Al Johnson

[StanleySpadowski]

I guess that Johnson is now this board's official whipping boy. Everybody pile on without a single shred of evidence that he's not performing a satisfactory job.


Sometimes I wish people weren't so gullible/stupid. Johnson's been "blown up" a few times in his career (as has every other NFL lineman) but getting knocked over after tangling his feet in the San Diego game planted an image in some's heads that it's an ongoing problem when it isn't.

If Johnson was stronger, he would be better because he's probably the most technically sound linemen (very close between he and Rivera), but the makeup of the line is most to blame for problems, not Johnson.

Johnson and Rivera are finesse players whose strengths are the technical aspects of the game and their agility. It's hard for those strengths to be emphasized when those are the biggest weaknesses for the other lineman. Allen is no longer as mobile as he once was and gets by on sheer brute strength. Petitti has the makings of a mauler with an attitude, but he's still learning the technique of right tackle and could use another year in the strength and conditioning program. Tucker isn't very strong, nor mobile, nor tenacious.

In the end, I believe that too many Dallas fans harken back to the glory days, dreaming of idealized road graders and think that that is the only way to be successful in the NFL.

 

[Reality]

I guess that Johnson is now this board's official whipping boy. Everybody pile on without a single shred of evidence that he's not performing a satisfactory job.


Sometimes I wish people weren't so gullible/stupid. Johnson's been "blown up" a few times in his career (as has every other NFL lineman) but getting knocked over after tangling his feet in the San Diego game planted an image in some's heads that it's an ongoing problem when it isn't.

If Johnson was stronger, he would be better because he's probably the most technically sound linemen (very close between he and Rivera), but the makeup of the line is most to blame for problems, not Johnson.

Johnson and Rivera are finesse players whose strengths are the technical aspects of the game and their agility. It's hard for those strengths to be emphasized when those are the biggest weaknesses for the other lineman. Allen is no longer as mobile as he once was and gets by on sheer brute strength. Petitti has the makings of a mauler with an attitude, but he's still learning the technique of right tackle and could use another year in the strength and conditioning program. Tucker isn't very strong, nor mobile, nor tenacious.

In the end, I believe that too many Dallas fans harken back to the glory days, dreaming of idealized road graders and think that that is the only way to be successful in the NFL.

I've been consistent in my opinion of him all season. It's not even that he gets "blown up" as you put it .. to me, he just seems to be clueless on who to block every other down. So many times I have seen him standing around blocking no one while Bledsoe gets sacked from the guys that ran right past him. While the OL as a whole is not performing that well, right now, #52 is by far the weakest link on it.

 

[Mansta54]

I guess that Johnson is now this board's official whipping boy. Everybody pile on without a single shred of evidence that he's not performing a satisfactory job.


Sometimes I wish people weren't so gullible/stupid. Johnson's been "blown up" a few times in his career (as has every other NFL lineman) but getting knocked over after tangling his feet in the San Diego game planted an image in some's heads that it's an ongoing problem when it isn't.

If Johnson was stronger, he would be better because he's probably the most technically sound linemen (very close between he and Rivera), but the makeup of the line is most to blame for problems, not Johnson.

Johnson and Rivera are finesse players whose strengths are the technical aspects of the game and their agility. It's hard for those strengths to be emphasized when those are the biggest weaknesses for the other lineman. Allen is no longer as mobile as he once was and gets by on sheer brute strength. Petitti has the makings of a mauler with an attitude, but he's still learning the technique of right tackle and could use another year in the strength and conditioning program. Tucker isn't very strong, nor mobile, nor tenacious.

In the end, I believe that too many Dallas fans harken back to the glory days, dreaming of idealized road graders and think that that is the only way to be successful in the NFL.

Bottom line is that this OLINE isn't getting it done. Maybe we do look back at our past OLINE's, cause those OLINE's handle their business and we are used to BIG, STRONG, AGGRESSIVE OLINES. Thats what it takes to WIN. So don't fault us for remembering what our OLINE's use to be. Maybe our OLINE today needs to look back and see how it was done. They need all the help and motovation they can get. They her killing this team and its a good team at that.

