Al Johnson to sign today .. ??

[BullheadCardFan]

Al Johnson-C-CowboysMar. 5 - 8:11 am et

You must be registered for see images

You must be registered for see images

You must be registered for see images

You must be registered for see images

You must be registered for see images

Free agent C Al Johnson spent Sunday night in Arizona and may be close to signing with the Cardinals.

Former Buffalo G/T Mike Gandy was also in town as Ken Whisenhunt hopes to re-make the Arizona line. Bengals TE Reggie Kelly and Eagles CB Rod Hood will both leave town without signing a deal. Cincy S Kevin Kaesviharn and St. Louis CB Travis Fisher arrive on Monday.
Source: Arizona Republic
Related: Travis Fisher, Roderick Hood, Reggie Kelly, Kevin Kaesviharn

http://www.rotoworld.com/

You must be registered for see images

You must be registered for see images

You must be registered for see images

You must be registered for see images

You must be registered for see images

 

[Doc Cardinal]

Nice picture of Al and Matt chatting together on the Card's website.

 

[40yearfan]

Geezz, I hope he does sign and take a little pressure off this board. From what I understand, sales of Valium peaked in AZ. over the weekend.

 

[BullheadCardFan]

Nice picture of Al and Matt chatting together on the Card's website.

You must be registered for see images

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif](Pictured above: QB Matt Leinart meets with Al Johnson)[/FONT]

 

[BullheadCardFan]

Al Johnson

Looking to bring continuity to the offensive line, especially at the center position, Whisenhunt has brought in Johnson, the former Cowboys starter.

Johnson (6-foot-5, 311 pounds) became a starter in his second year in Dallas in 2004 and was the first-team guy again in 2005 before losing his job to Andre Gurode last season.

Not playing as a rookie in 2003, Johnson stepped in as the starting center for the 2004 season. And in the last three seasons, the Cowboys have used a two-back running scheme, and Johnson was able to anchor an offensive line that had to adjust to each rusher.

Originally a second-round pick (No. 38 overall) in 2003, Johnson has gained valuable experience over the years by playing alongside guys like Larry Allen, Flozell Adams and Marco Rivera.

"The relationship with Al is that he played with (offensive coordinator) Todd (Haley) and (tight ends coach) Freddie Kitchens," said Whisenhunt. "We had some inside information on him about his character, how he prepares and the way he plays. He's a talented center."

 

[40yearfan]

Al Johnson

Looking to bring continuity to the offensive line, especially at the center position, Whisenhunt has brought in Johnson, the former Cowboys starter.

Johnson (6-foot-5, 311 pounds) became a starter in his second year in Dallas in 2004 and was the first-team guy again in 2005 before losing his job to Andre Gurode last season.

Not playing as a rookie in 2003, Johnson stepped in as the starting center for the 2004 season. And in the last three seasons, the Cowboys have used a two-back running scheme, and Johnson was able to anchor an offensive line that had to adjust to each rusher.

Originally a second-round pick (No. 38 overall) in 2003, Johnson has gained valuable experience over the years by playing alongside guys like Larry Allen, Flozell Adams and Marco Rivera.

"The relationship with Al is that he played with (offensive coordinator) Todd (Haley) and (tight ends coach) Freddie Kitchens," said Whisenhunt. "We had some inside information on him about his character, how he prepares and the way he plays. He's a talented center."

Hmmm, good post BCF. Nice insight as to how Wiz and company are making decisions.

 

[kerouac9]

It's good that we're focusing on guys that lost their jobs due to poor play. That certainly sounds like a winning strategy.

 

[BACH]

It's good that we're focusing on guys that lost their jobs due to poor play. That certainly sounds like a winning strategy.

Nice way to twist the truth, K9. [golfclap]

Johnson was injured. Gurode stepped in and Gurode developed into a PB player.

Cowboys | A. Johnson will undergo arthroscopic surgery - from www.KFFL.com
Fri, 25 Nov 2005 18:38:47 -0800

Rob Phillips, of DallasCowboys.com, reports Dallas Cowboys C Al Johnson (knee) will have arthroscopic knee surgery this weekend, according to head coach Bill Parcells. Parcells said that Johnson may still be able to play Week 13. OG Andre Gurode would start if Johnson is unable to play.

 

[Chainthroer]

Great. Johnson and Kelly are two I believe we should have in our priorities. Do not know why Kelly would want to go to Oakland. But, we need a good blocker like him. Would be nice to have Hood too.

 

[SMAC]

Al Johnson aka "Larry the Cable Guy."

 

[Pariah]

mmm...nestle ice cream...

 

[imaCafan]

Don't they usually wait 'til they have signed several players before they officially announce anything? My bet is they will, today or tomorrow, announce several signings, maybe even a name or two we haven't heard about yet.........

 

[arthurracoon]

mmm...nestle ice cream...

thats what i was thinking

 

[BullheadCardFan]

Great. Johnson and Kelly are two I believe we should have in our priorities. Do not know why Kelly would want to go to Oakland. But, we need a good blocker like him. Would be nice to have Hood too.

