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Lions Officially Sign Rudi Johnson, Release Tatum Bell

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The Lions have officially announced the signing of running back Rudi Johnson.  Johnson is already second on the Lions' depth chart behind Kevin Smith and ahead of Marcus Thomas.

To make room on the roster for Johnson, the Lions released Tatum Bell.  This move was expected when news came out that Johnson had signed, so no surprise there.  Bell was on the Lions last season and was inactive for every game once Kevin Jones came back full time from his injury.  Bell was going to find a new team in the offseason, but since Mike Martz was fired he opted to return to Detroit, especially once the Lions said they were going to run the ball more.

Although Rudi Johnson may not be in the prime of his career anymore, I do like this move.  Tatum Bell didn't have a great preseason by any means and I do believe that Johnson is an upgrade.  He will be able to come in as Kevin Smith's backup, and if something happens that prevents Smith from starting, Johnson isn't a bad insurance policy if he can stay healthy.

For a look at the type of player Johnson is, as well as why his numbers have gone down recently, check out the scouting report I posted earlier today.

Poll
Do you like this signing?
Yes, Rudi Johnson is better than Tatum Bell
263 votes
No, Lions brought in another washed up veteran
24 votes

287 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs  |  Comment 4 comments |

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I said this before...

High upside, low risk move. If we get the Rudi from three or four years ago, its a steal. If he fails, we just had a bad backup running back that is gone at the end of the season.

by ReichardZ on Sep 2, 2008 12:07 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Addition by subtraction

Added a probowl back up running back and released a one time 1,000yd running back.

It only makes them better.

by CLF on Sep 2, 2008 2:26 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Boo

Fast RBs are good on Madden and slow power backs are lame… At least getting rid of an ex-Bronco RB normally turns out good.

Joel Freeland=Stud

by hightide on Sep 2, 2008 4:04 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Thank you.

I was about to pitch a brick through my computer screen when Bell didn’t get cut. I would have suited up Billy Sims again over that garbage.

by hardluckcase on Sep 2, 2008 5:25 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

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