Al Johnson signed

[football karma]

Per KTAR and Calvisi from Cards camp

 

[schwalbhimself]

cool

 

[Heucrazy]

It's about time.

Now all of the "I can't believe we've only signed 1 guy" threads can start.

 

[arthurracoon]

 

[Gambit]

It's about time.

Now all of the "I can't believe we've only signed 1 guy" threads can start.

Better than "we haven't signed anyone!" threads.

 

[MadCardDisease]

Fantastic!

He was one of the guys I predicted the Cardinals would sign.

Between Leckey and Johnson we now have depth at the Center position!

Lets keep them coming!

 

[OldDirtMcGirt]

Good signing.

 

[kerouac9]

Hey--is this more of a Larry Foster level free agent signing or a James Darling kind of FA signing?

 

[red desert]

Cool.

 

[az1965]

Nice

 

[MadCardDisease]

Hey--is this more of a Larry Foster level free agent signing or a James Darling kind of FA signing?

Definitely not a Foster level. Foster was a nobody.

I'd call it better than the Darling signing. Darling was brought in because he was a quality special teamer. Johnson is being brought in to compete for the starting job at Center.

 

[Dback Jon]

Good - broke the ice!

 

[Ryanwb]

Does Alex Stepanovich have an immediate future on this team?

 

[Dback Jon]

Does Alex Stepanovich have an immediate future on this team?

No - he wasn't tendered.

 

[MadCardDisease]

Does Alex Stepanovich have an immediate future on this team?

He was released so I would say "No"

 

[Heucrazy]

Does Alex Stepanovich have an immediate future on this team?

He wasn't tendered a RFA offer and is a UFA so I'm guessing no.

 

[D-Dogg]

Jason, you can officially post now.

 

[kerouac9]

Definitely not a Foster level. Foster was a nobody.

I'd call it better than the Darling signing. Darling was brought in because he was a quality special teamer. Johnson is being brought in to compete for the starting job at Center.

I don't know. If you remember when we signed Darling from the Jets, the press was that Darling was a great special teamer but the Jets had such a good LB corps that Darling couldn't break the starting lineup even though he could start for a number of teams.

I think that sounds a lot like Al Johnson, only Johnson is an injury case and no one really thinks that he can start for a number of teams in the NFL. I think it's comperable to James Darling, but really we traded for Larry Foster, didn't we?

 

[Jim O]

Cardinals Agree to Terms With Center Al Johnson
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, March 5, 2007

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Tempe, AZ – The Arizona Cardinals Football Club today announced that the team has agreed to terms with free agent center AL JOHNSON on a four-year contract. In accordance with club policy, terms were not disclosed.

Johnson (6-5, 311) was a two-year starter with the Cowboys (2004-05) and appeared in all 16 games last season with Dallas as a reserve offensive lineman.

Originally a second-round selection by the Cowboys in the 2003 NFL Draft out of Wisconsin (38th overall), Johnson started 31 straight games at center during the 2004 and 2005 seasons after spending his rookie campaign on injured reserve (knee). In 2005 Johnson helped a Dallas offense that finished second in the NFL in time of possession at 32:24 per game.

The Brussels, Wisconsin native was a three-year starter at center for Wisconsin. As a senior captain in 2002, Johnson was an All-Big Ten second-team choice while garnering third-team All-America honors.

- azcardinals.com -

 

[Doc Cardinal]

I like the signing....now let's add a few more like a TE...OT...and a safety.

 

[MadCardDisease]

I don't know. If you remember when we signed Darling from the Jets, the press was that Darling was a great special teamer but the Jets had such a good LB corps that Darling couldn't break the starting lineup even though he could start for a number of teams.

If I recall correctly we brought Darling in because he was a good special teamer and could back up all three LB positions. However no one really expected him to win the starting job at any of the LB positions.

I believe that Johnson will give Leckey a run for his money.

 

[Pariah]

I believe that Johnson will give Leckey a run for his money.

I'll one up you. He starts from day1 and doesn't look back.

Leckey is WAY overrated on this board, IMO.

 

[spanky1]

I don't know. If you remember when we signed Darling from the Jets, the press was that Darling was a great special teamer but the Jets had such a good LB corps that Darling couldn't break the starting lineup even though he could start for a number of teams.

I think that sounds a lot like Al Johnson, only Johnson is an injury case and no one really thinks that he can start for a number of teams in the NFL. I think it's comperable to James Darling, but really we traded for Larry Foster, didn't we?

k9,

For cryin out loud......he's better than Stepanovich and if he can take the job away from Leckey (which I doubt he will) he plays a better role than any option we have had for depth at Center. Does this mean we pass on Ryan Kalil if he's available in the 2nd....perhaps, perhaps not.

Is he Al Gurode/LeCharles Bently (when he was healthy)/Sean O'Hara......no....but is this a dumb signing....absolutely not!

Think of all the centers we've inserted on the 53 man roster over the last two years....is he better than all of them....you bet.

Is he an injury waiting to happen....tell me who isn't in the NFL.

 

[Red Hawk]

4 year deal.

Somebody likes him.

 

[TheCardFan]

Leckey is WAY overrated on this board, IMO.

With our line...an average C looks like an all star!