Reggie Kelly

Kelly has played eight seasons in the NFL, the first four with Atlanta and the last four in Cincinnati. He has been a starter the last seven seasons and is a huge asset in blocking for the running game. The Bengals' Rudi Johnson has rushed for at least 1,300 yards in each of the last three seasons thanks to Kelly.

Averaging just over 16.6 catches a year, Kelly's strong suit is getting good push off the line to make sure no defenders get to the ball. This is something Whisenhunt is a big fan of with his running game philosophy. The more bodies on the line to block, the more yards the tailback can grind out.

Kelly was originally a second-round draft pick (No. 42 overall) out of Mississippi State in 1999 and could be a terrific compliment to second-year tight end Leonard Pope.

"He's a good, solid tight end for this league," Whisenhunt noted. "I've seen him play with him being in Cincinnati and me being in Pittsburgh. I respect the way he does things. I think he's a good player."

Roderick Hood

With special teams playing an important role in Whisenhunt's game plan, Eagles cornerback/special teamer Roderick Hood is another free agent that is flying under the radar that could see playing time for the Cardinals if he signs.

Hood (5-11, 196) was a backup CB in his four-year career in Philadelphia, starting a total of 13 games, mostly as an injury replacement. But Hood is also a great return man, averaging 23.3 yards a return on 53 touches.

Hood has overcome adversity his whole career. After an injury-plagued high school career, he did not receive any scholarship offers to Division I schools and walked on at Auburn as a wide receiver. He was then switched from wideout to defensive back as soon as he got there. But coaching changes forced Hood up and down the depth chart and he subsequently never got drafted.

Philly signed the undrafted rookie free agent in 2003 and he ended up playing in 46 games over the first three seasons. Some feel he could be a starter in the NFL with the right system and the right opportunity.

"Roderick is a bright-eyed guy that seemed very excited to be here. He fits in very well with the organization and I was impressed with him."

Overall, Whisenhunt has a great feeling about this group. It's those pieces that are so crucial to what Arizona needs: offensive line, tight end and secondary. Along with Texans FB Vonta Leach being shown around on Saturday and two more guys coming in on Monday, the first-year head coach knows this kind of quality will instantly improve the club.

"We've said all along that we want to build depth and have competition for starting positions. I feel like these guys are NFL-caliber starters who can come in and win a job and play for us," Whisenhunt added.

 

[Gambit]

Al Johnson aka "Larry the Cable Guy."

Git ur dun

 

[ajcardfan]

Don't they usually wait 'til they have signed several players before they officially announce anything? My bet is they will, today or tomorrow, announce several signings, maybe even a name or two we haven't heard about yet.........

No, not really. While the signings have tended to come in bursts the last few years, they announce them as they happen.

As for a name or two we haven't heard of yet, I don't think we've done that recently. Our visits are who we get.

 

[Chainthroer]

This was posted on bengals.com about Kelly:
"Monday turning point?
By GEOFF HOBSON
March 4, 2007

The Reggie Kelly situation could be resolved as soon as late Monday afternoon and certainly by early this week the Bengals should know if they’ve retained their starting tight end.

Kelly left Arizona on Sunday and headed to Oakland on Monday with offers from all four teams in the derby that includes the Bengals. Kelly’s tour began Friday in Atlanta with the team that originally drafted him in the second round in 1999."

 

[D-Dogg]

Al Johnson aka "Larry the Cable Guy."

I thought the same thing.

 

[Heucrazy]

Al Johnson aka "Larry the Cable Guy."

It looks like he's got a chew in.

 

[Redheart]

You must be registered for see images

Al: Did you really nail Paris? I mean....I'd hit it.

 

[D-Dogg]

It looks like he's got a chew in.

I thought that too.

 

[40yearfan]

It looks like he's got a chew in.

What else would you expect from a big ol' texan?

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

You must be registered for see images

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif](Pictured above: QB Matt Leinart meets with Al Johnson)[/FONT]

that pic looks like their about to jump up and throw down. neither looks happy. great start!

 

[Gambit]

You must be registered for see images

Matt: So, Nestle. It's pretty good.

Al: I prefer water myself. Just good ol' water.

Matt: Yup.

Al: *nods*

Matt: The weather's pretty nice.

Al: Yeah...Well, I'll see you later.

Matt: Hmmm? Oh, right, bye.

 

[Zeno]

Here is Al Johnsons scotuing report...

"Johnson is a four-year veteran who lost his staring job last year and played as a backup and saw some time as a tight end in Dallas' elephant formation on the goal line. While he has good measurables, he does not play up to his measured size. He does not have a lot of punch or explosiveness into blocks and tends to get rag-dolled and thrown off his base too easily. His initial quickness seems to be his strongest asset, but he is not a natural knee-bender and often loses the advantage he gains by being quick. Against the bigger guys, he seems to have a hard time hunkering down and will get bull-rushed back into the pocket. He might be best suited going to another team as a guard, if that team plays against a lot of odd front defenses. There is enough left in him to be a quality backup who can start and not hurt his team if the need arises."