Any Rudi owners holding out hope? (1 Viewer)

[faux_bear]

What's the upside here with Rudi? Most of us have had no choice but to hang on to him all year, with disapointing - no, horrifyingly bad - numbers to date. There still is that favorable schedule left towards the end of the season, but is there any chance he won't put up embarassing numbers the rest of the way?

Now, I haven't watched any bengals game this season, but I've followed some of the game summaries, and it appears that the last few games, Rudi has played more during the first half, when a) it is more difficult to run on defenses, and b) the Bengals are still trying to assert a running game. During the second half though, Watson has played more. This could be partially due to the fact that the Bengals have been playing from behind. Rudi did run the rock 22 times against the Ravens, for only 46 yards, but the Ravens have generally been very good against the run, so the numbers aren't terribly surprising.

Now granted, the Bengals next two games are against the Titans and Steelers, so I'm not expecting much from Rudi...

but then Cincy plays St. Louis at home, @ San Fran, and then Cleveland at home. Is it possible that if the Bengals get a lead in these games, that they'll pound Rudi more in the second half rather than use Watson as the primary back?

Again, I'm not talking about Rudi producing monster numbers, just decent numbers as a RB2 or Flex option.

Is anyone holding out hope?

 

[packersfan]

I think the only thing Rudi owners can do at this point is hope the good machups coming up help him generate respectable RB2 production at best. I think it's unrealistic to expect anything more. I had been holding out hope for him but he looked so bad against the Cardinals I lost what hope I had left. If there's a better option on the WW I'd say drop Rudi and pick that guy up. Otherwise, sit him the next two games if you can and hope the three-week span of great matchups helps him salvage something from an otherwise miserable season.

 

[Rounders]

Well put packersfan. I'm not holding out hope for Rudi mainly because I don't want to get burned....again.

Here's the problem that I see. For me Rudi was my 1st round pick and I followed that up with Henry in round 2. Awesome in August, but makes me want to puke in November. The teams that are going to be playing in weeks 14-16 are playoff teams and not many teams can get to the playoffs without some solid RBs. Don't get me wrong it could happen, but I would think that those teams have already given up hope on Rudi and gotten points from other RBs.

So my point is if you are playing in playoff games and Rudi has a favorable opponent are you willing to start him as your RB2 knowing you have been fooled all season?

 

[vandelyons]

What about Rudi owner in dynasty leagues?

I have been hoping for a respectable game or two so I can unload him in my dynasty league - maybe packaging him with a mid-round pick for something in the top half of the 2008 1st round. However, at this point in the season I'm not too optimistic. The string of poor performances, the injury, the awful run blocking, and the obvious workload questions are going to be major red flag for any possible trade partner.

So, are dynasty owners tucking him away, hoping for the Rudi of old in 2008? Or are the days of 25/100/1 bygone memories never to return?

 

[videoguy505]

Probably retaining him for next year as my RB2, but with LJ on my team as well, I'm pretty much assured of a top-half draft pick next year to snag McFadden or someone.

 

[Couch Potato]

Stick a fork in poor Rudi. I just can't be optimistic about Rudi ever rebounding to what he was the last few years. You could see the signs last year with the drop in YPC. They've ridden him hard and put him up wet for years now, and he's near the end of the line.

For the rest of this year, RBBC with Watson (maybe Perry gets involved too), and next year 2nd round pick Irons comes back as well. No more feature back numbers expected here.

 

[maxwell1295]

Can't trade him for more than a bag a chips, but it doesn't make sense to drop him either.....even though I was tempted. I guess he'll be rotting on the bench unless there is a drastic change in his performance.

 

[packersfan]

So my point is if you are playing in playoff games and Rudi has a favorable opponent are you willing to start him as your RB2 knowing you have been fooled all season?

Depends on your alternatives and what Rudi shows in the next few weeks. I wouldn't expect him to do anything against the Titans and Steelers but maybe he surprises. If you're at Week 14 and he still hasn't done anything I don't think you can start Rudi unless you have no choice despite the fact it's the first of his four straight strong matchups to close out the season. But if you're stuck and have to start him at least you can do so knowing the matchup is a good one. He may choke on it but at least there's one thing going for him that week.

 

[Rushmore]

Stick a fork in poor Rudi. I just can't be optimistic about Rudi ever rebounding to what he was the last few years. You could see the signs last year with the drop in YPC. They've ridden him hard and put him up wet for years now, and he's near the end of the line. For the rest of this year, RBBC with Watson (maybe Perry gets involved too), and next year 2nd round pick Irons comes back as well. No more feature back numbers expected here.

I tend to lean on this side of the argument.

 

[TheFanatic]

Can't trade him for more than a bag a chips, but it doesn't make sense to drop him either.....even though I was tempted. I guess he'll be rotting on the bench unless there is a drastic change in his performance.

