Johnson: Just how much weight did he gain?

[wileedog]

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

Maybe we should get Johnson a bong....

 

[burmafrd]

I really wonder just how much Step was using when he was playing- I have a hunch that he was on the wagon during the season.

 

[Jarv]

Maybe we should get Johnson a bong....

Or have him come in and teach techniuque....

 

[Vintage]

Maybe we should get Johnson a bong....

God, there have been some absolute gems as far as quotes go today....

People are looking at me strange here at work, because I keep busting out in laughter...

Between the above quote and this one...

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!

....I just can't quit lauughing.

 

[Doomsday101]

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.

Exactly. As I have said before being a lineman is not about 2 big men bumping bellies if it were it would be nothing to find some 300+ guys and stick them on the line. You need to play with good footwork and know how to play with leverage. To often the defender would fire out low and get leverage against Johnson and be able to move him backwards. Johnson regardless of how much weight he puts on needs to learn how to play lower and not allow his man to get inside.

 

[Alexander]

Mickey told Sparano about it.

That sends a chill down my spine.

Spagnola. Advice to our OL coach.

 

[Stash]

I think Al's problems are more of a technique/lower body strength issue than sheer weight. As has been said, Stepnoski's technique allowed him to play well even though he was seriously undersized. And there are plenty of starting centers who play at 300 or under.

Hopefully the concerted efforts in the weight room and eliminating his "tipoffs" will allow him to have a better season and firmly establish himself as the team's center.

 

[burmafrd]

Step was pretty unique- there is not another starting center in the NFL even close to being that small. You really cannot expect it to happen again anytime soon if ever. Johnson can probably get better in technique- but I think that what Step had was unique and cannot be taught.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

Somewhere I read he gained 20lbs.

 

[dmq]

That sends a chill down my spine.

Spagnola. Advice to our OL coach.

I think it was Spags who figured it out from someone who asked a question about it in his Q&A. I think we were talking about it here a few days before the question got posted. So, it could have been via this website.

 

[Charles]

Wow it amazing how Al Johnson so easily gets a pass because of his weight and how everyone believes he will get better because he put on weight during the off-season.

Did Stepnoski ever play above 295lbs? Maybe when soaking wet.............

Al Johnson is 2 off-seasons removed from his knee injury.

I guess after this training camp, more will question his talent should he lose the gig.

I hope he improves.

Its also amazing how folks think Gurode can't get any smarter in this offense at the center position.

Gurode gave Al Johnson a run at the center spot on physical talent. Gurode had to learn the center position last off-season, while Al Johnson already had 2 offseason of learning the center spot in this offense.

Parcell has repeatedly stated how he made a mistake by leaving Gurode at RG in 2004. He stated Gurode's true position is center.

I am just happy all the "excuse" are out of the way going into this training camp. Al Johnson has his weight up and Gurode will have had a 2 off-seasons in preparation for challenging Al at the center spot.

My solution was to draft Nick Mangold

 

[burmafrd]

Gurode played center most of his rookie season and also a lot at Colorado. So he had a fair amount of experience. BP admitted that he should have left Gurode at center instead of moving him to guard. Gurode has always had a problem with the mental part of the game. He is a very bright guy with a high GPA at Colorado- but as regards football....

 

[Stash]

I still haven't forgiven Gurode for the "gaffe" that cost us the second game against the Giants.

 

[wileedog]

I still haven't forgiven Gurode for the "gaffe" that cost us the second game against the Giants.

I can't get that play out of my head every time "Gurode" and "center" come up in the same sentence.

 

[Charles]

Gurode played center most of his rookie season and also a lot at Colorado. So he had a fair amount of experience. BP admitted that he should have left Gurode at center instead of moving him to guard. Gurode has always had a problem with the mental part of the game. He is a very bright guy with a high GPA at Colorado- but as regards football....

While he did play center his rookie year, I think its fair to say that the demands or responsiblities at the center position in the 2002 offense were different.

There is still a learning curve. Gurode doesn't have any excuse this year at training camp. He's had 2 off-seasons.

Obviously Sparano and Palmer will tweak the system some.

 

[DLCassidy]

I don't think Johnson's issues are technique related. If indeed he was playing 280-290 last year he was giving away 30-40 pounds to a lot of NT's. Guys are a LOT bigger now than when Step was playing. Technique will get you just so far- that's why middleweights don't fight heavyweights.

Johnson is a technically sound guy with good mobility that can get out to the 2nd level. If he's able to stay at 305 or so he has a much better chance of being able to anchor against the bull rush, especially if he's built a stronger base in his legs. It's a big deal because last year when our tackles whiffed on their blocks, which was often, Bledsoe had no room to step up.

I agree with Hos that the fist pump thing was a problem last year but I guess that's been fixed. At least Johnson can shotgun snap. I have a hard time taking Gurode seriously until he can do that.

 

[Hostile]

That sends a chill down my spine.

Spagnola. Advice to our OL coach.

This is why I was so pissed when Sparano wasn't allowed to join Payton in Nawlins. He should have caught this. An avid fan in St. Louis and his TiVo did the OL coach's job.

 

[Doomsday101]

I don't think Johnson's issues are technique related. If indeed he was playing 280-290 last year he was giving away 30-40 pounds to a lot of NT's. Guys are a LOT bigger now than when Step was playing. Technique will get you just so far- that's why middleweights don't fight heavyweights.

Johnson is a technically sound guy with good mobility that can get out to the 2nd level. If he's able to stay at 305 or so he has a much better chance of being able to anchor against the bull rush, especially if he's built a stronger base in his legs. It's a big deal because last year when our tackles whiffed on their blocks, which was often, Bledsoe had no room to step up.

I agree with Hos that the fist pump thing was a problem last year but I guess that's been fixed. At least Johnson can shotgun snap. I have a hard time taking Gurode seriously until he can do that.

There are many centers that are playing under 300, including most of teams that are considered very good blocking units. Weight it not the end all at playing OL or center and when you’re getting pushed around a lot of that does go back to technique. Just 1 example is Casey Wiegmann 6-2 285 with KC, I don’t see him getting pushed around by NT

 

[burmafrd]

I don't know about Wiegman- I have seen him abused on occasion. Also he is not that small- he is bigger then that. He has bulked up to almost 300. Or at least thats what the KC board has claimed.

 

[Doomsday101]

I don't know about Wiegman- I have seen him abused on occasion. Also he is not that small- he is bigger then that. He has bulked up to almost 300. Or at least thats what the KC board has claimed.

KC Casey Wiegmann 6-2 285
Pit Jeff Hartings 6-3 299
NYJ Pete Kendall 6-5 280
Sea Robbie Tobeck 6-4 297
TB John Wade 6-5 299
Ind Jeff Saturday 6-2 295

What I'm getting at is a guy does not have to be 300 pounds to do the job. As for as Wiegman being abused almost every lineman gets beat from time to time but KC did not put together the running attack they have by not being able to block. I want to see Johnson become a very good center but weight is not the only issue to being a very good center