Trade Rudi now, while he still has value.

[schnarfer]

Rudi would be great trade bait right now for the bengals. Rudi is mediocre. He is not an elite talent. He does not have the ability to break a run. We are more of a finesse team and for as good as our run offense is, we could have been better. Watson is a very capable back and I think would be more beneficial as an every down back than Rudi. I know everyone likes the ground and pound rudi brings, but our line is too good, if we have a back that can recieve and run, it is more suitable for us. Give Rudi up now because next year he will be gone.

[Whur CHad At?]

i will never understand cincinnati Bengals fans...

[Stripes]

Rudi would be great trade bait right now for the bengals.

In terms of trade value, agreed.

Rudi is mediocre. He is not an elite talent.

He's neither of those two things. He's just solid, but closer to elite than to mediocre.

He does not have the ability to break a run.

I really couldn't care less. Get a third down back who can, and the problem is solved just as well.

We are more of a finesse team and for as good as our run offense is, we could have been better.

We're a finesse team in the passing game, which makes the physical running game so great to have. The poor ranking in 2006 was the fault of the injury ridden offensive line, not Rudi Johnson and his 1,309 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Watson is a very capable back and I think would be more beneficial as an every down back than Rudi.

I know everyone likes the ground and pound rudi brings, but our line is too good, if we have a back that can recieve and run, it is more suitable for us. Give Rudi up now because next year he will be gone.

Why demand a single back receive and run when we can have one of each? A healthy Chris Perry or a new draft pick would offer a perfect complement to Rudi.

[ArmyBengal]

TDB, outstanding reply !!! The only thing I could have come up with is, "are you retarded"...

WHODEY !!!

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

Rudi would be great trade bait right now for the bengals. Rudi is mediocre. He is not an elite talent. He does not have the ability to break a run. We are more of a finesse team and for as good as our run offense is, we could have been better. Watson is a very capable back and I think would be more beneficial as an every down back than Rudi. I know everyone likes the ground and pound rudi brings, but our line is too good, if we have a back that can recieve and run, it is more suitable for us. Give Rudi up now because next year he will be gone.

Man, enough with this. What is the definition of "breaking" a run? Unless the back has it broken and is caught from behind, his ability to break a run is largely not up to him. It's up to the WRs to keep the DBs away from him. Marvin's already gone public with his dissatisfaction with the WRs ability to block downfield last year. Housh gets a free pass since he was basically playing the last half of the season with a bunch of cracked bones in his back; Chad and Henry not so much. Put the blame where it belongs.

Also, with the passing attack we have I'm not worried about our big play ability. What we need is a back who can convert on 3rd and short. Rudi is good at that.

As far as finesse goes, no back can be less finesse than Rudi. He basically takes the ball and runs straight at you and knocks you over. One mught say that this again complements our passing attack perfectly.

You don't need a pass-catching back on 1st and second down. That's why we have Watson, for passing downs. I'd rather give Rudi a rest on passing downs anyway.

I swear, I think some people won't be happy until we have a scat back who averages 5 YPC and stalls inside the 20 every time.

What you really seem to want is a running back who can run for 4+ YPC between the tackles, run the end around effectively, pick up blitzes, catch out of the back field. Perhaps he should throw touchdowns too? The guy you want comes around once in a generation. Right now, his name is Ladanian Tomlinson.

At that, you're right - I'd trade Rudi for LaDanian Tomlinson straight-up. However, I'm pretty sure not even A.J. Smith is that dumb. And until that happens, I'll keep Rudi.

Oh, and Whodey.

[agreen_112]

One side of me: I disagree with how you said it, but I do agree that Rudi is the only player I'd be willing to trade (on the offense). Rudi isn't indespencible, he can be replaced.

The other side: Are you crazy? Rudi can absolutely punish the opponents defense. No way would I trade him!

[Kirkendall]

Why get rid of our two-time single season record holding running back for more questions to be addressed in the draft or free agency? Actually, please answer that. Because if Rudi is mediocre, what does that say about our great running backs in the past when he's rushed for more yards than anyone in our history or scored 36 TDs in the past three seasons. Are you saying that we have a history of mediocre running backs?

