Chick Ludwig covers the Cincinnati Bengals. He also writes about his other passions: college football, basketball and golf.Home > Blogs > Chick Ludwig At Large > Archives > 2008 > June > 22 > Entry
Chris Perry in the fight of his life
IS IT HIS BREAKOUT YEAR …
OR ANOTHER WASTED SEASON?
===LUDWIG AT LARGE remembers the 2004 NFL Draft when Cincinnati Bengals’ first-round draft pick Chris Perry was the toast of the town. Nowadays, Perry is in a fight for his life as he attempts to make the Bengals’ 53-man roster. Yes, the pressure is on. No, survival won’t be easy.===
I cringe every time I think of Chris Perry.
He set a University of Michigan record with 51 carries (for 219 yards) in a 27-20 victory over Michigan State on Nov. 1, 2003.
In four injury-plagued seasons in the NFL, Perry has carried the ball 73 times for 337 yards and ZERO touchdowns.
But he’s caught 63 passes for 403 yards and two TDs.
A 4.6-yards-per-carry rushing average and 6.4-yards-per-catch receiving average.
And those are the tantalizing stats that keep Bengals fans yearning for more, much more, from the 6-foot, 224-pound, fifth-year veteran.
Perry came into the league with a reputation for durability and production.
Entering Training Camp 2008, he’s trying to get rid of his label as a China Doll. an easily breakable piece of porcelain.
My depth chart at tailback goes like this:
Rudi Johnson (looks like a bronze god).
Kenny Watson (reliable & dependable).
Chris Perry (loaded with potential).
James Johnson (turns the corner like a Ferrari).
DeDe Dorsey (hamstrung by a hamstring).
Kenny Irons (rehabbing torn left ACL from ‘07).
To me, Rudi J and Kenny W have this team made, with Irons appears headed to the PUP list and likely unable to play in ‘08.
The No. 3 back looks like a street fight among Perry, Johnson and Dorsey.
The Bengals ABSOLUTELY MUST keep the best player.
But all things being equal talent-wise, I go with speed & durability; I go with the freshness of youth and the hunger of enthusiasm; and I go with the TigerCat who can save me some coin under the salary cap.
It’s early, but I’m leaning toward Johnson … with Perry and Dorsey on the outside looking in.
The determining factors will be unveiled this summer. Who will show up when the pads come on, when the hitting starts and when the preseason games unfold?
A lot can and will happen between now and then.
Can’t wait to witness the proceedings.
Permalink | Comments (20) | Post your comment | Categories: Bengals
Comments
By Vincent
June 22, 2008 5:49 PM | Link to this
There is no way they cut Perry. He’s going to be a huge factor this year. Plus, I think they keep four backs.By psychostats
June 22, 2008 6:19 PM | Link to this
All this cynical Bengals fan needs to know is that James Johnson was too slow to be drafted. Sounds like a role player to me — another Quincy Wilson. Here’s hoping that Chris Perry makes the team and stays healthy. At least then we might see some excitement on Sundays.By Brian
June 22, 2008 7:31 PM | Link to this
Someone needs to fix the link on the front page of the DDN website. The only way 2008 will be a breakout season for Chris Henry is if he’s behind bars and someone bakes him a cake with a file in it :-).By Derrick
June 22, 2008 10:47 PM | Link to this
I sincerely hope Chris Perry makes the team and has a full season without injury. I would like to see him play like we know he can. It’s the injuries, Stupid.By Pat in Austin
June 23, 2008 10:02 AM | Link to this
Already a wasted season for Chris Henry. I would love to see a healthy and productive Chris Perry in the backfield. I would also love to be able to hold my breath for 17 weeks. Who Dey!By Pat in Austin
June 23, 2008 10:03 AM | Link to this
Already a wasted season for Chris Henry. I would love to see a healthy and productive Chris Perry in the backfield. I would also love to be able to hold my breath for 17 weeks. Who Dey!By MGOOTEE
June 23, 2008 11:45 AM | Link to this
WHY DON,T WE FOCUS ON MIKE BROWN WE NEED A OWNER WHO WANTS A WINNING TEAM.A SUPPERBOWL TEAM NOT JUST A SO SO TEAM. ALL HE CARE ABOUT IS MONEY.ITS BEEN 18 YEARS NOTHING YET AND NOTHING IN THE FUTURE.. GL ALL SORRY I AM A BENGALS FAN . WITH A BS OWNER…PLEASE SALE THE TEAM TO SOMEONE WHO WANTS A WINNING TEAM.By JT
June 23, 2008 11:56 AM | Link to this
Dude, this has nothing to do with Mike Brown. Marvin Lewis has more control of who plays football in Cincy than any other coach in our history. The problem with Brown is not spending money, he wants to win, but he doesnt know how and where to spend money, get it? He’s not a GM, we dont have one. Lewis is basically the GM for this franchise and that is a lot of responsibility for Lewis to bear, especially since this is his first HC job. Let’s wait and see what we look like healthy and we’ll see where we are. Brown has spent to the cap and has most years and he’s got a lot of money tied up in ballers that cant stay healthy.By Steve
