Before the release of Bell they only had Bell, Smith, and a Fullback left on their roster. They then grabbed Rudi and cut Bell. that is a very thin Rb group. He must have shown something.

I believe Rudi still has a lingering hamstring problem but the Lions must figure a lame Rudi is better than Bell.

A vet with a good workout that came with a small price tag. Thats what they needed.

FM, I think you need to add Utah to your sig as well.......that was pretty damn funny as well .......sorry, a little off topic....

I will do that, just for you Miller.

Wow. Bell tried to steal Rudi's stuff. Unbelievable.
http://www.profootballtalk.com/2008/...ay-in-detroit/

Perfect

Had my money league draft to night and got him in the sixth round. We keep 12 and are only allowed 4 RB's

That's some focked up shit!

I heard this morning on the radio that Tatum Bell stole some of Rudi Johnson's bags and got caught. What a sore loser Bell is.

oh good grief. They had a solid youngster get hurt AGAIN in Calhoun. They had a potential plow horse in Rudi that got for a song, in a one year deal that allowed them to drop a guy they really had no use for in Bell. Folks here need to quit reading things into every single move. Yes K.Smith is a rookie. However, they have had him all camp...so if they really had no faith in him...why wait to the last minute to pick up another back? Seriously.

This was nothing more that an oportunity for a team to get better back up value and depth for a run oriented offense. Why is no one mentioning the kid from SD they also signed? Why? Cause K.Smith is the starter. Rudi will be short yardage and probably goal line..and we move on.

....and I disagree. If Rudi can stay healthy, or is healthy, i feel he begins to take over this job by week 4. We can both state our opinions as strongly as we like, but that still makes them nothing more than opinions. Smith needs to take advantage of his first 3 weeks, or he will likely be relegated to what he is better suited for...........being a change of pace back.

Okay, and if Rudi had not be released then what?

You seriously think an NFL team is waiting hoping a team cuts a former starter so they can transition their team to a new player who just joined the team?

I understand some feeling this way. I simply don't get it. It is not like Rudi was the end all be all to start with. He was a solid Rb when he took over. But his ypc has dropped significantly the last two years. Add to the fact that the Detroit O-line is no where near as good as Cincy's...and that the back has to be able to avoid contact and make running room....which Rudi can not do. I am sorry....i just don't see it. I also don't think Rudi is healthy.

Here is what I think, and I am taking this from what was stated by Lewis. They did not want a one dimensional back in cincy anymore. When they had to go to third and long or passing downs...they had to change personel. With Perry that is not the case. I don't see Detroit wanting to do the same. I think in the right set up, Rudi will be a solid piece...but not a major one.

Sure, you can have your opinion. You are correct in that. However, when you come out with a statement of how a team made moves with this intention...I would like to see some sound reasoning why.

You already mentioned the Charger back. They picked him up to cover their concerns with Smith, THEN, Rudi became available, and they made the move. Neither is a ringing endorsement for a third round rookie.

Come on. Running backs take a lot of punishment. If all you had was Tatum Bell on the bench wouldn't you look to shore up the position? So now they have a veteran presence and a young so-so talented prospect.

I would think a trade for a running back or bringing in a Shawn Alexander would be a bit more damning to Smith than what they've done.

Hmmm....maybe you missed this.

They had 3 rbs they were counting on for depth in Detroit.

Pinner - Cut
Bell - cut after they picked up the SD back for depth and Johnson came free.
Calhoun - IRed.

Now, please note the above.....FOR DEPTH.

Paranoia runs rampant in Fantasy Football...especially when a rookie is set to start. However, I state again there has not been one negative thing on K.Smith this year...not one. By all reports he is and has done everything asked of him.

Fact is they lucked out on Rudi coming loose. But I cannot and will not believe that Rudi is ....well Rudi if Cincy cut him. Look how long it took to get rid of Corey Dillon in Cincy...and they didn't LIKE him.

I am sorry....for all of you who spent an early draft pick on Rudi. He won't be the starter in Detroit...unless K.Smith gets hurt.

No way...and you can save this just like Miller's.

Which should show you that SA is truly done, and that Rudi impressed the shit out of them, so much so as to not let him leave the buildo=ing without a deal. Hell they even had Bell steal his stuff!!!

This was freaking hilarious. Best offseason story of the NFL!

A legit point here. We can agree to disagree RC. You could very well be right...Rudi may be fully healthy and blow the socks off Marinelli. I tend to not agree. Only time will tell.