Rudi Johnson to visit Lions Sunday night (1 Viewer)

[Anthony Borbely]

3 NFL teams interested in the guy, a thread full of anonymous message board posters saying he is washed up.I can't decide who I trust more.

What about the Bengals and the other 28 teams?

 

[Cookiemonster]

If he was healthy would the Bengals not have kept him? Or, if they were trying to trade him and he was healthy would they not have at least played him in their last pre-season game to show that he was okay? Even if there are no takers on a trade the worst that happens is you cut him. This leads me to the conclusion that he's not healthy. He may get healthy at some point but I would think that unless he's completely healthy right now a team would want to wait until after week 1 to sign him.

Or...they decided that Rudi and Willie cost too much and they had cheaper alternatives that were just as talented, if not more and wanted to free up some $. As for why they didn't play Rudi, maybe they wanted one last shot to look at some of their RBs on the bubble.

 

[Anthony Borbely]

Link

Rudi Johnson signing doesn't appear imminent

by Tom Kowalski

Monday September 01, 2008, 10:01 AM

Free agent running back Rudi Johnson is taking a physical this morning and is expected to work out and then visit with the Detroit Lions coaching staff later this morning. The Lions, though, are on more of a fact-finding mission than taking the final steps before an imminent signing.

If the Lions attempt to sign Johnson, it will be to replace Tatum Bell as the No. 2 running back. The Lions are happy with rookie third-round pick Kevin Smith, who is expected to get the majority of the work load in the offense. The Lions are also happy with Marcus Thomas, the fifth-round pick by the San Diego Chargers who was released and then claimed on waivers by Detroit.

Regardless of what happens with Johnson, Thomas will remain the Lions' No. 3 running back. Thomas, who is a powerful inside runner with decent speed, gives the Lions a solid special teams contributor.

Johnson has had some issues with hamtring injuries and the Lions want to see were he is overall physically. If the Lions like what they see -- and believe he'd be an upgrade over Bell -- negotiations could proceed as early as today. At this moment, though, nothing is in the works.

 

[CrossEyed]

Link

Rudi Johnson signing doesn't appear imminent

by Tom Kowalski

Monday September 01, 2008, 10:01 AM

Free agent running back Rudi Johnson is taking a physical this morning and is expected to work out and then visit with the Detroit Lions coaching staff later this morning. The Lions, though, are on more of a fact-finding mission than taking the final steps before an imminent signing.

If the Lions attempt to sign Johnson, it will be to replace Tatum Bell as the No. 2 running back. The Lions are happy with rookie third-round pick Kevin Smith, who is expected to get the majority of the work load in the offense. The Lions are also happy with Marcus Thomas, the fifth-round pick by the San Diego Chargers who was released and then claimed on waivers by Detroit.

Regardless of what happens with Johnson, Thomas will remain the Lions' No. 3 running back. Thomas, who is a powerful inside runner with decent speed, gives the Lions a solid special teams contributor.

Johnson has had some issues with hamtring injuries and the Lions want to see were he is overall physically. If the Lions like what they see -- and believe he'd be an upgrade over Bell -- negotiations could proceed as early as today. At this moment, though, nothing is in the works.

So what you are saying is that this is just a ploy....

 

[thatguythere]

Link

Rudi Johnson signing doesn't appear imminent

by Tom Kowalski

Monday September 01, 2008, 10:01 AM

Free agent running back Rudi Johnson is taking a physical this morning and is expected to work out and then visit with the Detroit Lions coaching staff later this morning. The Lions, though, are on more of a fact-finding mission than taking the final steps before an imminent signing.

If the Lions attempt to sign Johnson, it will be to replace Tatum Bell as the No. 2 running back. The Lions are happy with rookie third-round pick Kevin Smith, who is expected to get the majority of the work load in the offense. The Lions are also happy with Marcus Thomas, the fifth-round pick by the San Diego Chargers who was released and then claimed on waivers by Detroit.

Regardless of what happens with Johnson, Thomas will remain the Lions' No. 3 running back. Thomas, who is a powerful inside runner with decent speed, gives the Lions a solid special teams contributor.

Johnson has had some issues with hamtring injuries and the Lions want to see were he is overall physically. If the Lions like what they see -- and believe he'd be an upgrade over Bell -- negotiations could proceed as early as today. At this moment, though, nothing is in the works.

So what you are saying is that this is just a ploy....

I'm starting to think Tatum is running out of ploys.....they aren't working.

 

[Reverse Angle]

Millen did something right??!! Cover your heads...the sky IS falling!!

 

[bucsbaby]

Good news for K. Smith, although Rudi potentially being a TD vulture isn't something I would be too happy with. I'm thinking K. Smith could probably keep Tatum on the bench in that regard.

 

[Gopher State]

Link

Rudi Johnson signing doesn't appear imminent

by Tom Kowalski

Monday September 01, 2008, 10:01 AM

Free agent running back Rudi Johnson is taking a physical this morning and is expected to work out and then visit with the Detroit Lions coaching staff later this morning. The Lions, though, are on more of a fact-finding mission than taking the final steps before an imminent signing.

If the Lions attempt to sign Johnson, it will be to replace Tatum Bell as the No. 2 running back. The Lions are happy with rookie third-round pick Kevin Smith, who is expected to get the majority of the work load in the offense. The Lions are also happy with Marcus Thomas, the fifth-round pick by the San Diego Chargers who was released and then claimed on waivers by Detroit.

Regardless of what happens with Johnson, Thomas will remain the Lions' No. 3 running back. Thomas, who is a powerful inside runner with decent speed, gives the Lions a solid special teams contributor.

