like?

“Shaun is a good bit older than me, so we don’t talk much, but Jared and I played against each other and we’ve been talking a little trash all week. You have to stand up for your school. Jared comes into the locker room with his South Carolina gear on and I have my Clemson gear on and we’ll go at it, but it’s all in good fun. We’re friends and teammates now.”

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