Rudi Needs to Wake Up

Peter Schaffer, Johnson's agent, said Friday night that he has told the Bengals that Johnson would not play if the club uses the franchise tag on Johnson.

"He feels he has earned the right not to play for insecurity," Schaffer said. "It's notanti-organization. It's not Corey Dillon. I was very clear: Rudi feels his contributions to the team and his stats warrant that, if he is going to play for the Bengals, that it is not for one year."

Johnson wants a five- or six-year contract with the Bengals, Schaffer said. Johnson can become an unrestricted free agent March 2. He played for a $1.8 million tender as a restricted free agent in 2004 and responded by starting all 16 games and setting franchise records for rushing yards (1,454) and rushing attempts (361).

The franchise tag severely limits a free agent's ability to change teams. The Bengals would have to guarantee Johnson a one-year deal equal to the average of the top five running back salaries in the league - expected to be near $6 million. If another team would sign Johnson as a free agent, the Bengals would receive compensation in the form of two first-round draft picks.

For once, I'm in agreement with the Brown family. Here's why:

1. Rudi's not getting a 6-year deal. He just completed his third season, and most RB's are only good for 4 or 5.
2. Rudi's not getting $5 or $6 million per year. His agent's a fool if he thinks he's going to get Clinton Portis money. He's not Clinton Portis.
3. Good RB's are all over the place. This year you could pick up Reuben Dhrones, Lamont Jordan, or Travis Henry...and all for less than Rudi's asking price.
4. Chris Perry. At worst, the Bengals can franchise tag Rudi, pay him $6 million for one season, and groom Perry for the job. The big question is whether Perry can produce. We'll see.

I like Rudi a lot, but he needs to wake up. The offense already has big contracts going to Chad Johnson and Carson. Perry makes a nice living. And they still need to resign T.J. - with a healthy raise. Not to mention that we need a center, a defensive tackle (or two), and one more safety.

There's only so much money to go around. Rudi should take the 5-year deal for $4.5 million per year. It's better than working for a living.