packerfan3 0 Posted September 1, 2008 http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2008/...with_lions.html What does this do to the Lion's RB situation now? RBBC, with Johnson being the redzone guy and Smith doing everything else? What kind of runner is Smith by the way? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yostevo 0 Posted September 1, 2008 http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2008/...with_lions.html What does this do to the Lion's RB situation now? RBBC, with Johnson being the redzone guy and Smith doing everything else? What kind of runner is Smith by the way? This is not official btw. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mambokings 0 Posted September 1, 2008 If Rudi can get and stay healthy, there's no reason he wouldn't compete for the starting job. At the very least, he'll become the goal line back and steal a good share of carries in RBBC. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dallas_Empire 0 Posted September 1, 2008 HMMM! I might drop ladell Betts and pick up Rudi. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
xenophobe 1 Posted September 1, 2008 People are going on name recognition. Rudi is no good and will be a back up in Detroit. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dallas_Empire 0 Posted September 1, 2008 People are going on name recognition. Rudi is no good and will be a back up in Detroit. Which is why I am dropping Ladell Betts for him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
G-in O-town 0 Posted September 1, 2008 Didn't Rudi have injury issues last years and Watson filled in? This move by Detroit is purely a backup/depth move because they have little confidence in Bell. These threads that have Rudi competing for the starting gig seem to be a reach.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mambokings 0 Posted September 1, 2008 These threads that have Rudi competing for the starting gig are reaching. Rod Marinelli, the head coach for the Lions, is a defensive-minded guy who loves a power running game to control the clock. As much as they love Kevin Smith, Rudi is Marinelli's type of runner (big, strong, powerful, head-first type of guy). If he can stay healthy, Rudi has every shot to win the starting gig because he's an even better fit for the system than Smith. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Four More Beers 0 Posted September 1, 2008 Rod Marinelli, the head coach for the Lions, is a defensive-minded guy who loves a power running game to control the clock. As much as they love Kevin Smith, Rudi is Marinelli's type of runner (big, strong, powerful, head-first type of guy). If he can stay healthy, Rudi has every shot to win the starting gig because he's an even better fit for the system than Smith. What kind of back do you think Kevin Smith is? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dallas_Empire 0 Posted September 1, 2008 Rudi has value now and there is no amount of hate that can be thrown at him to not give him a bench spot on a roster. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mambokings 0 Posted September 1, 2008 Updated: September 1, 2008, 7:05 PM ET Johnson expected to compete for starting RB job ESPN.com, John Clayton "The former Bengal flew to Detroit after being released and impressed the Lions with his workout and conditioning. Following Johnson's visit, there was a buzz in the Lions locker room among players who saw his workout. Smith is expected to begin the season as the Lions every-down starter, but Johnson will compete for the job once he learns the offense." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
axman19 0 Posted September 2, 2008 Johnson will be purly a change of pace guy. Maybe 4-8 carries per game and a couple of them coming on goal line attempts. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gougman 0 Posted September 2, 2008 http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2008/...with_lions.html What does this do to the Lion's RB situation now? RBBC, with Johnson being the redzone guy and Smith doing everything else? What kind of runner is Smith by the way? Detroiter here. Don't get too excited. The Lions have way bigger problems than RB. OL still sucks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
itsbigmoni 1 Posted September 2, 2008 Other than his current hammy problem, he's in great shape. Reports were saying that he was in the best shape of his life. Came into camp like 5 lbs heavier but with a much lower body fat %. He's only 28, just got cut, and is in good shape, so i'm willing to take a flier on him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
