WhoDeyRevolution

Rudi, Rudi, Rudi? A Treatise on NFL Running Backs

Over the past few seasons, the emergence of the platoon running back system has come to dominate the NFL backfield, at least for successful franchises. Out of the 12 playoff teams from 2007, only one team (San Diego) had their featured back gain more than 65% of the teams total rushing yards for the season. And out of the 2007 playoff teams, only San Diego (LT) and Jacksonville (Fred Taylor) had a running back who one of the top 10 highest paid running backs in 2007.

NFL teams have to decide: is it advantageous to invest significant salary cap space in a player who is likely not going to lead their team to the NFL playoffs?
 

In 2007, Rudi Johnson was the 8^th highest paid running back in the NFL, but due to some injury troubles and the emergence of Kenny Watson, finished the season as the 39^th leading rusher in the NFL with 497 yards on 170 carries for 3 touchdowns. The Bengals as a team finished as the 24^th best rushing team in the NFL, based on average yards from scrimmage per game
 

Who were the backs who made more than Rudi? Most were either busts (Lamont Jordan), had significant injuries (Deuce McAllister, Shaun Alexander) or simply have not been worth the money (Warrick Dunn, Edgerrin James).

It is clear that in today’s NFL, unless you have a superstar running back (LT, Adrian Peterson), they are simply not worth the money. The platoon system has shown that offensive coordinators can rotate backs to showcase their strengths (and ensure fresh legs all game), and recent injuries have shown that teams must invest in a depth at the position. 

All told, the Bengals spent $8,989,169 in total cap value in 2007 in their backfield, to finish 24^th in total rushing yards from scrimmage. Out of the top 10 rushing teams in 2007, 7 spent less overall in their backfield than the Bengals.

How? They sign young RBs and give them cheap money and invest the difference instead in offensive line. You might call this the Shanahan effect, with Bronco’s coach Mike Shanahan rotating running backs more often than most Bronco’s fans rotate their John Elway underwear. Running backs are expendable – put a premier offensive line in front of them and you will get yards. 

You want some examples? How about Minnesota (put their money in Steve Hutchison, drafted Adrian Peterson), Pittsburgh (Willie Parker makes $1M less per year than Rudi and the Steelers rushed for 40 more yards per game) and New York Giants (who pay their backfield less than half than the Bengals), not to mention the Patriots, Titans, Cowboys, Bucs and Seahawks, who all employed 2 back systems and made the playoffs.

The Bengals, on the other hand, have invested $4.75 million in Rudi, $1.326 in Chris Perry and $1.3 million in Jeremi Johnson – and for what? Give me two more Kenny Watson at $816,666 per year and invest the rest in the offensive line. 

For this year, give Rudi his shot at proving he is a superstar back, but if he can’t impress, send him packing and take the cap money to invest in some offensive line depth for the future.

Join the WhoDeyRevolution today by clicking here, visiting our inaugural post and signing your name in the comments section.

Hey Chad, Get In Line

For the past few weeks, Bengals fans have been treated to near daily tirades from the once-great beacon of hope in Cincinnati, Chad "Ocho Cinco" Johnson. And while I'm completely prepared to think about life after Chad at this point, a quick stroll down memory lane should demonstrate to Chad that Mike Brown is not one to get flustered by finicky, ego-centric stars of the gridiron.

Exhibits A and B: Carl Pickens and Corey Dillon. Both of these rising stars whined for years before they got out of Bengaldom--and in both cases, each one only got out of Cincy only when they were well beyond their prime.  In Picken's case, Mike Brown actually initiated what has come to be known as the "Carl Pickens Clause," which allows the team to fine a player for insulting the organization in public. This might be familiar to fans in its most recent form, the famous "conduct detrimental to the team" clause which essentially allows teams to bitch-slap players who act up (see: Terrell Owens).

See a trend here? Mike Brown is not the type of guy who will fall over backwards to make sure his players have a warm and fuzzy feeling about the team. Quite the contrary, he literally wrote the book on methods to shut them up--legal methods! Chad should expect no better treatment, and should be prepared to play out the rest of his four-year contract wearing Black and Orange unless he plans to sit out.  But, while we'd all like to issue a gag-clause on Chad and other cry-baby superstars, the fact that so many players have had problems with this organization is telling.