 

[Kilyin]

I've been consistent in my opinion of him all season. It's not even that he gets "blown up" as you put it .. to me, he just seems to be clueless on who to block every other down. So many times I have seen him standing around blocking no one while Bledsoe gets sacked from the guys that ran right past him. While the OL as a whole is not performing that well, right now, #52 is by far the weakest link on it.

Nice hyperbole. If Johnson just "stood there" on every other down, he wouldn't be on the team, much less on the field for a whole game.

 

[Hiero]

Johnson doesnt completely suck, but hes barely average. just barely cutting it, isnt good enough for a team with super bowl aspirations and a huge need to protect the QB. Wouldnt be surprised to see Parcells make the OLine a major issue in the draft.

 

[Kilyin]

Well Gurode must really suck then if he can't even sniff the field over a barely average Johnson with a bum knee.

 

[Reality]

Nice hyperbole. If Johnson just "stood there" on every other down, he wouldn't be on the team, much less on the field for a whole game.

I have seen it way too many times this year to blow it off as a "rare occurance." While all blockers will miss their block occasionally, I've lost count the number of times I've seen him just standing there touching no one while the guy or guys in some cases that he was supposed to block ran right by him untouched.

Call it "hyperbole" or whatever makes you feel better about him, but #52 is hurting this team big time right now. Next year, he may turn into an all-pro center, but right now, his play is well below acceptable. While I'm not a huge Gurode fan either, I suspect #52 is starting because to Parcells, he's the lesser of two evils.

 

[Tenkamenin]

This is the samething people said about Al Singleton and now everybody wants him back.

 

[Kilyin]

I have seen it way too many times this year to blow it off as a "rare occurance." While all blockers will miss their block occasionally, I've lost count the number of times I've seen him just standing there touching no one while the guy or guys in some cases that he was supposed to block ran right by him untouched.

Call it "hyperbole" or whatever makes you feel better about him, but #52 is hurting this team big time right now. Next year, he may turn into an all-pro center, but right now, his play is well below acceptable. While I'm not a huge Gurode fan either, I suspect #52 is starting because to Parcells, he's the lesser of two evils.

It's not a matter of making myself feel better, I don't care who plays Center, long as they get the job done.

Thing is, if Johnson played anywhere near as horribly as some people claim he does, do you really believe Parcells would keep starting him and playing him through the entirety of every game? With a bad knee on top of it? Why would Parcells intentionally "hurt the team" every week? How do we stay competitive in every game with such a horrid Center? I don't see any FA Centers being brought in, and I've heard zero intentions of making any changes. Sounds to me like Parcells is happy with Johnson's playing, but all the armchair quarterbacks are in an uproar.

 

[Wolverine]

I have seen it way too many times this year to blow it off as a "rare occurance." While all blockers will miss their block occasionally, I've lost count the number of times I've seen him just standing there touching no one while the guy or guys in some cases that he was supposed to block ran right by him untouched.

Call it "hyperbole" or whatever makes you feel better about him, but #52 is hurting this team big time right now. Next year, he may turn into an all-pro center, but right now, his play is well below acceptable. While I'm not a huge Gurode fan either, I suspect #52 is starting because to Parcells, he's the lesser of two evils.

I totally agree with you Reality. No need to worry about Kilyin he has no idea what he is even talkin about.

 

[Kilyin]

I totally agree with you Reality. No need to worry about Kilyin he has no idea what he is even talkin about.

Think you should go back to being Hostile's parrot, you aren't quite as stupid when you don't try to have original thoughts. You claim I don't know anything about football, and then you post Jim Mora is the DC of the Chargers. Replace Zimmer with your face in that sig pic, and you would actually be right about something.

 

[Rush 2112]

And when AJ is starting next year it will be because BP has an agenda.

