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

[Banned_n_austin]

Gurode is one of the guys on the bubble ... but if he shows he can play center, then he's worthy of a roster spot because of his 'versatility' to play 2 positions if that kind of depth is needed ... that's why you're seeing him getting in w/ the first team IMO.

 

[joseephuss]

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

I got you. Great pick up for Dallas. Glad he is on the team. I don't see him starting unless there is an injury, but he will see plenty of playing time as the 3rd corner and Newman going to the slot. He isn't as physical in the running support as Henry or Newman. Newman has surprised me the last two years with how he sticks his head in there on running plays. Not a great tackler, but he doesn't shy away from contact. Frazier , too.

 

[Doomsday101]

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.

Lucky for Gurode the coach bases it on what he sees not other people feeling about a player. Gurode is getting his oppertunity what he does with it will determine his fate with the team and if he outplays Johnson he will get the job. Report dating back to mini-camp has been very positive from Parcells in regards to Gurode and the off-season work he has put in and evidently Gurode has not done anything to hurt his chances thus far in training camp. To me it does not matter who wins the job I want the guy who is playing the best.

 

[Hollywood Henderson]

That makes sense Dooms, and we need to also figure into the equation that with our new Oline coach we finally have Gurode back where he can make his biggest impact...

I think and its been stated by the coaches that Gurode's natural position is C...

I also like his ability to man up vs the 3-4 because of his bigger size & better power then Al...

May the best man win...

 

[Doomsday101]

That makes sense Dooms, and we need to also figure into the equation that with our new Oline coach we finally have Gurode back where he can make his biggest impact...

I think and its been stated by the coaches that Gurode's natural position is C...

I also like his ability to man up vs the 3-4 because of his bigger size & better power then Al...

May the best man win...

It just gets old seeing those rooting against our own players, Gurode has not done very well since he has been here but evidently he has put in the hard work and has caught the eye of the coaching staff. Heading into this past off-season I was one of the people around here who said that this was a make or break year for Gurode and I still think it is but right now every time I see a report on him it has been very positive so I don't think this is some mind game going on I think Gurode is just finally getting it and now he will get his chance to earn a spot and yes possibly a starting role

 

[Charles]

You listen to the PC's. BP said he would do that at every position.

Do what at every position?

If you mean rotate players then you are mistaken. Every PC is archived at DC.com. Parcells never made that statement.

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.

So Parcells is limiting the development of Al Johnson (whom by the way was at best average last season) to see if he can salvage a scrubs career. A scrub whom in your opinion already failed at the center position. I see you logic

Facts:
1) He failed at OC so we drafted AJ.

Wrong...........

Gurode was moved from Center to Guard out of necessity NOT poor play in 2002. Larry Allen, Garmon and Page were in and out of the line-up. Gurode was moved to RG. Matt Lehr filled in at center and Tyson Walters moved to LG.

Parcells even stated in his press conference that one of the stupid decisions he made was leaving Gurode at RG in 2003. He made that decision because he scouted Gurode at RG. The position Gurdoe played his SR year and half of his JR year at Colorado. Gurode was an excellent center at Colorado before moving to RG because of injuries and graduation.

It was a stupid decision, straight from Parcells mouth, that led to drafting of Johnson. Drafting of Johnson was great because if Gurode steps his game up like he has so far in camp we'll be in good shape in case of injuries or poor play.

2) Failed at OG so we signed Rivera.

Very True and Parcells took the blame and placed it squarely on his shoulders...........Check the PC bro........Dc.com

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.

We shall see.

 

[Hollywood Henderson]

I agree...
I was never one who thought the whole Oline ill's were on his shouldsrs anyway...

It just seemed someone on the Oline would make a crutial mistake when we couldn't afford it combined with being put in a must pass situation all too often recently...

 

[junk]

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.

He was moved there because of the play of Gurode at C. Personally, I think it bumps him down a bit and increases his chances of being cut.

