Rudi to Return

[Tee]

Rudi to return

By GEOFF HOBSON

August 13, 2008

Updated: 2:10 p.m.

GEORGETOWN, Ky. - After about a two-week absence because of a hamstring issue, Bengals running back Rudi Johnson says he'll return to practice Wednesday night at Georgetown College and play in Sunday night's Paul Brown Stadium preseason opener against the Lions.

Johnson says the hamstring tightened up on him after he went through the heavy running of the first two sets of two-a-day practices during the first week of training camp. He said he brought it back slow because he believes he came back too soon from the hamstring injury he suffered in the third game of the regular season last year and was the reason he was limited to nine starts and a career-low 2.9 yards per carry.

"It could have been a pinch or anything, I was going to be careful," Johnson said Wednesday on his way to lunch. "Got to be smart. You live and learn a little bit. I came back too soon a few times last year. But when I came back too soon the first time, that was it for the rest of the year."

GEORGETOWN, Ky. _ After about a two-week absence because of a hamstring issue, Bengals running back Rudi Johnson says he'll return to practice Wednesday night at Georgetown College and play in Sunday night's Paul Brown Stadium preseason opener against the Lions.

Johnson says the hamstring tightened up on him after he went through the heavy running of the first two sets of two-a-day practices during the first week of training camp. He said he brought it back slow because he believes he came back too soon from the hamstring injury he suffered in the third game of the regular season last year and was the reason he was limited to nine starts and a career-low 2.9 yards per carry.

"It could have been a pinch or anything, I was going to be careful," Johnson said. "Got to be smart. You live and learn a little bit. I came back too soon a couple of times last year. But when I came back too soon the first time, that was it for the rest of the year."

SLANTS AND SCREENS: Johnson hosted the injured guys at his Cincinnati home Monday night for a viewing of the Bengals' 20-17 victory in Green Bay. Wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh was there and he indicated Wednesday that he'll probably be sidelined for Sunday, but that he could start practicing as soon as Thursday.

"Today and tomorrow are big days for me," Houshmandzadeh said. "I haven't run-run yet and we'll see how it feels. I'm not practicing today, but if I practice tomorrow I probably won't play (Sunday)."

Houshmandzadeh, who has also been out about two weeks with a tight hamstring, says he came into camp dehydrated after a heavy travel schedule. Like Johnson, he learned a lesson in 2003 when his efforts to get back on the field after suffering a hamstring injury in the preseason finale backfired and he nearly got cut during a year he only got in two games and didn't have a catch.

"If I come back too soon," he said, "I'll miss 30, 40 percent of the season."

NFL Network reported Tuesday night that the Bengals still keep having internal talks about bringing back troubled wide receiver Chris Henry even though he'll miss the first four games of this season with his third NFL suspension. There have been no indications that a signing is imminent.

Houshmandzadeh thinks the Bengals already have weapons with running back Chris Perry and tight end Ben Utecht.

"I think we can win without him and I think we can win with him. Chris can play football," Houshmandzadeh said. "I don't want to get into it that much because I think it's unfair to a certain degree. It would mean somebody who has busted their tail and been here the whole time would be out of a job. I guess what it boils down to is (the other receivers) have to play. If they show the team they can make plays, there'd be no need to bring him back."...

Perry, who led the team in rushing Monday (42 yards on 11 carries), says he's going to work on one thing against Detroit after running for the first time in a game in more than 600 days.

"I've got to pick up my feet," he said. "I'm tired of getting tackled by the ankles." ...

After watching the film, new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer said he was pleased by his team's run fits and thought the 5.2 yards per rush against them was skewed a bit because of two long runs. He said he made two mistakes in his Bengals' debut. Once he didn't push the button on the radio helmet and couldn't call a play in time. The other time he called a nickel scheme with dime personnel.

"I yelled at myself," said Zimmer, who plans to stay on the sidelines during games.

http://www.bengals.com/news/news.asp?story_id=6948

[Tee]

I guess he saw Chris Perry run and heard Marivn's press conference.

I am going to Georgtown tonight. I'll be sure to check it out......

He said he made two mistakes in his Bengals' debut. Once he didn't push the button on the radio helmet and couldn't call a play in time. The other time he called a nickel scheme with dime personnel.

"I yelled at myself," said Zimmer, who plans to stay on the sidelines during games.

[MARVIN=W'S]

I would love to see Rudi cut.

Perry

Watson

De De

That's my vote. Rudi is slow to the hole and doesn't catch the ball out of the backfield. Those three guys have a burst and all have good hands. I think it's time to move on.

[ArmyBengal]

Watson = Backup and nothing more. His best games last season were against garbage and to expect gret numbers out of him just doesn't make sense. The way I see it is (at least this year) we can't let Rudi go. If he comes back close to where he was than good !!

WHODEY !!!

[HAPPYJAQ]

I could easily see a Garrison Hearst-situation where the Bengals pick up a stop-gap RB this year and let Rudi go. Every RB on the roster has injury questions right now, minus James Johnson and internally the Bengals can't be comfortable with that. The question is do the Bengals feel like Perry can be healthy all year. If so, a Rudi/Perry/Watson RB by committee approach could work. If not, they need another back.

