On tables lay the bodies of 300-pound men, ice packs, heat treatments and massages applied to ailing limbs and joints.

Word would come a few hours later that starting center Rich Braham would miss the game Sunday against Baltimore because of his injured knee.

It's against this backdrop and staring into the teeth of one of the NFL's best rush defenses that the Bengals will try to re-establish their running game.

Through two games, the Bengals are averaging 103.5 yards on the ground and are ranked No. 21. It's not yet up to the level the offense set in 2003 when its 124.2-yard average ranked it 13th in the league.

"It hasn't been consistent, but we're not going to go away from it," offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski said Thursday.

In Games 1 and 2, the Bengals ran 28 and 29 times, though their average is a low 3.6 yards per carry.

"We're used to being at 4.5 yards a carry," right tackle Willie Anderson said.

The commitment is there to run the ball, even though the Bengals might have some runs for no yards or 1 yard against the Ravens. Baltimore's defense has allowed just eight 100-yard individual rushing games since 2000. It was fourth against the run in 2003 and is eighth now at 89 yards a game.

As a division rival, the Ravens present an even greater challenge to the Bengals. Coach Marvin Lewis emphasized running better against the three AFC North rivals. In 2003, the Bengals averaged 87.3 rushing yards against division opponents. They ran for 146.3 in their 10 non-division games.

Running the ball effectively is a way to improve the Bengals' 3-3 division record from 2003 and win the AFC North.

Rudi Johnson, who leads the Bengals with 134 rushing yards, though his average is 3.0, will make his first start against the Ravens.

Baltimore will be ready.

"Our No. 1 goal is to stop the run," said Ravens defensive end Marques Douglas, an underrated player on Baltimore's big-name defense. "Rudi is constantly hitting the holes and moving his feet."

The pressure is on Johnson. He's the one with the rushing statistics. But he's running behind an offensive line that has been hurt since the start of training camp. Only right guard Bobbie Williams has avoided injury.

Braham will miss his second game, and center Jerry Fontenot will make his second start within 11 days of signing with the Bengals.

"We're definitely not where we need to be," Johnson said of the run game.

He replaced Corey Dillon as the team's feature back this season. Dillon had two of the eight 100-yard games against Baltimore since 2000.

"Not seeing him over there is going to put a different twist to it," Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis told reporters in Baltimore on Wednesday.

"They have Rudi Johnson, who has made a couple of good plays here or there. But I don't know if I would put him up there with Corey Dillon just yet. Missing Corey is going to be big."

Johnson should get some help Sunday from rookie Chris Perry, who will be making his NFL debut. Look for Perry to be used as a change-up to Johnson's between-the-tackles style, and primarily as a pass receiver.

"It's an issue but not a big issue, because we know what we need to do to fix it," Johnson said.

E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

Return to Bengals front page...