Truth & Rumors > NFL
Lions sign Johnson to replace Bell
The Lions agreed to a one-year deal with free-agent running back Rudi Johnson, team spokesman Bill Keenist said Monday night. The deal was reached after 4 p.m., the NFL's close of business, so it won't become official until today, and the Lions haven't made a move yet to clear room on the 53-man roster. Johnson is expected to replace Tatum Bell. Bell got into then-offensive coordinator Mike Martz's doghouse last season and didn't play the last 11 games. He returned as a free agent because the Lions had fired Martz and installed a zone running scheme like the one in which he once rushed for 1,000 yards in Denver. But Bell did not have a strong training camp and exhibition season, and he was slated to back up rookie Kevin Smith.
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Jarah Mariano
Jessica White

Comments (36) Add A Comment
Replacing an average back with and average back. Now that's cutting edge football strategy. No wonder the Lions dominate in the world of underachievers year in and year out. It must seem like a million years ago since Barry.....
BoBo
Total Comments (262)
Go Lions!
(yuk)
Scooter Liberty
Deee Triot, MI
Total Comments (88)
rudi can be a solid power back when healthy and when he wants to run. just a question of when and if that back shows up in the nfl again. but seeing how detroit has never had a power back produce solid numbers, would say the odds favor this being the beginning of the end for rudi's career.
pw
New Baltimore , NY
Total Comments (2588)
Rudi is DONE
djroxalot LOL at LSU
Los Angeles, CA
Total Comments (15563)
The Lions are so dumb. Do they ever do anything right?
Scrappy_AK
Sacramento , CA
Total Comments (145)
Whatever....
lglvixen
Total Comments (86)
Rudi may not be the best, but the last season he was healthy he had 1300 yards...
He is certainly an upgrade over Tatum Bell... and I think is a good compliment in a two back system with Smith. Rudi is physical, and we need that, we certainly don't have a line...
biminator
Total Comments (1178)
He is a big improvement over Tatum!!!!
JohnWayne506th
Madison Heights , MI
Total Comments (361)
"The Lions are so dumb. Do they ever do anything right?"
well the lions didn't trade for rudi when the bengals came calling. have to give them credit for being patient and knowing the wavier wire claims wouldn't be that deep on rudi.
trading Furrey for Rudi would have been dumb for the lions, which is what the bengals asked for. so the lions made one smart move already this season.
pw
New Baltimore , NY
Total Comments (2588)
I agree pw. I also think they did good by trading Rogers to Cincinnati. That is one trade where I honestly believe all sides will end up winning.
biminator
Total Comments (1178)
Bell's inability to succeed in Detroit further demonstrates Denver is a great system for any back. How many of their 1000 yd backs have been successful anywhere else?
BigSky
Colorado Springs , CO
Total Comments (178)
"Bell's inability to succeed in Detroit further demonstrates Denver is a great system for any back. How many of their 1000 yd backs have been successful anywhere else?"
Of the recent backs...only Clinton Portis comes to mind. I gotta say..one guy I really thought would be successful after released, was Reuben Droughns. Can't believe how far he has fallen on the depth chart. Then again..he is backing up some solid talent. NY is stacked at RB.
Squeeb
Fairfax , VA
Total Comments (574)
Been alive since 1959. Two playoff games and 1 playoff win since. Wonder why I don't follw the LIONS
joefordnproud
Romulus, MI
Total Comments (472)
just dont bench kevin smith.....im depending on him in fantasy
browardcane
Total Comments (7125)
Been alive since 1959. Two playoff games and 1 playoff win since. Wonder why I don't follw the LIONS
joefordnproud | 09/02/08, 10:56 AM
We all do it for the same reason... we still think that someday we will be able to say, I told you they would win it all, I wasn't just a bandwagon fan, I remember all those seasons, or decades, when they awful, but I stuck by them.
It worked for the tigers for all of us who had to deal with Higgison and Clark being our best players...
biminator
Total Comments (1178)
* never mind, I just realized you say you DONT follow the Lions.
Smart man.
Unfortunately, I don't think I will ever be that smart. I love the Lions too much. No matter what they do, I will watch every down of every season until they win it all.
biminator
Total Comments (1178)
Bell's inability to succeed in Detroit further demonstrates Denver is a great system for any back. How many of their 1000 yd backs have been successful anywhere else?
BigSky | 09/02/08, 10:01 AM
It proves my point, we need an O-line....
biminator
Total Comments (1178)
Firing Mike Martz was another smart move by the Lions this year, so that's 2 and counting. Maybe they could make it 3 by firing Matt Millen before he drafts another WR in the first round.
B real
Upland , IN
Total Comments (47)
Jeez, the Bengals have gotten rid of Kenny Irons, Willie Anderson, and Rudi Johnson. Tough time to be a former Auburn player in Cincy these days.
Trainwreck
Suwanee , GA
Total Comments (328)
This is why i am a firm believer the NFL really needs to expand to many talented players not making rosters mostly because of money. There are plenty of cities that can support team what about teams in Las Vegas, San Antonio, Orlando, another one in Chi-town, 2 in LA, Salt Lake City, Portland OR, one in Oklahoma, Birmingham AL, Sacramento CA, Hawaii, one in Kentucky, one in Mew Mexico, Columbus OH, Memphis, TN. This would add 2 teams per division. Bringing more teams to the league would benefit many cities let alone players. Also would help out expand the SB picking for many areas cause it always seems most SB's are played in either Miami or NO and having a few more areas to pick would benefit those areas.
cusefan21
Jacksonville , FL
Total Comments (502)
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