Bengals are shopping Rudi Johnson for Starting WR

by Josh Kirkendall on Aug 26, 2008 12:15 PM EDT

I've been late to the party today because of that pesky real-life work stuff that tends to get in the way.

By now you've heard the story. ESPN reports that the Bengals are shopping Rudi Johnson for a starting wide receiver. The truth is, the Bengals are diluting themselves regarding Johnson's value on the market, and actually thinking they'll get a good starting receiver in return -- and actually expecting that they can trade Rudi's untradeable $3.2 million?

Furthermore, with the publicity of this report, Rudi Johnson now feels out of the loop -- or even disrespected. There's going to be more to this story, but the two things that popped in my mind when I heard this were the team's delusion of Rudi's value, and the likelihood that Rudi Johnson now feels unwanted and could be yet another distraction -- though, in truth, that would be against the persona we know of him.

Rudi Johnson for Anquan Boldin, Ludwig ponders. Actually getting that trade to go, straight up, would be impressive. However, Boldin's demand for a trade is his contract, and it's unlikely the Bengals would hand him an extension -- unless they see Boldin as Houshmandzadeh's replacement.

I've also heard that Marvin Lewis wasn't aware of this.

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Rudi

Obviously, the Bengals aren’t really expecting much from him this season. But if they get rid of him, then they are putting a lot of faith in Watson, who’s had one decent year, and Perry, who is injury prone.

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by MrNFL on Aug 26, 2008 12:41 PM EDT reply actions

Which is a totally different tone they had earlier

Before training camp, we’ve heard that old Rudi is back, up to this Auburn weight. Tweaked his hammy and now look at him. He’s on the trade market now, risking being cut, if you believe some local beat writers.

Blogger at CincyJungle.com

by Josh Kirkendall on Aug 26, 2008 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Well, look at what happened with Kenny Irons...

Couldn’t make it back from the knee injury and was cut loose (twice!), even though they gave Chris Perry scads more time to get back to the field. I dunno…I think Rudi for Boldin would be a coup…one that I’m not sure the Brown family could pull off. Maybe if Rudi plays the last preseason game and stomps all over the field, he’ll prove to be more tradeable, but who needs a destined-for-RBBC back with one healed hammy and one suspect one…for that kind of jack?

by TheWalrus1971 on Aug 26, 2008 1:00 PM EDT up reply actions

I don't see how Rudi for Boldin could ever happen

Granted the Cardinals don’t have a second running back, but they are content with Edge James, and I don’t think they’d be willing to take a risk that Rudi returns to form.

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by MrNFL on Aug 26, 2008 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions

RE:

But aren’t we supposedly trying to establish the run game?

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by Josh Kirkendall on Aug 26, 2008 1:33 PM EDT reply actions

rudi trade

i will admit first that i was and am still a fan of corey dillon, and have never felt that rudi brought the same threat to defenses. i don’t believe defenses really have to game plan for rudi, they would most certainly plan for dillon. i believe that rudi’s good years weren’t all that good and he had a top notch OL and defenses that had to worry about carson, chad and tj. sometimes i like to think about what corey would have done with that line-up (go check his first year stats with the pats before you start dillon hating).

i personally can’t see anyway that the cardinals would give up bodin for rudi, but man i’d love to be wrong on that one. i have lost track of the story, but isn’t shaun alexander still on the market? i’m not saying let’s get him, i’m saying if noone has a roster spot for shaun then why would anyone want rudi? they basically are coming in with the same downsides (injury/production/age) and i would have to give shaun the nod on who has the better resume.

at this point, i think watson has proven himself to be durable and he usually seems to be able to find a hole. perry has certainly looked explosive in pre-season. rudi, though i just bashed him, can certainly contribute in a committee RB senario when healthy. i would have him last in the rotation, unless the 32 that put ray lewis on his back in the endzone shows up. if that guy ever shows up, start him.

i could be off when it comes to blocking and picking up blitzes. it seems rudi has always done his part in blitz pickup but i’m not so sure about kenny and chris. i wanna say kenny did well blocking last year, but honestly i can’t remember. carson does have a broken nose, but i don’t know who missed what. i say you keep him because he can contribute but i can’t see him going for much in trade. again, i hope i’m wrong.

by bigfatstella on Aug 26, 2008 2:48 PM EDT reply actions

Maybe it's just me...

