Which do we need more a C or RT or both

[texastwister]

Which do you think this team would be better with? I think we need a bigger and stronger center. There were too many times Johnson got pushed back into the backfield before Bledsoe handed the ball off.

I think with some work in the offseason Rob can get better with his feet. I say give him a shot unless we can find someone reasonably priced to at least give him some competition at the spot. One way or the other we need another RT unless we keep Tucker to backup both tackle spots.

 

[RCowboyFan]

I think Center would be more of priority. After three years, with Parcells/Landry rule, it becomes , you are what you are. Johnson has played three years in that position. He is not the weakness, but he certainly the strength.

RT would be lesser priority, since, we all know, how much the now infamous, Jacob Rogers jumped in peformance in TC in his second year. And Rogers didn't even take one snap at Tackle in privious year. Only reason Jacob Rogers didn't work out was because he apparently wasn't the tough guy that BP or front office thought he could be, althougth there were plenty of indications that Jacob Rogers has questions about his toughness all through his college career. Its much like Quincy Carter pick. But at least Quincy played some games and won some games.

Anyway I think people are really beating too much on Petiti. I think, if he has good offseason, he will make significant jump in the offseason. But I would think you still need to get someone who can start at RT in FA or draft, just for competition and being on safe side, since we know who is going to start at QB and regardless of who is the tackle, there will be lot of pressure on OL to give great protection.

 

[conner01]

NO BRAINER!
al is not great but he is far better than anything we have at rt.
al johnson
penalties 7 sacks 1.25
tucker
penalties 5 sacks 12.50
rob
penalties 8 sacks 13.50
anyone who does'nt see that center, while not great is no where near the problem of ot

 

[Bungarian]

Johnson has played three years in that position.

He has only played two seasons right? He missed his rookie year with his knee problem.

 

[sago1]

Cowboys must add OT who can start at RT but also play at LT. Should also have quality backup in case either starter does down for year. Pettiti should improve but don't know if he ever be starting RT quality and we can't run the risk. Hope Colombo also makes it but he a long shot at this point. Tucker is no more then 1-2 game stopgap.

We must also upgrade Center position. Johnson gets pushed back too much--into QBs face or just when RB getting the ball. Johnson entering 3rd year as starter (IR first year); Parcells certainly showed he not happy with Johnson but inserting Gurode wasn't the answer. Hope Cowboys recognize problem & willing put out money to sign quality FA starting center; if not Bentley maybe the Bears Hartwig but somebody who better then what we go but not so old he dies on the field.

Also concerned at OG. We've got 2 starters turning 35 & 34 w/o known quality backup. If 1 goes down for year, somebody better be there to move in w/o losing a step. I'd love it if we could draft Max Jean Gilles; he reminds me of Larry Allen. Gilles also projects to RT. Picking him up might be way to go since he can play RT and OG. He's projected in late first round/early 2nd.

 

[burmafrd]

3 YEARS - 3 training camps and offseasons and two seasons of play. And he went downhill this year- so why would anyone think he could improve?

 

[Longboysfan]

Anyway I think people are really beating too much on Petiti. I think, if he has good offseason, he will make significant jump in the offseason. But I would think you still need to get someone who can start at RT in FA or draft, just for competition and being on safe side, since we know who is going to start at QB and regardless of who is the tackle, there will be lot of pressure on OL to give great protection.

Ditto.

Number one fix C.
Give him a chance to go through a training camp as the RT.
Give Flozell a chance at LT and we should be fine.

 

[theogt]

NO BRAINER!
al is not great but he is far better than anything we have at rt.
al johnson
penalties 7 sacks 1.25
tucker
penalties 5 sacks 12.50
rob
penalties 8 sacks 13.50
anyone who does'nt see that center, while not great is no where near the problem of ot

Exactly. This isn't even debatable. Both positions need to be improved, but if the choice has to be made, it's RT without a doubt.

 

[jazzcat22]

NO BRAINER!
al is not great but he is far better than anything we have at rt.
al johnson
penalties 7 sacks 1.25
tucker
penalties 5 sacks 12.50
rob
penalties 8 sacks 13.50
anyone who does'nt see that center, while not great is no where near the problem of ot

EXACTLY !!!
This was my first thought, RT more sacks given up than C

 

[ravidubey]

Johnson and Gurode can't be mashed into a single player, and we don't have the luxury of waiting on Gurode to develop since we've wasted the first three years of his career trying him at guard. Johnson will never become a powerful blocker, so it's time to trade him to Denver.

Gurode would be a great backup, so it's worth trying to keep him under the premise that he will be allowed to compete with an FA. If that FA is Bentley, then I say it's bye-bye to Gurode since both are the same age.

 

[StanleySpadowski]

I see as of right now I'm the only vote that won't be disappointed when Pettiti and Johnson both start the first game of the '06 season.


Those bashing Pettiti are going to be in for a shock. Rookie tackles get abused in the NFL, it happens. The jump between a player's rookie year and second year is usually the biggest stride they'll make in their career because it's the first time in their lives where football was a job and classes etc. weren't holding them back. Plus I don't think many really take into account how badly he was banged up at the end of the year and how his play suffered because of it. It's a lot easier for most to remember how poorly he played vs. the Rams as opposed to his adequate performances earlier in the year.

