Bengals running back Corey Dillon, the top free agent running back of the offseason, said the hiring of Dick LeBeau helps Cincinnati's chances of re-signing him.

        When LeBeau replaced Bruce Coslet after the third game, Dillon's work load went way up. He averaged 13.2 carries a game under Coslet and runs the ball 21.5 times a game under LeBeau.

        Dillon averaged 27.3 yards a game with Coslet calling the plays. With LeBeau emphasizing the run, Dillon is rushing for 109.5 yards in the past 12 games.

        LeBeau lost his interim tag Wednesday when he signed a multi-year deal to coach the Bengals. The job was offered Tuesday.

        Dillon gave the move a “thumbs up.”

        “He's my guy,” Dillon said of LeBeau. “Regardless of what's going on with me, as a player, it's a good thing they went on to sign him.

        “He's got a lot of respect from the players. He's doing a great job, and everybody likes the job he's doing. And, like I said, I'm happy for him.”

        Dillon is a free agent after the season, and the Bengals can match any offer.

        “We've got a whole lot of things to work on,” Dillon said. “They're getting better. I can honestly say we're headed in the right direction. Today was a very big step in a good direction. Who knows? But as far as today goes, if this is a chess match, this is a great move.”

        With LeBeau in charge, Dillon rushed for a single-game NFL record 278 yards against Denver and 216 yards Dec.3 against Arizona. Coslet also wanted to run the ball but abandoned it quickly for the pass. LeBeau is more patient with the running game and said he wanted to establish the Bengals as a running team when he was promoted.

        “He just said we're going to run the football because we can run it,” Dillon said of LeBeau. “It's my responsibility to go out and run hard with it. We're pretty much sticking to that philosophy. I just thought, "Damn, I'm going to be pretty tired when the season's over.'”

        While Dillon's future remains uncertain, his admiration for LeBeau is clear.

        “Hell, yeah, that dude is a great one,” Dillon said of his coach. “He's a Shogun warrior.”

Players get the man they wanted LeBeau staying as Bengals coach Assistants' fates in doubt DAUGHERTY: Good hire, Mike; now step aside SULLIVAN: LeBeau not obvious choice, just right one Dillon: LeBeau hiring a positive Sitting out hurts Scott

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