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You can't blame Rudi for being upset
Thursday, October 05, 2006
CINCINNATI — Five reasons why you can't blame Bengals tailback Rudi Johnson for being upset after Sunday's 38-13 loss to New England:
1. The workload: He rushed just 14 times for 65 yards (a 4.6 average) with a long gain of 13 and a 2-yard TD.
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2. The scheme: The Patriots played a "Cover 2" with their safeties rotating to help the cornerbacks double cover wideouts Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh. The scheme is ideal for running the ball, which the Bengals didn't do enough.
3. The play calling: With Cincinnati trailing 21-13 at 3:55 of the third quarter, Johnson ran 8 yards on first down, setting up second and 2 at the Pats' 38. Two straight incomplete passes led to a punt. Johnson ran just one time the final 18 minutes, 30 seconds.
4: The defense: It couldn't stop New England. The Bengals yielded 424 yards and allowed the Pats to convert 6 of 13 third downs.
5. The agony: Johnson got upstaged by New England tailbacks Laurence Maroney (125 yards, 2 TDs) and Corey Dillon (67 yards, 1 TD).
