Gurode Playing Guard?

[mgridda]

In analyzing Andre Gurode over the years with the Cowboys, I noticed he would probably make a very good guard in the NFL. I've also heard the same sentiment from other Cowboys fans (he has troubles with shotgun snaps). It seems as though Ben Grubbs is a "gameday decision," and so I wanted to ask if any of you have any information on whether Gurode has been taking any practice snaps at Guard or if he might be able to step in for Ben Grubbs if the latter is scratched from the roster.

Anyone?

[gabefergy]

Gurode was drafted as a Guard and played G for 3-4 years I believe before being converted to C. So yes, I do believe he can backup Grubbs.

[PuRock]

[quote name='mgridda' timestamp='1316224429' post='793426']
In analyzing Andre Gurode over the years with the Cowboys, I noticed he would probably make a very good guard in the NFL. I've also heard the same sentiment from other Cowboys fans (he has troubles with shotgun snaps). It seems as though Ben Grubbs is a "gameday decision," and so I wanted to ask if any of you have any information on whether Gurode has been taking any practice snaps at Guard or if he might be able to step in for Ben Grubbs if the latter is scratched from the roster.

Anyone?
[/quote]

That's the backup plan. Gurode is the #1 backup for RG, C and LG. He has definitely been taking snaps at the G position this week.

[JohnJohnson]

He's a pretty awesome backup, our FO came through big time with him and McKinnie.

[mgridda]

That's awesome. If something happens to McKinnie, I think we'd put Oher back at LT and then we have the options of either putting Levoir at RT, Reid at RT, or Yanda at RT and Gurode at RG (which I like best).

Same with if Oher gets injured. If Birk goes down, Gurode can come in. If Grubbs or Yanda go down, Gurode can go in.

Honestly that move for depth was probably the best behind bringing in McKinnie himself. The o-line was the reason 2010 didn't work out. They couldn't hold the line for as long as it took Mason/Boldin/Housh to develop their routes and get separation.

Plus Cam Cameron commented that Flacco took a major step forward over the offseason. A good o-line is his best shot at getting a Superbowl.

[AsianRice]

[quote name='mgridda' timestamp='1316227882' post='793451']
That's awesome. If something happens to McKinnie, I think we'd put Oher back at LT and then we have the options of either putting Levoir at RT, Reid at RT, or Yanda at RT and Gurode at RG (which I like best).

Same with if Oher gets injured. If Birk goes down, Gurode can come in. If Grubbs or Yanda go down, Gurode can go in.

Honestly that move for depth was probably the best behind bringing in McKinnie himself. The o-line was the reason 2010 didn't work out. They couldn't hold the line for as long as it took Mason/Boldin/Housh to develop their routes and get separation.

Plus Cam Cameron commented that Flacco took a major step forward over the offseason. A good o-line is his best shot at getting a Superbowl.
[/quote]
Don't want to jinx it, but I have a dream, and a dream that Joe, Rice, Suggs, Reed, Ngata, and Ray are holding Lombardi Trophy....

[ellicottraven]

I understand in his early years he had played some guard. However he played RG - Yanda's position... but, based on listening to Harb's presser, it seems to me that he will play - the dude hasn't missed a single game in 5 yrs, so my guess is he will start and play, but will be substituted by LeVoir or Gurode if his toe bothers him too much....

[Ravenseconbeast]

We'll see how he performs. Bryant did great, but we haven't seen gurode in field yet.

[PWNEDbyDEANO]

[quote name='mgridda' timestamp='1316227882' post='793451']
[b]That's awesome. If something happens to McKinnie, I think we'd put Oher back at LT and then we have the options of either putting Levoir at RT, Reid at RT, or Yanda at RT and Gurode at RG (which I like best).[/b]

[b]Same with if Oher gets injured. If Birk goes down, Gurode can come in. If Grubbs or Yanda go down, Gurode can go in.[/b]

Honestly that move for depth was probably the best behind bringing in McKinnie himself. The o-line was the reason 2010 didn't work out. They couldn't hold the line for as long as it took Mason/Boldin/Housh to develop their routes and get separation.

Plus Cam Cameron commented that Flacco took a major step forward over the offseason. A good o-line is his best shot at getting a Superbowl.
[/quote]

Agreed, especially with the bold.

When you think back to last year when we were playing two guys out of their natural position (Yanda and Oher), two others were playing hurt (Grubbs and Birk) and we had an undersized and basically ineffective Chester at RG you really notice how much we've come along as a line. Not to mention better depth at every position now.

[The Raven]

[quote name='ellicottraven' timestamp='1316235441' post='793491']
I understand in his early years he had played some guard. [b]However he played RG - Yanda's position[/b]... but, based on listening to Harb's presser, it seems to me that he will play - the dude hasn't missed a single game in 5 yrs, so my guess is he will start and play, but will be substituted by LeVoir or Gurode if his toe bothers him too much....
[/quote]

Yeah, well guard is guard. Guard is not like tackle where your better Tackle plays on the left side. Actually, from what I've read, your RG is your better guard, because against a 4-3 defense the 3 technique lines up on the RG. However, guard is really interchangable. Guard is guard. My only concern with him playing LG this week is idk ih he's quick enough to pull or to get up to the backer. That may be why he got moved from G to C, he wasn't quick enough, but I have little concern about it. If the coaching staff has faith, I have faith.