Actually answer this:

1. Trade for whom or what? You can just blindly say, "let's trade someone". You have to make sense. You have to make a point as to why it would benefit this team to trade him. And for what? Something logical. Otherwise you just look like an idiot.

2. Who would replace him? Kenny Watson? Are you kidding me? Chris Perry? Are you kidding me?

Rudi is a freaking machine. Dependable (except for team meetings). Durable. And, dare I say it, productive.

I think we should trade Carson Palmer anyway... (joke, that's a joke)

[GapControl]

Rudi would be great trade bait right now for the bengals. Rudi is mediocre. He is not an elite talent. He does not have the ability to break a run. We are more of a finesse team and for as good as our run offense is, we could have been better. Watson is a very capable back and I think would be more beneficial as an every down back than Rudi. I know everyone likes the ground and pound rudi brings, but our line is too good, if we have a back that can recieve and run, it is more suitable for us. Give Rudi up now because next year he will be gone.

Um.... Um.... I just have 2 questions. I do want to discuss this with you so please answer. First, is most of your football knowledge gained from watching NFL, College, and/or High School games, or from playing video games? Second, how old are you? Thanks, I will look for your reply.

[djaxFTW]

rudi dominates in video games just the same as on the real feild

[BTG]

Rudi would be great trade bait right now for the bengals. Rudi is mediocre. He is not an elite talent. He does not have the ability to break a run. We are more of a finesse team and for as good as our run offense is, we could have been better. Watson is a very capable back and I think would be more beneficial as an every down back than Rudi. I know everyone likes the ground and pound rudi brings, but our line is too good, if we have a back that can recieve and run, it is more suitable for us. Give Rudi up now because next year he will be gone.

What do you expect to get for Rudi? There's another back out there who is younger and more promising (Michael Turner), and no one is breaking down doors trying to get him. Rudi MIGHT net us a second round pick, if we're lucky.

Of course, once he's gone, who are you going to replace him with? "One-Carry" Perry? Kenny Watson? Quincy Wilson? An unproven rookie? A third tier free agent? Pffft. No thank you.

People need to learn that just because they did something on Madden doesn't mean it should happen in real life.

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

Rudi would be great trade bait right now for the bengals. Rudi is mediocre. He is not an elite talent. He does not have the ability to break a run. We are more of a finesse team and for as good as our run offense is, we could have been better. Watson is a very capable back and I think would be more beneficial as an every down back than Rudi. I know everyone likes the ground and pound rudi brings, but our line is too good, if we have a back that can recieve and run, it is more suitable for us. Give Rudi up now because next year he will be gone.

What do you expect to get for Rudi? There's another back out there who is younger and more promising (Michael Turner), and no one is breaking down doors trying to get him. Rudi MIGHT net us a second round pick, if we're lucky.

Of course, once he's gone, who are you going to replace him with? "One-Carry" Perry? Kenny Watson? Quincy Wilson? An unproven rookie? A third tier free agent? Pffft. No thank you.

People need to learn that just because they did something on Madden doesn't mean it should happen in real life.

Wait...so what are you saying, Michael Vick isn't the greatest football player to ever play the game?

[derekshank]

I'm having a hard time understanding why a thread like this got so much play. 10 replies? Usually the best thing to do is ignore absolutely inane posts. It concerns me that this wasn't simply ignored and forgotten immediately after is was posted.