If I seem to be lacking a point in all this, I think it's because I'm conflicted. On the one hand, I respect Marvin Lewis' recent comments in which he basically said (paraphrasing here):

1. Chad has an opportunity to play pro football, and that opportunity is in Cincinnati.

2. If he doesn't want to play here, don't expect to play elsewhere in the NFL

3. If he chooses to sit out, the team will move on without him

On the other hand, you have to wonder why so many players have wanted out of Cincy, despite our lovely historic landmarks and strong German heritage. In the end, I think it all comes back to a culture of losing that Mike Brown has instilled in this franchise. Sure, an 11-5 season in 2005 can act as a brief smoke screen, but in the end, Mike Brown continues to create a culture of turmoil, uncertainty, and most of all, losing.  Chad Johnson is just the latest in a long line of players who wanted out of Cincy, and until drastic changes are taken to make this a winning franchise, don't expect him to be the last.  So, while we're with Chad on the fact that things need to change, for the time being, we'd like him to bring the focus back to the team and stop whining about himself.

Join the WhoDeyRevolution today by clicking here, visiting our inaugural post and signing your name in the comments section.

Bengals Mock Draft: v 2.0

   

A lot has changed since my first mock draft--unfortunately, none of that change occurred in the Bengals' scouting department.  For those who appreciate brevity and don't want to read about all the picks, I'll sum up my thoughts here: the Bengals are in a tough position at #9, given that the top 3 or 4 defenders they would most want are likely to be off the board (DE Chris Long, DE/OLB Vernon Gholston, DT Glenn Dorsey, and DT Sedrick Ellis).  What this should mean is that the Bengals should consider trading out of the #9 spot--either up or down--to get one of the players they want, or to secure more draft picks on Day 1 (but only on Day 1).  You'll have to read on to find out how I think things will shake out and who the Bengals are likely to pick up (NOTE: I'm only going to #9 since that's where we pick).

#1 Miami Dolphins: Chris Long, DE, Virginia

Most people by now have the son of NFL Hall-of-Famer Howie Long going to the Dolphins.  I hesitated here because I think that not only does Matt Ryan (QB, Boston College) have a shot, but I also think that Vernon Gholston may have shot up high enough that he would be a tempting guy for the Tuna to consider (can he be molded into a Lawrence Taylor-type OLB?).  But, for now, I'll go with general consensus.

#2 St. Louis Rams: Vernon Gholston, DE, The Ohio State

He's soaring up draft boards, just had a huge Pro Day to follow a huge Combine.  He would pair nicely with their 1st pick from last year, DT Adam Carriker.

#3 Atlanta Falcons: Matt Ryan, QB, Boston College

They need to replace Michael Vick with the polar opposite--squeaky clean kid with the ability to become a pure pocket passer.  Getting a new QB is usually a good way to sell a few tickets, too, which Falcons' owner Arthur Blank needs to do.

#4 Oakland Raiders: Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU

Here's where the DT's starting getting swiped.  There are rumors floating that Dorsey has a stress fracture which could affect his career; whether or not that's true, we probably won't know for another year or two, but he's too talented to pass up and I think the Raiders are itching for the next Warren Sapp (Dorsey could be even better than Sapp).

#5 Kansas City Chiefs: Jake Long, OT, Michigan

If the draft shapes up this way, it may be a good thing for the Bengals.  If either Dorsey or Elllis slide past KC, I don't see the Jets, Pats, or Ravens jumping after a DT.  Jake Long makes a ton of sense for the Chiefs, whose once-great offensive line has been miserable the last few years.

#6 New York Jets: Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas

The Jets would love to have Vernon Gholston here, but since he's gone, they turn their attention to improving their sluggish offense (ranked 26th in the NFL last year).  McFadden is one of the better homerun backs to come out in a while, but scouts think his game might not translate to the NFL a la Reggie Bush.  Mangini has his own ideas and certainly doesn't want McFadden falling to the Pats, who can be very unpredicatable.