Johnson has had some issues with hamtring injuries and the Lions want to see were he is overall physically. If the Lions like what they see -- and believe he'd be an upgrade over Bell -- negotiations could proceed as early as today. At this moment, though, nothing is in the works.

Looks like the Rudi train will be moving on to Houston and Denver, whooo whooo

 

[Anthony Borbely]

My gut feeling is Rudi will want more money than the Lions will pay, especially considering he would be a backup here.

It seems clear they want to upgrade the backup spot. I do not expect Bell to be here for long.

 

[footballgeek]

Update

From

http://davebirkett.blogspot.com/

Running back Rudi Johnson worked out for the Lions Monday morning and president Matt Millen said the former Bengal "looked fine."

"He looked like the same back," Millen said. "Same feet, same thick build, everything. We're kind of in the middle of it. ... He's got some decisions to make, too."

Johnson remains in town as of this moment, but executive vice president Tom Lewand said no signing is imminent.

"We kick the tires on a lot of guys," Lewand said. "We look at every opportunity to get better, that's what we do."

 

[hickbones]

NFL | Rudi a possibility?

KFFL

Sun, 31 Aug 2008 11:49:05 -0700

ESPN's John Clayton reports that 32 NFL teams could be a possible landing spot for free-agent RB Rudi Johnson (Bengals).

Fixed.If those boneheads in Cincy could bring back Henry they just might look at Rudi again and think he still looks good.

 

[Ozymandias]

3 NFL teams interested in the guy, a thread full of anonymous message board posters saying he is washed up.I can't decide who I trust more.

Three teams willing to take a look at him. But when it come to signing the ol' parchmentorooni, maybe they'll think he's washed up too.

 

[Balance]

3 NFL teams interested in the guy, a thread full of anonymous message board posters saying he is washed up.I can't decide who I trust more.

Three teams willing to take a look at him. But when it come to signing the ol' parchmentorooni, maybe they'll think he's washed up too.

And then I would have something to go on.

 

[MSULions]

i sincerely hope they sign him. Bell is completely worthless and he would be a HUGE upgrade. All of a sudden the running game would start looking mighty good with this switch.

They also snagged the LB Nece from the bucs....which makes 5 or 6 former bucs on d now But NFLN was talking about it earlier and said it was a great get. he can immediate step in and play SAM as well as special teams. aside from the o-line, the kick/punt coverage looked abysmal in the preseason. he can help there too. great moves signing him and Marcus Thomas. Rudi would be a perfect capper to the offseason.

 

[PatsWillWin]

Signed.

http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2008/...with_lions.html

 

[Bizkiteer]

Well, this doesn't hurt Kevin's long term value, but it got to have impact on his short term value. I guess we'll see soon enough, especially after Rudi gets his head around his new team's playbook.

 

[Balance]

3 NFL teams interested in the guy, a thread full of anonymous message board posters saying he is washed up.

I can't decide who I trust more.

What about the Bengals and the other 28 teams?

Looks like the team you are the resident "expert" for signed him.Sorry guys but the reality is, if you knew more about these things than anyone in the NFL... you wouldnt be posting here.

When NFL teams say he has something to offer, I'm gonna go out on a limb and favor their judgement over yours.

 

[Chaka]

3 NFL teams interested in the guy, a thread full of anonymous message board posters saying he is washed up.

I can't decide who I trust more.

What about the Bengals and the other 28 teams?

Looks like the team you are the resident "expert" for signed him.Sorry guys but the reality is, if you knew more about these things than anyone in the NFL... you wouldnt be posting here.

When NFL teams say he has something to offer, I'm gonna go out on a limb and favor their judgement over yours.

let's see if he actually sticks on the roster. they might just be taking him on a test drive. it is very possible that he, like harrington in baltimore, will be released before saturday, when all players on the roster salary will be guaranteed for the year.nfl teams screw up player evaluation often enough that you shouldn't simply trust their assessment of a player. particularly when it is the lions front office making the calls.

 

[Anthony Borbely]

3 NFL teams interested in the guy, a thread full of anonymous message board posters saying he is washed up.

I can't decide who I trust more.

What about the Bengals and the other 28 teams?

Looks like the team you are the resident "expert" for signed him.Sorry guys but the reality is, if you knew more about these things than anyone in the NFL... you wouldnt be posting here.

When NFL teams say he has something to offer, I'm gonna go out on a limb and favor their judgement over yours.

So what your saying is, every single player who is in the NFL is good because an NFL team signed them and therefore, we are not allowed to think anything negative about them. Got it.

 

[Iwannabeacowboybaby!]

3 NFL teams interested in the guy, a thread full of anonymous message board posters saying he is washed up.

I can't decide who I trust more.

What about the Bengals and the other 28 teams?

Looks like the team you are the resident "expert" for signed him.Sorry guys but the reality is, if you knew more about these things than anyone in the NFL... you wouldnt be posting here.

When NFL teams say he has something to offer, I'm gonna go out on a limb and favor their judgement over yours.

I think we get your point, Balance but you are talking about the Detroit Lions here, do not forget. You're sticking up for the team that's recently drafted Charlie Rogers and Mike Williams in the top 10. They signed Scott Mitchell for big big money after just seeing Mitchell play in a couple games for Miami and the list goes on and on.The Lions would do well to read the Shark Pool.

 

[gianmarco]

The Lions would do well to read the Shark Pool.

If I didn't already have one I liked, this would be a my new sig.That line is 100% sig-worthy. Classic.

 

[knowledge dropper]

Rudi can't be worse than Tatum Bell

 

[Anthony Borbely]

Rudi can't be worse than Tatum Bell

That is why they signed Rudi. Bell was terrible in preseason and looked like a player who did not want to be there.