Dallas Cowboy Center "Big" Al Johnson
Matt Mosley column:
Cowboys need a new center: Esteemed e-mailer Jonathan Cook from Annapolis, Md., writes: “Any chance the Cowboys trade down to low in the first and try to grab [Ohio State center] Nick Mangold? Is he good enough to be a next 'Stepnoski' type at center? Trade to the low first and you might be able to grab another second as well. A good center could make all the difference on the line.”
Jonathan is not alone in his desire for improvement at center, but I don’t see the Cowboys going after Mangold or any other center early in the draft. They were pleased with Andre Gurode’s development at that position last season, and contrary to popular belief, no one has given up on former second-round pick Al Johnson.
The knock on Johnson is that he’s not big enough to take on some of the huge nose tackles across the league. In the past, he’s played at about 305 pounds, which is 10-15 pounds lighter than Parcells would prefer.
Here’s the good news: Johnson is up to 317 pounds, and he hasn’t used the fast-food plan to get there. In fact, he stops by this one sushi restaurant in Irving at least three times per week. I might be in the minority here, but my gut tells me Johnson will win the job. Gurode might be bigger and stronger, but Johnson gives you a lot more versatility because of his quickness.
Cowboys need a new center: Esteemed e-mailer Jonathan Cook from Annapolis, Md., writes: “Any chance the Cowboys trade down to low in the first and try to grab [Ohio State center] Nick Mangold? Is he good enough to be a next 'Stepnoski' type at center? Trade to the low first and you might be able to grab another second as well. A good center could make all the difference on the line.”
Jonathan is not alone in his desire for improvement at center, but I don’t see the Cowboys going after Mangold or any other center early in the draft. They were pleased with Andre Gurode’s development at that position last season, and contrary to popular belief, no one has given up on former second-round pick Al Johnson.
The knock on Johnson is that he’s not big enough to take on some of the huge nose tackles across the league. In the past, he’s played at about 305 pounds, which is 10-15 pounds lighter than Parcells would prefer.
Here’s the good news: Johnson is up to 317 pounds, and he hasn’t used the fast-food plan to get there. In fact, he stops by this one sushi restaurant in Irving at least three times per week. I might be in the minority here, but my gut tells me Johnson will win the job. Gurode might be bigger and stronger, but Johnson gives you a lot more versatility because of his quickness.
posted by The Gryphon at 9:53 PM
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