Johnson will be fine also. It's unfortunate that he tripped in the SD game and was stuck with the stigma of getting pushed around early in the year or no one would even be discussing him. I think the Cowboys are finally going to be able to play to his strengths next year when the albatross is finally gone.

 

[trueblue1687]

The reason Petitie will need replaced is about quickness. He doesn't have the quickness to combat speed rushers - that can't be coached...you either are quick (feet) or you're not...he's not. Further, he can't stave off bull rushers who consistently overpower him. That could be fixed with more strength training, but would likely take several years. Center is a need as well, but much less prssing than Tackle. I really thought before camp that the guy was brought in as depth, not to be a starter. He was WAY overweight in college and was forced to lose ALOT of weight before and after the combine. That translates into huge strength losses. I don't think strewngth gains will matter too much if you can't keep your hands on your opponent.

 

[trueblue1687]

I see as of right now I'm the only vote that won't be disappointed when Pettiti and Johnson both start the first game of the '06 season.


Those bashing Pettiti are going to be in for a shock. Rookie tackles get abused in the NFL, it happens. The jump between a player's rookie year and second year is usually the biggest stride they'll make in their career because it's the first time in their lives where football was a job and classes etc. weren't holding them back. Plus I don't think many really take into account how badly he was banged up at the end of the year and how his play suffered because of it. It's a lot easier for most to remember how poorly he played vs. the Rams as opposed to his adequate performances earlier in the year.

Johnson will be fine also. It's unfortunate that he tripped in the SD game and was stuck with the stigma of getting pushed around early in the year or no one would even be discussing him. I think the Cowboys are finally going to be able to play to his strengths next year when the albatross is finally gone.

When was his performance fine??? Please point out why he didn't give up 16 sacks instead of 13.5. I like the guy, but I think it will probably be you who is dissapointed next season. I doubt he will be able to win the starting job again, and if he does...you'll see his deficiencies aren't so much technique as lack of physical ability versus stronger, quicker linemen. I think he was drafted for depth as a project anyway and was just forced into service because: 1.) There was nobody else left to play tackle and, 2.) there is no #2 Plus see my post above.

 

[DragonCowboy]

for all of you saying that RT is more important because they gave up more sacks, that is a good point, but look at the center situation. How many fumbled snaps broke the rare momentum that the Cowboys offense had? Remember that time when we were all down on Al because he would give away the snap by clenching his fist? And again, remember the second Giants game, which was the "battle for the division", how on the first play in the second half, Gurode was driven back like an animal away from fire? He came right back into Bledsoe, and caused the fumble which we all know formed the margin of victory for the Giants.

Although RT is a glaring problem(which might be alleviated with an offseason), center has been a huge momentum stopper for the Cowboys...

 

[StanleySpadowski]

for all of you saying that RT is more important because they gave up more sacks, that is a good point, but look at the center situation. How many fumbled snaps broke the rare momentum that the Cowboys offense had? Remember that time when we were all down on Al because he would give away the snap by clenching his fist? And again, remember the second Giants game, which was the "battle for the division", how on the first play in the second half, Gurode was driven back like an animal away from fire? He came right back into Bledsoe, and caused the fumble which we all know formed the margin of victory for the Giants.

Although RT is a glaring problem(which might be alleviated with an offseason), center has been a huge momentum stopper for the Cowboys...

Do you also recall that the "fist clenching" was later proven to be a false rumor? Or do you remember that Parcells himself put the center/qb exchange problems on Bledsoe?

 

[DragonCowboy]

Do you also recall that the "fist clenching" was later proven to be a false rumor? Or do you remember that Parcells himself put the center/qb exchange problems on Bledsoe?

Actually no, that blows up my argument...:

 

[david_jackson]

Exactly. This isn't even debatable. Both positions need to be improved, but if the choice has to be made, it's RT without a doubt.

Of course it's Debatable....That's a bolf thing to say in the middle of a discussion about it!

 

[big dog cowboy]

Center.

Johnson/Gurode is as good as it will get.

Petitti will only get better.

 

[Dayton Cowboy]

What nobody is really talking about is Marc Columbo for next season. I realize that BP and JJ took a flier w/ a two year contract, but if he can come back to close to something that resembles his first round draft status, did we not get a bargain? I know that its a big if though.. Just a thought. What if next year's RT is on the roster already in the form of Columbo??

 

[visionary]

I think we cant afford not to upgrade both this off-season. I am not saying our current starters are chopped liver or cant develop into good players. the problem is that we can afford to take the chance that they wont be good players. if we had youth at QB and a young coach who was going to be with our team for many years i would agree with this but we only have a 2-year window with BP and DB, we just cant afford to mess up one more year with poor o-line play. i want no more excuses this season for DB, we have to give him all the protection money can buy and then hope that he is better than i think and good as some of you do.

to fix the OL i say we take

bentley (center) and RT in FA
OG in draft