 

[Reality]

Thing is, if Johnson played anywhere near as horribly as some people claim he does, do you really believe Parcells would keep starting him and playing him through the entirety of every game? With a bad knee on top of it? Why would Parcells intentionally "hurt the team" every week? How do we stay competitive in every game with such a horrid Center? I don't see any FA Centers being brought in, and I've heard zero intentions of making any changes. Sounds to me like Parcells is happy with Johnson's playing, but all the armchair quarterbacks are in an uproar.

Absolutely, because there are no other options right now. Even if there was a FA center still available worth signing it would take weeks to get him ready to play and knowing the playbook.

It's just like cornerback last year .. it's too late to try to bring in someone to start. I'm not a Gurode fan but I think the run and pass blocking are definitely better when he's in there, at least this year.

 

[DBoys]

Absolutely, because there are no other options right now. Even if there was a FA center still available worth signing it would take weeks to get him ready to play and knowing the playbook.

It's just like cornerback last year .. it's too late to try to bring in someone to start. I'm not a Gurode fan but I think the run and pass blocking are definitely better when he's in there, at least this year.

That is the absolute truth!! Guys I have watched our games countless times and when Gurode is in there we are better mental mistakes or not.

 

[Kilyin]

Absolutely, because there are no other options right now. Even if there was a FA center still available worth signing it would take weeks to get him ready to play and knowing the playbook.

It's just like cornerback last year .. it's too late to try to bring in someone to start. I'm not a Gurode fan but I think the run and pass blocking are definitely better when he's in there, at least this year.

Parcells knew what Johnson what heading into this season. It's not like it was some big mystery. He could have done something long before now. Parcells doesn't seem to be the type to hold back commenting when a player is performing badly or making mental errors, and I haven't heard him say anything regarding Johnson.

Cornerback last year had more to do with injuries and zero pass rush than anything.

 

[budsboys]

i think center is the weakest spot on the oline i think they both stink thats why in the off season bill will get one hopefully its bentley

 

[Wolverine]

Think you should go back to being Hostile's parrot, you aren't quite as stupid when you don't try to have original thoughts. You claim I don't know anything about football, and then you post Jim Mora is the DC of the Chargers. Replace Zimmer with your face in that sig pic, and you would actually be right about something.

OOOOOOOOoooooooooooo you really got me. This coming from the person who blames Cundiff for losing the game. Well I guess you were not any good at math. Cuz if you were you would know that Cundiff only cost us 3 points. Bledsoe with his INT cost us 7 points. Just to let you in on something....7 is a bigger number then 3.

You blame Cundiff but there is all kindsa blame to go around for losing to Denver. But like I said you do not know a thing about football so I dont expect you to get it.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

I'm actually anxious to see Gurode get a chance to start and play a whole game at center. I don't know how he'll do but it's not like he doesn't have the physical talent. He's not the type of center that you're going to pull too often but I think the guy has some ability to stabalize the middle.

 

[Kilyin]

OOOOOOOOoooooooooooo you really got me. This coming from the person who blames Cundiff for losing the game. Well I guess you were not any good at math. Cuz if you were you would know that Cundiff only cost us 3 points. Bledsoe with his INT cost us 7 points. Just to let you in on something....7 is a bigger number then 3.

You blame Cundiff but there is all kindsa blame to go around for losing to Denver. But like I said you do not know a thing about football so I dont expect you to get it.

Nice logic there. Bledsoe threw an int and gave Denver 7, but then he drove the team down the field and made up for it with a touchdown pass. Cundiff missed a field goal and then went over to the sideline and sulked. With those 3 points he left on the field, the game ends after regulation and Dallas wins. I don't know what's so hard for you to understand about that.

Then again, you aren't the sharpest knife in the drawer either.

 

[Mansta54]

Bledsoe threw an int and gave Denver 7, but then he drove the team down the field and made up for it with a touchdown pass. Cundiff missed a field goal and then went over to the sideline and sulked. With those 3 points he left on the field, the game ends after regulation and Dallas wins. I don't know what's so hard for you to understand about that.

Amen to that... Cundiff has to make that kick, simple as that...PERIOD!!!!