#7 New England Patriots: Keith Rivers, LB, USC

A lot of people see the Pats going DB here given the number of defensive backs they lost in free agency.  But Belichick has proven he can win with guys like Ashley Ambrose and Hank Poteat in the defensive backfield, so I don't think he's overly concerned.  Their aging LB core, which has long been the strength of this unit, is cause for concern though, so I think Rivers would fit nicely.

#8 Denver Broncos (via trade from Baltimore Ravens): Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC

That's right people, here's where we get punched in the fun bags.  With QB Matt Ryan off the board, the Ravens are in a position to trade down and potentially get their choice of a second-tier QB (like Brian Brohm) or one of several excellent DB's in this Draft.  Trading with the Broncos also gets them at least one extra pick, which they could use after sacrificing a 3rd Round pick to get Willis McGahee last year.  Furthermore, they get to send a huge middle finger to the Bengals, whom they know covet the services of Sed Ellis.  Such is life.

#9 Cincinnati Bengals: Kentwan Balmer, DT, UNC

I shudder to think about the draft looking like this, but I could definitely see us over-paying for the services of a DT like Balmer since we missed out on several in free agency.  Other options--all of whom would be a reach at this point--include DE Phillip Merling, DE Derrick Harvey, S Kenny Phillips, and OT Jeff Otah or Ryan Clady.

Again, this is the point where the Bengals should trade down and target the best available LB's and DT's with low 1st and high 2nd round picks.  There are several DT's who could offer help inside that will fall to the low 1st or 2nd round, including Pat Sims (Auburn), Frank Okam (Texas), Dre Moore (Maryland).  In addition, there are a lot of DE/OLB "tweeners" who could drastically improve the pass rush, including Purdue's Cliff Avril (4.51 40-yard dash) and Auburn's Quentin Groves (4.57).

Simply put, my greatest fear is that the Bengals sit tight at #9 and draft a guy that doesn't match the value at that spot.  They would be far better off either trading up to get Dorsey or Ellis (if they don't fall to us), or trading down and maximizing value.  You've been on the clock for 17 years, Mike Brown, so it's high time you did something right.

Join the WhoDeyRevolution today by clicking here, visiting our inaugural post and signing your name in the comments section. 

Cincinnati Bengals = Charlie Kelly?

Living outside Cincinnati, my pronounced allegiance to the Bengals is usually met by the common NFL fan with a combination of suspicion and pity.  It's a little like trying to get out of a test at school by telling your teacher you have to go to your Great Aunt's funeral - the teacher really doesn't believe you, but just to cover their bases, they give you a gentle pat on the back and a few reassuring words. 

Once confirming that, in fact, I am an actual Bengals fan, the prevailing sentiment turns to outright pity ("I am so sorry that the Bengals ruined your childhood") and then usually to merriment ("Man, the Bengals defense sucks, but Chad Johnson is hilarious!").

The standard NFL fan (AFC North rivals excluded) generally have no ill will towards the Bengals. Why? The Bengals are popular to other teams’ fans because we are not a real threat to beat their team. They are the fun-loving high scoring team who are fun to watch on TV and an easy week on the schedule for the top NFL teams.

I am fed up with the Bengals being the lovable losers who score points and have players who are famous for creative dances and innovative lists. I would much rather the Bengals be the team everyone hates because the team is consistently a Super Bowl threat, like the Patriots, Cowboys and Steelers. 

It reminded me of the back and forth on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Basically, the Bengals are like the kid who was popular in high school because they weren’t a threat to the cool kids’ girlfriends.

Dennis Reynolds: What I mean Mac, is that the only reason you got to hang out with me and the other cool kids is because you sold us all weed. Everybody thought that you were an asshole.
Mac: I was popular!
Charlie Kelly: What are you talking about? Mac was very popular. And I like to think that I was pretty popular myself.
Mac: You were!
Dennis Reynolds:  No, he was. You were popular like a... like a clown is popular.
Charlie Kelly: What?
Dennis Reynolds: Yeah, you made us all laugh, and all the guys knew that you couldn't sleep with their girlfriends.

