Is Al Johnson Parcells' mystery RT?

[AMERICAS_FAN]

A while ago, Parcells said that he had a plan at RT if the current prospects didn't pan out. He also said not to try and guess which player that was because "you" (meaning the media) would be wrong. The media then speculated that it could be Larry Allen taking over RT as a last-ditch effort, with Peterman taking over at Allen's LG spot.

But now we get to camp. Allen is initially held out of practice and recently slotted back in at LG. The surprise switch in the OL is Andre Gurode moving back to his natural position at center and filling in quite nicely. There's also some talk that Gurode is bigger, more powerful and faster than Al Johnson so he may very well win the center position. And an upgrade at center would be a good thing (not that Al Johnson wasn't playing well - but an upgrade is still an upgrade) considering the need to protect the pocket at all costs for Bledsoe.

So if Gurode ends up being the starter at center then where does that leave Al Johnson? Could Al Johnson be Parcells' mystery player for RT if the switch of Gurode to center pans out? Can Al Johnson even play RT? Does anyone have an opinion about this?

**

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

At 295 lbs I highly doubt it.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Not hardly big enough.

 

[Dayton Cowboy]

I'm guessing its more than just the weight itself.. Given the following

Rogers, Jacob OT 6-6 305
Tucker, Torrin OT 6-6 315
Vollers, Kurt OT 6-7 300

Johnson, Al C 6-5 296

I took this from DC.com.. I didn't actually think that AJ was even that big for some reason... I guess I was thinking a guy more the size of Step

 

[MichaelWinicki]

And considering that no one has reported Johnson taking a single snap at the position I don't see this being a likely scenario.

 

[Bungarian]

no way

 

[Eddie]

Holy smokes, do you guys pull this stuff out of your butt???

I got a better idea:

- Dat at FS
- LA at DT
- Bledsoe at RT

Unreal!!! I just love these analogies ... as if players and positions are interchangeable.

Honestly, if you guys are gonna post something, post something with dignity and substance. Don't pull stuff out of the air ... what if's are nice, but make sure they make sense.

 

[AsthmaField]

Gurode is bigger, more powerful and faster than Al Johnson

Bigger and more powerful, yes. Faster? No. Al is much quicker getting to the linebackers than Gurode is.

I can't see Al at RT.

 

[Nors]

Al IS OUR STARTING CENTER.

 

[cannonball44]

well he's also smaller... so better quickness is expected.

 

[joseephuss]

How about Marco Rivera at RT?

Or move Flo over to RT and plug in someone else at LT?

I really think Bill is going to bring in one of his guys to play. I figure Jumbo Elliot will be showing up shortly to training camp.

 

[JakeCamp12]

After Dre beats Al for the starting center job, I guess Al will have to play somewhere...

 

[Nors]

After Dre beats Al for the starting center job, I guess Al will have to play somewhere...

An Gurode is not beating Al Johnson out. Just not happening.

An is a mental walking mistake. Penalty machine who misses assignments. We could NEVER run over him. Al J is what Parcells wants, quick and ability to pull and react. Something An Gurode has demonstrated he can't do.

I don't get how you feel anything has changed. An Gurode was BENCHED last year.

 

[SuspectCorner]

doesn't seem very likely - but what the heck.

along the same lines as the LA-to-RT scenario, if Johnson can get it done and there is a capable replacement at C...

 

[Duane]

I don't know if this is predicated on boredom or lack of knowledge of the position or what. But this is a bad idea, just like all the conversion discussions we have.

Just because they play on the offensive line doesn't mean they can play every position on the line at an NFL level. Johnson is a very solid center, why would you want to play him somewhere he's never played?

 

[Doomsdayblitz]

An Gurode is not beating Al Johnson out. Just not happening.

An is a mental walking mistake. Penalty machine who misses assignments. We could NEVER run over him. Al J is what Parcells wants, quick and ability to pull and react. Something An Gurode has demonstrated he can't do.

I don't get how you feel anything has changed. An Gurode was BENCHED last year.

Gurode was BENCHED from the RG position, not the Center position. Obviously, Andre is doing well enough at C for Bill to actually say there is competition there, & to admit that he himself made a foolish assumption that AG was an OG because he was scouted as an OG. Parcells has said that AG is a MUCH better C than OG. If Gurode can show some leadership at that position, it would be nice to have a Center with that kind of size & strength.

Imagine the kind of push up the middle we could get with LA, AG, & MR in the center of the line! Each weighs over 310 & is as strong as an ox. It would really take the focus off of the RT position, since teams would have to respect the middle first & foremost before attacking the perimeter.

 

[Doomsday101]

Gurode was BENCHED from the RG position, not the Center position. Obviously, Andre is doing well enough at C for Bill to actually say there is competition there, & to admit that he himself made a foolish assumption that AG was an OG because he was scouted as an OG. Parcells has said that AG is a MUCH better C than OG. If Gurode can show some leadership at that position, it would be nice to have a Center with that kind of size & strength.

Imagine the kind of push up the middle we could get with LA, AG, & MR in the center of the line! Each weighs over 310 & is as strong as an ox. It would really take the focus off of the RT position, since teams would have to respect the middle first & foremost before attacking the perimeter.

I agree and when you get right down to it even if Gurode does not unseat Johnson for the starters role at the very least we end up with a legit backup at a critical position no matter who wins the job

 

[TheHustler]

I doubt it.

 

[Awakened]

Holy smokes, do you guys pull this stuff out of your butt???

I got a better idea:

- Dat at FS
- LA at DT
- Bledsoe at RT

Unreal!!! I just love these analogies ... as if players and positions are interchangeable.

Honestly, if you guys are gonna post something, post something with dignity and substance. Don't pull stuff out of the air ... what if's are nice, but make sure they make sense.

Dude, lighten up.

 

[Chuck 54]

A while ago, Parcells said that he had a plan at RT if the current prospects didn't pan out. He also said not to try and guess which player that was because "you" (meaning the media) would be wrong. The media then speculated that it could be Larry Allen taking over RT as a last-ditch effort, with Peterman taking over at Allen's LG spot.

But now we get to camp. Allen is initially held out of practice and recently slotted back in at LG. The surprise switch in the OL is Andre Gurode moving back to his natural position at center and filling in quite nicely. There's also some talk that Gurode is bigger, more powerful and faster than Al Johnson so he may very well win the center position. And an upgrade at center would be a good thing (not that Al Johnson wasn't playing well - but an upgrade is still an upgrade) considering the need to protect the pocket at all costs for Bledsoe.

So if Gurode ends up being the starter at center then where does that leave Al Johnson? Could Al Johnson be Parcells' mystery player for RT if the switch of Gurode to center pans out? Can Al Johnson even play RT? Does anyone have an opinion about this?

**

OMG!!!!....now that would be a funny thought....a guy who can't beat out a lousy guard moved to center to become our starting OT. NO way, NO how, not in this lifetime.