Johnson: Just how much weight did he gain?

[burmafrd]

I have heard anywhere from 10-17 lbs. Though from what I remember he has always had trouble keeping his weight up. Supposedly by late last season he was down to 280.

 

[Hostile]

I have heard anywhere from 10-17 lbs. Though from what I remember he has always had trouble keeping his weight up. Supposedly by late last season he was down to 280.

Parcells said he was up to 307.

 

[burmafrd]

NOW if he can just KEEP it up there.

 

[Hostile]

NOW if he can just KEEP it up there.

And avoid giving away the snap count with a fist pump.

 

[burmafrd]

Hopefully threats of painfull dismemberment from BP will take care of that problem.

 

[AbeBeta]

Parcells said he was up to 307.

Did you also catch in that PC where Bill said that Al had "no problems" keeping his weight up the past 2 years? The context of the statement was something along the lines of "he should be good at this size"

I found that statement odd since others reported that Al fell to 280 during last season -- that is he lost weight during the year. And honestly, he sure looked and played small at times.

The only thing I can figure is that Bill was talking about muscle rather than fat -- i.e., Al kept on the muscle but lost fat as the year went on. Either that or when asked about center, his thoughts immediately went to Gurode who clearly has a great OC body

 

[dmq]

Parcells said he was up to 307.

That is a huge difference. What took him so long?? I guess you could blame the knee surgery. Seems funny how these guys get it together just in time to nab a new contract.

 

[burmafrd]

He had the knee surgery almost 4 years ago. He has had 3 full offseasons and 2 full seasons to get his weight up. I remember BP once said that Al was maxed out in the weight room- that was more then a year ago. All I can think is that he has bulked up- traded some of his quickness for more bulk.

 

[theogt]

3 years ago, burm, but yeah you're right--it's sink or swim now. He had the exchange problem fixed by the end of last season though right? It feels like last season was years ago now. I hate offseasons.

 

[burmafrd]

2003 is when he had the surgery- so you are right it was 3 years. Keep forgetting that it was Gurode that was picked in 2002.

 

[Eddie]

I don't think Johnson was that terrible last year. He wasn't the weak link in the OL. Granted, there were a few times where his mistake was obvious, but in general, I think he held his own.

Our biggest problem last year, esp late in the season, were the OT's. Johnson's issues were minor compared to the OT's.

So for now, I'm hoping for a good battle between Johnson and Gurode. Somehow, if we could mesh the two together and put the goods of both into one player, we'd have a heck of a Center. But for now, we have to live with the ills of both players.

The bottom line, Johnson's not getting any stronger and Gurode isn't getting any smarter.

 

[burmafrd]

I have always wished for a head transplant- AL's head on Gurode's body.
Al got manhandled a lot last year- but then he had to face several massive NT's and DT's that he hadn't before. His lack of size/strength really became apparent.

 

[Eddie]

I have always wished for a head transplant- AL's head on Gurode's body.
Al got manhandled a lot last year- but then he had to face several massive NT's and DT's that he hadn't before. His lack of size/strength really became apparent.

I agree, mix up Al and Gurode, and we'd have one heck of a Center.

 

[Hostile]

I don't think Johnson was that terrible last year. He wasn't the weak link in the OL. Granted, there were a few times where his mistake was obvious, but in general, I think he held his own.

Our biggest problem last year, esp late in the season, were the OT's. Johnson's issues were minor compared to the OT's.

So for now, I'm hoping for a good battle between Johnson and Gurode. Somehow, if we could mesh the two together and put the goods of both into one player, we'd have a heck of a Center. But for now, we have to live with the ills of both players.

The bottom line, Johnson's not getting any stronger and Gurode isn't getting any smarter.

I'm going to disagree with you and say he was the biggest problem on the OL last year.

He was pumping his fist right before the snap of the ball and DLs were teeing off on us. There was a period of 3 straight games where you just knew they had the snap count. Then some fan wrote Mickey Spags a letter saying Al was pumping his fist right before the snap, and Mickey told Sparano about it.

Ds knew when we were going to snap the ball and that's never good. By the time they figured it out our OL was already shell shocked.

 

[burmafrd]

It worries me if THAT is how Sparano found out- since watching GAME FILM SHOULD HAVE CAUGHT THAT.

 

[Doomsday101]

I hope he does a better job using leverage; one thing Mark Stepnoski proved when he was here is you don’t have to be a big man to play center but you better play with good leverage and good foot work. I’m glad to see Johnson adding weight but if he does not do a better job at playing lower and using better leverage his extra weight will be used against him

 

[Hostile]

It worries me if THAT is how Sparano found out- since watching GAME FILM SHOULD HAVE CAUGHT THAT.

I was livid that he hadn't caught it. It was someone from St. Louis who became convinced there was somethign there and watched the games over and over until he spotted it.

 

[Doomsdayblitz]

I hope he does a better job using leverage; one thing Mark Stepnoski proved when he was here is you don’t have to be a big man to play center but you better play with good leverage and good foot work. I’m glad to see Johnson adding weight but if he does not do a better job at playing lower and using better leverage his extra weight will be used against him

Good point. Step was never over 280, but he still played well against 320 pounders by using their momentum against them. He was the consumate technician, who instinctively knew how to use leverage and angles to take his guy out of the play, and that's all you have to do.

 

[Vintage]

It worries me if THAT is how Sparano found out- since watching GAME FILM SHOULD HAVE CAUGHT THAT.

LOL.

One thing about Kosier -- lots of rumors around that he received awful coaching in Det -- and he still played OK. you bring him in here with our slightly below average OL coaching and watch out!

Perfect quote for this thread.

 

[burmafrd]

Stepnoski was an absolute artist with leverage and movement. A guy like that comes along only every so often.