…but I can’t even imagine how high on crack the Cardinals GM would have to be to make a straight up trade of an in his prime Pro Bowl receiver for a possibly washed up 3.whatever yard a carry back who in his prime was not a gamebreaking threat. Maybe if you give them a first or second round pick next year and throw him in as a bonus that deal gets done, but I just can’t see it, no matter how disgruntled Boldin is.

by Galaxy CDS on Aug 26, 2008 3:03 PM EDT reply actions

Going for the Bengals for a Boldin trade

Mike Brown has a twin brother in Arizona. :)

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by Josh Kirkendall on Aug 26, 2008 3:17 PM EDT reply actions

Now that you mention it

That ownership is just about as bad as ours, maybe this could happen! ;)

by Galaxy CDS on Aug 26, 2008 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Blizzard in Yuma is more likely...

…than Rudi Johnson coming to Arizona in a trade for Boldin. And I don’t mean Bobby Blizzard. First off, Boldin doesn’t fit Cincy’s mold of player in that he doesn’t have an arrest record. Second, Edge is getting paid enough to warrant the majority of carries. Third, the Cards have some RB depth for a change in Timmy “the Ballista” Hightower and JJ “I Can Run Upfield” Arrington. Fourth, all those egos on one team would induce a magnitude 8.3 earthquake destroying most of Ohio. Not good.

Rudi’s cap number is too big for what the Bengals think he will provide for them. They hope to get some value for him but may just have to cut him.

We all leave footprints in the sands of time, just watch out for the discarded fish hooks!

by Hawkwind on Aug 30, 2008 3:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Watson/Dorsey/Perry

I’ve never been a big fan of Rudi’s. He’s a decent enough guy but no threat. I’d rather have Watson in there coming off 1 solid year than Rudi with 2 putrid ones.

by bearcatbobs on Aug 26, 2008 4:27 PM EDT reply actions

Oh, there's no doubt

I just think that the issue here is that Rudi Johnson will not get traded — not with his 2007 performance, known injuries and a $3.2 million price tag.

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by Josh Kirkendall on Aug 26, 2008 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions

The question is

The Cards have an aging Edgerrin James, who’s better than Rudi, and J.J. Arrington(I think) in reserve- who’s younger, faster, and as strong as Rudi. Even a 2005-6 Rudi wouldn’t be a big need for Arizona. Maybe the Panthers would like to lose the fiery Steve Smith? But, again, they have no need for Rudi. Frankly, I agree with bigfatstella on two things, Rudi couldn’t carry Corey Dillon’s jock and Rudi is essentially Alexander without the CV. Now, watch, Rudi’ll go out and demolish the Colts on Thurs. just to prove me wrong but bring it if you can bring it, dude. With this O-Line, I hope he brings his dancing shoes.

Short answer to who we could get for Rudi? No one who could help.

by IgnatiusJReilly on Aug 26, 2008 6:46 PM EDT reply actions

What about Marty Booker?

The Bears lack an experienced RB on their roster. Marty Booker seems to be supplanted by Brandon Lloyd and may sit on the bench in Chicago. Booker is a proven veteran that has had success in both Chicago and Miami.

I think Rudi is too valuable, however, and we need him for “Chris Perry insurance.”

"Ryan, Things in here don't react too well to bullets." - Marko Ramius

by TarZander on Aug 26, 2008 8:43 PM EDT reply actions

what?

Arizona? They already have a RB on the downside of his career and they drafted Tim Hightower who is looking really good. Chick doesn’t pay much attention to football… just the Bengals.

by kirby28 on Aug 27, 2008 7:47 AM EDT reply actions

Let's trade Rudi

to the Montreal Alouettes for Peter Warrick! Failing that, Pat McInally must have a little life left in him. And what about the hoss, Urrutia? Is he just chopped liver- which would make him braunschweiger or pate depending on the beholder? He’s big enough for jump balls and to spot easily while running for one’s life due to a wet paper bag of an offensive line. And when the hell is Mike Brown gonna get off his ass and sign Usain Bolt?

by IgnatiusJReilly on Aug 27, 2008 9:22 AM EDT reply actions