He is competing with Noll at RG now. Let's go, Ben Noll!

 

[CactusCowboy]

I like the idea of having (2) centers who can handle the job. That means they both will be fresh in the 4th quarter of games......

 

[junk]

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

.

So, what is your insider connection? Is it real or imagined (cough..cough..Ty Law trade..cough..cough).

 

[Charles]

So, what is your insider connection? Is it real or imagined (cough..cough..Ty Law trade..cough..cough).

As real as they get..............

Whats up with the Ty Law trade?

 

[Doomsday101]

I like the idea of having (2) centers who can handle the job. That means they both will be fresh in the 4th quarter of games......

I seriously doubt we will have centers coming in and out of the game, things like that lead to bad exchanges between the QB and center. I see it quite often when another center is forced into the game. Also offensive line has to have some continuity which is why you don't see teams rotating their O-lineman like they do on defense.

 

[gimmesix]

Can't this be something as simple as Parcells knowing what he's got in Johnson and wanting to see what he's got in Gurode as a center?

I mean, he's rotating Brett Pierce and Jon Condo at deep snapper ... does that mean he's planning on replacing Jeff Robinson with either of them this year? No, what it means is that he already knows what Robinson can do.

Now, if either Condo or Pierce showed they could do it better than Robinson, then it would be a different story. And the same holds true with Gurode.

He's getting a chance to show what he can do starting at that position, and if he shows more than Johnson, then Parcells will start him.

Anyone reading anything more into this than that is looking too deep, beyond anything Parcells has said. But on message boards, we seem to be real good at that.

 

[Rush 2112]

Like I said....creating/depth competition.

"I didn't say I was making any switch. I'm just trying to get Gurode playing time at the position. Don't read anything into that. It would be way too early. I promise you."

 

[Echo9]

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

That is apparently the truth.

The initial reports on Gurodes problems we that they were "mental", but that it was Gurode overthinking.

Of course the folks with agendas decided to ignire that and just call him dumb.

 

[Alexander]

This is no different than starting a backup QB to see what they can do with the other starters in a variety of plays.

Sometimes that is important.

I don't think Gurode improved immensely nor did Johnson regress.

This is a decision that is calculated and for evaluation purposes only.

I just hope that Coach Parcells has made sure Al's ego does not get bruised.

 

[Rush 2112]

Now people have agendas at OC and OG too?

Love to see one reference from a credible source stating Gurode was highly inteligent or overthinking. I promise I'm not igniring it.

How long should we hold our breath before you come up with that?

 

[Alexander]

Now people have agendas at OC and OG too?

Love to see one reference from a credible source stating Gurode was highly inteligent or overthinking. I promise I'm not igniring it.

How long should we hold our breath before you come up with that?

Gurode has been one of the players on the team that has been especially prone to mental errors.

I would be very curious to see this "evidence" as well.

 

[AbeBeta]

The initial reports on Gurodes problems we that they were "mental", but that it was Gurode overthinking.

Come on now.

How exactly would a coaching staff know if a player was "overthinking?" You can know a mental mistake when you see it - e.g., he doesn't block the right guy. But you can't know whether he did so because a) he didn't know his assignment, b) he was too slow to recognize his assignment because he isn't smart (in a football sense), or c) he was too slow to recognize his assignment because he thought about it too long. Unless the coaching staff can read minds, the "overthinking" idea is just a guess.

 

[Alexander]

The initial reports on Gurodes problems we that they were "mental", but that it was Gurode overthinking.

Come on now.

How exactly would a coaching staff know if a player was "overthinking?" You can know a mental mistake when you see it - e.g., he doesn't block the right guy. But you can't know whether he did so because a) he didn't know his assignment, b) he was too slow to recognize his assignment because he isn't smart (in a football sense), or c) he was too slow to recognize his assignment because he thought about it too long. Unless the coaching staff can read minds, the "overthinking" idea is just a guess.

I agree.

A guard.

OVER-thinking.

Is he a QB?