Could another oft injured RB find a home here in Houston? [Idle Rudi Speculation]

[nero THE zero]

I appear to have had a false impression regarding his injury history.

He's 28, 5'10" 225lbs
Missed 5 games last year but played in all 16 the three years prior. 2004-2006 rushed for 1454 yds, 1458 yds, and 1309 yds. Averaging 4 ypc, 4.3 ypc, and 3.8 ypc respectively. Also, scored 12 rushing TD each of those seasons.

The negatives I can see from his stats is that he has a fumbling issue, which doesn't fly here.

Anyone knowledgable enough to break down his mechanics? From what I remember of him he seems to be more of a bruiser; more of a Jamal Lewis type. But my memory of him is fuzzy.

[KJ3]

yea but fumbles are less of a problem than injuries....to me anyway.

hell, if he played 16, rushed for 1,200, 12 TD that's about twice what anybody else on our team could do. i'd give jones or davis for that.

i also remember him leaning more towards power back but not quite jamal lewis power.

[dadmg]

Rudi's been slowing down the last few years from overuse. Including the post-season, Rudi averaged 350 carries per year from 2004-2006. Not very many running backs in league history have been able to sustain that heavy of a workload consistently without declining. From 2005-2007, his YPC declined from 4.3 to 3.8 to 2.9. He missed a few starts in 2005 and 2006, and then succumbed to injuries last year with 9 starts in 11 games. He might have one somewhat decent rebound season left in him a year or two down the line (akin to Jamal Lewis's overrated year last season or Ahman Green's last year in Green Bay), but he's unlikely to be worth an investment.

[coloradodude]

Andre Davis for Rudi Johnson? Are you guys insane?

Okay, I can see it if we also get their 2nd, 3rd and 4th next year.

They can have Andre Johnson for all their picks next year plus their first 3 picks in 2010...that would be worth it to them wouldn't it?

[KJ3]

andre davis for rudi johnson, a 2nd, a 3rd, and a 4th and you're asking if we're insane?

[Nconroe]

my thoughts, We may already be better at running back and the run game overall this year. And of course we could always get better.

It just seems Rudi Johnson is falling into the same category we have with Chris Brown and Ahman Green, ie. was really good, now hope stays healthy.

And for trading Andre Davis, he is a very good player we have, I agree that would be foolish to trade away, in most situations, unless it was say for Adrian Peterson, but just dreaming.