Luchey Returns

[schweinhart]

Apparently Luchey coming back to back-up Johnson is a nod to the fact that they now consider Johnson a viable back-up for main back carries to Rudi. And Johnson blocks like another lineman out there.

Johnson's role on this team is expanding, not shrinking, and the coaches would not be doing that if they did not love what he was bringing to the team.

Sounds right on. The new svelte JJ looks bonafide as a 3rd down back and Rudi back-up in addition to the primary FB.

The questions raised by the Luchey signing seem to have more to do w/ how he'll be utiltized and under what conditions he'd be on the 45-man.

Can he be the 3rd team TE and backup FB like Tony Stewart is now? That would gurantee him an active spot if it led to Stewart getting released, which doesn't seem likely.

Can he play special teams well enough to bounce somebody else out? Watson was an altogether different ST critter who Luchey definitely does not replace. It would take somebody already on the active roster to play where Watson did on special teams, especially split deep w/ Perry on KRs to get Luchey on the field for special teams -- and then he'd still have to beat Hannibal Navies and maybe others out.

Is the new svelte JJ a little lighter in the a$$ than the Bengals would like for lead blocking for Rudi out of the I? This may be Luchey's best chance to get on the active roster for games vs. teams that are stouter at the LOS vs. the run.