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Chick Ludwig covers the Cincinnati Bengals. He also writes about his other passions: college football, basketball and golf.Home > Blogs > Chick Ludwig At Large > Archives > 2008 > May > 13 > Entry
Bengals’ RBs, WRs brace for game of ‘survivor’
ONLY STRONG WILL SURVIVE
Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski calls it a game of “survivor” for the running backs and wide receivers.
Looking good in the first on-field coaching session at Paul Brown Stadium on Tuesday, May 13: Rudi Johnson and Chris Perry.
Rudi is determined to play at 225 pounds and become the Jerome Bettis-style hammer between the tackles that he once was.
Perry practiced for the first time since fracturing and dislocating his right ankle at Cleveland on Nov. 26. 2006, and looked terrific.
Looking bad: Linebacker Ahmad Brooks. He took only five reps and is admittedly extremely frustrated for two reasons: One, he’s still not completely healthy from the groin injury that wrecked his 2007 season. Two, he’s playing a position — strong side linebacker — he’s never played before.
Change of scenery: Eric Henderson has moved back to defensive end from outside linebacker.
He’s baaaack: Wide receiver Bennie Brazell surfaced in the locker room. He was headed to the doctor for a physical exam and was hopeful about being signed later in the day.
Missing in action: Middle linebacker Odell Thurman, who is in Georgia for the funeral of his grandmother.
Here’s the transcript of the media’s interview with Bratkowski:
Q. How did Chris Perry look?
A. It was good to see him out here. I went over at one point and told him, ‘It’s really good to see you out here.’ To me, with him, it’s going to tell over time how he handles the wear and tear of going every day. But he got off to a real good start today.
Q. What does Perry mean to the offense?
A. If you go back to the last year he played healthy, he gave us a lot of catches, close to 50 receptions. His run-average per carry was real high. He was a nice change of pace to Rudi. He was a very important part. He had some big plays for us. If we can get that back, it’s certainly going to make us a better offense.
Q. Could you tell anything about the way Perry is moving around?
A. From what I saw, he looked good. Now we’ll have to just continue to go through this. See how he handles it and how everything comes out over time, day after day of doing things. But I thought he got off to a great start.
Q. Chris said his body feels fine. He just has a long way to get back to football shape. Do you agree?
A. It’s been awhile since he’s played, and that takes time. It’s one thing to do all the conditioning, but the unexpected changes in direction that you get on a football field, the different angles on the routes you have to take … those things take awhile. To a good athlete, they come along pretty quick.
Q. Does Perry have good hands for a running back?
A. Oh, he’s got excellent hands. He made a couple of one-handed catches out here today. He’s got, not above average, but excellent hands.
Q. Rudi looks thicker. Would you agree?
A. Rudi’s worked really hard in this offseason. He’s got a great attitude and really approached it as a professional, and that’s a very positive sign.
Q. It looks like a crowded house in the backfield. You’ve also got 12 wide receivers. What do you make of the competition?
A. It’s kind of like a survivor course. Who’s going to manage to do things over time and make it through the battles. It’s going to be very competitive.
Q. With your running backs, will you have a good sense by the end of camp, health-wise, where guys are at? Or will you cross your fingers till the start of the season?
A. By the time we get through training camp, we’ll know where we’re at. You obviously have the unforeseen things that happen after that. But we’ll know where we’re at as we get to the end of training camp.
Permalink | Comments (3) | Post your comment | Categories: Bengals
Comments
By Gary
May 13, 2008 11:18 PM | Link to this
I love the talent the Bengals have at RB & WR, but also TE and DB. I think we have the start of an awesome defensive backfield. If, and it’s a big if, we can stay healthy we have as good a shot as anyone in the AFC North. Even without Chad, getting Perry back, acquiring Utecht, and reviving the running game will keep our offense near the top.By dratcliff
May 14, 2008 10:42 AM | Link to this
Having Perry back is definetly some good news. If he and Rudi can stay healthy this year they will be a tandom to deal with. If we have injuries at all to either of them, I think we’ll be ok b/c our depth is solid. They need all four RB’s on the roster for this reason and because DeDe is a stud special teams guy.By Steven Ross
May 14, 2008 10:54 AM | Link to this
Of course he looks good now. Wait until he gets hit. I hope not but Perry’s injury prone so until he makes it through an entire season without showing up on the PUP list, I’ll have reserved optimisim.