Signing Gurode now looks like a move of [i]complete genius.[/i]

[edreedfromtheu]

And don't forget... if we have to, we can always put Haloti Ngata at either guard position. The guy can do EVERYTHING. I wouldn't be surprised if he was fast and agile enough to pass-protect as a tackle! Not saying it should be our first option, but if(heaven forbid) we suffer the wrong injuries to the wrong players... it's definitely possible if the playoffs, the division, or the Super Bowl are on the line!

[codizzle]

[quote name='edreedfromtheu' timestamp='1316267291' post='793552']
And don't forget... if we have to, we can always put Haloti Ngata at either guard position. The guy can do EVERYTHING. I wouldn't be surprised if he was fast and agile enough to pass-protect as a tackle! Not saying it should be our first option, but if(heaven forbid) we suffer the wrong injuries to the wrong players... it's definitely possible if the playoffs, the division, or the Super Bowl are on the line!
[/quote]
he should play qb too huh?

[PuRock]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1316263244' post='793530']

Yeah, well guard is guard. Guard is not like tackle where your better Tackle plays on the left side. Actually, from what I've read, your RG is your better guard, because against a 4-3 defense the 3 technique lines up on the RG. However, guard is really interchangable. Guard is guard. My only concern with him playing LG this week is idk ih he's quick enough to pull or to get up to the backer. That may be why he got moved from G to C, he wasn't quick enough, but I have little concern about it. If the coaching staff has faith, I have faith.

[b]Signing Gurode now looks like a move of [i]complete genius.[/i][/b]
[/quote]

We went from Chester to Gurode. On paper it seems like a move a genius. It really has been mind blowing watching this line transform from a pile of poo to something strong with depth.

[Tiz]

[quote name='codizzle' timestamp='1316271550' post='793576']

he should play qb too huh?
[/quote]
Qb sneak in goalline situations....holla!

[The Raven]

[quote name='edreedfromtheu' timestamp='1316267291' post='793552']
And don't forget... if we have to, we can always put Haloti Ngata at either guard position. The guy can do EVERYTHING. I wouldn't be surprised if he was fast and agile enough to pass-protect as a tackle! Not saying it should be our first option, but if(heaven forbid) we suffer the wrong injuries to the wrong players... it's definitely possible if the playoffs, the division, or the Super Bowl are on the line!
[/quote]

No doubt in my mind he can do it, but he is far too valuable as a defensive linemen for us to play him at Guard in anything more than a jumbo package. In fact, even using him in jumbo packages worries me. Why not just use Reid? He's big enough. He's a good blocker. I had a great jumbo idea the other day.

Mckinnie - Grubbs - Birk - Gurode - Yanda - Oher - Reid

[latenighthero]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1316279383' post='793619']

No doubt in my mind he can do it, but he is far too valuable as a defensive linemen for us to play him at Guard in anything more than a jumbo package. In fact, even using him in jumbo packages worries me. Why not just use Reid? He's big enough. He's a good blocker. I had a great jumbo idea the other day.

Mckinnie - Grubbs - Birk - Gurode - Yanda - Oher - Reid
[/quote]
Wow that's some brilliance right there!

[The Raven]

[quote name='latenighthero' timestamp='1316279983' post='793626']
Wow that's some brilliance right there!
[/quote]

Glad you agree! Been tearin people up with that package in madden! lol

Hope Cam saw that one.

[CapoRocky]

I'm interested in seeing Gurode in action. Let Grubbs rest his toe. Okay, here's an idea for Cam: Ngata in the wildcat when we get near the goal line.

[BloodRaven]

I'm not expecting a lot of mobility out of the big man, but he should get a nice push.

[jus'_crAzy]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1316279383' post='793619']

No doubt in my mind he can do it, but he is far too valuable as a defensive linemen for us to play him at Guard in anything more than a jumbo package. In fact, even using him in jumbo packages worries me. Why not just use Reid? He's big enough. He's a good blocker. I had a great jumbo idea the other day.

Mckinnie - Grubbs - Birk - Gurode - Yanda - Oher - Reid
[/quote]
Don't forget Haloti.

[scrock]

[quote name='gabefergy' timestamp='1316225003' post='793434']
Gurode was drafted as a Guard and played G for 3-4 years I believe before being converted to C. So yes, I do believe he can backup Grubbs.
[/quote]

this is true, this is why its not a big deal if Grubbs cant go...we have guys who can take his place and do the job..im more worried about the secondary...we NEED to stay healthy...any more injuries there and we might be in a little trouble

[The Raven]

[quote name='jus'_crAzy' timestamp='1316316483' post='793987']
Don't forget Haloti.
[/quote]

I didn't forget him... If you read my entire post you'd understand why.