I like Rudi, but.....CHRIS PERRY!!!!

[jjakq27]

Reports of Rudi Johnson's demise are premature........

After watching Denver yesterday, multiple weapons at RB makes it awfully tough to prepare and defend against. The fresh legs in the fourth quarter is a great advantage also. So don't be so quick in writing Rudi off just yet.

[HoosierCat]

And to reply to Joisey's post, I think Perry is going to be a much better pro than Steven Jackson, hes just never impressed me, what did he do last week 12 carries for 6 yards against the cardinals? Pathetic, he has some big games when things go his way but as a full time starting RB in an offense that has a great passing game to take the pressure off the run, he shouldnt have these types of games.

As for Kevin Jones, hes kinda screwed by being on one of the worst teams in the league. I never realized how bad the Lions offense was before seeing that thanksgiving game.

I hear ya about the Lions, but then again Corey Dillon played on one of the worst teams in the league forever and racked up pretty nice numbers, so you have to wonder if he's not just another bad Detroit pick. IMHO both Jackson and Perry will turn out to have been good picks. My point was simply that a lot of people just shredded the Bengals for supposedly picking this guy who was so much worse than the other two...complaints that appear to have been overblown.

[DontPushMe]

Its not just bengal fans that think this way...

http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/story/9061050/2

This might sound crazy, but the Bengals would clearly be better off if Chris Perry was their starting running back over Rudi Johnson. Perry has far more pop into the hole and he can rip off the big runs.

Johnson is the stronger back, but he's not going to break off long runs. In fact, someone joked that there's a fence at 13 yards from the line of scrimmage that keeps Johnson from making the big run.

Perry can catch the ball out of the backfield and he's capable as a blocker. Against the Colts last week, Perry clearly seemed to be the better of the two backs. Maybe down the stretch, the Bengals will move more to Perry. It would seem to be the smart thing to do, even if they did give Johnson a big contract last year.

[Stripes]

Perry has looked excellent of late, I'll give you that DPM. He's proven that he is capapble of playing well when he gets more opportunities. Still, as a starting running back, hes going to have to be able to run between the tackles. For me to believe he has learned that skill well enough to be a starting caliber player, I want him to make some big plays against the likes of the Ravens or Steelers and their 3-4 schemes.

I don't think Rudi's spot as the starter is at all in jeapordy, but he is looking like he might lose more carries. In the end, that will keep him fresh and increase his yards per carry accordingly. That has been Perry's job from the start, to keep Rudi fresh. Having BOTH getting plenty of touches is all I care to see. Which one is the "starter" and which gets the majority of the touches seems irrelavent.

[buck3y3d]

Its not just bengal fans that think this way...

http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/story/9061050/2

This might sound crazy, but the Bengals would clearly be better off if Chris Perry was their starting running back over Rudi Johnson. Perry has far more pop into the hole and he can rip off the big runs.

Johnson is the stronger back, but he's not going to break off long runs. In fact, someone joked that there's a fence at 13 yards from the line of scrimmage that keeps Johnson from making the big run.

Perry can catch the ball out of the backfield and he's capable as a blocker. Against the Colts last week, Perry clearly seemed to be the better of the two backs. Maybe down the stretch, the Bengals will move more to Perry. It would seem to be the smart thing to do, even if they did give Johnson a big contract last year.

Perry has not proven he has more pop in the holes because he never runs inside. The O-line can't open up a whole up the middle because they are small with the exception of Willie. They run signifigantly better to the outside. That being said, Rudi does an excellent job wearing down the defense. Perry is a good reciever and a good runner to the outside, but these are third down back situations. Perry should not start until he gets bigger. He hasn't even proven he can handle a half season of full carries. I think Marvin knows what he is doing.

BTW, did anyone else cringe on the 4th and 1 when Perry was in there. I knew it was going to be a pitch, and therefore I'm guessing Indy was absolutely positive it would be a pitch. Please Bob Ican'thinkformyself, use some creativity, or I'll take a punt or a field goal.

[DontPushMe]

Its not just bengal fans that think this way...

http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/story/9061050/2

This might sound crazy, but the Bengals would clearly be better off if Chris Perry was their starting running back over Rudi Johnson. Perry has far more pop into the hole and he can rip off the big runs.

Johnson is the stronger back, but he's not going to break off long runs. In fact, someone joked that there's a fence at 13 yards from the line of scrimmage that keeps Johnson from making the big run.

Perry can catch the ball out of the backfield and he's capable as a blocker. Against the Colts last week, Perry clearly seemed to be the better of the two backs. Maybe down the stretch, the Bengals will move more to Perry. It would seem to be the smart thing to do, even if they did give Johnson a big contract last year.