detroitparty 0 Posted September 2, 2008 Rudi will absolutely compete for the starting role. He's 28 years old & in great shape. The only competition he has is a 1st year rookie? Come on this was a no-brainer for the Lions. Dont get me wrong, Smith is a good RB & will begin week 1 as the starter but Marinelli wants to pound the rock & Rudi is just that guy. Great move by the Lio's. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Savage Beast 1 Posted September 2, 2008 Detroiter here. Don't get too excited. The Lions have way bigger problems than RB. OL still sucks. The voice of reason arrives. Doesn't matter who the featured RB is in Detroit, they will be no better then a #3 fantasy RB. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gepetto 1,319 Posted September 2, 2008 Rudi should average 2 to 3 yards per carry which is a big improvement as the #2 RB as Tatum Bell would only be good for about 0 to 1 yards per carry. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ROYALWITCHEESE 0 Posted September 2, 2008 Rod Marinelli, the head coach for the Lions, is a defensive-minded guy who loves a power running game to control the clock. As much as they love Kevin Smith, Rudi is used to be Marinelli's type of runner (big, strong, powerful, head-first type of guy). If he can stay healthy, Rudi has every shot to win the starting gig because he's an even better fit for the system than Smith. Fixed. He is now big, slow, and injury-prone... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ROYALWITCHEESE 0 Posted September 2, 2008 Other than his current hammy problem, he's in great shape. Reports were saying that he was in the best shape of his life. Came into camp like 5 lbs heavier but with a much lower body fat %. He's only 28, just got cut, and is in good shape, so i'm willing to take a flier on him. Why is this always the report the year after a player gets hurt and stinks it up... Fact is he had about a 3.0 ypc average the last TWO seasons in an offense that slings it all over the place with an above average line. What makes us think he will do any better on a worse team, with a worse line, one year removed from a hamstring injury he still hasn't been able to fully recover from??? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mambokings 0 Posted September 2, 2008 No one has mentioned it yet, but Kevin Smith did have 450 carries last year. I doubt the Lions want him to shoulder a similar burden in his first NFL season. Therefore, regardless of whether Rudi ends up the starter, Johnson will still get plenty of action so long as he remains healthy (including, at the very least, the all-important goal line work). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gepetto 1,319 Posted September 2, 2008 No one has mentioned it yet, but Kevin Smith did have 450 carries last year. I doubt the Lions want him to shoulder a similar burden in his first NFL season. Therefore, regardless of whether Rudi ends up the starter, Johnson will still get plenty of action so long as he remains healthy (including, at the very least, the all-important goal line work). I think all that proves that Kevin Smith is durable and capable of carrying the ball a ton. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spec7ral 6 Posted September 2, 2008 Looks like Rudi is going to get over 400 touches because Marinelli pitched a tent in his sweats. Might have to package up Peterson and Lynch to try and get him off an owner in my league. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Skinny_Bastard 157 Posted September 2, 2008 People are going on name recognition. Rudi is no good and will be a back up in Detroit. No good? You might want to read the news. They're saying when he is caught up with the playbook he will have a "SHOT" to compete for the starting job. Why would they even go there if he isn't healthy and ready to roll. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CornKobb 48 Posted September 2, 2008 No good?You might want to read the news. They're saying when he is caught up with the playbook he will have a "SHOT" to compete for the starting job. Why would they even go there if he isn't healthy and ready to roll. why would they go there???? Because Millen is running the show, thats why..... No....i am just kidding. I agree with your comment, just had to add a funny in there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Voice_Of_Reason 0 Posted September 2, 2008 The voice of reason arrives. Doesn't matter who the featured RB is in Detroit, they will be no better then a #3 fantasy RB. I did? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kwhiz73 0 Posted September 2, 2008 I hate to say this, but I think Millen made a good move here. Rudi was injured last year---I'm surprised most of the responses here are based on how a player performed last year while injured, rather than how he performed consistently during the previous 4 years. 2003-2006 Ave yards per year: 1295 Ave TD's per year: 11 Ave per carry: 4.1 2007: injured How many RB's can compete with that type of consistancy over the last 4 years? I don't see how you can knock a guy who has put up those types of numbers. He will compete for a starting job, and if healthy, could be a surprise sleeper fantasy wise. