We've signed 2 OGs in last week -- Leffew & now Berger..

[sago1]

Wonder what's going on. Realize Parcells loves churning the bottom of the roster but signing 2 OGs within a week is more then churning. Don't know much about Leffew, but Berger looks interesting. But I thought we were set with Proctor who Parcells supposedly likes and there's Truillo (isn't he also an OG/C) on the PS. I know we lost Batiste 1-2 months ago off our PS to another team.

Actually I've got an idea what might be going on. I copied a news article re Berger from one of the posters to Inmanroshi initial reporting re Bergers' signing (provided below). Article says we signed Berger as a backup center but that's weird cause we've gone the whole season with Gurode as our starter & Johnson as backup, yet now we bring in Berger allegedly as a backup center--Leffew apparently will remain a OG. Sounds to me like Parcells may not be planning bring Johnson back but since we'd need a viable backup for Gurode next year why wait til next year to find it. One more interesting tidbit; apparently Berger did not play football until he went to college. Berger sounds to me like another McQuistan type--not a lot of football experience. We take a look at Berger; if he has the talent/work ethic we like participation in our offseason weight conditioing program might improve some of his weaknesses. After all, why sign a FA Center to replace Johnson if we can get a cheaper but good backup. Also how good is Truillo if we bringing someone from outside and not activating him.

Berger must have something (certainly appears to be smart) cause Carolina drafted him in the 2005 6th round & put him on their PS but then Miami grabbed him off from it. We also have E.J.Whitely on IR and he can play all OL positions (told by Parcells before his injury he'd be a C/OG) but Whitley's injury does slow down his development and we've got no way of knowing how well he can play. Parcells apparently intends to ensure we've got those backup positions covered. Since I don't believe Kosier in any danger, what does this tell us (if anything) about Riveria's future. I still believe we need upgrade our RG position and am hoping we cut Riveria (cap hit won't be too much since he be entering 3rd in 07) & sign a young vet FA OG (like Steinbach or Deihman(sp?) as a starter at RG.

Here's the article:

Dolphins lose guard Berger to Dallas

BY JEFF DARLINGTON AND ARMANDO SALGUERO

jdarlington@MiamiHerald.com

Despite intentions to re-sign Dolphins guard Joe Berger following his release Wednesday, the Dallas Cowboys decided they weren't willing to let that happen.
Berger is headed to Dallas today, where the Cowboys claimed Berger off waivers and signed him to the 53-man roster as a backup center.
The move likely comes as a surprise to the Dolphins, who had been grooming Berger as a future impact player on the line.
The Dolphins took a risk by waiving Berger to make room for safety Norman LeJeune on the roster, a decision made as a result of injuries to the secondary that caused a need for depth during Thursday's win against the Lions.
Berger had not seen action this season because he has been nursing a foot injury that has hampered his progress. Coach Nick Saban recently said Berger was making good progress, and he was finally to the point where he was practicing without any noticeable limitations.
The Cowboys, however, decided to make the Dolphins pay for their gamble, snagging him before Miami made a move to get Berger back. The center position typically also pays better than the guard spot.
Berger, a Michigan Tech University product, was a sixth-round pick by the Carolina Panthers in 2005, but the Dolphins signed him from Carolina's practice squad before the 2005 season.

[CrazyCowboy]

Wow Berger just may turn into the ROMO of the center position for us!

[Zaxor]

I agree Al Johnson is gone unless he can play FB...the guy gave his all but he just wasn't getting it done...

Rivera should be the next to be replaced and then maybe Flo...

Gurode, Colombo and Kosier look to be keepers

[cowboyjoe]

I think you pretty well hit the nail on the head bubba. Al Johnson has had 4 years to get stronger, and add weight, ;yet, he doesnt. So, he is on the way out. I do think Parcells is trying to find a young OG, and backup center.

I do think they will resign Gurode, and Colombo. With McQuistan, Proctor, & Berger with other guard we signed a few days ago, we are now like we were a few years ago with linebackers. Remember now we traded Shanle for a 4th or 6th round pick is what I have heard.

