So why isn't Al Johnson starting ahead of Gurode??

[SALADIN]

Wouldn't that be a hoot?

You know, we can't read anything much into the lineup of the very first 'exhibition game".

Could be just that Bill wants to use the first game to gauge Dre's 'fit' into the starting oline...see how Allen and Marco play alongside him..and will have gotten a good enough sense to evaluate how that particular configuration would look..before he goes on to more seriously assess Al's individual development, and what he brings to the starting line.

Could be Bill just wants to get the 'Dre with first team' look over with asap. Because he'll be playing with Noll and Peterman from here on in.

But could be just what you suggested, as well.

Another good problem to have LTN. Unlike in years past it looks like most of the starters will have earned it instead of being put there by default (the one who sucks the least)

 

[Galian Beast]

I like both players, but I always hoped Gurode would play guard, so that we could have both Peterman, Gurode, and Johnson on the line in the future.

I don't like Petitti starting at right tackle, but I guess they don't want to push Rogers on a highly competitive defensive end.

I don't like Henson playing with the third team offense. It's not fair because the third team offense is MUCH worse than the second team. Romo gets Crayton and Morgan, and Thomas, and Henson gets Copper and Merrit, and Barber. Not to mention his offensive line is considerably worse.

The 2nd team offense is going to dominate the cards 2nd team defense, and it'll make Romo look appreciably better than Henson.

 

[Doomsday101]

I like both players, but I always hoped Gurode would play guard, so that we could have both Peterman, Gurode, and Johnson on the line in the future.

I don't like Petitti starting at right tackle, but I guess they don't want to push Rogers on a highly competitive defensive end.

I don't like Henson playing with the third team offense. It's not fair because the third team offense is MUCH worse than the second team. Romo gets Crayton and Morgan, and Thomas, and Henson gets Copper and Merrit, and Barber. Not to mention his offensive line is considerably worse.

The 2nd team offense is going to dominate the cards 2nd team defense, and it'll make Romo look appreciably better than Henson.

On the QB play the coaches will still know if he made the right reads and threw the ball where he needed to regardless in the WR make the catch or not so while we may all get hung up on the number the coaches will be looking at a lot more.

 

[AbeBeta]

But the coaches know this -- they aren't looking only at outcomes (i.e., stats) -- they look at whether Henson is making the right reads and decisions. Only fans like us concentrate exclusively on outcome.

I don't like Henson playing with the third team offense. It's not fair because the third team offense is MUCH worse than the second team. Romo gets Crayton and Morgan, and Thomas, and Henson gets Copper and Merrit, and Barber. Not to mention his offensive line is considerably worse.

The 2nd team offense is going to dominate the cards 2nd team defense, and it'll make Romo look appreciably better than Henson.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

I agree with WG, Gurode has played well in camp against a 3-4 with a guy in front of him which is his strength. He has yet to show if he can be as effective in space and the best way to find out what Gurode is all about is to put him in against the Arizona starters who play a 4-3. If he were the backup he would be going against some lesser talent and we still would have some questions.

Add one more agree. Parcells even hinted as much in the PC. Sounded like he already had a good idea what Al could do.

 

[Rush 2112]

I think the man is highly inteligent. I'm sorry but it is unfair and rude to call him dumb.

Well then we just have different standards for intelligence.

I've seen way too many dumb mistakes too call him smart, good, or highly intelligent.

BP: "Here's Gurode's deal. When there's a guy lined-up right on his nose and he knows that's his guy, he can do that."

Translation: When it's obvious to everyone including Rowdy, he knows what to do. When he has to think, he struggles.

"You don't have to get hit in the face with a skunk 2-3 times to know that it stinks."

Referring to Tucker, but everyone should know it applies to Gurode as well.

Hence, Marco gets 9 million signing bonus.

Sorry I didn't sugar coat the dumb comment, but I call em like I see em.

 

[Galian Beast]

having time to make reads also changes things...

 

[joseephuss]

SO what, who cares..

I want to see who starts at corner, Big AL is proven and gurode is not he needs reps with the first team to see if he can cut it, Big al can already, duh

What does that mean? I thought it was clear that Newman and Henry are the starters.

 

[TheEnigma]

Al Johnson is the starting center.

Gurode will be his backup this season. Gurode getting his chance to see if he mentally can handle it. Parcells knows Al can.

What happened to Gurode being cut?

 

[Doomsday101]

I don't think the starting job at center is set in stone by no means, who ever does the best job will be the starter come opening day. I wish the best for both guys and love the fact that no matter who wins the job we should have a very good backup at center

 

[junk]

Its a preseason game, I'm not reading too much into any starters or depth charts at this point.

It is nice to see signs of life from Gurode though and he plays well enough to get Tyson Walter cut, I might buy his jersey.

 

[Charles]

Maybe it's because of the simplest reason.

Andre Gurode has outperformed Al Johnson at every aspect of playing center within Parcells offense in camp so far. It could change.

2 or 3 press conference ago, Parcells stated they had installed 90% of the offense and defense so its fair to assume most of the exotic stuff on the Oline has already been installed.

Everyone assumed that Al Johnson is the entranched starter at center. I guess the same goes for Flozell at LT, Larry Allen at guard and Rivera at RG.

Flozell was a dissapointment at LT last year much more that Al Johnson was at center, but I don't see anyone taking 1st team snaps away from Flozell.

Why wouldn't Parcells want his incumbent starter at center taking every snap with the new QB and starting Oline developing chemistry?

