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October 1, 2007

Come, Watson, the game is afoot

CINCINNATI _ With regular running back Rudi Johnson sidelined by a hamstring pull, Kenny Watson will start a game for the first time since 2002, when he was playing for the Redskins.
''We lose some things without Rudi being in there,'' Bengals QB Carson Palmer said last week, ''but I think we also gain some things with Kenny. He's not as bulky as Rudi is, but he's a little bit quicker. He's not going to run people over like Rudi does and break through every arm tackle. But what he lacks in size and power, he makes up for in quickness and speed and great hands out of the backfield.''
Johnson, a fourth-round pick out of Auburn in 2001, became the starter in Cincinnati in '04, after Corey Dillon was traded to New England. He rushed for 1,454 yards and 12 TDs that season on a career-high, 361 carries.
A true workhorse, Johnson carried 337 times in 2005, for 1,458 yards and 12 TDs, and 341 times last year, for 1,309 yards and 12 TDs.
So far this season, he has 177 yards on 58 carries and has not scored a rushing touchdown, although he does have a TD reception among his 8 catches, for 92 yards.
Rudi is one of four players named Johnson on the Cincinnati roster. The Bengals also have loquacious wide receiver Chad Johnson, fullback Jeremi Johnson, and linebacker Landon Johnson.

Posted by Jim Donaldson  at 6:38 PM | Permalink