Cowboyszone Report Card... Andre Gurode...GPA = 2.21

[Clove]

Gurode gets a "D+" from me. Too many mistakes, bad snaps, controlling the middle, this year was not his best year.

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

I gave him a B considering what's on his right side and Kosar can't stay healthy at LG...

 

[CowboyMike]

Then how do you explain the fact that we can't get enough push up the middle to gain a foot on 3rd and short? Maybe the problem is that Andre rarely actually gets hands on his guy?

Did you read the rest of my post and my reason for giving him a B and not an A? That will answer your question.

And getting a push up the middle is not the responsibility of one guy. Look at the tape and you'll often see Andre getting his guy while the guards, tackles, or fullbacks let their guy penetrate.

I've heard remarks from our running backs past and present on how they like to run behind Andre.

 

[CF74]

Where's the O for over rated?

 

[28 Joker]

According to the source that I used, Gurode graded out just about like he did in 2009 (above average). The grades were real close, and Gurode actually had a higher grade in 2010. Plus, his play dramatically picked up after Jason Garrett took over. Plus, Gurode still graded out as the best center in the NFC. He was one of Dallas' best two run blockers. I still remember him running well and helping lead Felix Jones' 71 yard TD. I appreciate things like that for sure.

I think Gurode deserves a B, and I gave it to him.

I feel pretty good about Gurode starting next year, but I still wouldn't hesitate to draft Steve Wisniewski in round 2. Gurode will be 33 next season, and Dallas hasn't been in a position to draft a top center in a long time. It's tough to get the top players at this position, because there isn't that many of them on a yearly basis. You have to be in a position to draft them. Gurode was a second round pick himself.

Gurode is for sure one of Dallas' two best offensive linemen, if not it's best for sure.

 

[Pottsville Maroons]

If all he had to do was block, like from the OG spot, he'd probably get a good grade. However, it is his responsibility to make the line calls and snap the ball properly, and he often fails miserably at both tasks, crippling the rest of the O line and the entire offense in the process. D

 

[jterrell]

C, average year for Gurode.
He was a solid starter by our team's standards but those are extremely low along the OL. If there were partial grades such as a B-, I would have leaned that way but I can't give him a full B.

 

[YosemiteSam]

I was torn between a C and a B. He played well at times, but sometimes not so well. I went with C because I need better consistency.

 

[casmith07]

To kind of caveat what I said, since it was anemic, I think he's an A center who had a C year.

I've always been impressed with his play - he almost never gets beat in up the middle, always blocks the right guy, and is really good snapping the ball and getting out of his stance, especially in run blocking.

But he had a down year, and these grades are to reflect this season, not the player as a whole. So, an A Center with a C season.

I expect that with a good training camp with Garrett and refreshed interest (and his starting QB healthy) he'll return to form.

 

[utrunner07]

I gave him a D, I understand giving him a C and that may be even a better analysis, I can even understand a B, but an A? Really an A? Some people have pretty low expectations for this team.

 

[CowboyDan]

Except for on the 1 yard line, I didn't notice interior line collapsing as fast as the perimeter, so I gave AG a B.

 

[Stautner]

Except for on the 1 yard line, I didn't notice interior line collapsing as fast as the perimeter, so I gave AG a B.

Of course the interior is more clogged with bodies so it's a little tougher for defenders to break free even if they beat Gurode, whereas on the outside the defenders have more room to maneuver and it is therefore more noticeable when there are problems.

 

[CowboyDan]

Of course the interior is more clogged with bodies so it's a little tougher for defenders to break free even if they beat Gurode, whereas on the outside the defenders have more room to maneuver and it is therefore more noticeable when there are problems.

Exactly. Believe me, I'm not claiming to be an o-line expert. I'm pretty biased because I know Andre, he's a good guy.

 

[ElGatoGrande]

"C"

The guy makes way too many mental errors, some of which may be caused by the adjacent guards not blocking the right guy, but it's more likely the center who can't even call out the protections. If it wasn't for the immediate need to rescue the tackle and guard positions, Gurode's position should be in jeopardy.

 

[CowboyDan]

These grades are all over the place. We need Bob Sturm to shed some light on his play. Hell, do the whole O-Line. What do ya say Hostile? Can you take this to Sturm for me?

 

[Stautner]

Exactly. Believe me, I'm not claiming to be an o-line expert. I'm pretty biased because I know Andre, he's a good guy.

I don't thibnk anyone here can claim that, and even those who may have been O-linemen at some point in their lives are not likely to spend most of their time watching each game focusing specifically on the O-line or Gurode in particular. We all follow the ball and miss much of the rest unless it is obvious or we pick it up on replay.

 

[Hostile]

Andre's GPA is 2.21.

 

[28 Joker]

I saw a picture of Hudson Houck with Danny Watkins snapping the football. He is a player who could plug in at LG effective immediately.

Gurode's run blocking grade, that I looked at and used to help make my vote, declined by almost 10 points from 2009. He still graded out in the top 6 at his position in run blocking with the data I looked at.

I still think Gurode, when you rank him with his peers at center, played above average last year, even with a decline in some of his play.

However, Dallas needs to be seriously looking to find his successor in this draft, imo.

Gurode just turned 33 years old.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

I'm torn on that one, even though i missed out on the poll. He'd have gotten no better than a C from me and quite likely I would have given him a D.

 

[28 Joker]

In the same data that I was able to look at, Gurode had an almost 10 point increase in his overall grade when Jason Garrett took over.

This is another reason to be some what optimistic in regards to Gurode in 2011. Again, overall, he graded out slightly better in 2010 than 2009, but he did have a significant dip in his run blocking, which was still good (rated 6th among centers in the NFL). (according to some well presented data that I was able to look at)

I have read where a scout stated that Gurode wasn't able to get to the second level like he used to be able to do. Perhaps, his knee was an issue.