Post#5 » by Icness » Thu Sep 18, 2008 11:54 am
He isn't signed yet but that should wrap up this morning.
Rudi showed up in fantastic shape but he's really struggled to learn the offense. Benson is more an insurance policy than anything; they're hoping he never has to see the field. They really like Marcus Thomas in the backup role after Rudi. This could also be interpreted as lighting a fire under Rudi.
One of the holdups is the roster move, who gets released. They are carrying 11 defensive linemen, or 2-3 more than pretty much every other team. But Marinelli swears by his DL and he stuck his neck out to keep Landon Cohen and Cory Smith for the season. If one of those guys is the one getting released, that should be read as a real bad sign for Marinelli. WR/KR Brandon Middleton was brought in last week adn he's the most logical other candidate, but he was very good on special teams and his teammates love him. And that's where the potential trade of Shaun McDonald comes in...
Edit--the Lions OL has done a pretty solid job run blocking, particularly with Cherilus in at RT. When you're behind 21-0 by the 2Q in both games, you don't get much of a chance to run the ball.
It's not whether you win or lose, it's how good you look playing the game
