Al Johnson next year

[AbeBeta]

I don't know what game you're referring to, but I've not heard of our entire collective OL going an entire game this season with a single mental error. Especially with a rookie RT and Tucker at LT

You can go back to the archived press conference and check on that if you want. It shouldn't be surprising since BP doesn't play guys who make mental errors.

BP has consistently said that Tucker has not been making mental errors in his playing time. Petitti's problems haven't been mental errors. He has problems executing the play. But he knows what his play is.

 

[Vertigo_17]

No, Al was working out hard in his first year, but not doing serious mass building. He had a major knee surgery his first year. Rehab on such a surgery isn't consistent with getting bigger -- I'd expect most doctors would recommend losing weight to reduce pressure on the regenerating cartilage.

I agree about not building up coming off a surgery - my point was he seems to have a very good work ethic and there's no reason to think that during the next 2 offseason workout programs that he wasn't doing everything he could to bulk up.

I just think there's only so much bulk you can add to the body - and Al's probably close to the limit. Unless BP has some magic growing potion

 

[Vertigo_17]

So we should go ahead and waive Gurode today then, cause he obvioulsy sucks so bad...

I don't think so, he's at least a very capable backup at Center (and Guard) - or BP wouldn't have let him on the field at all this year.

 

[Hiero]

And Mawae is 10 lbs. lighter than Johnson.

Mawae is a probowler though, and he doesnt get pushed around as much as Al. But hes too old i dont see that happening.

 

[Hiero]

So we should go ahead and waive Gurode today then, cause he obvioulsy sucks so bad...

I don't think so, he's at least a very capable backup at Center (and Guard) - or BP wouldn't have let him on the field at all this year.

I'd waive him if I got another starter. but he is good depth. He's been given chance after chance after chance and continues to disappoint what dont you understand about that?

 

[AbeBeta]

So we should go ahead and waive Gurode today then, cause he obvioulsy sucks so bad...

I don't think so, he's at least a very capable backup at Center (and Guard) - or BP wouldn't have let him on the field at all this year.

Didn't say that -- he's fine as a backup. But folks who think he's going to be more than that might be disappointed.

Also, when was the last time you saw Gurode playing OL? He's been on the field because he's a tease -- you look at him and think -- wow, this guy is physically our best interior lineman. that he can't win a position or even a regular rotation anymore is telling.

 

[Vertigo_17]

I'd waive him if I got another starter. but he is good depth. He's been given chance after chance after chance and continues to disappoint what dont you understand about that?

Sounds familiar - maybe he'll turn it around like El Gato is doing?

 

[Hiero]

Sounds familiar - maybe he'll turn it around like El Gato is doing?

maybe but I wouldnt bank on it. Of course i'd love him to start at C hes much stronger and bigger, but he just cant get his head into it.

 

[AbeBeta]

Sounds familiar - maybe he'll turn it around like El Gato is doing?

Gurode, coming from a big time college program, having an extra year under his belt, 3 full seasons playing as a starter, he should be very far ahead of Tucker.

But he isn't.

How long do you get to turn it around?

We may be looking at Gurode's last stand.

 

[Vertigo_17]

Yeah, but I seriously think the first season under Campo should be forgotten (no pun intended ) Moving him to Guard was a bad move, as he finished at CU playing center and that's probably where's he's going to succeed (if he ever does). You're probably right though - I think he'll be a RFA at the end of the year? Nice depth, but no way does he get a contract ext unless BP really sees something.

Back to the original AJ topic - maybe he's better suited as the backup (instead of Gurode) if we found a suitable starter. Smart guy, no one questions his heart - just doesn't have the size to anchor the OL. Maybe we draft someone early next year.

 

[burmafrd]

I recall that it was stated that Al was able to fully workout from late his first year- so he had at least 6-8 months BEFORE camp to add bulk- and all indications are that he did not. Or get stronger. Remember- he was the starter last year- so he also had all of this LAST offseason to add strength and bulk- and did not. He is already at his limit for both.

 

[Hiero]

I recall that it was stated that Al was able to fully workout from late his first year- so he had at least 6-8 months BEFORE camp to add bulk- and all indications are that he did not. Or get stronger. Remember- he was the starter last year- so he also had all of this LAST offseason to add strength and bulk- and did not. He is already at his limit for both.

ya even if hes reached his bulk limit, he should have at least gotten much stronger which doesnt seem to have happened.

 

[AbeBeta]

I recall that it was stated that Al was able to fully workout from late his first year- so he had at least 6-8 months BEFORE camp to add bulk- and all indications are that he did not. Or get stronger. Remember- he was the starter last year- so he also had all of this LAST offseason to add strength and bulk- and did not. He is already at his limit for both.

Well, I think what you are missing is that Al likely lost a lot of weight during his rehab -- so its not like he's building up from his college size -- he may have come down 30 or more pounds from his college weight. He likely had alot of weight to gain back before he could work on getting bigger.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

This guy needs to hit the offseason weight training program bigtime. I am wondering though did his previous injuries hold him back from getting bigger and stronger this past offseason? He doesnt look stronger at all. Plus he seems to have a lot of knee issues is this something that is going to constantly be around or is it over and done with?
I am thinking we need another center in the offseason or FA.

I believe when Al was rehabbing his torn MCL, or ACL, whatever it was that he tore, he was hitting the weights pretty hard, doing upper-body exercises, guess he needs more time in the weight room...

 

[AbeBeta]

I believe when Al was rehabbing his torn MCL, or ACL, whatever it was that he tore, he was hitting the weights pretty hard, doing upper-body exercises, guess he needs more time in the weight room...

Al had microfracture surgery. That is to rebuild knee cartilage. The cartilage is the shock absorber of the knee. More than any other knee surgery, the patient needs to keep weight off the knee. Usually, folks are on crutches for up to 8 weeks. Really big people -- i.e., football players -- put incredible stress on the knee joint -- so any weight they can lose is going to help rehab.

My bet is that Al didn't do ANY upper-body stuff for at least 4-6 months following surgery -- and he probably lost a bunch of weight.

 

[Vertigo_17]

yeah, but he's had at least 2 offseasons to add it back - and he's still shrinking

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Al had microfracture surgery. That is to rebuild knee cartilage. The cartilage is the shock absorber of the knee. More than any other knee surgery, the patient needs to keep weight off the knee. Usually, folks are on crutches for up to 8 weeks. Really big people -- i.e., football players -- put incredible stress on the knee joint -- so any weight they can lose is going to help rehab.

My bet is that Al didn't do ANY upper-body stuff for at least 4-6 months following surgery -- and he probably lost a bunch of weight.

you don't have to stand up to work on your upper-body

 

[AbeBeta]

you don't have to stand up to work on your upper-body

You are missing the point -- more weight means more stress on the knee when Al walks. More weight would greatly increase the chances of the surgery failing -- meaning that Al's career would have been over.

 

[burmafrd]

Bottom line is that he has had at LEAST 18 months to get bigger and stronger- and he has not. SO it is VERY unlikely that he can get any bigger or stronger at all. He has reached his physical limit.

 

[AbeBeta]

Bottom line is that he has had at LEAST 18 months to get bigger and stronger- and he has not. SO it is VERY unlikely that he can get any bigger or stronger at all. He has reached his physical limit.

Bottom line -- and this is what you are failing to understand -- when Al started working on getting bigger, he might have been down to 250 or so. There's only so much weight you can naturally put on over that period of time.

He has one full and healthy off-season under his belt. Let's at least give him one more before we start writing him off.