Perry roster decision due soon

[BengalszoneBilly]

The really good news Mark Curnutte saved for the last sentence!

Perry roster decision due soon

BY MARK CURNUTTE

The Bengals have until Wednesday to make a roster move with Chris Perry.

Chances are the fourth-year running back, on the physically unable to perform (PUP) since September, will end up on the season-ending injured reserve list.

Perry is rehabilitating a seriously fractured ankle and lower leg injuries. Head coach Marvin Lewis said the team had no decision to announce Monday. Wednesday will be the 21-day deadline since Perry was allowed a roster exemption and began practicing.

But the relative health of the Bengals at running back would make rushing Perry back somewhat foolish at this point in the season. Despite his talent, he is not necessarily needed at this point, especially if Perry would risk further injury by coming back.

Starter Rudi Johnson is coming off his best performance since Game 2, the week before he suffered a hamstring injury that has plagued him all season.

Johnson’s 25 carries for 88 yards and one touchdown comprised his best showing since the 51-45 loss at Cleveland when he ran 23 times for 118 yards.

“You feel good, until you have a 300-pound guy strapped to your back,” Lewis said during his news conference Monday. “I thought his runs were more Rudi-like, the way he was finishing runs, more than anything else.

“It gives him more confidence. You have to be able to finish the run and run through the first contact and finish the second or third (defender) in the area.”

The 35-6 victory Sunday against Tennessee also brought a greater role for DeDe Dorsey, who ran five times for 42 yards.

“It was part of this game plan,” Lewis said when asked if Dorsey would see more action. “Every week, we’ll see offensively what we’re going to do and how we want to utilize the guy. As I said a week ago, DeDe continues to do good things, and keeps earning more chances to do things. He had a nice tackle on kickoff. He did really well (Sunday) and has done well every opportunity he’s had.”

The team showing Sunday – 36 attempts for 148 yards – was second best on the ground this season. The Bengals ran 41 times for 177 in the victory against the Jets, 130 of those (plus three rushing touchdowns) for Kenny Watson.

Watson scored his fifth rushing touchdown Sunday and finished with four attempts for 17 yards.

Watson was the only tailback to carry the ball in the loss Oct. 1 to New England. He ran 13 times for 55 yards. For the season, the dependable Watson has a team-leading 498 rushing yards on 111 attempts and another 274 yards on 38 receptions – primarily as the third-down back.

Dorsey was signed Sept. 25, and until he earned the offensive scheme, coupled with Johnson’s and Perry’s injuries, Watson was the only healthy tailback. Fullback Jeremi Johnson has played in all 11 games.

“You can’t really compete in this league with one tailback dressing for a game,” Johnson said. “We’re getting back on track because Rudi’s back and getting in the mix, getting his legs. And bringing up DeDe and showing him the ropes. He is making plays when put in situations. And Kenny has been Kenny, just like he’s been since he’s been here.”

Not counting the Monday night game, Miami at Pittsburgh, the Bengals improved two spots in rushing offense. They were 26th at 84.9 yards a game before playing Tennessee. As of Monday, there were 24th at 90.6.

[ArmyBengal]

"IF" they are SURE Perry is 100% healthy, then sure bring him back... If they aren't 100% sure he can go full speed, I just can't see him coming back for the remainder of this season.

WHODEY !!!

[BengalszoneBilly]

"IF" they are SURE Perry is 100% healthy, then sure bring him back... If they aren't 100% sure he can go full speed, I just can't see him coming back for the remainder of this season.

IMHO he would be one of the harder players in the league to make this decision on, given his "injured-comes-back-then-quickly-re-injured" past. Plus with the emergence of Kenny Watson, DeDe Dorsey, and Rudi Johnson looking more like his old self again, then Bengals might likely not want to take this risk. Especially given Cincys almost non-existent playoff hopes at this point in the season.

I'm betting they'll let him and Kenny Irons both make their returns of the IR list in 2008 Training camp.

[akiliklingler]

If you had to decide TODAY which 3 rb's to keep for next year, who would it be?