Perry has not proven he has more pop in the holes because he never runs inside. The O-line can't open up a whole up the middle because they are small with the exception of Willie. They run signifigantly better to the outside. That being said, Rudi does an excellent job wearing down the defense. Perry is a good reciever and a good runner to the outside, but these are third down back situations. Perry should not start until he gets bigger. He hasn't even proven he can handle a half season of full carries. I think Marvin knows what he is doing.

BTW, did anyone else cringe on the 4th and 1 when Perry was in there. I knew it was going to be a pitch, and therefore I'm guessing Indy was absolutely positive it would be a pitch. Please Bob Ican'thinkformyself, use some creativity, or I'll take a punt or a field goal.

Bigger? Hes already bigger than Rudi, how much bigger does he have to get? BTW, his 16 and 30 yard runs last week were right up the middle.

Brat has been doing a great job this year, besides 4th downs.. these 4th and 1's are killing me this year. We must be right near the bottom in 4th down conversions on the season.

[buck3y3d]

Its not just bengal fans that think this way...

http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/story/9061050/2

This might sound crazy, but the Bengals would clearly be better off if Chris Perry was their starting running back over Rudi Johnson. Perry has far more pop into the hole and he can rip off the big runs.

Johnson is the stronger back, but he's not going to break off long runs. In fact, someone joked that there's a fence at 13 yards from the line of scrimmage that keeps Johnson from making the big run.

Perry can catch the ball out of the backfield and he's capable as a blocker. Against the Colts last week, Perry clearly seemed to be the better of the two backs. Maybe down the stretch, the Bengals will move more to Perry. It would seem to be the smart thing to do, even if they did give Johnson a big contract last year.

Perry has not proven he has more pop in the holes because he never runs inside. The O-line can't open up a whole up the middle because they are small with the exception of Willie. They run signifigantly better to the outside. That being said, Rudi does an excellent job wearing down the defense. Perry is a good reciever and a good runner to the outside, but these are third down back situations. Perry should not start until he gets bigger. He hasn't even proven he can handle a half season of full carries. I think Marvin knows what he is doing.

BTW, did anyone else cringe on the 4th and 1 when Perry was in there. I knew it was going to be a pitch, and therefore I'm guessing Indy was absolutely positive it would be a pitch. Please Bob Ican'thinkformyself, use some creativity, or I'll take a punt or a field goal.

Bigger? Hes already bigger than Rudi, how much bigger does he have to get? BTW, his 16 and 30 yard runs last week were right up the middle.

Brat has been doing a great job this year, besides 4th downs.. these 4th and 1's are killing me this year. We must be right near the bottom in 4th down conversions on the season.

Perry weighs a pound less and is 2 inches taller (from the Bengals Roster). That makes him smaller. I don't think Perry can run up the middle consistently. I was in Chicago on Sunday and only cuaght part of the game. That being said, up until this point Perry has played well as a compliment. In no way has he shown he deserved to start over Rudi. This argument is probably held every 2 weeks and I'm suprised the moderators haven't locked the thread.

[walshfan]

Perry cant run up the middle consistently?

When has he had a chance to run anywhere constistently?

he ran up the middle for 30 yards against the Colts...

If you watched and listened to the game on the NFL network reply you'd have heard the hitting taking place...He was pounding it when he ran.

Forget that stuff about too small....

Perry is 6'0" and 224lbs and thats not small!!!

[schweinhart]

Its not just bengal fans that think this way...

http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/story/9061050/2

This might sound crazy, but the Bengals would clearly be better off if Chris Perry was their starting running back over Rudi Johnson. Perry has far more pop into the hole and he can rip off the big runs.

[Spain]

No s**t, i dont like hating on Rudi but Perry is the real deal. Hey anyone remeber JB running it up the middle and we was smaller than these guys. The guy hits the hole alot quicker hell they dont touch him until he is in the secondary. A big Marshall Faulk is what we have. He should start every game and Rudi relieve him. Sorry Rudi your days are numbered. For a backup we cant pay that. We probably will get a vet or draft someone. I would guess we look for a vet next year and trade Rudi!

[bengalboomer7]

Chris Perry will be the starter......but your gonna have to wait porbably two years.

My only suggestion would be to look at the WHOLE body of work instead of a game or two. We're still finding out what we have with Perry

[Spain]

He could be the boost we need abainst Pit next week. He as a starter would change this team. Rudi is slow, ok great YAR numbers but he gets hit at the line. How many times this guy won a game for us this year? None. Perry can do that, CJ,Palmer,Perry could win the big one! Palmer doesnt get much help from the running game. This could pick our game up. You need to play the best playa!

