Tatum Bell Rudi Johnson

- Rudi Johnson was cut by the Cincinnati BengalsESPN.com: Johnson signs with Lions (September 2, 2008)
- Johnson will be back up to Kevin SmithESPN.com: Johnson signs with Lions (September 2, 2008)
- Deal for Johnson was for one-yearESPN.com: Johnson signs with Lions (September 2, 2008)
- Johnson's signing led to the release of Tatum BellESPN.com: Johnson signs with Lions (September 2, 2008)
- Bell reportedly took Johnson's luggageProFootballTalk.com: Rudi's Crazy day in Detroit (September 2, 2008)
- Lions and Johnson will not press chargesProFootballTalk.com: Rudi's Crazy day in Detroit (September 2, 2008)

Running back Rudi Johnson signed with the Detroit Lions on September 1, 2008. Johnson previously played for the Cincinnati Bengals. After the signing, the Lions released running back Tatum Bell. Johnson is expected to serve as the back up to rookie running back Kevin Smith.ESPN.com: Johnson signs with Lions (September 2, 2008)
Steal My Job? I'll Steal Your Luggage

On September 2, 2008, it was reported by Profootballtalk.com that running back Tatum Bell took the luggage of Rudi Johnson during Johnson's meeting with management. Bell, who had been cut after the Bengals signed Johnson, apparently took the luggage out of frustration from losing his job. Lions management was able to discover who the culprit was by examining surveillance video in the team's facilities. Bell initially claimed he mistook the luggage as belonging to someone else. He has since returned the luggage and apologized. Johnson and the Detroit Lions have declined to press charges.ProFootballTalk.com: Rudi's Crazy day in Detroit (September 2, 2008)
Tatum Bell Rudi Johnson Reactions
"When we talked, he didn't know it was going to be him that was going, but Tatum knows this is a business. He told me all about the city, the players, the coaching staff and even details like practice times and how things are run here."—Rudi JohnsonESPN.com: Johnson signs with Lions (September 2, 2008)
"All of this happened after he got released and came in and got some stuff out of his locker. That's when he scooped the bags up, some real shyster, conniving stuff.''—Rudi JohnsonMLive.com: Rudi on Bell: 'Shyster, Conniving stuff (September 3, 2008)
"He knows how I feel about it, trust me. He knows how I feel about it and it's nothing positive. He said it was a mixup. It is what it is.''—Rudi JohnsonMLive.com: Rudi on Bell: 'Shyster, Conniving stuff(September 3, 2008)
“You can ask anybody I played with for all my years or anybody that know me, man. They know I ain’t never stolen nothing from nobody or had those kind of intentions.”—Tatum BellFreep.com: Bell: 'I ain't no thief;' but Lions' Johnson doesn't believe him