[7/11]

part of me understands where this guy is coming from.

rudi is somewhat of a one-dimensional player. he runs hard, and he runs between the tackles. he's not a big threat catching, or really running, out of the flats. he runs up the ass of our linemen, and sometimes he shows that he doesn't hit the holes all that well.

here's a typical scenario....rudi up the gut for no gain, rudi smash left, 1 yard, rudi off tackle 10 yards. over the course of a game, it evens out, but there are sometimes where i get upset with him because of his lack of "explode-ability". he's big and strong, with good feet, so he does have plenty of good runs, but there are still those times i want to wring his neck.

that's where chris perry comes in. i really don't think marvin envisioned rudi to carry the ball 30 times a game for us. chris perry is a pefect complimentary back for rudi, and that just hasn't had a chance to materialize. kenny watson is a poor man's perry (when healthy). for our style of offense, rudi (an up the gut power runner) doesn't really make too much sense. but with perry as a change-up back, it makes perfect sense.

as for trading rudi...i do think he is a bit overrated in bengaldom, but you can't trade him...not unless you have a backup plan that doesn't include garret wolfe in the 4th, or kenny watson (i did laugh at that comment), or perry and watson, or anything like that. until we have our own larry johnson sitting behind rudi, rudi stays.

[Whur CHad At?]

It would help Rudi also is our damn WR's would block for him

[Oldcat]

Rudi is a one-dimensional player, so lets trade him...

And while we are at it:

Carson is one dimensional - all he does is pass. Lets dump him!

Chad? TJ? Henry? All they do is catch passes. Losers. Dump 'em.

Maybe we can get a 6th rounder for Chad.

Why cant those guys blocking throw a pass now and then? They are one dimensional too!

So much for everyone on our offense, and pretty much anyone in the NFL.

[Spain]

Agreed, with post. Still dont have my jersey.

[Spor_tees]

Agreed, with post. Still dont have my jersey.

If he keeps whining in threads and not in private messages can I have his jersey instead?

BTW there is no reason to trade Rudi, just get a dependable speed back to be the lightening to his thunder and make a great 2 back system. Which of course is the taste of the moment in the NFL right now...

[nechemia]

Amen, Stephen Jackson would have been nice, but its time for C.Perry to step up.

[Ox]

Rudi would be great trade bait right now for the bengals. Rudi is mediocre. He is not an elite talent. He does not have the ability to break a run. We are more of a finesse team and for as good as our run offense is, we could have been better. Watson is a very capable back and I think would be more beneficial as an every down back than Rudi. I know everyone likes the ground and pound rudi brings, but our line is too good, if we have a back that can recieve and run, it is more suitable for us. Give Rudi up now because next year he will be gone.

[DesperateDerelict]

Agreed, with post. Still dont have my jersey.

Spain - nobody gives a damn about your Jersey. Please cease and desist, or I will have IPP (Internet Protocol Police) revoke your access rights to the human race.

As much as I enjoy this board, I left for 4 months to stay away from you nouns (narcissistic obtuse unintelligent neanderthals).

[bengalsfan17]

I agree, Rudi does not cut to daylight, I dont know how many times a game where he would just go straight into the line rather than cut backside which was wide open for a big gain. Rudi is way overrated and not an elite back...he is only good because the offensive line was so good making holes...he is average and i agree trade him and get an elite back

[Stripes]

I agree, Rudi does not cut to daylight, I dont know how many times a game where he would just go straight into the line rather than cut backside which was wide open for a big gain. Rudi is way overrated and not an elite back...he is only good because the offensive line was so good making holes...he is average and i agree trade him and get an elite back

Larry Johnson and Shaun Alexander "run straight into the line" all the time as well. It's simply unavoidable often times.

[HoTbOy]

I would trade RJohnson IF we had someone to take his place...IMO RJohnson is average, Is he overrated?? I don't know if he ever was rated, I never hear his name being said amongst the so called " elite" RB's in the league...I wish we had someone with a little more speed and that make you miss ability, well we do but he is always hurt...But RJohnson does what is asked of him and that is to wear down the D, and take care of the ball...Until we have someone who is capable and can prove to stay healthy, I will stick with RJohnson...

[schnarfer]

Rudi would be great trade bait right now for the bengals. Rudi is mediocre. He is not an elite talent. He does not have the ability to break a run. We are more of a finesse team and for as good as our run offense is, we could have been better. Watson is a very capable back and I think would be more beneficial as an every down back than Rudi. I know everyone likes the ground and pound rudi brings, but our line is too good, if we have a back that can recieve and run, it is more suitable for us. Give Rudi up now because next year he will be gone.