June 23, 2008 12:07 PM | Link to this
Chick, Love your work following the Bengals, but there is no way they can give up the big play ability of Dorsey or Perry. The only problem is neither of those guys contribute on special teams, as does Watson. I would love to see them keep a fouth back due to the potenial of Ben Coates to occupy two positions.By Ruger
June 23, 2008 1:59 PM | Link to this
Rudi,Perry,Watson will make the team,DeDe is headed to the pup, Irons the pup then IR. James Johnson will be sent to the practice squad. When Perry suffers another injury during the season, either DeDe will be coming off the pup or they will get JJohnson off the practice squad. I know that JJohnson will have to clear waivers to hit the practice squad but with the glutton of free agent rbs out there, he has a good chance of making it there till Perry gets hurt.By Rich Mannion
June 23, 2008 5:13 PM | Link to this
Chris Perry should have been cut last year. He’s slower that advertised, I’ve heard he’s not very bright, and clearly he’s not man enough to take the pounding of an NFL season. He will never be a contributor to this team, and his free ride had better end with this year’s training camp. If the stories I’ve heard about him in the Cincinnati night life are true, he’s a bit of a diva. I say good riddance to bad rubbish.By Rich Mannion
June 23, 2008 5:13 PM | Link to this
Chris Perry should have been cut last year. He’s slower that advertised, I’ve heard he’s not very bright, and clearly he’s not man enough to take the pounding of an NFL season. He will never be a contributor to this team, and his free ride had better end with this year’s training camp. If the stories I’ve heard about him in the Cincinnati night life are true, he’s a bit of a diva. I say good riddance to bad rubbish.By Phill
June 24, 2008 8:06 AM | Link to this
I am sorry. I just do not think Chris Perry should be a bengal. He has been holding down a roster spot for too long. He is just not NFL material. Everyone needs to stop riding his potential. I wonder how many players could have been saved that we need in order for him to sit and enjoy the good life.By dave
June 24, 2008 8:49 AM | Link to this
4.6 rushing, 6.4 receiving consistantly will take us to the SB but it’s obvious he will be a superstar for another team somewhere else. ” It was tough watching plays go by where I knew I could have made that play” statement was all I needed to hear to trade his a$$. Put up or shut up. A great college career should get you an education not a free meal ticket in the NFL. Cut your losses now before you dump more time and money to prep him to shine in San Fran or MiamiBy Todd Young
June 24, 2008 12:46 PM | Link to this
Chick, I love your stuff, b/c you know your stuff, but I think you get a little carried away with, “2004 NFL Draft when Cincinnati Bengals’ first-round draft pick Chris Perry was the toast of the town”. Huh? Let’s be clear…C. Perry wasn’t the best RB on the board at that time and the Bengals didn’t need that position..they needed (like today) DT and for a fourth round pick could have done what New England did by trading up a couple spots to draft Vince Wilfork. I won’t even go into the Jackson vs. Perry thing, let’s leave it at they should of had Wilfork. And like always, it’s not that Mike Brown doesn’t want to win, he simply doesn’t know how to.By kirby
June 24, 2008 2:41 PM | Link to this
I also think they are keeping 4 RBs since they’ll be saving a spot by using Coates as the FB/3rd TE.By Glenn
June 25, 2008 8:27 AM | Link to this
Chris Henry does’nt play here anymore. Chris Perry does! WOW. This is our paper!By THE PICTURE
June 25, 2008 10:01 AM | Link to this
why is there a picture of chris perry asking if chris henry will have a breakout year? Im leaving to visit the cincinnati enquirer sports. ddn is a joke (this is a joke….chick)By kirby
June 25, 2008 1:53 PM | Link to this
Henry? Is this the year he breaks out…. of jail?By da relll
June 26, 2008 4:41 PM | Link to this
Being a Browns fan I take pleasure in watching the Bengals flop just about every season like a fish out of water, but after awhile it’s starts to get boring. I’m just wondering why the Bengals aren’t trying to get a deal done with the Giants to bring in Jeremy Shocky? Then again this might make sense to bring a TE that could take the pressure off of TJ & CJ especially on those critical third downs. Just imagine Bengals fans if Carson Palmer had those three guys to throw to, they might have an offense as explosive has the Browns!