If you take our offensive linemen now, we have Flozell Adams, McQuistan, Kosier, Proctor, Gurode, Berger, Al Johnson, Riveria, Leffew, Colombo, and Fabini. Thats 11 offensive linemen, take away Al Johnson, and one of the young OG-Centers, that leaves 9 offensive linemen. Whitley from what I have heard does nothing particularly good, just a body. So, I am assuming we will draft a young OT or OG in the draft next year, that would put us back at 10 offensive linemen.

You got to remember Riveria will be 35 next year, Adams 32 I think, and Fabini isnt getting any younger, so you need a young stud on offensive linemen. Also, if you look at Parcells style of offensive linemen with the Giants, Jets and Patriots, they all have mostly been smaller fast pulling guys, and could play OG and OT.

So, thats what I am thinking.

[ManicDepressiveMan]

Wow Berger just may turn into the ROMO of the center position for us!

:eek:

[Teague31]

this is all about looking for depth going into next year. Figure that Al Johnson will leave if we resign Andre (which we will). I would say Rivera is 50-50 to return. That leaves a couple of spots open along the O-Line. If we can fill them on the cheap instead of using first day picks the more the better.

[MichaelWinicki]

What we're trying to do is determine our need for drafting a guard early in next years draft.

It would be great if we didn't need too.

[bbailey423]

I started a thread about the draft and I said you CANNOT use a first day pick on a guard. Many thought we can and should...I don't think it would be a good idea. Hopefully, these kinds of moves are proof that the organization is not leaning towards drafting an interior OL with a 1st day pick. We need to DRAFT and develop a stud young OT. We have Romo...now let's get our LT for the future and a stud WR for the future and another CB on the 1st day.

[BlueStar II]

I agree that we are looking to find a guard now who will keep us from having to an early pick on one in next year's draft. As far as the OL we just picked up, it would be great if Berger did pan out for us, and by signing him now, we will have somewhat of an opportunity to evaluate him before the draft.

[CowboyManDan]

Is there any concern that Rivera might be a little banged up or his back is bothering him again? There was one play on tueky day that he simply got blown back very badly. He is the guy I think we need to replace 1st for next year and let go of his hefty salary.

[MichaelWinicki]

I started a thread about the draft and I said you CANNOT use a first day pick on a guard. Many thought we can and should...I don't think it would be a good idea. Hopefully, these kinds of moves are proof that the organization is not leaning towards drafting an interior OL with a 1st day pick. We need to DRAFT and develop a stud young OT. We have Romo...now let's get our LT for the future and a stud WR for the future and another CB on the 1st day.

The LT of the future is already on the roster.


I guarantee that we will not draft a OT in day 1.

[SilverStarCowboy]

Looks like a C/G prospect.


Andre Gurode is having his best year at Center and he looks like someone Dallas will hopefully resign.

Hate to read too much into this but if I did, Al Johnsons days may be numbered.

Does Leffew have potential at Center?

McQuistan is the future at LT > MARK IT

[MichaelWinicki]

Looks like a C/G prospect.


Andre Gurode is having his best year at Center and he looks like someone Dallas will hopefully resign.

Hate to read too much into this but if I did, Al Johnsons days may be numbered.

Does Leffew have potential at Center?

McQuistan is the future at LT > MARK IT



Agreed.

These people that think we're just going to "drop our pants" to draft a 1st round OT are out of their collective minds.

[AbeBeta]

I think folks are reading too much into this move. Every team wants to improve their roster anyway they can - this isn't about being unhappy with a particular player, only about making a position more competitive.

[conner01]

i believe al and andre are both f.a. at the end of the season. hard to sign both. gotta always be looking for players.we are in good shape to not have to draft any particular position in this draft. just take the best player.if thats a cb, ot,g, it does'nt really matter

[burmafrd]

Wasn't it around this time last year that BP grabbed Columbo?

[MichaelWinicki]

Wasn't it around this time last year that BP grabbed Columbo?


It was earlier than this... but point taken.

