j2v Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 Consider this Son of Fantasy University. Each day we’ll make a post regarding a fantasy-relevant player or situation; then, we’ll turn the mic over to you and hear what you have to say. Today’s candidate: Bengals RB Rudi Johnson Used to be 1,400 yards and a dozen touchdowns from Rudi was as predictable as Amy Winehouse winding up in rehab. Then last season happened: no, Winehouse didn’t get clean; a hamstring injury cost Rudi five full games and chunks of several others, opening the door for Kenny Watson to steal carries and cutting his stats to the quick. This year Rudi is healthy… but so is Chris Perry, a former first-round pick the Bengals have been aching to work into the mix. Watson looms as well, making the Cincinnati backfield one messy situation. Plus, the Bengals’ “other” Johnson turns 29 this season and has seven NFL seasons of mileage—albeit only the equivalent of four seasons as a full-time feature back. Where are you comfortable taking Rudi? Can he be trusted as an RB2? Is Watson (or Perry) a must-handcuff? Or will the Bengals be too pass-happy and too willing to spread the backfield wealth for Rudi to regain a significant portion of his fantasy value? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Irish Doggy Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 I'm convinced Rudi has at least one good year left in him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avernus Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 I see 1200 yds and 8 TD's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cliaz Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 (edited) Rudi Johnson was my corner stone player for my local keeper league. For three years he was steady eddie. You knew you could get at least 1300 yards and 12 Tds and it was nice to have that kind of steady production in a back. Last year, however, he flopped on me. I do not see Rudi returning to those days. I think Rudi will be in for another meh year. However, with their horrible Defense and a O-line that can somewhat protect Palmer, two things could happen this years: 1. The Bengals will be forced to lean on their running game to keep the other team's offense off the field. This could benefit the Bengals RB corp, though how much it will help Rudi is up in the air. 2. The Bengals will be forced to throw to keep up with the other teams, hurting the running game. Rudi Johnson projection - 280 rushes, 1100 yards [3.9 ypc], 7 Tds Edit: He will be a good mid to lower 2nd RB for your team but injuries are very concerning to me. There are many other backs you could take before him. however, if he fell to me around the end of the 3rd round, I might take him there unless a good WR was available or another back like John Stewart [Panthers] or even Thomas Jones. In an auction league with a $100 cap, I wouldn't spend more than $8 - $10 on him. Edited August 5, 2008 by cliaz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savage Beatings Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 Right on the edge of RB2/RB3 for me. Like Holt he's the kind of guy that should slide to the 3rd round, but I'll wait until the 4th round + for him if nobody else is biting. He's a nice fit for someone who does not want to follow the traditional RB RB draft plan with your first two picks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peepinmofo Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 Rudi Johnson was my corner stone player for my local keeper league. For three years he was steady eddie. You knew you could get at least 1300 yards and 12 Tds and it was nice to have that kind of steady production in a back. Last year, however, he flopped on me. I do not see Rudi returning to those days. I think Rudi will be in for another meh year. However, with their horrible Defense and a O-line that can somewhat protect Palmer, two things could happen this years: 1. The Bengals will be forced to lean on their running game to keep the other team's offense off the field. This could benefit the Bengals RB corp, though how much it will help Rudi is up in the air. 2. The Bengals will be forced to throw to keep up with the other teams, hurting the running game. Rudi Johnson projection - 280 rushes, 1100 yards [3.9 ypc], 7 Tds Edit: He will be a good mid to lower 2nd RB for your team but injuries are very concerning to me. There are many other backs you could take before him. however, if he fell to me around the end of the 3rd round, I might take him there unless a good WR was available or another back like John Stewart [Panthers] or even Thomas Jones. In an auction league with a $100 cap, I wouldn't spend more than $8 - $10 on him. Thats too early. All drafts Ive been in (about 5) have him going in the 5th - 7th round. Grab a better RB or WR in the 3rd AND 4th, and get Rudi in the 5th, 6th, or maybe 7th. Thank me later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peepinmofo Posted August 5, 2008 Share Posted August 5, 2008 If Rudi is 100% healthy, what percentage of carries do y'all expect that he'll get? I'm wondering how much work Chris Perry might get Perry will get a little work, then get hurt. Then get IRd. Then get cut by everyone who drafts him or gets him on the WW. Happens all the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pitbull739 Posted August 6, 2008 Share Posted August 6, 2008 Just can't see Rudi getting back to that status again. Maybe it's the hater in me, but I just don't see it. Sub 1,000's from here on out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cdj7k Posted August 6, 2008 Share Posted August 6, 2008 i like rudi, but i think the schedule this year is going to hurt his production.playing nfc east and afc south is gonna be a chore to not end up abandoning the run game. jmo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooby Posted August 6, 2008 Share Posted August 6, 2008 I will take 1,000 yds and 10 TDs...that would justify taking him in the 4th or later...which I see him being taken in the 5th. