Bishop Sankey's role in Titans' backfield is question

• Titans will be without Chris Johnson this season.
• Team has many choices at running back.

From all reports, the Titans' ground game will come from running back-by-committee this season.

Just wondering: Who's chairman of the committee?

Shonn Greene has the most tenure in terms of NFL carries, but I wouldn't appoint him just yet. Free-agent acquisition Dexter McCluster is a fifth-year pro, but he's more of a multi-purpose player who will move around to different spots. He's been referred to as the offense's Swiss army knife.

All of which brings us around to Bishop Sankey, the Titans' second-round draft pick and something of an X-factor in the Titans' running back-by-committee structure.

"It's hard for me to say where I fit in right now," said Sankey, who agreed to contract terms with the team Tuesday. "I'm still catching up."

Nobody knows Sankey's role just yet because he's so new to the offense. Because of NFL rules, his participation in Titans' mini-camp sessions has been extremely limited until his classes were complete at the University of Washington.

"I'm just trying to learn as much as I can, take it one day at a time and control what I can control," he said. "The rest is going to fall into place."

Personally, I expect it to fall into place quickly and for Sankey to emerge as the busiest of the Titans' running backs three or four games into the season. You don't spend a second-round pick on a running back — and make him the first running back drafted — to turn him into a spectator.

Let's be clear: I'm not saying Sankey will be an every-down back or that his touches will come close to the 21 per game Chris Johnson averaged in his six seasons with the Titans. With a new coaching staff and a different vision for the offense, the Titans will use multiple backs, fitting the player to the situation.

Think of it as strength in numbers. Beginning with Johnson's 2,006-yard season in 2009, the Titans built their offense around him. If C.J. produced, they often were in position to win. If not, well, the results were fairly predictable.

That's why the Titans were willing to part with Johnson. He was on the books for $7 million this season, which did not make fiscal sense, and it was clear Johnson would not be happy with a reduced role in the offense.

It could be addition by subtraction. Because of Johnson's salary, the previous coaching staff felt compelled to feed him the ball. The new régime has no such commitment to any running back.

That's the trend around the NFL. Unless you have Adrian Peterson in the huddle, the carries will be divided.

"Right now, it's hard to say what the coaches are going to ask me to do," Sankey said. "I think all the backs are trying to figure out where we fit in."

What makes Sankey so intriguing is that he is skilled as a runner, receiver and blocker. He might not be an every-down back, but he can play in every situation. It's also a plus that he played in a pro-style offense coached by Steve Sarkisian at Washington.

"I've been running the ball since I was a kid, so that comes naturally," Sankey said. "Once I got to college, I learned more about pass routes and catching the ball. That's something I've gotten good at. The pass protections we're using are real similar to the concepts at Washington."

In the post-Chris Johnson offensive era, Titans running backs will share the ball.

Expect Bishop Sankey to have his hands on it quite a bit.

David Climer's columns appear on Wednesday, Friday, Sunday and Monday. Reach him at 615-259-8020 and on Twitter @DavidClimer.