Al Johnson...

[Chocolate Lab]

I can't believe people are being so hard on Al Johnson!

This is a guy whose career was hanging in the balance in 2003. His knee injury was so severe, there was legitimate concern that he might never play again.

You'd think he would get a little slack considering that he had such a serious injury and had to sit out an entire year. Doesn't everyone realize how difficult it is to take an entire year off from a sport and try to come back and compete against the best in the world? Especially being essentially a rookie. Yet Al did it, and did it well.

I truly don't see why people are down on him. Even if he played as poorly as some claim -- which I don't see in the first place -- it would be reasonable to assume that he would be much better this year after a full offseason of training and minicamps.

Either this is a motivational ploy from Parcells or Al got extremely lazy from what he was last year, because you wouldn't look to bench Al based on his play last year -- especially in favor of a guy who drove Parcells to distraction last year with his mental mistakes.

 

[Doomsday101]

I can't believe people are being so hard on Al Johnson!

This is a guy whose career was hanging in the balance in 2003. His knee injury was so severe, there was legitimate concern that he might never play again.

You'd think he would get a little slack considering that he had such a serious injury and had to sit out an entire year. Doesn't everyone realize how difficult it is to take an entire year off from a sport and try to come back and compete against the best in the world? Especially being essentially a rookie. Yet Al did it, and did it well.

I truly don't see why people are down on him. Even if he played as poorly as some claim -- which I don't see in the first place -- it would be reasonable to assume that he would be much better this year after a full offseason of training and minicamps.

Either this is a motivational ploy from Parcells or Al got extremely lazy from what he was last year, because you wouldn't look to bench Al based on his play last year -- especially in favor of a guy who drove Parcells to distraction last year with his mental mistakes.

I'm just glad Gurode is making improvements. I like Johnson and if he wins the job then great but at this stage I want who ever shows themselves to be the best. No longer am I interested in the individual player I want what is best for this team if that is Johnson starting at center then great if Gurode proves he is better then so be it. It is possible to like both players but in the end this has to be about who will best serve the Cowboys at center.

 

[AdamJT13]

I give Nors a hard time about weights, but in reality heights and weights are an inexact science in the NFL.

I have seen Al listed anywhere from 6'2" to 6'5". I personally think he is closer to the 6'2" range.

The Cowboys list him at 6-5, 296 (as do most sites). At the Combine two years ago, he was measured at 6-3 1/2, 305 pounds.

http://wwwedit.profootballweekly.com/PFW/NFLDraft/Draft+Insider/2003/Printout2C.htm

 

[Crown Royal]

I can't believe people are being so hard on Al Johnson!

This is a guy whose career was hanging in the balance in 2003. His knee injury was so severe, there was legitimate concern that he might never play again.

You'd think he would get a little slack considering that he had such a serious injury and had to sit out an entire year. Doesn't everyone realize how difficult it is to take an entire year off from a sport and try to come back and compete against the best in the world? Especially being essentially a rookie. Yet Al did it, and did it well.

I truly don't see why people are down on him. Even if he played as poorly as some claim -- which I don't see in the first place -- it would be reasonable to assume that he would be much better this year after a full offseason of training and minicamps.

Either this is a motivational ploy from Parcells or Al got extremely lazy from what he was last year, because you wouldn't look to bench Al based on his play last year -- especially in favor of a guy who drove Parcells to distraction last year with his mental mistakes.

I don't see anywhere in this thread where someone said that he was a poor player. For that matter, I don't see where anyone is giving him a hard time. I think he is quite good. If what Parcells says is true about Gurode playing well, I think it is more a testament to Gurode's improvement than to Johnson's inability.

If Gurode is challenging him, then regardless of who wins, I can feel happy that we are pretty good at center.

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

Adam,

It's rather funny. He is the 5th heaviest out of 20 guys listed, the 5th tallest, and the 2nd fastest in the 40. Pretty good combo. Yet people want to say that he is small.

 

[Crown Royal]

Adam,

It's rather funny. He is the 5th heaviest out of 20 guys listed, the 5th tallest, and the 2nd fastest in the 40. Pretty good combo. Yet people want to say that he is small.

Notice that each of all the starters and Gurode are the ones who outweigh him.

 

[Doomsday101]

I don't see anywhere in this thread where someone said that he was a poor player. For that matter, I don't see where anyone is giving him a hard time. I think he is quite good. If what Parcells says is true about Gurode playing well, I think it is more a testament to Gurode's improvement than to Johnson's inability.

If Gurode is challenging him, then regardless of who wins, I can feel happy that we are pretty good at center.

Exactly either way be it Johnson or Gurode I would like to see both guys be able to come into a game and not miss a beat. God knows injuries happen.

 

[Crown Royal]

Exactly either way be it Johnson or Gurode I would like to see both guys be able to come into a game and not miss a beat. God knows injuries happen.

Don't forget, folks that Matt Lehr, who WAS small, played center 2 years ago, and not horribly either. I think we had a healthy center rotation that year, if I remember correctly.

 

[Charles]

The Cowboys list him at 6-5, 296 (as do most sites). At the Combine two years ago, he was measured at 6-3 1/2, 305 pounds.

http://wwwedit.profootballweekly.com/PFW/NFLDraft/Draft+Insider/2003/Printout2C.htm

He's also listed as 6'-3" 305 on NFLPLAYERS.COM

The Cowboys exaggerated his height.

I remember seeing a picture of Johnson at Wittens football camp. If he was 6'-5" Witten wouldn't look like a giant standing next to Johnson.

 

[Doomsday101]

Don't forget, folks that Matt Lehr, who WAS small, played center 2 years ago, and not horribly either. I think we had a healthy center rotation that year, if I remember correctly.