Do the Bengals take McFadden?

Recently, the idea has been thrown around that if Glenn Dorsey and Sedrick Ellis are off the board by the time the Bengals pick at number nine, they might be inclined to take Arkansas RB deluxe Darren McFadden.

Again, it brings up the age old question. What is your ultimate objective? If it is to have a sweet offense to watch on Sundays...draft McFadden. If the goal is to ultimately win the Super Bowl...we overhaul the defense and fix it by drafting defense with three of our first four picks. Can't have it both ways. I would rather see the Bengals draft an offensive lineman here than McFadden. Taking McFadden would be a giant step backwards for this franchise, no matter the talent he possesses.

My personal prediction for 2008 is that Chris Perry is cut after June 1, and Rudi Johnson goes into camp as the starter, mainly because team officials are very worried about the health/rehab of Kenny Irons. Rudi will either make a statement or he won't in camp, and there is a high possibility he gets cut. I think during the season the Bengals use a tandem backfield of Kenny Watson, Dee Dee Dorsey, and Irons when healthy. The Giants were an excellent example that you don't need a big name running back to get the job done...just a solid offensive line and a commitment to run the football.

Bengals Add Christian Recording Artist at TE

On Friday, the Bengals signed Colts tight end/Christian recording artist Ben Utecht to an offer sheet as a restricted free agent, meaning the Colts have 7 days to match the Bengals offer. The terms of the contract with the Bengals were not released, but it is rumored to be a 3 year/$9 million deal.

Unless Utecht gets pulled over this week while driving his Sunday School class to volunteer for the homeless after drinking too much “sparkling cider” at church group, it looks like he will be a Bengal on Friday. The Colts just invested $40 million in their starting TE and second overall leading receiver, Dallas Clark, and offered Utecht only a 1-year, $927,000 offer. If they had offered $1.4 million, the Bengals would have had to give up a 2^nd round pick in compensation, something that could have likely left Utecht in Peyton-Land.

So, what does this all mean?

First, and perhaps most importantly, the Bengals won’t be wasting an early-round pick on a “pass-catching” TE, something that Marvin Lewis was recently threatening. The focus will now be 100% on defense in the early rounds, unless, God forbid, Mikey Brown & Family decide to take Boise State OT Ryan Clady. Utecht - Bengals fans are looking at you to use your relationship with the Lord to help nix this possibility.

Second, this move should presumably open up the middle of the field for Carson.  We saw in 2007 team after team able to play a deep Cover 2 since defenses were solely concerned with Chad and TJ. It can be debated if this was primarily due to Carson poorly checking down to second or third options and forcing the ball, or the lack of options out of the backfield or at TE after drops and poorly run routes. While this is certainly be a topic for a future post, the short answer is more likely combination of the two.

Regardless, Carson did throw the ball to his top two receiving options much more than other comparable teams. In 2007, 63% of Carson’s passing yards were caught by his top two receivers, compared to 51% by the Colts (Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark), 55% by the Patriots (Wes Welker and Randy Moss), 53% by the Giants (Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer) and 44% by the Packers (Donald Driver and Greg Jenkins). Hopefully, with Utecht in the mix, Carsoncan regain confidence in his TE options and learn to check down when needed to the open receiver.

However, it will be interesting to see how Marvin and Bratkowski use Utecht. Reggie Kelly remains a very serviceable tight end/H-back whose blocking and versatility is instrumental in the Bengals No Huddle formations.  If he remains in that role, then Utecht’s entry into a game would seem to be a fairly obvious signal to the defense of the Bengals’ intentions.

If Utecht is to have a significant impact, Bratkowski will have to engineer a system where Utecht is able to take pressure off Chad and TJ and operate freely underneath. He does not have the speed of Dallas Clark or the pure athleticism of a Tony Gonzalez or Antonio Gates. But what he hopefully will be able to give the Bengals is another serious option for Carson and a Day 1 of the NFL Draft of all defense.

