The Battle for Center

[Bob Sacamano]

Right now the offense is going against a 34 team (obviously) every day. And the D isn't doing anything particularly exotic this early in camp.

I'd wait until we play 43 defenses that are scheming complex looks to confuse the offense before I beat my chest too hard, Charles.

at least someone has been taking his notes

 

[burmafrd]

Considering what has been said about Peterman, this looks very doubtfull. though it is true that so far Gurode has looked better. Columbo is looking good as well- whether he moves in front of Petitti we shall see.

 

[AbeBeta]

But Gurode is also showing better during the practices that are not 1 on 1.

Gee. Isn't this about the same argument we had last year at this time?

 

[Bob Sacamano]

How about; He looks better right now in TC than Johnson. I'd base alot on that.

really? well Randall Williams looked like a player during TC, where is he now?

oh that's right, he's a backup TE :laugh2:

 

[burmafrd]

Last year at camp I do not think that Gurode had the edge he has shown so far. And that edge is in both 1 on 1 and at the practices THIS year, was not the case last year. The light just might have finally turned on with Gurode.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Last year at camp I do not think that Gurode had the edge he has shown so far. And that edge is in both 1 on 1 and at the practices THIS year, was not the case last year. The light just might have finally turned on with Gurode.

we'll see in preseason

last year, this time, BP was raving how big a mistake he made playing Gurode at OG, and look what happened during preseason...

 

[speedkilz88]

Peterman is backing up Rivera this year at RG, Procter is competing with Kosier.

 

[burmafrd]

Does seem like Peterman is not considered starting material. Last year behind LA; this year behind Rivera- both times backing up the guy that you expect to play just about every snap.

 

[theogt]

Peterman is backing up Rivera this year at RG, Procter is competing with Kosier.

Really? The knock on Peterman has always been that he can't play RG. It's good that he's getting some versatility if this is true.

 

[TruBlueCowboy]

Read between the lines. It's pretty easy to figure out what Bill wants.

He WANTS Andre Gurode to win the starting job because he's a better mauler.

However, he realizes Gurode has the attention span and concentration of a prune and is going to get everyone killed if he can't get his act together.

Bill has hung onto Gurode for a while now. He's moved him around. He WANTS him to succeed. Bill can see the physical talent, he just doesn't think the guy can mentally hack it.

I hope Gurode finally proves he can makes the calls at the line because I like my centers not getting pushed around.

IMO, if Gurode doesn't change, and the new weight doesn't help Johnson, expect a high draft pick on a center next year.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Read between the lines. It's pretty easy to figure out what Bill wants.

He WANTS Andre Gurode to win the starting job because he's a better mauler.

However, he realizes Gurode has the attention span and concentration of a prune and is going to get everyone killed if he can't get his act together.

Bill has hung onto Gurode for a while now. He's moved him around. He WANTS him to succeed. Bill can see the physical talent, he just doesn't think the guy can mentally hack it.

 

[AbeBeta]

Read between the lines. It's pretty easy to figure out what Bill wants.

He WANTS Andre Gurode to win the starting job because he's a better mauler.

Hmm. I'd think he'd want Johnson to win the job because Gurode can backup all 3 interior line positions whereas Al can only play center.

 

[Doomsday101]

Hmm. I'd think he'd want Johnson to win the job because Gurode can backup all 3 interior line positions whereas Al can only play center.

I would think he would want who ever is getting the job done. I'm not sure BP pulls for 1 guy more than another. Finding his best 5 for the OL to start the season seems to be his priority right now.

 

[The Realist]

Read between the lines. It's pretty easy to figure out what Bill wants.

He WANTS Andre Gurode to win the starting job because he's a better mauler.

However, he realizes Gurode has the attention span and concentration of a prune and is going to get everyone killed if he can't get his act together.

Bill has hung onto Gurode for a while now. He's moved him around. He WANTS him to succeed. Bill can see the physical talent, he just doesn't think the guy can mentally hack it.

I hope Gurode finally proves he can makes the calls at the line because I like my centers not getting pushed around.

IMO, if Gurode doesn't change, and the new weight doesn't help Johnson, expect a high draft pick on a center next year.

Let me get this right. BP wants Gurode to win the job, but doesn't think he can mentally handle it?

Scary thing is a couple people agreed with you.

Fact: BP said AJ is better vs 4-3 teams.

Go check our schedule.

Create a pseudo battle to motivate AJ.

 

[Hoov]

i dont think its that mentally gurode cant figure out the calls because he's lacking intelligence or he has no focus.

parcells made the comment that some centers were able to make the call as soon as the huddle breaks, i think that is a natural and instinctive thing. its possible that gurode takes longer to make the reads and maybe analyzed too much so that he's not making the calls until last minute, or missing something. maybe more experience will help.

 

[TruBlueCowboy]

Let me get this right. BP wants Gurode to win the job, but doesn't think he can mentally handle it?

Scary thing is a couple people agreed with you.

Fact: BP said AJ is better vs 4-3 teams.

Go check our schedule.

Create a pseudo battle to motivate AJ.

Straight from today's press conference:

Gurode is doing well. I think this is the best I have seen him so far. I understand him pretty well and I think he understands me and we can have good conversations. He just seems more suited to C. If he's gonna be the C and I don't know that he is, he is the one that has to direct blocking schemes. You can't have mental breakdowns in that regard.. If you are a distractable player you aren't going to be a good C. He has a better understanding of that thatn he used to. He and Al are both ok. Gurode has alot of ability. I have done alot of study on this kid and he is very intelligent. You only have to talk to a player to know that and I've talked to him. I tell him I want 100% focus for five hours on game day. If he can't give me that then he won't be successful. I've had guys like this before. If you keep them on the concentration track then they are good. If not they aren't. I'm not saying lack of focus has prevented him from being good. Look, you have to get this right. What I 'm saying is that you can't be a distractable player I this league. You have to know what formation the defense is going to be in. Bart Oates used to call teh protection scheme right after the huddle. Al is good at that.

 

[Doomsday101]

Let me get this right. BP wants Gurode to win the job, but doesn't think he can mentally handle it?

Scary thing is a couple people agreed with you.

Fact: BP said AJ is better vs 4-3 teams.

Go check our schedule.

Create a pseudo battle to motivate AJ.

• Parcells said he will continue to rotate his centers in practice, but plans to keep Andre Gurode working with the first-team offense. The coach said this is the best he has seen from Gurode since he took over as head coach in 2003. "This guy has a lot of ability now," Parcells said. "But he's a distractible player sometimes. But he's doing some good things right now." Parcells said Gurode and Al Johnson are even in the center competition right now.

 

[TruBlueCowboy]

• Parcells said he will continue to rotate his centers in practice, but plans to keep Andre Gurode working with the first-team offense. The coach said this is the best he has seen from Gurode since he took over as head coach in 2003. "This guy has a lot of ability now," Parcells said. "But he's a distractible player sometimes. But he's doing some good things right now." Parcells said Gurode and Al Johnson are even in the center competition right now.

Yup, that too. I know I read he was the 1st teamer for now. Although, Bill has said nothing is set in stone. If Gurode stays focused, he wins the job.

 

[Doomsday101]

Yup, that too. I know I read he was the 1st teamer for now. Although, Bill has said nothing is set in stone. If Gurode stays focused, he wins the job.

I don't expect the job being handed to either guy. I also understand the problems Gurode has had, now if he is improving and playing the best since BP has been here then he has a chance. Personally I don't care who wins the job I want the guy who is showing the most and is doing the job.

 

[Iago33]

How's he "rotating centers" if Gurode stays with the first team? He's going to put Al on third string?