As I said before I don't like the ideal of rotating centers or O-linemen in general I think it is more important to have a unit on the field that works well with each other. I do want to see depth on the line so that when injuries do occur we will be able to overcome them.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Between the 20s I would want Johnson out there his ability to work in space pulling and on screens is an asset.

On the goalline I want Gurode in there.

I see absolutely no reason why we couldnt play to these guys strengths.

I also think that a full offseason building strength rather than rehabbing it could really help Johnson and make him the clearcut winner. If its close, its Al's job.

 

[Nightshade]

Between the 20s I would want Johnson out there his ability to work in space pulling and on screens is an asset.

On the goalline I want Gurode in there.

I see absolutely no reason why we couldnt play to these guys strengths.

I also think that a full offseason building strength rather than rehabbing it could really help Johnson and make him the clearcut winner. If its close, its Al's job.

I think this hits closest to reality. I'm not sure that Bill is so concerned with who's starting as who would be the best in certain situations. He said Gurode has more power. Regardless of height and weight, Gurode has more lower body power to hold up NT's that Johnson has. Ferguson is going to be a good litmust test for both Gurode and Johnson because of his power. Bill likes options. I hope Gurode proves to be an all-world mistake free center. If that's the case we'll have one who's got all-world speed in Johnson and all-world power in Gurode.

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

What are you talking about Crown Royal? The other two that start are Jeff Faine and Dan Koppen, who are both shorter, lighter and slower than Johnson. Don't let facts get in the way of your argument.

The thing about all this is I am failing to see where Gurode is this punishing, dominating guy who throws people around. He didn't do it at guard, I know that much for sure. Worse, the mental side of the game is where he has faltered the most, yet he is moving to a position that requires more mental aptitude. Maybe he will be ok with three longtime vets with him, but I just don't know.

Again, I will be happy to see him make the grade, but I just don't see him beating out Johnson.

 

[Crown Royal]

What are you talking about Crown Royal? The other two that start are Jeff Faine and Dan Koppen, who are both shorter, lighter and slower than Johnson. Don't let facts get in the way of your argument.

The thing about all this is I am failing to see where Gurode is this punishing, dominating guy who throws people around. He didn't do it at guard, I know that much for sure. Worse, the mental side of the game is where he has faltered the most, yet he is moving to a position that requires more mental aptitude. Maybe he will be ok with three longtime vets with him, but I just don't know.

Again, I will be happy to see him make the grade, but I just don't see him beating out Johnson.

I don't think I understood your post the first time. I thought you were talking about players on our team, not players he was drafted against. I meant that everyone on our line that starts next to him is heavier. So calm down.

You are right - noone has said he did that at guard. He missed his assignments regularly - which is why he is no longer there. But just because he didn't succeed there doesn't mean that he can't at center. He is a physically powerful guy - that has never been an issue. Like you said - he falters the most in the mental game. But perhaps that wasn't from being unintelligent, rather he just couldn't pick up a new position. Further, like other posters have said, perhaps it is because he lacks the movement necessary for guard.

Finally, all we have to go on is what Parcells and other media members have said, and thus far, we have had pretty positive reviews. It isn't a knock on Johnson that Gurode might actually have something left to prove - it's a compliment for Gurode and something good for the team all around.

Also - just to make a disclaimer - I am in no way 'predicting' that Gurode is going beat Johnson out, or betting that it will happen - that isn't what I do. I am merely making observations based on the things Parcells has said and play from the past.

 

[NorthDalal]

Jennifer Floyd Engel's rumor last week was that Cowboy coaches were not toopleased with Al Johnson's lackadaisical offseason attitude. Moving Gurode into center where he excelled at Colorado blocking for Chris Brown serves two early-camp purposes. It puts a complacent starter on notice and it give a confidence-deficient played new hope.

 

[Nors]

pARCELLS has called Johnson a workout pig in the past. Sounds like BS.

 

[TheHustler]

Between the 20s I would want Johnson out there his ability to work in space pulling and on screens is an asset.

On the goalline I want Gurode in there.

I see absolutely no reason why we couldnt play to these guys strengths.

Continuity. It takes time for lines to gel. You can just pull one guy out, plug in another and expect no bumps.

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

North Dalal,

That would be the first I have heard of Johnson having a lackadaisical attitude, but if true, then it certainly explains why there is a competition. And it explains Parcells talking him up.

The good news is that the media and the fans attending practices are also saying that Gurode looks good. So it isn't just smoke coming from Parcells.

 

[Nors]

What are you talking about Crown Royal? The other two that start are Jeff Faine and Dan Koppen, who are both shorter, lighter and slower than Johnson. Don't let facts get in the way of your argument.

The thing about all this is I am failing to see where Gurode is this punishing, dominating guy who throws people around. He didn't do it at guard, I know that much for sure. Worse, the mental side of the game is where he has faltered the most, yet he is moving to a position that requires more mental aptitude. Maybe he will be ok with three longtime vets with him, but I just don't know.

Again, I will be happy to see him make the grade, but I just don't see him beating out Johnson.

I DON'T SEE ANYTHING GURODE BRINGS TO THE TABLE TO MERIT ALL THIS "OPTIMISM"

Johnson will out Center Gurode - thats my prediction and he will be starting and making the calls. You don't want Gurode doing that on Sundays.

 

[Crown Royal]

I DON'T SEE ANYTHING GURODE BRINGS TO THE TABLE TO MERIT ALL THIS "OPTIMISM"

Johnson will out Center Gurode - thats my prediction and he will be starting and making the calls. You don't want Gurode doing that on Sundays.

The fact that your favorite coach said he was doing well.