The Turning Point

We all knew that something happened during the halftime of the 2005 playoff game against the Steelers.  But nobody knew the details or extremity of what took place when Chad Johnson cracked Marvin Lewis in the face with a right hook, shattered the training room glass window, and proceeded to put wide receivers coach Hue Jackson into a Full Nelson.  Okay maybe it wasn't a Full Nelson.. Perhaps a Half Nelson.  But that is besides the point.

Was this the same Chad Johnson who had captured the hearts and imaginations of billions of Bengals fans across the globe? The same Chad Johnson who's antics have been called light hearted and funny?  "Oh no, he is nothing like Terrell Owens... His antics are always tongue in cheek."  We've all heard that excuse.  Correct me if I am wrong but I don't recall ever hearing of T.O. going Latrell Sprewell on The Tuna, or punching Andy Reid in the grill.  He is WORSE than T.O...

This occurrence at the half time of the playoff game marks a turning point in Bengaldom.  A point in time where Marvin lost control of his team.  Any other respectable coach in the NFL would have benched and traded a player who committed such a heinous act.  Instead Chad was allowed to finish the game (pouting the whole time) and remain a member of the Cincinnati Bengals.  Now this is pure speculation, but I would guess that Marvin wanted Chad gone the day after that playoff game, but his hands were probably tied by Mike Brown for the same reason that they did not try to trade Chad this year (because they would have taken a cap hit.) 

What kind of message does this send to the rest of the team?  It's a message that says to go ahead and miss that workout. A message that says that I don't have to respect what coach is saying.  A message that says I can drive home after polishing off a bottle of Ketel One.  They all know that no matter what they do, they will always have a job. 

Now I would like to say that I still think Marvin can be a good coach in the NFL.  Maybe he can do this with the Bengals, but maybe he cannot.  Marvin ruled with an iron fist at one point (cutting Reggie Myles for fighting with another player.) Maybe he can get back to that level of respect.  But I will tell you one thing...  It is going to be pretty damn hard for Marvin to do it without full control over personnel.  And this is one thing Mike Brown wont give up to Marvin.  So I only have one thing to say to Marvin... GOOD LUCK, AND MAY THE POWER OF WYCHE BE WITH YOU.

Happy 41st Birthday JEFF QUERY

The man, the myth, the legend, Jeff Lee Query was born March 7, 2007, and is the first of hopefully many profiles of amazing Bengal Single Season Hero Performances.

 

Query looks like he wants to punch Klinger in the head

Jeff Query played parts of 4 glorious seasons as a Cincinnati Bengal, and contrary to popular belief he was more than just the proud owner of the greatest Kentucky Waterfall this side of Andre Agassi. (One can only imagine how big a heartthrob Query was around the greater Cincitucky area)  People forget but for one amazing season Jeff Query was a damn fine NFL wide receiver.  The year was 1993 and rumor has it that his wallowing around in the toxic waste that surrounded Spinney Field gave him superhuman abilities. Nothing else could explain these new found powers that led Jeff Query to flat-out dominante opponents during the Bengals fall 1993 campaign. That the Bengals went 3-13 that year is but a minor side note to Query's virtuso performance. In 1993 Jeff Query was unstoppable as he amassed 56 catches for 654 yards at 11.7ypc to go along with 4 big TD grabs.

Just take a look at his game log from the season:

Regular Season Games Receiving Rushing Fumbles WK Game Date Opp Result G GS Rec Yds Avg Long TD Att Yds Avg Lng TD FUM Lost 1 09/05 @ CLE L   14-27 1 1 3 80 26.7 51 0 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 2 09/12 IND L   6-9 1 1 4 44 11.0 13 0 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 3 09/19 @ PIT L   7-34 1 1 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 4 09/26 SEA L   10-19 1 1 6 59 9.8 17 0 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 5 Bye -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 6 10/10 @ KC L   15-17 1 1 3 69 23.0 25 0 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 7 10/17 CLE L   17-28 1 1 4 32 8.0 11T 1 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 8 10/24 @ HOU L   12-28 1 1 5 45 9.0 18 1 1 5 5.0 5 0 -- -- 9 Bye -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 10