I believe I'd go with Kenny W., Rudi, and DeDe. Although two weeks from now I could easily see myself going with Kenny & Kenny and Perry.

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

If you had to decide TODAY which 3 rb's to keep for next year, who would it be?

I believe I'd go with Kenny W., Rudi, and DeDe. Although two weeks from now I could easily see myself going with Kenny & Kenny and Perry.

I would take all 4 to camp and wait for one of them to inevitably go on IR before the season starts. That decision will probably make itself for you.

[HoosierCat]

I've been expecting them to shelve Perry for weeks now. If they still had a realistic shot at the playoffs it might be different, but all activating him now means is more money out of Mikey's pocket, and chewing up a little more of next year's cap space. We should know soon.

[Bengals1]

I've been expecting them to shelve Perry for weeks now. If they still had a realistic shot at the playoffs it might be different, but all activating him now means is more money out of Mikey's pocket, and chewing up a little more of next year's cap space. We should know soon.

How horribly cynical of you Hoosier!

I'm sure you're correct.

[HoosierCat]

I've been expecting them to shelve Perry for weeks now. If they still had a realistic shot at the playoffs it might be different, but all activating him now means is more money out of Mikey's pocket, and chewing up a little more of next year's cap space. We should know soon.

How horribly cynical of you Hoosier!

I'm sure you're correct.

I dunno if it's cynical. Given how things stand, it's what I'd do if I were in Mikey's and Marvin's shoes. Give DeDe the carries, lets see what we have there.

My gripe is what's happened over the last 12 weeks. Remember all the reports before the season after Irons got hurt, about how Chris was in good shape, and there was even the possibility he could start the season on the active roster?

But what happens? He's PUP'd and instead we waste an open roster slot on Ethan "Killer" Kilmer. And then, after six weeks of PUP, the Bengals drag out any possible Perry return for another six weeks. In short, it may not matter if he comes back now, -- but how much of a difference might he have made earlier, given that Rudi has been hurt and/or ineffective this season?

Either reports of Perry's good condition were greatly exaggerated (in which case I have to wonder, if he isn't back by now, will he ever be back?), or the Bengals decided some time back that he wasn't in their future plans, and have basically been doing everything they can to prevent circumstances from forcing him back on the roster. Or both could be true. In any event, I look for Chris to be traded or released next year.

[membengal]

Devil's brew at RB for camp next year:

Johnson coming off of injury plagued year with worries he's slowing down very real

Watson

Dorsey

Irons coming off of an ACL tear

Perry still an unknown following his latest trauma

Yuck. That's a lot of unknown.

[CJBestInAFC]

The Bengals should get rid of Rudi and play with 5 backers next year. Keep Watson, Dede, Perry, Irons, and of course JJ. I think if Perry comes back fine, which all indications seem to be pointed in that direction, I do wish I could see something from Perry this season. Perry, Dede, and Watson can play wr, so carrying one less player at Wr wont hurt the offense. Dede has been my favorite back this season. He is the Bengals version of Willie Parker. I hope he gets some more carries because he has some speed that we lack in Rudi(who seems to be getting the bulk of the carries now). This offense needs speed at Rb and with those 4 backs that gives the Bengals a terrifying backfield, of course assuming that Perry and Irons come back healthy.

[Jet23]

I will continue to pimp Dorsey until he is given a legit chance. What are they waiting for? He makes a play every time he is in there. I think Marvin has seen the light, because he pointed out a ST tackle. If you want to get on Marvin's good side, perform on Special Teams. He has to be a lock to make the team next year, which spells the end for either Rudi or Perry.

[mgi]

If you had to decide TODAY which 3 rb's to keep for next year, who would it be?

I'll take the combination of any three healthy backs next year, but if I had to decide today...

Rudi - is his time up? Is his trade value completely diminished?

Watson - A great back up to Rudi but can he play every Sunday?

Perry - Send him back to Michigan, they apparently have better doctors and trainers than we do.

Dorsey - Interesting potential, has made an encore from Preaseason '06 after winning a ring. Coaches like him (or desperate) enough to bring him back after Indy snatched him.

