2008 vs. 2007 Personnel Comparison – Sorting out the Mess at Running Back

WDR continues with its analysis of 2008 personnel compared with 2007 personnel by position in an effort to determine whether we’ve done what it takes to return to the playoffs. This week, we tackle the messy situation at the running back position.

TAILBACK

2007 Starting Tailback: Rudi Johnson

2007 Backup Tailbacks: Kenny Watson, Dede Dorsey with Kenny Irons on Injured Reserve and Chris Perry on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list

2008 Projected Starting Tailback: Rudi Johnson
2008 Projected Backup Tailbacks: Chris Perry, Kenny Watson with Kenny Irons on the PUP list to start the season

2008 Heartbreaking Cut: Dede Dorsey

Rudi Johnson struggled mightily in 2007, which was in large part due to a pulled hamstring. Last year, his statistics amounted to only 497 total yards in 11 games played with an average of just 2.9 yards per carry. His longest run of the season was only 22 yards. While Rudi was definitely affected by a pulled hamstring last year, he did struggle a bit in the 2006 season as well. After averaging 4.5, 4.0 and 4.3 yards per carry 2003, 2004 and 2005, respectively, Rudi averaged only 3.8 yards per carry in 2006 and his longest run that year was just 21 yards. To top it off, Rudi developed a fumbling problem in 2006 with 6 on the year, as well as 3 in 2007 where he carried the ball about half the amount of times as in each of the previous three seasons. Rudi is healthy now and back on the field. His ability to be return to form will be an important factor in re-establishing the running game. However, he shouldn’t have to do it on his own. In a league where the running back by committee approach is being used by the majority of NFL teams, one (and preferably more) backs will also need to step up.

Over the past few seasons, the Bengals have realized that help was needed in our backfield but we made a poor decision and have had terrible luck, which has prevented us from strengthening the running game. In the first round of the 2004 NFL draft, the Bengals selected Steven Jackson, a wildebeast from Oregon State and solidified their running game for the next three years Chris Perry from the University of Michigan. Although Perry was a key x-factor in our 2005 playoff run, he has had Ken Griffey Jr., Grant Hill type luck in staying healthy. Aside from his 2005 contribution, Perry missed almost all of the 2004 season with a sports hernia and missed nearly all of the past two seasons with a dislocated ankle. Perry is finally healthy and on the field in voluntary workouts. The Bengals are hoping that Perry is able to bounce back, stay healthy and provide a similar spark that he did during our playoff run.

 

After losing Perry in the 2006 season and realizing the effect it had on our offense, the Bengals tried to regain the x-factor by drafting Kenny Irons, another Auburn running back, in the second round of the 2007 NFL draft. Irons caused a lot of excitement in training camp last year but in Kijana Carter like form, Irons tore his ACL in the preseason and was shelved for the entire regular season. Irons is not yet on the field in voluntary workouts but he is working on the sideline. He is likely to begin the season on the PUP list for at least the first 6 weeks.

 

While the running game struggled last year, it could have been much worse without Kenny Watson and Dede Dorsey. Watson rushed for 763 yards and 7 touchdowns, as well as 374 receiving yards (all career highs). He also averaged 4.3 yards per carry. He identified himself as both a reliable backup and someone who should get at least a few series worth of carries to change up the pace and keep Rudi Johnson’s legs fresh.

 

Dede Dorsey was also a contributor last season, averaging 8.7 yards per carry on 21 attempts. Unfortunately, if Chris Perry stays healthy, Dorsey appears to be the odd man out. The Bengals look to carry 3 tailbacks on their regular season roster. For Dorsey to make the team, one of a few things would have to happen. If Chris Perry gets hurt in the preseason, Dorsey would likely make the roster. While we obviously shouldn’t root for a Perry injury, if it happens, we probably want it to happen before the season starts so we don’t lose Dorsey. A worst case scenario would be that Dorsey doesn’t make the roster, he signs with someone else and then Perry gets hurt early in the season. Dorsey also has a chance to make the roster if last year tight end, Daniel Coats can beat out Jeremi Johnson at the fullback position (more on this below). Whether this will happen remains to be seen. But even if Coats is the fullback, there is a chance that we could be carrying both rookie tight end, Matt Sherry and Daniel Coats to go along with Reggie Kelly and Ben Utecht, which would still leave Dorsey as the odd man out. Bottom line…if Chris Perry is healthy to start the season, Dorsey, unfortunately, will likely not be on the roster.

 

Back By Committee

 

No matter if we start the season with Chris Perry or Dede Dorsey, the Bengals should adopt more of a “back by committee” approach. Although some people like to refer to Rudi Johnson as a “bell cow”, he hasn’t operated at his highest level when he gets almost all of the carries. He’s been most successful when he’s split carries with Corey Dillon way back when and Chris Perry in 2005. Perry should be a big contributor if he’s able to get and stay on the field. Kenny Watson opened some eyes last year as did Dede Dorsey. No matter who the running backs are, Rudi should get less carries in favor of Perry, Watson and/or Dorsey. Maybe a 60/40 or even 50/50 split sounds appropriate to me with Rudi getting a total of 50-60% of the carries and the rest split among the other two running backs.

 

FULLBACK

 

2007 Starting Fullback: Jeremi Johnson

2008 Projected Starting Fullback – Jeremi Johnson

 

In voluntary workouts, former tight end, Daniel Coats is taking snaps at fullback in place of Jeremi Johnson. Word is that the Bengals are not very happy with the shape that Johnson is in, which has been a common theme the past couple of years. Still, Jeremi has been the starting fullback the past few seasons despite the slow starts. Unless Coats is really able to turn some heads, Johnson likely will remain the starter at fullback.

Final Prognosis: No Change although it should be noted that this position can fluctuate greatly. There are a lot of factors that will ultimately determine if we improve at running back including the health of Chris Perry and the return of Rudi Johnson. But given that we are taking a look at a snap shot of this offseason vs. a snap shot of last offseason, we’re going with “No Change.”