[Stripes]

Our running game, as it is being coordinated right now, is ranked 11th in the NFL. It has been on the rise in recent weeks, against a few stout run defenses (Packers, Ravens, Colts). Rudi has been a stronger runner during the second half of each season he has been here. He will look better than he has so far this year, I guaruntee you that. The presence of Perry will be essential in ensuring it happens this way. Rudi is our control the clock guy, while Perry is our Brian Westbrook. We are the only team in the NFL with BOTH extremes in running back types. Use them both, and do so frequently.

[BengalszoneBilly]

I read in the NY Times sports section where Chris Perry is the #1 recieving back in yardage in the NFL, and T.J. Houshmanzadeh is one of the top rushing recievers. Did anyone else notice the Bengals do like to call his end around play at least once a game!

[schweinhart]

No question Chris Perry is an outstanding receiver as a 3rd down back.

He's even had some success vs. AFC North teams this year w/ 12 catches for 91 yards in 3 games.

But Perry has no business trying to run against their 3-man fronts w/ box defenders spread. His 9 carries for 16 yards attest to that. It's a big difference trying to run him there than Rudi, who is built to run against them out of the Power I w/ JJ paving the way. Hopefully, Brat won't get too Chris "SUPERSTAR" Perry with the playcalling today and give the Bengals their best chance for success by rolling Rudi through the line.

The goal should still be to win the game and Rudi gives them a better chance to win this game and all others as the main running RB.

[JPW]

THUNDER & LIGHTNING

[JPW]

By the way I don't know if this has already been mentioned but Rudi has been listed on the injury report for a number of weeks now (knee).

He has not been at % 100 for a good part of the season so far.

[ShulaSteakhouse]

Glad to see others are starting to see things my way

Perry looks more like an all around full time RB on a high powered offense than rudi does. I think Rudi will be good to have around as a backup and short yardage guy, though I too would like to see Jeremi Johnson in at HB some on short yardage, but I think Perry is well on his way to taking over the full time duties.

Uh huh, Perry really helped himself today eh?

[Spain]

Not Really, Last week he palyed aainst a smaller faster D. This week when the holes were not there he looked very Rudish!

[buck3y3d]

Not Really, Last week he palyed aainst a smaller faster D. This week when the holes were not there he looked very Rudish!

And when the holes weren't there for Perry, well, he looked awful. He lost something like 14 yards on 2 carries. That one he simply spun to get away from Deion and went straight out of bounds. Rudi played well today. You guys are ridiculous. There is no question who played better.

[jjakq27]

Glad to see others are starting to see things my way

Perry looks more like an all around full time RB on a high powered offense than rudi does. I think Rudi will be good to have around as a backup and short yardage guy, though I too would like to see Jeremi Johnson in at HB some on short yardage, but I think Perry is well on his way to taking over the full time duties.

Rudi ran the sweep yesterday better than Perry did last week. Not bad for a future back up.

[Stripes]

Rudi is a guy that gets more powerful as games wear on and as the season wears on. We saw the proof yesterday. Putting up 114 yards on the Ravens, Ray Lewis or not, is awesome.

[Jet23]

Rudi is running the ball really well . Right now Perry's biggest asset is being a change of pace guy.

I think Perry could be a top 5 - 10 type running back, but not now.

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

Glad to see others are starting to see things my way

Perry looks more like an all around full time RB on a high powered offense than rudi does. I think Rudi will be good to have around as a backup and short yardage guy, though I too would like to see Jeremi Johnson in at HB some on short yardage, but I think Perry is well on his way to taking over the full time duties.

And to reply to Joisey's post, I think Perry is going to be a much better pro than Steven Jackson, hes just never impressed me, what did he do last week 12 carries for 6 yards against the cardinals? Pathetic, he has some big games when things go his way but as a full time starting RB in an offense that has a great passing game to take the pressure off the run, he shouldnt have these types of games.

Insane. Perry is the perfect RB for a run-and-shoot team, which is to say he's 15 years too late. He's basically Warrick Dunn except not quite as good. Imagine a Bengals team that's pass happy with no pass-catching TE (as they are now), and then switch out their bruising running back for a side-to-side runner...and I give you the worst red zone team in the league.

He's a great 3rd down back. He's a great change of pace back. But he's not a run after contact guy, and that's what the Bengals need.

I still don't get the Perry bandwagon. He can catch, he can do end-around and off-tackle runs, but he doesn't cut it between the tackles. And lemme tell ya, he looked like crap yesterday.

[bengalboomer7]

We'll need em both, especially this late in the season

JJAKQ, when your playing golf it's spelled FORE