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Skinny_Bastard 157 Posted September 2, 2008 The key to Detriot this season will be Calvin Johnson. I can't see how any team can put 8 in the box with Roy and Megatron on opposite sides. If Kevin Smith can't get it done early in the season, I see Rudi becoming the feature back before the mid point of the season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yostevo 0 Posted September 2, 2008 I said it before but I've heard nothing of substance, the Lions will cut Tater tot and swoop in for Rudi. He's the type of workhorse/bruising change of pace back that would compliment Kevin Smith very nicely. ETA: I just saw the Lions final cuts and they only have two tailbacks on the team with a couple on the injury list. This could certainly add fuel to this fire. :Brakesarmpattingselfontheback: I think it's a no lose situation for the Lions. It adds depth, and the promise of a 1-2 punch of varying RB styles. It will nibble at Kevin Smith's totals for sure but I do think it helps preserve him long term. Good move IMO. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kutulu 1,664 Posted September 2, 2008 I heard the Lion's are gonna line Rudi up at WR. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wiffleball 4,789 Posted September 2, 2008 Why the *&^%$#@#$%^& the Texans didn't make a run at this guy is completely beyond me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Skinny_Bastard 157 Posted September 2, 2008 Why the *&^%$#@#$%^& the Texans didn't make a run at this guy is completely beyond me. Because Rudi is not a one cut back. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
$epphori$ 118 Posted September 2, 2008 I am so happy I took the Lions for OVER 6.5 wins this yr Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mhaggy 0 Posted September 2, 2008 Tatum's prediction of 1300 yards and 15 TDs for himself just took another hit... LOL. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yostevo 0 Posted September 2, 2008 Tatum's prediction of 1300 yards and 15 TDs for himself just took another hit... LOL. Did he say this at the beginning of his career? Because I still don't think he's made it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mhaggy 0 Posted September 2, 2008 Did he say this at the beginning of his career? Because I still don't think he's made it. http://www.nflgridirongab.com/2008/03/21/t...s-15-td-season/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mambokings 0 Posted September 2, 2008 Because Rudi is not a one cut back. lol, you make way too much of that concept. So-called "one cut" backs are products of the zone blocking schemes they're involved in. Do you really believe the Denver Broncos magically discovered all the "one-cut" backs in this league? Of course not. They are produced by the very nature of the effective system of blocking known as the zone scheme. To say Rudi Johnson is "not a one cut back" is to say he's "not a running back" at all. If you can see the field, if you can react quickly, you can be successful in a zone blocking system. Rudi would have been a good fit for the Texans because he has great feet, talent and experience, but that's another story... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mambokings 0 Posted September 2, 2008 Why the *&^%$#@#$%^& the Texans didn't make a run at this guy is completely beyond me. The Texans had plans to meet with Rudi, but he never went to see them. He was scheduled to fly to Houston after meeting with the Lions, but he decided to make Detroit his only stop. That should tell you about what they offered him while he was there (i.e. a chance to start or at least play a very prominent role in the offense). For a guy to cancel his plans to meet with other interested teams, to sign on his first stop, it means there was definitely some good incentive and I doubt it's because they unloaded a ton of cash on him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
enis_44 0 Posted September 2, 2008 Based on the Lions success running the ball lately, it will break down like: Smith 23 yards rushinga game. Rudi 7 yards rushing per game. 3 td's all year, split between them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wiffleball 4,789 Posted September 2, 2008 The Texans had plans to meet with Rudi, but he never went to see them. He was scheduled to fly to Houston after meeting with the Lions, but he decided to make Detroit his only stop. That should tell you about what they offered him while he was there (i.e. a chance to start or at least play a very prominent role in the offense). For a guy to cancel his plans to meet with other interested teams, to sign on his first stop, it means there was definitely some good incentive and I doubt it's because they unloaded a ton of cash on him. Okay, so I won't bash the Texuns for not trying. God, we need to just drop Green and Brown and do SOMETHING. I'd rather risk Sean Alex than have these two POS on our team at this point. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Skinny_Bastard 157 Posted September 2, 2008 Okay, so I won't bash the Texuns for not trying. God, we need to just drop Green and Brown and do SOMETHING. I'd rather risk Sean Alex than have these two POS on our team at this point. Maybe A. Green is a lot healthier than advertised? He does have a history of performing out of NO where. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
