By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer

PITTSBURGH - Only three sets of running back teammates have rushed for 1,000 yards in the same NFL season.

The Bengals won't join that list this season, but their offense is the type that could produce two 1,000-yard runners. They'll need to be at the top of their game against the Steelers, who are holding teams to fewer than 100 rushing yards a game.

With Corey Dillon and Rudi Johnson, the Bengals' offense has evolved into one that's converting third downs, controlling the clock and balancing the run and the pass.

"It's nothing you go in planning to do. Everything falls in place," said Bengals running backs coach Jim Anderson, who almost had the fourth set of 1,000-yard rushers in 1988. That Super Bowl team had Ickey Woods (1,066 rushing yards) and James Brooks (931).

"It means you're doing something right offensively," Anderson said. "It means you're getting enough snaps to spread it around. Guys are fresh."

Dillon, slowed this season by an abdominal muscle strain, rushed for 1,000 in each of his first six seasons. He has 337 yards, including 108 at San Diego.

Johnson has 662, including three 100-yard games.

"It doesn't make a difference what team you're on," Anderson said. "You never have enough good running backs."

Dillon has regained his starting role, coach Marvin Lewis said. But the plan is to run both backs.

Born to run

Only three times in NFL history have running backs on the same team each rushed for 1,000 yards in the same season:

Team	Players (Yards)
'72 Dolphins	Larry Csonka (1,117), Mercury Morris (1,000)
'76 Steelers	Franco Harris (1,128), Rocky Bleier (1,036)
'85 Browns	Kevin Mack (1,104), Earnest Byner (1,002)

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E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

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