Um.... Um.... I just have 2 questions. I do want to discuss this with you so please answer. First, is most of your football knowledge gained from watching NFL, College, and/or High School games, or from playing video games? Second, how old are you? Thanks, I will look for your reply.

To answer your questions, Age 30, I have worked forthe dallas cowboys for the past 4 years. I played football from the time I was 5 until the age of 23. I would guess that your knowledge comes from reading reports and regurgatating others opinions. It you cant see the value we could get for Johnson right now then you are uneducated. Three words: portis for bailey. Runningbacks are a dime a dozen (denver broncos). We are blind to the fact that we have one of the best lines in the NFL, Period. We should have a 1500 yard back every year!!! Rudi is a Homers favorite but the bottom line is we could get great return for him right now. Oakland, Jets, Detroit(trade up) just to name a few. Open your eyes and take off your homer glasses. You should think like a GM and not a fan.

[BTG]

To answer your questions, Age 30, I have worked forthe dallas cowboys for the past 4 years. I played football from the time I was 5 until the age of 23. I would guess that your knowledge comes from reading reports and regurgatating others opinions. It you cant see the value we could get for Johnson right now then you are uneducated. Three words: portis for bailey. Runningbacks are a dime a dozen (denver broncos). We are blind to the fact that we have one of the best lines in the NFL, Period. We should have a 1500 yard back every year!!! Rudi is a Homers favorite but the bottom line is we could get great return for him right now. Oakland, Jets, Detroit(trade up) just to name a few. Open your eyes and take off your homer glasses. You should think like a GM and not a fan.

You've worked for the Cowboys? In what regard, cold-calling people for season tickets? Working the Miller Light booth on Sundays? Washing Jerry Jones' car?

In regards to the three teams you mentioned, Oakland just signed Dominic Rhodes and they already have Lamont Jordan and Justin Fargas, so why would they trade for Rudi? Answer: They wouldn't. That would be stupid.

The Jets and Detroit I could possibly see, but again, this isn't Madden…you really need to understand that. You can't just plug a back into a system and hope he succeeds like you said. I'm sure you'll reference the Patriots and Colts of last season, but both of them had established players who handled a great deal of the load. They weren't asked to be the guy straight out.

Regarding your Broncos reference, you picked the worst possible team to use as an example. The Broncos do an excellent job with running backs because of their system, but if you recall, they have struggled to find a reliable player ever since they got rid of Portis, and it's hurt them in the long run.

Furthermore, the people saying you're an idiot are not wearing rose-colored glasses, nor at they homers, as you so eloquently put it. You want us to think like a GM? Ok, here's my line of thinking:

Rudi is 27 years old, he has rushed for 4,221 yards and 36 touchdowns over the past three years. He is the perfect compliment to our "finesse" offense, as he provides us with a powerful back who can get those third and short conversions.

And again, I ask you this: If we traded Rudi for a draft pick, who would replace him? Do you honestly think Chris Perry is capable of handling the load? He's played in just 22 of 48 possible games in his short career, because he can not stay healthy. Kenny Watson is little more than a change of pace back for Rudi than anything else, plus he's 29 years old and has never topped 540 yards in a season. Something tells me he's not capable of carrying the load either. The only other back on our roster is Quincy Wilson, and he's best described as a poor-man's Rudi, who has rushed for two yards on two carries in his short NFL career.

What then, Mr. "Dallas Cowboy employee"? Should we sign Dominic Williams (formerly Domanick Davis)? What about Corey Dillion, I hear he's available. Stephen Davis? Chris Brown? How about Kevan Barlow, Skip Hicks, or Verron Hayes? Hmm…methinks those guys are not the answer.

So we've established that the right player for the Bengals is neither on their roster nor available in free agency. That leaves the draft, and in my humble opinion, there are only two in this draft who could help this season: Adrian Peterson and Marshawn Lynch. Drafting one of them would mean we used our first round pick on a running back when we already had a 27 year old running back who has averaged 1407 yards and 12 touchdowns over the last three seasons. That's a Matt Millen move if I've ever seen one.