OL-So who's our Center? And will Pettiti even play next season?

[AMERICAS_FAN]

So who's our Center? And will Pettiti even play next season?

Sound like odd questions? They're not. I thought we ansewered our Center problems last year only to now have Al Johnson split time with Gurode. There's this mentality among the coaches that Johnson isn't quite the best man for the job. Hmmm, could it be that the caoches hardly allowed him to practice the position all training camp/offseason?

And given how this scenario at center has played out, is this prelude to next season where the coaches get the bright ideal to sit Pettiti at RT in place of someone else - be it Tucker of another player? It's food for thought.

I think you get my drift; this coaching staff can't seem to make up its mind on who to play and it seems to be affecting player development, and ultimately play on the field. I sometimes wonder if our record, and overall play, would be better if only the coaches got their philisophical heads out of the way.

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[Vertigo_17]

I'm thinking Pettiti has a pretty strong chance to continue playing at RT next year and beyond.

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

I don't think Johnson has played that bad, nor has Petitti. Rivera has not been nearly as good as anticipated, might still have some injury concerns. And Allen and Adams are not playing like Pro Bowl vets.

Playing the conservative offense that we are is making it even tougher on the OL. Everyone knows we are going to run, so they are stacking the lines. It is part of the reason that we have made some big plays down the field.

I think we need to open up the passing game more, and the run game will improve.

 

[DLCassidy]

Nonsense. NE rotates several of their OL men and hasn't seemed to hurt them much. Johnson was outweighed by almost 100 pounds against Washington last week- tough matchup so giving the bigger Gurode snaps only makes logical sense. Petiti is doing ok- just listen to Parcells PC.

 

[VACowboy]

By this rationale, Parcells should sit Canty, Spears and Ratliff.

I have no prob platooning centers. One is stronger, better at pushing big NT's around. One is more athletic, better at pulling and playing in space.

Where'd the Pettiti question come from? He's played pretty darned well for a rookie and hasn't rotated with anyone, despite Parcells' stated desire to get Tucker on the field. Hell, Pettiti promptly lost the weight Bill asked him too and played wwell through a couple of injuries. An offseason in an NFL weight room and another training camp, he can only get better. Moocho potential there.

What am I missing?

IMHO, the more young players you can play, the more talent you can develop, the better your team will be. But that's just me.

 

[Hiero]

IF Pettitti is not starting at RT next year, it definitely wont be because of a scrub worthless player like Tucker stealing his job. It will be either us drafting a young rt high in hte draft, or a free agent vet, or moving flozell to RT for a young LT we draft in the first.

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

I don't think there is a lack of talent here...but something is not gelling with the OL. Matt freaking Lehr starts for Atlanta, who has the best running game in the league right now.

 

[Hiero]

2 new players on the OL, and one Rookie. give them time hopefully they continue to gel. talentwise we have a pretty good line though, so it should turn out well.

 

[Next_years_Champs]

Parcells explained why he was playing these rotations for everyone willing to listen. Several people have mentioned the points of wanting to keep players fresh, but he also stressed that he is pushing this team really hard during practices and when a player is practicing hard and mistake free Parcells is going to reward him with some playing time.

I can't see anything wrong with that strategy nor do I see anything to critize, I would think it helps keep the players focused......

 

[Vertigo_17]

I don't think there is a lack of talent here...but something is not gelling with the OL. Matt freaking Lehr starts for Atlanta, who has the best running game in the league right now.

I think it also has something to do with our offense being very conservative and predictable. Opposing DC know they're going to get a large dose of JJ and that we have an immobile QB so they can gameplan accordingly.

 

[Hoov]

2 new players on the OL, and one Rookie. give them time hopefully they continue to gel. talentwise we have a pretty good line though, so it should turn out well.

yeah, i thought so too.....but then every year now we seem to go through this. Flo and LA should be dominating, 2 players who are said to be probowlers playing beside each other, Parcells says out play at center is fine. Rivera is also supposed to be one of the best guards in the league, and campbell is a good blocking TE, so why are they struggling ??

 

[NorTex]

I like the philosophy to rotate centers, therebye giving Gurode some playing time.

Parcells appreciates the hard work Gurode had put in, and wants to reward him. After all, Gurode played out of position last year, at guard. Then lost his job to Rivera. He could have played center last year and been even better this year.

Parcells is the kind of coach that rewards effort. It's the kind of effort us fans don't see, but the coaches see it.

I would like to play for a coach like that, anyday. No politics, just straight shootin'.

 

[SilverStarCowboy]

I'm thinking Pettiti has a pretty strong chance to continue playing at RT next year and beyond.

Or LT his natural position in College.

 

[Vertigo_17]

Or LT his natural position in College.

Quite True - never know what could happen in the off-season, but I'd expect Flo to still be on the left.

 

[Hiero]

Or LT his natural position in College.

I really doubt this unless Rob has a probowl year. maybe a few years down the road, but not anything inthe foreseeable future.

 

[wileedog]

Sound like odd questions? They're not. I thought we ansewered our Center problems last year only to now have Al Johnson split time with Gurode. There's this mentality among the coaches that Johnson isn't quite the best man for the job. Hmmm, could it be that the caoches hardly allowed him to practice the position all training camp/offseason?
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i don't think Johnson lost playing time at center as much as Gurode won it. I think Gurode's TC play at C surprised everyone.

They both certainly played better than anyone else on the line Sunday.