[DBoys]

Wasn't it around this time last year that BP grabbed Columbo?

Yeppers

[CowboyJohn]

During the Campo years, I got to the point where I didn't think this organization understood how to develop players, or chose players to develop. Thank goodness for BP teaching Jerry how to find raw talent and develop it. IF Romo is truly our future, and we will know in the next games and hopefully the playoffs, it makes our draft postion stronger to take the best player available. It has been 10 years or longer since we have had this kind of young developing talent. Jerry and his boyhood buddies almost killed this franchise. It is good to have hope that we can sit back and watch this franchise compete for Super Bowls over the next 10 years instead of hoping for a few wins each year. Though I would like to see us develop a set of young wideouts to go with Crayton. I love Glenn, but he is getting long in the tooth, and I want to find some wideouts to go with Romo.

[Sarge]

I agree Al Johnson is gone unless he can play FB...the guy gave his all but he just wasn't getting it done...

Rivera should be the next to be replaced and then maybe Flo...

Gurode, Colombo and Kosier look to be keepers

Johnson shoulde be gone. He's a waste of skin.

[Future]

Is there any concern that Rivera might be a little banged up or his back is bothering him again? There was one play on tueky day that he simply got blown back very badly. He is the guy I think we need to replace 1st for next year and let go of his hefty salary.

Yea, I'll be the first to admit that I'm not an offensive line guru, but I thought he had played decent this year. That play tells me that there are guys just physically more dominant than him, which shouldnt happen if you are a guard IMO.

[dogunwo]

Agreed.

These people that think we're just going to "drop our pants" to draft a 1st round OT are out of their collective minds.
I dont think we take any oline on day 1 of the draft. I am thinking unless an "impact" player drops, we go all defense day 1.

[dogunwo]

Wasn't it around this time last year that BP grabbed Columbo?
Our scouting department does an excellent job at scanning other teams' practice squads and the waiver wire. Remember CB Lance Frazier? I thought he was a solid pickup, but got caught in a numbers crunch.

[bbgun]

What happened to "Golden Boy" Procter?

[bbgun]

Berger
http://www.123imagehost.com/uploads/235-491-71488436.jpg

[sjordan6]

I dont think we take any oline on day 1 of the draft. I am thinking unless an "impact" player drops, we go all defense day 1.


True...The oline is not as bad as people make it out to be and next season it will be better. Rivera is history! Al Johnson is history! Fabini? History! They signed these guys for next season and we all know how BP does it. I do think they will look to upgrade the LT position so Adams may be history to.

The draft will be about defense in the early rounds and OL in the latter round.

I honestly think that jerry will go out and sign a FA guard like steibach and a starting LT but that my opinion.

It will be interesting to see the off season moves to add to an already talented team.

[bbgun]

There might be some nasty cap fallout if we cut Rivera. I remember Mickey saying we had to get three years from him.

[blindzebra]

I have two words for what i hope happens at guard next year...Eric Steinbach.

Young, talented, proven. Put him at LG move Kosier over to RG, unload Rivera and we have two quality starters and decent depth.

Then we are free to draft that OT...and no, I'm not out of my mind...we heard all the cheese about big Rob last year, having a great offseason only to get cut.

McQ has been inactive the whole season and before we bring up Fabini being able to play both spots, just remember that was the same excuse we used on Peterman.

Feel good story aside, we would be foolish to not draft a tackle early based on the "potential" of a low pick who hasn't seen the active roster...that is what I'd call being out of your mind.;)

[dogunwo]

I have two words for what i hope happens at guard next year...Eric Steinbach.

Young, talented, proven. Put him at LG move Kosier over to RG, unload Rivera and we have two quality starters and decent depth.

Then we are free to draft that OT...and no, I'm not out of my mind...we heard all the cheese about big Rob last year, having a great offseason only to get cut.

McQ has been inactive the whole season and before we bring up Fabini being able to play both spots, just remember that was the same excuse we used on Peterman.