I dumped him and Watson for Jamal Lewis and Wright. I think I got a pick in the deal too. Jamal is clearly the starter and his schedule is just as cake as the Cinci schedule.To Couch Potato's point, I think it's not a matter of the guy getting healthy now. He got 20+ carries and came through just fine health wise, just not so much with on the field performance. The next week we saw a full blown RBBC. For the rest of the year I see him on a short leash. With Watson averaging something like 4.5 yards per carry and Rudi averaging 2.5 behind the same line in the same games Watson will be the feature guy there sooner rather than later.I would expect Rudi to get a shot at the starting role next year but I don't think it will be his job to lose. He will get a shot like everyone else. Short term the outlook looks bleak. Long term, I would guess one more season of productivity if he can earn the job in Cinci or get moved either in trade or from being cut. You could very well see Lamont Jordan and Rudi making the rounds next offseason to all the teams who are thin at RB...

 

[packersfan]

I agree with the point that Rudi will now be on a short leash. I expect him to remain the starter and get a handful of carries early to see how he's doing. If he does well - or Watson shows nothing as was the case in the Ravens' game, for example - Rudi will keep getting the carries. If the team falls behind, he'll be toast because Watson offers much more in the passing game. If the Bengals can ever get a lead and keep it and Rudi's doing OK at worst I think he'll get a chance to close out the game. Again, that's what happened in the second Baltimore game.

 

[zamboni]

With the Bengals pretty much out of the playoff picture, one has to wonder how much Marvin will use Rudi in the weeks ahead. He may want to give Watson an extended look, not to mention Perry to see if they want to hold onto him next year.

As for dynasty prospects, I'm not close to the situation, but I imagine Marvin could be out after this season. If there's a new coach, all bets could be off in terms of Rudi's role in Cincy.

 

[Mr. Know-It-All]

My rbs are

Rudi Johnson, Kenny Watson

Fred Taylor, Maurice Jones drew

in a ppr league where recpts = .5 points.

Nothing on the waiver wire - and I do mean nothing.

My plans are to start Watson over Johnson the next two weeks (against Pit and Ten) - at least I get receptions points out of Watson. Then play matchups during the playoff weeks (StL, SF, Cle), I might start Rudi over Watson one or more games during weeks 14-16 if he is looking any better (and if I am still alive after the first round of the playoffs).

I don't know what I do with my other RB decisions. Probably just leave MJD as my RB2 for the rest of the year unless he gets hurt, then insert Fred Taylor.

 

[RustyFA]

In a dynasty I am the 2 time champ but have been killed by injuries at RB. I recently traded my 1st (probably from 11th to 14th in a 14 team league) 2 2nds and a throw in to get Rudi on my team. I have Steven Jackson as my #1 but Rudi is my #2 over Greg Jones and JJ Arrington. I am missing Ronnie Brown, Deuce McAllister, Larry Johnson, and Sammy Morris.

My thinking was that the 1st was going to be a late one and I desperately needed a RB. I have another 1st rounder in the 7-10 range and roster spots are hard to come by on my team. Long term I think that Rudi is going to be the leading guy in a RBBC next year. But he will also be the goalline guy. RB depth is hard to come by in dynasty leagues so I try to get anyone I can.

 

[Couch Potato]

In a dynasty I am the 2 time champ but have been killed by injuries at RB. I recently traded my 1st (probably from 11th to 14th in a 14 team league) 2 2nds and a throw in to get Rudi on my team. I have Steven Jackson as my #1 but Rudi is my #2 over Greg Jones and JJ Arrington. I am missing Ronnie Brown, Deuce McAllister, Larry Johnson, and Sammy Morris.

My thinking was that the 1st was going to be a late one and I desperately needed a RB. I have another 1st rounder in the 7-10 range and roster spots are hard to come by on my team. Long term I think that Rudi is going to be the leading guy in a RBBC next year. But he will also be the goalline guy. RB depth is hard to come by in dynasty leagues so I try to get anyone I can.

It's been a tough year for you with all the injuries, but after the way you've dominated this league the last two years I don't see any of us feeling your pain. In fact, I have a place on my mantle all dust-free and ready to accept that trophy you've been hoarding all to yourself (actually, my RB situation will kill me too I'm afraid).I understand making the trade because you are pretty much screwed without some sort of deal, but when I saw it at the time I thought "desperation move." As I said before, I think Rudi will help owners very little going forward, and especially in a PPR league like ours. You probably looked elsewhere for a RB and this was the best anyone would part with, but I think in the long run you will find you'd rather have accepted your fate and kept the 1st round pick. With your injuries and under-performance at positions that carried you last year, there are probably 3-4 teams more likely to win it all this year.