[BengalszoneBilly]

I could easily see a Garrison Hearst-situation where the Bengals pick up a stop-gap RB this year and let Rudi go. Every RB on the roster has injury questions right now, minus James Johnson and internally the Bengals can't be comfortable with that. The question is do the Bengals feel like Perry can be healthy all year. If so, a Rudi/Perry/Watson RB by committee approach could work. If not, they need another back.

Why don't you wait until you see Rudi run this season. IMHO the odds are good he'll be back in form as our #1 RB, Perry #2, with Watson #3.

Just the way I see it.

[COB]

Not to give any credit to the announcing crew that verbally ejaculated all over Brett Favre Monday night, when Brett Favre wasn't even in the game, but they did make one interesting point. They recounted that when they were talking to Marvin they asked him if he was worried about Rudi Johnson. They quoted Marvin as saying, "no, but Rudi should be worried about Rudi." Then Jaws said it had the feeling that it was a statement, emphasis on statement. Rudi might want to think twice before nursing that hamstring too long. Because I get the feeling Marvin's patience with running backs who can't run (see Irons, Kenny) has worn thin.

[ShulaSteakhouse]

I could easily see a Garrison Hearst-situation where the Bengals pick up a stop-gap RB this year and let Rudi go.

Not gonna happen....

[chandon]

I must admit, I'm far more worried about TJ than Rudi!

Hamstring problems have a nasty habit of not going away completely, and even if they do heal properly the unfortunate person never fully feels confident about running at 100% again. There is always that niggling feeling at the back of mind saying.." was that a twinge - is it going to happen again?"

What happens to our offense if arguably our best receiver doesn't perform or is injured again and is out for most of the season? It's what NOT being said which worries me more than what is being said about TJ's hamstring injury!

We can cope without Rudi, but can we cope without TJ and his production and attidude?

[Spor_tees]

I must admit, I'm far more worried about TJ than Rudi!

Hamstring problems have a nasty habit of not going away completely, and even if they do heal properly the unfortunate person never fully feels confident about running at 100% again. There is always that niggling feeling at the back of mind saying.." was that a twinge - is it going to happen again?"

What happens to our offense if arguably our best receiver doesn't perform or is injured again and is out for most of the season? It's what NOT being said which worries me more than what is being said about TJ's hamstring injury!

We can cope without Rudi, but can we cope without TJ and his production and attidude?

TJ is in a contract year....he'll play, trust me he'll play

[Tee]

Was at practice in Georgtown last night.....

I was impressed with Rudi. He looks great! Great footwork and fast. He looked really good.

Also from last night.....The 1st thing the defensive backs worked on was tackling drills. lol. They needed it.

Other stuff I noticed.

-JJ covered Chad like a blanket.

-David Jones #20 got beat often. He sucks.

- whiny bitch Levi sat out, not really impressed by him lately. He got beat a few times monday night.

- Eric Ghiaciuc muffed a snap, cussed, then was told to run a lap...

- Bobby Williams continues to get reps at center.

-BIG fight between Nate Lawrie and Dexter Jackson. Dexter layed out Lawrie on a play (they were only dressed in helmets, shoulder pad and shorts). Lawire gets up and fires the ball at Dexter....misses....then tackles Dexter and rips his helmet off and all hell broke loose. They get them seperated. Dexter's pissed the rest of the practice. Whoa.

-Later on Chad catches a pass and gets tackled (softly) by Jerrod Gaines #25.....They get up and fake fight....funny!!

-It was probably the most intense practice I've seen in a while. Roster spot battles are brewing.

[COB]

Thanks Tee for that interesting report about camp. Good stuff.

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

TJ is a tough MFer....he'll play, trust me he'll play

There, fixed that for you. TJ never needed financial motivation to play, as exhibited by ability to play at a high level with injuries that would have other players sidelined. Like cracked vertebrae.

[damiancasey]

Definitely thanks, Tee.

Good to hear there's a mix of levity and intensity.

Just got my "Who Dey" t-shirt yesterday.

[PhunkE1]

TJ is a tough MFer....he'll play, trust me he'll play

There, fixed that for you. TJ never needed financial motivation to play, as exhibited by ability to play at a high level with injuries that would have other players sidelined. Like cracked vertebrae.

Come on now guys, you can be the toughest person in the world, but if your hamstring's not right no one would know it. I'm also more worried about TJ than Rudi. TJ fought hamstring injury's early on in his career her, so much so that he almost got cut. I don't think we can say for sure until we see him on the field making sharp cuts.

[Ickey44]

I think TJ will be fine. Ever since he started doing Yoga he's not had a problem. He says it's from a lack of hydration due to a hectic schedule. Given how frank TJ is about everything else, I've got no reason to doubt him.

I'm really not that worried about Rudi either, as long as we have Perry and Watson ready to go. Rudi can take his time coming back.