Dana Pennett O'Neil | Gocong's growth at linebacker making Birds' defense better

Steady if not overwhelming, the linebackers have used the help of a formidable defensive line to bear out the brass' decision to let Trotter go. The Eagles are allowing just 90.4 yards on the ground per game, a serious bump from the 136.4 they were gashed for a season ago.

Last week they held Minnesota's Adrian Peterson to just 70 yards on 20 carries, the 3.5 yards per carry his second fewest of the season.

But Spikes is right. Now things get interesting. The Cowboys, with Marion Barber and Julius Jones at running back and Jason Witten at tight end, will test the trio more than anyone else has this season.

Barber (84 carries) and Jones (78) run differently but equally effectively, racking up 775 yards between them.

And then there is Witten. He is not, both defensive coordinator Jim Johnson and Gocong admitted, a speed tight end like Jeremy Shockey. But he is big, smart and right now, Tony Romo's favorite target. Witten has 42 catches (eight more than T.O., presuming he's keeping score) for 540 yards.

"We really have to stop the run and stop Witten," Gocong said. "That's what linebackers do, so yeah, [Takeo] is right."

That Gocong, a converted defensive end, finally has a firm grasp on what linebackers do certainly goes a long way to helping the cause. As big a risk as it was to replace Trotter with the smaller and less experienced Gaither, it was an equally big gamble to opt for Gocong.

Gocong, out of Cal-Poly, came to the Eagles with 42 collegiate sacks . . . and no place to play. Moved to linebacker as a rookie, he was expected to play immediately but a stinger in the preseason landed him on injured

reserve.

So when the 2007 season rolled around, Gocong not only was playing a new position, he was inexperienced and coming off a serious injury.

Not exactly the triple threat most people are looking for.

"We knew it would take time," Johnson said. "He's still not there yet. I think he had to have some success. He's had a little success and you can tell he felt better about himself. If the guy continues being physical, there's no reason he can't maintain his play. The biggest thing is just confidence right now."

Excited for the opportunity to play a full-time role, he nonetheless knew his learning curve was steep and that the classroom,

unfortunately, would be on Sundays.

"It was so frustrating," he said. "You're trying to make the plays and it's not really happening. It doesn't feel natural."

Slowly - and perhaps in the nick of time - that has changed. Against the Vikings last week, Gocong had arguably his best game. He had eight tackles and was within a hair of throwing down Chester Taylor for a safety.

But it was more how he played, his teammates say, than the numbers he put up that told the story.

"Chris played a real good game last week from the standpoint of not having to think, just letting his athletic ability take over, understanding the scheme, making calls that were totally his responsibility and also made plays at the same time," Spikes said. "Even if he didn't make the tackle, he made the play by clogging it up and making it happen."

One-liner

Send e-mail to oneild@phillynews.com