 

[BlueWave]

Its a preseason game, I'm not reading too much into any starters or depth charts at this point.

It is nice to see signs of life from Gurode though and he plays well enough to get Tyson Walter cut, I might buy his jersey.

Nope. Walter was moved to RG because Parcells said they needed help at RG. Therefore, I don't think Walter is going anywhere. It sounds like he will be backing up Rivera.

As far Gurode goes, he won't be the starting Center unless Johnson gets hurt. However, I do think he will get plenty of playing time throughout the game at Center. That's really what we need, depth. Just as long as he does not struggle tomorrow night. Then Parcells might be forced to move Walter back to Center.

 

[Q_the_man]

What does that mean? I thought it was clear that Newman and Henry are the starters.

I just can't see Glenn coming off the bench, that boy is raw

 

[Rush 2112]

Who's going to challenge a 2 time pro bowler at LT? We had a 6th round rookie on one leg last week. Undrafted Vollers who we already know is our utility tackle. No one else after that to take snaps from Flo.

Gurode was a high 2nd round pick who flopped at RG. Playing him at center does 2 things: 1) Creates depth/competition 2) Hopefully salvages something from that pick.

 

[Lifetimeboyzfan]

Well then we just have different standards for intelligence.

I've seen way too many dumb mistakes too call him smart, good, or highly intelligent.

BP: "Here's Gurode's deal. When there's a guy lined-up right on his nose and he knows that's his guy, he can do that."

Translation: When it's obvious to everyone including Rowdy, he knows what to do. When he has to think, he struggles.

"You don't have to get hit in the face with a skunk 2-3 times to know that it stinks."

Referring to Tucker, but everyone should know it applies to Gurode as well.

Hence, Marco gets 9 million signing bonus.

Sorry I didn't sugar coat the dumb comment, but I call em like I see em.

To say his football IQ may be lower than you would want would be ok. I just think it is presumptuous and rude to call him or any player dumb based on you observations of him on a football field. Lastly, would you call him dumb to his face?

 

[Charles]

Who's going to challenge a 2 time pro bowler at LT? We had a 6th round rookie on one leg last week. Undrafted Vollers who we already know is our utility tackle. No one else after that to take snaps from Flo.

Good point. Meaning there is no one good enough on the roster to challenge Flozell

Gurode was a high 2nd round pick who flopped at RG. Playing him at center does 2 things: 1) Creates depth/competition 2) Hopefully salvages something from that pick.

Al Johnson was also a 2nd RD pick. Who did a great job coming back from an injury, but his level of play at the center position in 2004 didn't establish him as entrenched starter. The fact that Parcells has mentioned a rotation at the position suggest that Al Johnson is lacking in some areas Parcells requires of his center.

Andre Gurode in camp is proving to be an option.

Are you suggesting that Gurode can't play well enough in the preseason to take the starting gig?

Or are you stating that Al Johnson has played well enough in the past to hold down the starting job regardless of what Gurode does?

 

[BlueWave]

Good point. Meaning there is no one good enough on the roster to challenge Flozell

Al Johnson was also a 2nd RD pick. Who did a great job coming back from an injury, but his level of play at the center position in 2004 didn't establish him as entrenched starter. The fact that Parcells has mentioned a rotation at the position suggest that Al Johnson is lacking in some areas Parcells requires of his center.

Andre Gurode in camp is proving to be an option.

Are you suggesting that Gurode can't play well enough in the preseason to take the starting gig?

Or are you stating that Al Johnson has played well enough in the past to hold down the starting job regardless of what Gurode does?

How do you know Johnson hasn't played well enough in Parcells mind, to hold down the starting job? Maybe he has played well enough, that's why Parcells is starting Gurode, to see if he could hack against the first team defense? If not, Walter is back at Center and maybe Gurode is eventually gone. Unless you are a Coach or a true insider, you don't know either Q-Card. It's all specualtion. In Parcells mind, it might already be Johnsons job. Let's wait and see.

 

[Charles]

How do you know Johnson hasn't played well enough in Parcells mind, to hold down the starting job?

Because Parcells has never rotated his starting centers when he's had an entrenched starter. Unless injuries dictated so.

Maybe he has played well enough, that's why Parcells is starting Gurode, to see if he could hack against the first team defense?

Flawed logic. We all know Rivera and Allen have played well enough at their positions. Infact well enough at a Pro Bowl level. I don't see Parcells swaping in Peterman and Walters to see if they can "Hack against the first team defense".

If not, Walter is back at Center and maybe Gurode is eventually gone.

Maybe....................

Unless you are a Coach or a true insider, you don't know either Q-Card. It's all specualtion. In Parcells mind, it might already be Johnsons job. Let's wait and see.

Q-Card...........a legend , by the way I am an insider

I agree its all speculation. I just trying to read the writing on the wall.

 

[Rush 2112]

You listen to the PC's. BP said he would do that at every position. Just so happens the scrub that forced our 9 million dollar hand at RG use to play OC so let's see what he can do there.

Facts:
1) He failed at OC so we drafted AJ.
2) Failed at OG so we signed Rivera.

If he had played RT or LT in the past he'd probably be getting reps there, but he didn't so we can't.

I'm not even convinced he makes the team at this point. Somewhere between 50-50 and 70-30.

I'm saying Gurode is too dumb and lacks athleticism to start at OC.

If he rotates with AJ regular season it's no different than BP wanting to rest TG by using Crayton/Morgan.

Lacks football IQ, slow to digest playbook, has problems recognizing stunts all equal dumb.