Rudi vs. Edge

[derekshank]

In all the hype leading up to this game, I've heard a lot of comparing between Manning and Palmer, Chad and Harrison, and Edge and Rudi.

In Rudi vs. Edge comparison, the analysts seems to give Indy a great advantage. Everyone is looking at the rushing yards, and giving Edge the advantage right away. Edge has 1027, and Rudi has 778. No comparison, Edge is better... right?

Well, Indy doesn't have a Chris Perry. The actual stats should be total rushing yards. Indy is leading 1202 to 1028. Much closer... but Indy still has the advantage. However, Our running backs are a major part of our passing game. The Indy RB's only have 233 yards receiving, and Cincy RB's have 352 yards receiving. So maybe Cincy has the advantage after all.

But to be fair, our RB's replace the TE in our scheme, so the stat should be total RB/TE receiving yards. Indy has 464, while Cincy has 510. So total yards from scrimmage between the RB/TE position has Indy leading by a mere 128 yards.

All of this to say... these are two incredibly even teams offensively. It just might come down to defense... where it seems pretty even too.

This should be a VERY good game. These are two incredibly similar teams.

[turningpoint]

rudi is the one guy no1 is talking about kinda like warrick in 03.

[Stripes]

I think Indy has the superior running attack, more by yards per play than total yardage. Still, we have a more balanced ground game, with two polar opposites on the field all day long. Perry and Rudi combine to create arguably the most versatile duo in the league right now. I agree that this game won't be decided by offense. Either team is going to make a big play late in the game, and they will have the edge (no pun intended).

[bengalindian]

I really think a deciding factor in this game is how well Rudi and Perry do in this game, especially Perry. They need to be able to take any pressure off Carson, not to mention helping to block Freeney and Mathis. If Perry can rush for about 50 yards, and maybe another 50 receiving, they can stop the pass rush, and I think that's the key to winning this game.

No Sacks/Int's for Carson=No momentum for a tired Colts D.

[derekshank]

I'm not that big on stats for Chris Perry. I don't care if he gets 50 yards rushing and receiving. With him, it has a lot more to do with the kinds of yards he gets.

For instance:

In the Balt game he had only 3 touches, for a total of 15 yards. Not too impressive... But 2 of his 3 touches were on 3rd downs that converted into 1st downs on a TD drive. He seems to routinley make a defender miss, and get those crucial extra few yards on 3rd down to continue the drive. Watching him play shows that he impacted the game much more than his stats... And I don't recall the last time we put the ball in his hands on 3rd down, and he didn't get the 1st.

[Jet23]

I loved the way Rudi ran last week. He looked fast getting through those holes. But that may say more about the OL than Rudi. Maybe they are getting their timing down. Rudi going for like 160 yards would be awesome!

[Stripes]

I loved the way Rudi ran last week. He looked fast getting through those holes. But that may say more about the OL than Rudi. Maybe they are getting their timing down. Rudi going for like 160 yards would be awesome!

He has looked vastly improved the last few weeks, even during the Steelers game. He has gotten off to a fast start every time, and I think he'll do it again here. The Rudi we have seen this year, while his stats look the same as they usually do, has not been the Rudi we've seen his entire career. He has looked slow and indecisive. Lately, he's kicked it into high gear, and has been hitting all the holes. If he came out Sunday and had a huge game like that, my delight would far outweigh my surprise.

[walzav29]

I think this will be Perry's best game. The way the ends come flying up will leave alot of dump passes open. I still think Rudi is going to hammer them, but Perry is the X factor.

[Stripes]

I think this will be Perry's best game. The way the ends come flying up will leave alot of dump passes open. I still think Rudi is going to hammer them, but Perry is the X factor.

That officially makes it 10/10 on weeks where someone has predicted Perry will have his best game.

Yes, he has a shot to make plays against this 4-3 scheme. I think it all depends on how many touches he ends up getting. If Rudi is churning up yardage like I expect him to, then I doubt Perry has a big game. I think he is a leading candidate to score a touchdown every week though.

[CUbaseball11]

I think this will be Perry's best game. The way the ends come flying up will leave alot of dump passes open. I still think Rudi is going to hammer them, but Perry is the X factor.

That officially makes it 10/10 on weeks where someone has predicted Perry will have his best game.

Yes, he has a shot to make plays against this 4-3 scheme. I think it all depends on how many touches he ends up getting. If Rudi is churning up yardage like I expect him to, then I doubt Perry has a big game. I think he is a leading candidate to score a touchdown every week though.

I truly feel this is RUDI week. Give it to him early and often. Let Palmer, Chad, TJ, and C. Henry keep them on their toes. Unfortunatley I think Perry's role will have limitations again this week (sord of like last, mostly 3rd downs). The point is....... we have be successful on the ground to win, period. The "X" factor in the game is keeping the ball out of Indy's hands. Run clock run...

