By Kevin Kelly
Enquirer staff writer

The lasting memory from Corey Dillon's final Bengals game is of the running back tossing his equipment into the Paul Brown Stadium stands.

Dillon came back to Cincinnati on Saturday - nearly eight months after that December afternoon - wearing the uniform and equipment of a new team.

PHOTO GALLERY

Photos of Saturday's game

Traded to the Patriots in April, the Bengals' all-time leading rusher was greeted by many ex-teammates but received a harsh reception from fans throughout the Bengals' 31-3 win.

"I don't care about the crowd. Who cares? I don't care about them," Dillon said. "I don't play here. And I'm happy and content where I'm at. Believe me, I am more than happy."

Dillon started the game and played until midway through the third quarter, rushing for 31 yards on 11 carries and catching two passes for 14 yards.

On what turned out to be his final play of the evening, Dillon was hit by Bengals rookie linebacker Caleb Miller and fumbled with 8:36 remaining in the third. Safety Kevin Kaesviharn recovered.

"They were geared up and they executed," Dillon said. "You can't take nothing away from them. They played well. If you're looking for an excuse from me, you're not going to get it."

There were plenty of replica Dillon jerseys spotted throughout the stands.

Steve Baker, a Boston native and Cincinnati resident, sported a No. 28 Patriots home jersey with Dillon's name on the back.

"I'm very glad (Dillon's with the Patriots)," Baker said. "He's a horse. As long as he can stay injury free, he can do his thing.

"I've heard him on the radio and he sounds like a different player. He really does."

In the south end zone, three fans unfurled a large paper banner that read:

"Signing Rudi ... $2 Mil."

"Signing Perry ... $7 Mil."

"No more Corey ... Priceless!"

Dillon gained 8,061 yards and was named to three Pro Bowls during his seven seasons with the Bengals.

But his relationship with the Bengals soured throughout last season, and Dillon made it clear a change of scenery would be welcome.

The Bengals traded Dillon to the defending Super Bowl champion Patriots in April and received the 56th overall pick in the NFL draft.

Bengals fans cheered the fumble, but either booed or chanted "Rudi! Rudi!" when Dillon touched the ball earlier in the game.

Rudi Johnson, who emerged as the Bengals' No. 1 running back and supplanted the moody Dillon by last season's end, rushed for 76 yards and one touchdown on 16 carries Saturday.

"If I had an opportunity to do it all over again I would do the same thing," Dillon said. "No regrets. No looking back. Hey, I'm happy where I'm at. ... Regardless of the outcome of the game tonight."

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E-mail kkelly@enquirer.com

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