Johnson ready to go at center

[Smith22]

10:10 PM CDT on Monday, June 21, 2004

By MATT MOSLEY / DallasNews.com

With 38 days to go until training camp, Cowboys center Al Johnson is ready to reclaim the starting job that he held for six practices last summer.

Johnson, a second-round pick out of Wisconsin last season, said Monday that he's "95 percent" recovered from a right knee injury that forced him to miss the entire 2003 season.

A few days after Cowboys offensive line coach George Warhop told him he was "going with the No. 1's" during last year's training camp, Johnson was injured in a one-on-one passing drill against Texans nose tackle Seth Payne during a joint practice.

Now, less than a year removed from career-threatening microfracture surgery, Johnson is expected to replace Matt Lehr as the starting center. He experienced stiffness in the knee during the Cowboys' minicamp two weeks ago, but it didn't cause him to miss any reps.

"I wanted to make sure it didn't affect me mentally during the plays," Johnson said. "And I didn't think about it once. I really don't think it inhibited me."

Johnson said he expects to be pushed by veteran center Gennaro DiNapoli and Tyson Walter. DiNapoli split time at center with Lehr last season before suffering a season-ending high ankle sprain. Walter worked primarily at guard last season.

"I'm planning on starting," Johnson said. "But there will be a lot of competition. And that's the way I want it."

[Smith22]

No real news here, but man do I hope Johnson makes a successful return. We needed a physical presence in the middle in the worse way. Sounds like he is well on his way.

[MichaelWinicki]

No real news here, but man do I hope Johnson makes a successful return. We needed a physical presence in the middle in the worse way. Sounds like he is well on his way.


You are correct sir.


But the more articles I see about Johnson the better I fee about the whole center position.

[adbutcher]

This is good news, if we survive TC without any season ending injuries to our OL, we will be much improved over last year. *crosses fingers*

[Smith22]

This is good news, if we survive TC without any season ending injuries to our OL, we will be much improved over last year. *crosses fingers*
You would definately think so. We will surely have some serious competition across the OL. The only guy who is a lock at this point is Adams. Hopefully LA and Johnson will follow along.

[BlueStar II]

I like Johnson's attitude, and it sounds as though he's worked very hard at rehab, now let's just hope the injury is behind him.

[LaTunaNostra]

I like Johnson's attitude, and it sounds as though he's worked very hard at rehab, now let's just hope the injury is behind him.
There was a blurb in one of the articles in the past few days mentioning that Johson is one of the players remaining behind to get more strength training in, while the team scatters for vacation.

This is the player Parcells referred to as "a trained pig" in January (re Al's comittment to his recovery).

I'm beginning to think "trained pig" is the biggest complement Tuna could dish out.

This kid's got "special" written all over him.

[Hollywood Henderson]

Yep it sounded like Parcells just wanted him to get his weight up more...
We are due for a healthy Oline for once....

My early productions for starting Oline is:
Flo, Allen, Johnson, Gurode, & Suprise....TUCKER...

I also think Witten will be named starter on offense...

I also look for Gurode to become a player this year as well.

[Chocolate Lab]

There was a blurb in one of the articles in the past few days mentioning that Johson is one of the players remaining behind to get more strength training in, while the team scatters for vacation.

This is the player Parcells referred to as "a trained pig" in January (re Al's comittment to his recovery).

I'm beginning to think "trained pig" is the biggest complement Tuna could dish out.

This kid's got "special" written all over him.
I agree... Between the "trained pig" comment and the pride in Tuna's voice when he talked about how he was so tight with Juraszek that he could go into his office and take his keys and wallet :), it's obvious that Parcells really likes and admires the guy.

If he can get back to what he was, his quick feet and toughness are going to be a gargantuan upgrade over Matt Lehr.

[hockix]

Yep it sounded like Parcells just wanted him to get his weight up more...
We are due for a healthy Oline for once....

My early productions for starting Oline is:
Flo, Allen, Johnson, Gurode, & Suprise....TUCKER...

I also think Witten will be named starter on offense...

I also look for Gurode to become a player this year as well.

Why do you say Tucker would be a surprise?
I think he is ahead of any others to get the job done.

Gurode has to stop those stupid penalities or he'll be on the sideline.
I also hope he becomes a player this year.

[Portland Fanatic]

Yep it sounded like Parcells just wanted him to get his weight up more...
We are due for a healthy Oline for once....

My early productions for starting Oline is:
Flo, Allen, Johnson, Gurode, & Suprise....TUCKER...

I also think Witten will be named starter on offense...

I also look for Gurode to become a player this year as well.

I think you are right about the starting O-line....I think Tucker may beat out Rogers. If that actually happens I wonder if moving Rogers over to the left side to back up Flo, and move Vollers back RT to back up Tucker would give us better depth. If Tucker starts I would not be surprised to see this happen.

[hockix]

I think you are right about the starting O-line....I think Tucker may beat out Rogers. If that actually happens I wonder if moving Rogers over to the left side to back up Flo, and move Vollers back RT to back up Tucker would give us better depth. If Tucker starts I would not be surprised to see this happen.

I agree that if Tucker get the RT position, it would be better for depth to get Rogers back up Flo.

[calico]

I hope Johnson stays healthy and has a great year. I was really excited about his last year until the injury.

[TheHustler]

I also think Witten will be named starter on offense...



ya think? heh.

[Jon88]

Is it me, or does Rogers have BUST written all over him?

[big dog cowboy]

I hope Johnson stays healthy and has a great year. I was really excited about his last year until the injury.

No kidding. Who can't root for this guy to come thru and kick some @$$???

[big dog cowboy]

Is it me, or does Rogers have BUST written all over him?


Future pro bowl player is more like it.