Report: Browns showing interest in Gocong
The Browns and Eagles have had preliminary discussions about a trade for outside linebacker Chris Gocong, according to a report.
Report: Browns showing interest in Gocong
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
Yesterday, Chris Gocong signed his restricted free-agent tender.
But that doesn't mean he'll be with the Eagles next season.
An NFL source tells Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post that the Browns have had "preliminary discussions" with the Eagles about acquiring the outside linebacker.
As you know if you are a frequent reader of MTC, my feeling is that the Eagles have never really found a way to use Gocong in a position where he could have success. And I don't see that changing here. He had one sack last season and four in the last three.
A trade would not be surprising at all, and it will be interesting to see if Gocong finds success rushing the quarterback in a different system.
Cleveland obviously has the Tom Heckert connection and employs a 3-4 defense.
Last season, Gocong was replaced by rookie seventh-round pick Moise Fokou on the strong side. There was the failed experiment of trying Gocong in the middle, which was probably unfair to him (although the Eagles didn't really have a lot of options at the time).
If the Birds do deal Gocong, the strong-side job could fall to Fokou. But then again, given the amount of trade activity we could see in the coming weeks, there's a chance the starting strong-side LB isn't currently on the roster. Last year, they were willing to give the job to a seventh-round pick, so it stands to reason they could rely on a rookie there again in 2010.
And in case you missed it, we updated yesterday's post with comments DeSean Jackson made about the Eagles' quarterback situation while at the Sixers' game last night. Nothing too exciting. Similar remarks to LeSean McCoy and Brent Celek.
Much more coming later.
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"worst draft pick in recent memory. when have you EVER heard an announcer call his name for making a play??" - Very seldom stiko. 'Cong' never seems to make a play and in fact seems to often pick the wrong gap to cover in run defense. Gocong has decent size but played at a small school and was a DE that was switched to SLB by the Birds. Like some other posters I beleve he would fit better as a 3-4 ILB. Worst draft pick in recent memory? For me it was Ryan Moats.— PhillyTru- PhillyTru- worst draft pick? Bryan Smith takes that title for that the past few years.— phila215
- I think freddie mithhel was the worst . . 1st round pick . . never lived up to that . . best line though . . press conference / he thanked his ' hands ' for being so great : )— ingy9
Most misused draft pick maybe. How long do we have to watch a player struggle in coverage while we go without a good pass rush? Just another case of AR trying to outsmart everybody. Draft a DE then try to turn him into something else. The guy was a pass rusher in college, we need pass rushers big time so what do we do...? Andy Reid, the Mad Chemist. Too many "BOOMS" IMO.— tpizza- worst draft pick ever?? there have been so many especially on the defensive side of the ball how can u name just 1 ???? and as 4 gocong he was never fit to play LB in the Eagles scheme..whatever they can get 4 him get it and move on...most ppl blame 5 for the Eagles failures but bad draft picks like Gocong is the main reason behind the Eagles failures in the post season..Can anybody name one play maker the Eagles D has had in Reid's tenure or at least someone on the D who made a big play in those 4 NFC championship losses or Super Bowl????— the tru 1
- They definitely won't get a 3rd. He was a restricted free agent and if the Browns signed him, it would have cost them a 3rd. They didn't because they know he's not worth a 3. Probably a 5th this year and maybe a conditional late pick next year— mikeyhigs
No doubt, he was playing out of position. It was a gamble that didn't pay off. Like making Micheal Vick an option QB for 4 play a game. Talent doesn't equal success when you're put in an awkward place.- Trevor Laws, Bryan Smith, Quentin Demps, Jack I., Victor Abiamiri, Gocong, Matt McCoy, Sean Considine, Matt Ware, J.R. Reed [injured at least], Jerome McDougle, Jamaal Green. Those are some of AR's defensive picks from Round 4 and up since 2003. Really not much to crow about is there. Bradley, Patterson and Bunk are in that same vintage and have contributed so that's 3 out of 15 worth being drafted at all. Now Trent Cole was a lower round pick but the misses below round 4 are even worse. But yeah, it was all McNabb's fault.— tpizza
- tpizza, you are so right with his inability to draft defensive players. Figure in Michael Lewis and C. Simon, good players who didn't stay long and you don't have much to show in the long run defensive wise. I posted this before that it makes one appreciate the job Jim Johnson did, as he had to build a defense with that group, and he had good defenses. His loss begins the down fall of the Eagles.— watsonmr
- You guys are so stupid it makes me laugh, if the Eagles were trading for him they would give up a third. It amazes me how willing everyone is to give up our players get so little in return. I guess everyone thinks they will get a 7th round stud to take his place. In other words I wouldn't make the deal for a 6th. Maybe we should package him and McNabb for a 3rd huh ?— Fat-Andy
- If Stewart Bradley isn't back 100% next season, this D is going to be the worst of the Reid era.— p-diddy
- Gocong is no more than a backup at best, maybe a 5th or 6th for him.— cosmosis
- This is the draft for AR to prove the fact based critics wrong about selecting defensive busts. You forgot my favorite: Quinton Caver. He really sucked. One of the suckiest sucks to ever suck in the history of sucking. Sucked!— The Reddgie
- Gocong always lacked natural LB instincts and the Eagles don't have time to wait for their developement. Good athlete and may see some success in a 3-4, but he's too small to play DE in a 4-3.— beegal99
- El Zorro, Skelton's from Fordham, not Hofstra. And he's a good kid to boot.— beegal99
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