Chris Perry finally agreed to a contract with the Bengals, and it's a five year deal. Over the offseason, Rudi Johnson only got a one year deal. So unless Cincy resigns Rudi, it looks like they want Perry to be the back of the future. But will Rudi be able to keep the starting job throughout the season and make a good #2 fantasy back?
The reason I'm extra-interested in Rudi's situation is that I drafted him in the late 2nd round of a 14 team money league a few days ago. Is Rudi a great #2 back in a 14 team league (behind LT, by the way) or am I correct in thinking that in may be wise to upgrade?
The more you can increase fear of drugs and crime, welfare mothers, immigrants and aliens, the more you control all the people. -Noam Chomsky
I may be reading this situation wrong, but I think Rudi will hold onto his job unless he screws up or gets injured. The Bengal's went out and drafted a highly rated RB in the draft, true. But, Marvin Lewis has stated that they took the #1 RB on their board, so I think they made a value decision there.
If you're sitting with a 2nd year starter at RB who has never played a full 16 games (Rudi), and you just shipped off your francise RB of 7 years (Dillon), don't you think it would be smart to backup that position? The free agent market for featured RBs was not exactly booming this offseason. Honestly... who out there would rather have Antowain Smith than Chris Perry? I'm guessing Marvin Lewis knows you need an effective backup RB in the NFL these days.
Rudi was able to get the majority of the carries at the end of the season with the Bengal's in the playoff hunt. That speaks volumes about what Marvin Lewis thinks about his ability. With a disgruntled Corey Dillon playing 2nd fiddle for the first time in his career, there was no way the Bengal's could keep him around. So they did the best they could do, signing Rudi to the maximum restricted free agent contract and drafting a top rookie RB. Rudi is the 1st layer of RB, if he fails THEN Perry comes in and gets a chance.
For a 14 team leauge having Rudi J as your #2 is nothing to turn your nose at. He will be the opening day starter. Cincy will be having a qb under center who has never taken an NFL snap...so i have a feeling they are def gonna try to establish a run game for him. I dont know how good Johnson's hands are (21 cathces last year) I could see Perry coming in as a 3rd down back, and maybe gradually becoming more of a part of the offense as the season goes on.
-for a 14 team leauge you could do much much worse than Rudi J as your number 2 rb.
KingGhidra wrote:Well if you're into wacky stats like me.
Rudi is 5-10 and went to an SEC school. He will be a stud for the next 10 years because of this.
Chris Perry is 6-0 and went to Michigan. He'll be hurt and out of football in 3 years.
LOL, the king of whach stats!
I don't think Rudi is going to lose his job this year. As Kensat pointed out, Lewis must think alot of Rudi because when Dillon came back and was healthy last year, Rudi was still getting the majority of the work. I think that Perry is at least a year off and getting into camp late certainly won't help either.
I like simple pleasures, like butter in my ass, lollipops in my mouth. That's just me.
KingGhidra wrote:Well if you're into wacky stats like me.
Rudi is 5-10 and went to an SEC school. He will be a stud for the next 10 years because of this.
Chris Perry is 6-0 and went to Michigan. He'll be hurt and out of football in 3 years.
LOL, the king of whach stats!
I don't think Rudi is going to lose his job this year. As Kensat pointed out, Lewis must think alot of Rudi because when Dillon came back and was healthy last year, Rudi was still getting the majority of the work. I think that Perry is at least a year off and getting into camp late certainly won't help either.
Dillon was never healthy last year. When he played he played hurt
As for the Rudi/Perry situation. Perry was the #1 RB on the Benglas list, but i dont know if that means it was a value pick. Yes the bengals needed a backup to Rudi, but there were also some needs on the defensive line and cornerback when that pick came to us. Marvin felt Perry was a guy that they couldnt pass up.
Rudi had a very nice season last year, but who knows if he can handle the full load. The bengals werent about to hand over a ton of money to a guy who potentially could bust, and who cant catch all that well. Perry is some nice insurance for the bengals, and is the complete package. He can run, catch, and block.
Rudi will have every opportunity to keep his job this year, but if he starts to struggle expect Perry to be given a shot.
I also have the LT2/Rudi combo in a 14 team league. And honestly I'm not too worried about it - especially given the other 2nd tier RBs out there and the question marks surrounding them. Rudi will get a LOT of carries this season - whether Perry comes in for some third downs or spot carries or not. Of course if Rudi struggles we'll see more of Perry. THe same could be said for basically any starting RB in the league and their primary backup. Big deal. I don't see why people were so shocked that cincy drafted Perry. They had two very good RBs, one left and the other has only 1 year on his contract. Obviously some insurance was necesary. I think assuming it's an indictment of Rudi and a sign the Bengals don't think he can be their feature RB is a BIG stretch at this point. Rudi was absolutely terrific when he played last season, and he'll be given every opportunity to continue his fine play this year. You think Perry is more of a threat than McGahee, Hollilngs, DeShawn Foster, etc? Cuz I'd say he's far less of a threat - the guy hasn't been in a real PRACTICE much less a real game yet.
Tyrone Wheatly is still in the NFL A Train is still in the NFL
who from the SEC is anygood in the NFL besides
Jamal Lewis, Travis Henry, Fred Taylor, Emmitt Smith, Shawn Alexander, Duece McAllister, Dominik Davis, and Stephen Davis
Um... you kind of proved Ghidra's point. A-Train and Wheatley suck for the most part, especially when compared to the SEC backs you mentioned. Emmitt is the all-time rusher, and the rest of them are fantasy stud RB's.
The more you can increase fear of drugs and crime, welfare mothers, immigrants and aliens, the more you control all the people. -Noam Chomsky
BigMusky wrote: Jamal Lewis, Travis Henry, Fred Taylor, Emmitt Smith, Shawn Alexander, Duece McAllister, Dominik Davis, and Stephen Davis
Do you even need more of a list than that? You just named some of the best backs in the league young and old. Add Charlie Garner and Garrison Hearst to that list for their long and productive careers.
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by VHawk15 » Wed Aug 11, 2004 12:03 am 
