By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer

With the exception of Rudi Johnson, the Bengals have an entirely new crew of running backs from a year ago.

And coach Marvin Lewis is looking for them to bring some consistency to what was one of the league's most inconsistent running games.

"We have to learn how to run the football against people in our division. That's our goal," Lewis said during the team's mandatory minicamp this weekend.

The Bengals rushed for an average of 87.3 yards in six games against AFC North opponents.

They rushed for 146.3 yards in 10 games against non-division teams.

The Bengals rushed for roughly twice as many yards on average (165.1) in their eight victories as they did in their eight losses (83.3).

Just as Lewis says it takes 11 men to stop the run, he says it takes 11 to run the ball successfully.

"We have a good handle on what we want to do," he said. "I believe we're more capable of doing that. We have everybody on board and on the same page of how to do it."

Wide receivers have to block downfield. Quarterback Carson Palmer has to make clean handoffs. Lewis said the return of tight end Reggie Kelly should help, though the coach also praised the blocking of backup tight ends Tony Stewart and Matt Schobel. The blocking of fullback Jeremi Johnson was one of the pleasant surprises of 2003.

Two newcomers - guard Bobbie Williams and center/guard Larry Moore - were signed as free agents, and underrated center Rich Braham was brought back for one more season. Second-year lineman Scott Kooistra is making an early challenge for playing time.

But most of the attention and pressure will be on the running backs. Gone is Corey Dillon, the durable three-time Pro Bowler, who was traded to New England in April.

Johnson, who led the team with 957 rushing yards in 2003, inherits the featured back role. The Bengals invested their first-round pick in Michigan's Chris Perry, the likely change-of-pace back to Johnson.

The battle for third tailback between Kenny Watson, Herbert Goodman and Skip Hicks shapes up as one of the team's most competitive.

"Really a good group, competitive guys, versatile, guys who have shown the ability to come out of the backfield and catch the ball and yet guys who have the vision and quickness and agility to make guys miss and find the hole," is how running backs coach Jim Anderson describes the tailbacks.

Johnson, who missed the second practice Sunday because he was dehydrated, emerged from Dillon's shadow in 2003.

"I've been preparing for this my whole life," he said. "There really is no pressure. I'm ready to get it going. I wish we were starting tomorrow, but I'm going to take each day in between to get ready."

A tweaked hamstring has kept Perry off the field for two weeks. Still, he has impressed club officials by his promptness and professionalism in keeping all treatment appointments.

"There is competition; this is the NFL," said Perry, who gives the Bengals a top pass receiver. "I'm just trying to stand out from the crowd."

Watson, acquired off waivers last season, started four games in 2002 for Washington and rushed twice for 100 yards. He had 32 receptions.

Goodman, one of the fastest Bengals, has a good chance to make the team if he can win a job as a kickoff returner. Hicks, who will join the Bengals for the on-field workout Tuesday, led NFL Europe with 12 touchdowns.

"We've got five guys," Lewis said, "who are capable of playing in an NFL game."

Run the ball

A closer look at Bengals tailbacks:

Player	Ht., Wt.	Age
Rudi Johnson	5-10, 220	24
Determined to make most of starting opportunity
Chris Perry	6-0, 224	22
Impressing Bengals on and off the field in early days
Kenny Watson	5-11, 218	26
Looks quicker and faster so far in spring work
Skip Hicks	6-0, 230	29
Coming back after impressive European season
Herbert Goodman	5-11, 205	26
Former Packer is one of fastest Bengals

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E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

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