By Dustin Dow
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Newly re-signed Bengals running back Rudi Johnson was at Paul Brown Stadium on Wednesday, eager to work out with teammates. But it's unclear if Johnson will remain a Bengal past March 2005 when his one-year, $1.824 million deal expires.

The 24-year-old running back said he wants to sign a long-term deal with the Bengals and expects it to happen, but he did not dismiss the possibility that this could be his last season in Cincinnati.

"I'm not 100 percent-sure confident now," Johnson said. "Honestly, I hope, but that's on their part. Hopefully we'll get it done."

Johnson took over Corey Dillon's spot as the team's top running back last season, leading the Bengals in rushing with 215 carries for 957 yards and nine touchdowns. He also rushed for more than 150 yards three times, becoming the first Bengals running back in history to accomplish that in one season. In one of those games, Johnson set a team record with 43 carries when he rushed for 182 yards against the Houston Texans.

It was the first season in Johnson's four-year career, however, that he made significant contributions as a running back. Entering the 2004 season with just a one-year deal presents an uncertain situation for the Bengals and Johnson. If Johnson duplicates or improves upon his 2003 statistics, the asking price might be too high to re-sign him after the season. But if he should not produce as well or suffer a serious injury, then last season could be viewed as a one-year anomaly, and Johnson's stock probably would fall. Johnson wants to have the long-term deal worked out as soon as possible.

"It's kind of frustrating a little bit, but I can't let it distract me, and I won't let it distract me," Johnson said. "But I do think it will happen sooner or later."

For now, he's happy to have the one-year deal and be able to work out with teammates, though he said he could do it on his own if he had to.

"It feels good," Johnson said. "I've finally got it out of the way. I'm here to get some work done and move forward. My main thing is to play my one year out and take it from there."

E-mail ddow@enquirer.com

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