Irons - Love the thought but am reminded of Kijana Carter and Ickey Woods.

I eliminate Perry, am truly skeptical of RBs recovering from ACL injuries. So I guess I am stuck with Rudi, Watson, and Dorsey (which is what we already have), which I don't particualrly favor. I'd rather Irons recover, and move Rudi. I say this now, but maybe Rudi's problem is his perneially strained hamstring which can reover in the offseason and we can all get back on the Rudi bandwagon next year (big dream, I know).

so TODAY i guess I take what we have now, unless I feel like taking a bigger chance by the end of today and drop Rudi for Irons.

[HairOnFire]

Despite his talent, he is not necessarily needed at this point, especially if Perry would risk further injury by coming back.

Sums up the guys entire career. Not necessarily needed and the only way he can stay healthy is if he's not activated.

Do it now or do it next season, but they're cutting this guy the moment their accountant tells them the time is right.

[BengalszoneBilly]

Despite his talent, he is not necessarily needed at this point, especially if Perry would risk further injury by coming back.

Sums up the guys entire career. Not necessarily needed and the only way he can stay healthy is if he's not activated.

Do it now or do it next season, but they're cutting this guy the moment their accountant tells them the time is right.

And I will shed nary a tear when it happens.

[JohnsonX5]

I will continue to pimp Dorsey until he is given a legit chance. What are they waiting for? He makes a play every time he is in there. I think Marvin has seen the light, because he pointed out a ST tackle. If you want to get on Marvin's good side, perform on Special Teams. He has to be a lock to make the team next year, which spells the end for either Rudi or Perry.

I like Dorsey too. I think his 21 yard run on Sunday was our longest run of the season. He's made the most of the few chances he's been given and I wouldn't mind seeing more of him. The battle for the RB roster spots should be interesting next year. I wouldn't be surprised to see any of our five rb's getting axed.

[mgilgris]

There are so many reasons for shelving Perry. I think the only reason they did not up to this point was just in case, another RB went down and we were forced to put him into action. Now there is no point, we are out of the race, he has been rushed back before and gotten injured

Doesn't placing him on IR save some cap space? What are the cap implications. Drafting the best person available regardless of the position as F**ed us.

If they draft another position player (WR, RB, QB) in the first or second round or another DB i will scream. We need a stud DL, or LB

[BengalszoneBilly]

If they draft another position player (WR, RB, QB) in the first or second round or another DB i will scream. We need a stud DL, or LB

We can even do it in thunderous stereo, but I doubt it will supplant "drafting the best player available" thinking.

[ArmyBengal]

Had to pick right now ??

I agree with what Heretic is saying... What we have right now in Rudi, Watson, and DeDe is the only option with the unknowns of Perry and Irons. This will be one of the most interesting positions to watch next year in camp and anyone of them getting cut will not come as a suprise to me either...

WHODEY !!!

[HairOnFire]

It's official. Perry to IR.

Oddly enough this could still be the 2nd best season of Chris Perry's career.

[BengalszoneBilly]

It's official. Perry to IR.

Oddly enough this could still be the 2nd best season of Chris Perry's career.

Wow...huge shocker there huh?

[ArmyBengal]

Exactly what was expected... Well, there's always next year !!!

WHODEY !!!

[mgilgris]

Maybe we should draft another RB with our top pick [insert sarcasm] .

All you idiots yelling for Darren McFadden also must be clueless to the build up of overrated injury prone draft picks

[TJJackson]

I'd kinda like to know how they can keep Pollack on the PUP list still - not that I think he'll come back this year, if ever, just really curious.....

[Bengals1]

Cincinnati.com - Tailback Chris Perry will remain on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, and his practice window has expired. He will not play this season, the Bengals announced late this morning.

The designation essentially is the same as the injured reserve list. Perry did have a roster exemption, and he no longer can practice. Perry remains in rehab from a dislocated ankle he suffered on Nov. 26 of last season at Cleveland.

Well, now we know.

[AMC]

News we expected coming out of training camp, right???

Does he get cut in the offseason or training camp? Depends on Irons health?