Cincinnati Bengals: Best running backs in team history, No. 3
By Kenn Korb
We’re looking at the best running backs in Cincinnati Bengals history. Today, we discuss No. 3.
The Cincinnati Bengals are still a bit away from training camp starting, but it’s at least getting closer. Still, fans and players alike are weathering the offseason, getting ready for a new campaign.
In the interim, we’ve been looking at past greats of the Bengals franchise since 1968. That started with the quarterbacks, and we’ve since moved to the guys behind them carrying the pigskin.
We’ve already discussed the Nos. 5 and 4 running backs in team history. Today, join us as we talk about No. 3.
3. Rudi Johnson
Cincinnati sure has had a lot of guys named Johnson in their franchise history — 26 of them, to be exact. With that in mind, it shouldn’t be a surprise that some of them would eventually become integral pieces for the different integrations of the team. By random chance, two of the most successful Johnsons the team has had ended up being among the top five running backs the team has employed.
So what makes Rudi Johnson good enough to outrank Pete Johnson in Cincinnati’s historical running back hierarchy? It was a difficult determination, to be sure. Both played for seven seasons with Cincinnati, had close to the same rushing yardage total in the Bengals careers (Rudi: 5,742; Pete: 5,421), and Pete had substantially better numbers as a receiver (Rudi: 101 receptions, 588 yards, one touchdown; Pete: 173 receptions, 1,327 yards, six touchdowns) and in terms of rushing touchdowns (Rudi: 48 touchdowns; Pete: 64 touchdowns).
The distinction which puts Rudi ahead of Pete for the most part boils down to a simple question of preference. You have to ask yourself what matters more: someone with higher peaks in performance, or a better middle-ground? Often, I myself will lean towards the latter, but if the height and frequency of those peaks is drastic enough I can be convinced otherwise — and that is exactly what happened in this instance.
While Pete was a steady presence through his seven seasons with the Bengals, Rudi essentially made his mark in just four. The reasons he only really has four years are simple: in his first three seasons Rudi was stuck behind a previously established runner, and in his final season he dealt with injuries which limited his availability. When Rudi finally did get his opportunities though, he didn’t waste them, and it is clear in the franchise record books.
Look at the single-season rushing performances in team history. The best showing Pete ever accomplished ranks No. 17 in franchise history; that’s respectable, but not exactly noteworthy. Meanwhile, Rudi has the top two single-season rushing yard efforts for Cincinnati, as well as three of the top six. Pete surpassed 1,000 yards once; Rudi did so three times, eclipsing 1,300 each time and 1,400 twice.
2003 saw Rudi given his first chance with his predecessor suffering through injury woes, and in 13 games (5 starts) he nearly picked up 1,000 rushing yards (957). He wouldn’t look back after that: from 2004-06, few if any running backs were better than Rudi.
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He was one of just six runners in that timespan to pick up 4,000+ rushing yards (his compatriots: Tiki Barber, LaDainian Tomlinson, Shaun Alexander, Edgerrin James, Larry Johnson), ranking 4th among the group in yardage. By managing 12 rushing touchdowns in each of those season, he was one of just five players to have 30+ touchdowns (joined by Tomlinson, Alexander, Johnson, and Corey Dillon). He led both groups of players in carries in that period (1,039).
While Pete undoubtedly had a longer chain of production, Rudi clearly was a more impactful presence in his shorter timespan; because of that, he’s secure as the best Johnson to play running back for Cincinnati, and as the No. 3 spot on this list.