[HairOnFire]

How's this for a change of pace. I liked the way Rudi caught the ball against the Ravens. Just off the top of my head I can recall two screen passes....a play designed to slow down the pass rush...that went for 12 and 16 yards.

[derekshank]

I think this will be Perry's best game. The way the ends come flying up will leave alot of dump passes open. I still think Rudi is going to hammer them, but Perry is the X factor.

That officially makes it 10/10 on weeks where someone has predicted Perry will have his best game.

Yes, he has a shot to make plays against this 4-3 scheme. I think it all depends on how many touches he ends up getting. If Rudi is churning up yardage like I expect him to, then I doubt Perry has a big game. I think he is a leading candidate to score a touchdown every week though.

Yep... but I do think Perry has been getting better nearly every week. Like you said... he doesn't always get a lot of touches, depending on how the game is playing out... but most of his touches are important. He won't win you much in a fantasy football league... but he plays a bigger part than most people think to winning games for the Bengals.

How's this for a change of pace. I liked the way Rudi caught the ball against the Ravens. Just off the top of my head I can recall two screen passes....a play designed to slow down the pass rush...that went for 12 and 16 yards.

I watched that too... and immediately thought of all those people who complain about using Rudi on screens when you have a guy like Chris Perry.

Whatever will work makes me happy. Perry is awesome on 3rd downs with those screen passes... but if giving Rudi a screen is going to make Freeney think twice... then by all means

[LolaMoon]

If we were just comparing Edgerrin and Rudi here... I would give a big edge to Edgerrin. But, since we are bringing Chris into this... I think it is safe to say that in areas that Rudi is lacking... which is obviously receiving... Chris makes up for it. Chris, I have noticed has really good receiving numbers.. 264 yrds to be exact and 2 TD's... When people compare running backs... they look at areas other than rushing. And, that is why Edgerrin takes a good lead on Rudi... because Edgerrin is a not only a rusher.. but, he receives and is one of the better blocking backs in the NFL.

So, they are not stating that Edgerrin is the better back just to say it... he is the better, all around back.

But, when you bring Chris into it... it evens it out a little because he is an excellent receiver. He is used more in those situations where Rudi is more of just a rushing back.

But, even with Chris brought into it... the numbers speak for themselves. Along with the Touchdowns. Edgerrin has a total of 1,234 yrds from scrimmage... 10 touchdowns. Rudi and Chris combined have 1,192 yrds from scrimmage and 5 touchdowns.

I would bring Dominic into it... but, it is not needed. That is why they say they give the Colts the edge on the running game.

[Bobcat Bengal]

Perry can either be the hero or goat in this game.

Let's hope he doesn't miss a critical blocking assignment, ala the Jax game.

[Spain]

Hey Derek I appreciate the insight but"get a life" that aint that healthy!

[Stripes]

I would bring Dominic into it... but, it is not needed. That is why they say they give the Colts the edge on the running game.

I would agree with that, I don't think anyone here disagrees. Still, I think the point trying to be made in this thread is that the gap between these two teams in this category is thinner than the sports analysts seem to be saying it is.

[Jonboat]

I truly feel this is RUDI week. Give it to him early and often. Let Palmer, Chad, TJ, and C. Henry keep them on their toes. Unfortunatley I think Perry's role will have limitations again this week (sord of like last, mostly 3rd downs). The point is....... we have be successful on the ground to win, period. The "X" factor in the game is keeping the ball out of Indy's hands. Run clock run...

[jamesbrooks21]

How's this for a change of pace. I liked the way Rudi caught the ball against the Ravens. Just off the top of my head I can recall two screen passes....a play designed to slow down the pass rush...that went for 12 and 16 yards.

I agree. Baltimore was caught off guard when we hit them with the screens to Rudi. It was the same type of plays some folks were bitching about when we ran them earlier in the year saying Perry is our recieving back so use him. That can be predictable! Have to show that you will use that play with both RBs.

[Jet23]

Indy is very vulnerable to the screen pass. New England has owned them with that play, but nobody is better at running the screen than NE. I bet we see at least 5 screens sunday.

[omahacolt]

if the bengals have 5 screens then they will get about 50-60yards off of them. the colts dont know how to play the screen or the draw play. kills us every time

[coltsemc]

Omaha you stole my post. draws and screens work very well against us. The Colts don't really have as much trouble with a power run game, as they do with quick backs that cut back and change direction well. Kinda odd for a finesse/soft team.

[derekshank]

Hey Derek I appreciate the insight but"get a life" that aint that healthy!

I assume you are referring to the stats I posted... it took me a total of about 5 minutes to gather that data... but I will take you advice and attempt to go get a life. Hmm, lets see... I'll go get a ham radio, or maybe work on a puzzle.