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooby Posted August 6, 2008 Share Posted August 6, 2008 Thats too early. All drafts Ive been in (about 5) have him going in the 5th - 7th round. Grab a better RB or WR in the 3rd AND 4th, and get Rudi in the 5th, 6th, or maybe 7th. Thank me later. "Gosh, I admire you" - Fletch as Mr. Poon in the movie Fletch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NAUgrad Posted August 6, 2008 Share Posted August 6, 2008 Right on the edge of RB2/RB3 for me. Like Holt he's the kind of guy that should slide to the 3rd round, but I'll wait until the 4th round + for him if nobody else is biting. He's a nice fit for someone who does not want to follow the traditional RB RB draft plan with your first two picks. I have to agree with this. Once a back has a tough season like Rudi did last year after he's been in the league for a period of time, it's hard for me to jump back on the bandwagon. See Jamal Lewis. I probably wouldn't take him until RB3 though, but somewhere between RB2/3 is about right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LayLow Posted August 6, 2008 Share Posted August 6, 2008 (edited) If Rudi is 100% healthy, what percentage of carries do y'all expect that he'll get? I'm wondering how much work Chris Perry might get I agree with Opie Edited August 6, 2008 by LayLow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seahawks21 Posted August 6, 2008 Share Posted August 6, 2008 Done. Wasted pick. By this time next year he will be Shaun Alexander, without quite so many accomplishments. 400 yards and 3 TDs. Watson and Perry are both better players at this time, which will show quickly in the season. Rudi is gonna have about 17 carries for 29 yards in week one and they will start to look for answers from there. Go ahead and waste your 3rd or 4th rounder. I'm gonna take Boldin, Hass or Gates and tear your team to shreds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cliaz Posted August 6, 2008 Share Posted August 6, 2008 Done. Wasted pick. By this time next year he will be Shaun Alexander, without quite so many accomplishments. 400 yards and 3 TDs. Watson and Perry are both better players at this time, which will show quickly in the season. Rudi is gonna have about 17 carries for 29 yards in week one and they will start to look for answers from there. Go ahead and waste your 3rd or 4th rounder. I'm gonna take Boldin, Hass or Gates and tear your team to shreds. Boy, you sound bitter. Still pissed about the Steelers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt. Stanky Posted August 6, 2008 Share Posted August 6, 2008 Rudi's back up to his playing weight of 05 (225). He'd cut weight the past two years to try and add quickness, but that's just not Rudi's game. He is what he is, a below avg talent that has great vision. He reads blocks very well and really is only as good as his O-line is. we had allot of injury's on the O-Line last year and Rudi didn't look good even before he injured that hamstring. If the O-line is healthy and playing well, and Rudi is healthy, he could have a nice bounce back year. On a side note, he's already got a minor hamstring pull and has sat out the last few days of TC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cliaz Posted August 6, 2008 Share Posted August 6, 2008 To piggy back on Capt. Stanky, I think you may have touched on something here. The Bengal's Offense really needs a westbrook style running back instead of a bruiser like Rudi. he is not a great pass catcher and not very quick. Their passing attack is kind of dictating that Rudi may become a goal line and short yardage back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pope Flick Posted August 6, 2008 Share Posted August 6, 2008 Done. Wasted pick. By this time next year he will be Shaun Alexander, without quite so many accomplishments. 400 yards and 3 TDs. Watson and Perry are both better players at this time, which will show quickly in the season. Rudi is gonna have about 17 carries for 29 yards in week one and they will start to look for answers from there. Go ahead and waste your 3rd or 4th rounder. I'm gonna take Boldin, Hass or Gates and tear your team to shreds. Way off base. You can sound as serious and confident as you want but it doesn't mean you can see the future. I'm with the "losing weight was bad for him" and say he's got this season and possibly next before he jumps the shark SA style. Rudi didn't just sign a fat contract so I think that analogy is piss poor anywyas. He'll make an awesome RB2, and if someone snakes him as an RB3 then look out for that team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peepinmofo Posted August 6, 2008 Share Posted August 6, 2008 Done. Wasted pick. By this time next year he will be Shaun Alexander, without quite so many accomplishments. 400 yards and 3 TDs. Watson and Perry are both better players at this time, which will show quickly in the season. Rudi is gonna have about 17 carries for 29 yards in week one and they will start to look for answers from there. Go ahead and waste your 3rd or 4th rounder. I'm gonna take Boldin, Hass or Gates and tear your team to shreds. Why wouldnt you draft the top 7 RB McFadden in those rounds? Hmm... Sounds like you really KNOW he wont finish top 7. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seahawks21 Posted August 7, 2008 Share Posted August 7, 2008 Why wouldnt you draft the top 7 RB McFadden in those rounds? Hmm... Sounds like you really KNOW he wont finish top 7. Come on, I'm just giving examples that the masses can relate to. You know if it is me, McFadden isn't lasting past the 2nd unless I have a really early pick in the 3rd as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cre8tiff Posted August 21, 2008 Share Posted August 21, 2008 Way off base. You can sound as serious and confident as you want but it doesn't mean you can see the future. I'm with the "losing weight was bad for him" and say he's got this season and possibly next before he jumps the shark SA style. Rudi didn't just sign a fat contract so I think that analogy is piss poor anywyas. He'll make an awesome RB2, and if someone snakes him as an RB3 then look out for that team. Hope you're right.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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