Al Johnson is getting blown up in the middle

[JakeCamp12]

Al is just getting over powered because he is not a large enough person to compete with stronger, more physical defensive players.

 

[Doomsday101]

Al is just getting over powered because he is not a large enough person to compete with stronger, more physical defensive players.

I think there is more to it, Stepnowski was never a big guy but held his own playing center.

 

[HDC]

I don't like the way AJ made excuses after the game. Petitti acknowledged his screw-up.

 

[TonyS]

the call on Witten's TD was a pahntom call...he didnt hold from what I could see...the only thing wrong with the paly was he got trampled over, the official apparentl assumed he held to prevent the sack

he isnt playing as well as he did last yr, thats for certain

David

David,

I have to respectfully disagree. Johnson clearly pulled the DL down while he was falling backwards. The refs will call that almost every time. It didn't affect the play, but they'll still call it 9 out of 10 times.

 

[Eddie]

I think the refs got it right on the holding call. Johnson fell backwards and took the defender down with him. The placement of his hands made him guilty.

It sucks, but we won.

Does that mean Johnson's NOT going to the Pro Bowl???

 

[Doomsday101]

David,

I have to respectfully disagree. Johnson clearly pulled the DL down while he was falling backwards. The refs will call that almost every time. It didn't affect the play, but they'll still call it 9 out of 10 times.

It took a TD off the board. I do agree with your assesment that Johnson did grab the lineman as he was being pancaked and when I saw the replay felt it was a good call by the ref.

 

[marchetta]

I agree that Al Johnson needs to step up his game. Not willing to write him off as of yet but he needs to get his act together

He needs to watch some film of Stepnoski. He wasn't the biggest center, but he would play with leverage and technique to offset his size limitation. I don't recall very many players bull rushing Stepnoski and getting to Aikman.

 

[TonyS]

He needs to watch some film of Stepnoski. He wasn't the biggest center, but he would play with leverage and technique to offset his size limitation. I don't recall very many players bull rushing Stepnoski and getting to Aikman.

Step played with great technique and used his speed to get into the proper position. He started to really show his size as he got older and slower. He began to get pushed around a lot more. During his prime, he was awesome.

Now, all I can say about him is, "He got weed. He got weed!"

 

[Doomsday101]

He needs to watch some film of Stepnoski. He wasn't the biggest center, but he would play with leverage and technique to offset his size limitation. I don't recall very many players bull rushing Stepnoski and getting to Aikman.

You got that right!!!!

 

[Chuck 54]

David,

I have to respectfully disagree. Johnson clearly pulled the DL down while he was falling backwards. The refs will call that almost every time. It didn't affect the play, but they'll still call it 9 out of 10 times.

Exactly...not to mention the fact that the running play when the defender almost got there in time to take the handoff and give us a big loss on a running down, it was Johnson getting pushed into the backfield. He's a real liability when it comes to the big, powerful NTs....he spent a lot of time in our backfield yesterday...that changes many running plays and takes away cutback lanes on others, not to mention rushing Bledsoe on passing downs.

I'll leave the call between Johnson and Gurode up to Parcells because only he knows just how big a mental liability Gurode might be. I'll take a smart less gifted player over a more athletic one who makes mental mistakes any day.

We'll have to see if Gurode gets any more playing time this week...he's sort of been forgotten by Parcells recently, and I'm guessing he has his reasons.

 

[TonyS]

Good point Wayne. I am befuddled with Gurode. He seemed like he was starting to win some PT and then he disappears. He must be screwing up in practice. Man, how I'd love to see him doing well at Center. I remember he was supposed to be the "road grader" when we drafted him. He's been anything but.

 

[AdamJT13]

He needs to watch some film of Stepnoski. He wasn't the biggest center, but he would play with leverage and technique to offset his size limitation. I don't recall very many players bull rushing Stepnoski and getting to Aikman.

Watch Johnson's leverage in pass protection yesterday. It was excellent. And he never allowed his guy anywhere close to Bledsoe. He hasn't allowed a sack all season and has allowed only half a sack in his career. (Stepnoski allowed 2.0 sacks per season from 1994 onward, when STATS started keeping track.)

 

[AdamJT13]

Exactly...not to mention the fact that the running play when the defender almost got there in time to take the handoff and give us a big loss on a running down, it was Johnson getting pushed into the backfield.

Exactly which play was this, supposedly?

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Are you talking about the blitz Greisen timed and tackled Barber for like a 5 yard loss? If so, I actually thought that came over Allen but I could be wrong there.

I do recall that play though.

 

[Doomsdayblitz]

Stepnoski weighed less than Johnson, but used leverage and strength to become one of the best Centers in the business. I see the Center for Minnesota playing the same way. I wouldn't mind at all if we happened to grab Greg Eslinger in the 3rd rd., if he happens to fall that far next draft.

 

[Hoov]

Are you talking about the blitz Greisen timed and tackled Barber for like a 5 yard loss? If so, I actually thought that came over Allen but I could be wrong there.

I do recall that play though.

He pretty much came through untouched, he did time it perfectly, great play by him. Hardly can see how that would be the centers fault.

 

[K-DOGG]

Johnson sucks, a back-up at best! Gurode needs to take over!

 

[AdamJT13]

Greisen blitzed between Allen and Adams.

 

[Kilyin]

I was a little drunk when I posted Petitti sucked (And I can't edit the post, odd), he was ok for a rookie.

The amount of people who continue to cover their ears to the facts about Al Johnson and keep telling themselves "he's playing poorly" with absolutely zero evidence to support their argument are baffling.

If you want to point a finger at someone, try Rivera. He's getting paid like a Pro Bowler and playing like a backup.

 

[Doomsday101]

I was a little drunk when I posted Petitti sucked (And I can't edit the post, odd), he was ok for a rookie.

The amount of people who continue to cover their ears to the facts about Al Johnson and keep telling themselves "he's playing poorly" with absolutely zero evidence to support their argument are baffling.

If you want to point a finger at someone, try Rivera. He's getting paid like a Pro Bowler and playing like a backup.

I agree Rivera has not played up to his potential but what does that have to do with Johnson? All one has to do it watch the game (sober would help) and can easily see Johnson getting pushed around and center is an area you can't afford getting pushed around. I have not hollered about Johnson being benched but I do know he better step up his play because it has not been very good.