I hate to be the person who says I told you so, but in this instance, I told you so.  Every time the Bengals suit up for training camp, you hear about the one veteran who is not only looking like their old selves, but they are looking like they did in their peak year.  Rudi stood out to me as being that guy this year.  At first, I got hyped up thinking about Rudi bouncing off Troy Polomalu for a touchdown in 05.  Then it dawned on me.  Rudi was this years version of that guy.

Ever since Rudi hit the sideline with the hammy, I have been telling my friends that he was gone.  Perry was looking good, we know what Watson can do, and with DeDe's speed, he can break the game open.  But then Jeremie jallopped his way into camp at nearly 300 pounds, DeDe got hurt, and Coats started practicing at fullback, and it seemed like Rudi would be kept on as the 3rd or 4th RB.

So we waited for Rudi to make his return to see if the preseason hype held true.  And we waited.  And waited.  After tonight, we are still waiting.  Coats was back with the tight ends, Jerimie looks like he will somehow make the team, and James Johnson has looked solid so far.  Plus DeDe is back in action.  Now it's just a matter of time.

ProFootballTalk.com thinks one of the reasons Rudi sat tonite was because a trade was imminent, and they didn't want to risk injury.  I doubt that.  The decline in YPC from 4+, to 3.6, to 2.7 is telling.  No one wants that.  As long as you have a line that has a good run blocking scheme, you can find a good running back to plug in.  They are a dime a dozen.  Do people realize that Ron Dayne averaged over 4 yards a carry for Texans last year?  That Ryan Grant was cut by the Giants to start the season? 

Look, I love Rudi.  I love what he brought to the Bengals.  But his pay doesn't match his productivity.  Trade some draft picks for a WR, save the cap money from Rudi.  Seriously, you just don't carry a major injury risk like that on your team and pay him three and a half million dollars.  Go with Perry, Watson, Dorsey, Johnson, and Johnson.  It's simple.  I wish Rudi the best of luck in the future, and hope that he can get healthy and continue to play.  Now is the time to move forwarxd for the good of the team.

PS- anyone who actually thought the Bengals were going to be able to get Boldin from the Cards for Rudi is just plain stupid.  I love the fantasy trades that Cincinnati fans dream up and actually believe will happen.

Who Dey!!!