Feel good story aside, we would be foolish to not draft a tackle early based on the "potential" of a low pick who hasn't seen the active roster...that is what I'd call being out of your mind.;)
Why move Kosier? He's catching his groove in his spot now. If Steinbach is all he is cracked up to be, then he should be able to play RG. Plus, Steinbach is going to be a top-tier FA. There is no way Jerry gets into a bidding war with other teams. Our recent history shows signing of solid mid-tier FAs. I wouldnt gamble on us signing any big name guys.

[blindzebra]

Why move Kosier? He's catching his groove in his spot now. If Steinbach is all he is cracked up to be, then he should be able to play RG. Plus, Steinbach is going to be a top-tier FA. There is no way Jerry gets into a bidding war with other teams. Our recent history shows signing of solid mid-tier FAs. I wouldnt gamble on us signing any big name guys.

Well because Steinbach is a LG and Kosier was signed with the ability to play either guard spot.

Our history shows what?

Our recent history shows us making a big splash signing top end FA, or don't the names Henry, Owens, Ferguson, Vanderjact and Rivera ring a bell?:rolleyes:

[MichaelWinicki]

I have two words for what i hope happens at guard next year...Eric Steinbach.

Young, talented, proven. Put him at LG move Kosier over to RG, unload Rivera and we have two quality starters and decent depth.

Then we are free to draft that OT...and no, I'm not out of my mind...we heard all the cheese about big Rob last year, having a great offseason only to get cut.

McQ has been inactive the whole season and before we bring up Fabini being able to play both spots, just remember that was the same excuse we used on Peterman.

Feel good story aside, we would be foolish to not draft a tackle early based on the "potential" of a low pick who hasn't seen the active roster...that is what I'd call being out of your mind.;)

Something tells me Z that the "McQ" situation is totally different than Peterman's.

I seriously doubt that we draft a tackle early-- UNLESS Adams is let go. If he's gone then all bets are off.

I like the job Colombo has done and think that he'll only get better.

[gimmesix]

Article says we signed Berger as a backup center but that's weird cause we've gone the whole season with Gurode as our starter & Johnson as backup, yet now we bring in Berger allegedly as a backup center--Leffew apparently will remain a OG. Sounds to me like Parcells may not be planning bring Johnson back but since we'd need a viable backup for Gurode next year why wait til next year to find it.

Johnson won't be back because he will be an unrestricted free agent, along with Gurode. If we sign Gurode to a long-term starter deal, Johnson is going to want to look for a starting opportunity elsewhere. There was some rumored interest in Johnson before the trade deadline.

Parcells has been nothing but complimentary of Johnson (esp. his ability against 4-3 defenses), so I'm sure Dallas would love to have him back, but the reality is that he'll sign elsewhere.

Because of that, Dallas needs to be taking looks at options like Berger.

[burmafrd]

BP wants guys who can play multiple positions. Thats why he likes Kosier and Gurode, who between them can play all 5 positions. Berger is another guy like Gurode in that he can play G & C. My guess is that BP wants 3 backups next year: one guy who can play both tackle positions, one who can play both guards, and one who can play G and C.

[Seven]

Well because Steinbach is a LG and Kosier was signed with the ability to play either guard spot.

Our history shows what?

Our recent history shows us making a big splash signing top end FA, or don't the names Henry, Owens, Ferguson, Vanderjact and Rivera ring a bell?:rolleyes:

Ray Finklehttp://cowboyszone.com/forums/images/icons/icon8.gif doesn't count.

[Bob Sacamano]

What we're trying to do is determine our need for drafting a guard early in next years draft.

It would be great if we didn't need too.

:hammer: and finding a potential backup C is in case of the probability that some team scoops down and grabs Al in FA, despite having strength problems, Al is still a good C, IMO, Al is going to be the Kyle Kosier equivalent to Oline on the market this year, underrated, yet a few teams will want his services

[MONT17]

Columbo looks like he can handle the left side... Rivera was a mistake from day 1 I'm just glad he will be gone soon!!!

I would like to see them draft a OT in any round but the first! but OG why?