Tom Heckert: Chris Gocong to play LB and DE next season.
Eagles GM Tom Heckert was on the Jody Mac show today and had a lot of interesting things to say about the Eagles. He talked about the Safety position, Jeremy Bloom and the kick return situation for next season, Free Agency, Salary Cap, the Draft, and most importantly Chris Gocong. The interview started off with Heckert saying that they feel good about the DE position as stands right now. He said they have a solid 4 guys at that position and that Chris Gocong could play there next season, I will get to Gocong at the end of this.
They also feel good about the Safety situation. They feel if they needed to , they could start Mikell if Consandine or Dawkins was to get injured. I hope they don't feel strong enough not to take a S with their first round pick.
He talked about the kick return situation for the Eagles and said, Jeremy Bloom and Bethel Johnson will be returning kicks next season, and if they had to, they would put Kevin Curtis back there cause he has experience returning kicks.
He went on to talk about the salary cap and free agency. He said they feel good about how they've done so far, but that they are still actively looking at free agents. When asked about cap space, Heckert said they would be able to move bonuses around to free up cap room if they had to, and that they would do that if a player comes along that they would like to make a deal with.
As for the draft Heckert said Compensatory drafts picks will be announced at next weeks NFL team meetings, and they are not expecting any picks for this season. Free agents signed this off-season will count in next years picks. As for the draft class, he said he felt that DE's, S's, and CB's were the strongest positions in the draft this year. That says a lot about which direction they are headed.
As for Chris Gocong. They are feeling very confident in him right now. He said he feels Gocong will play both the LB and DE position throughout the season. They feel he will be a strong LB this season, but if not he will play DE. He went on to say Gocong is up to 265, and has been working really hard since week 8 of last season. He's been hitting the weight room a lot and is prepared for this season.
So, I'm still not completely sold on Gocong, but I'm feeling a little more optimistic.
* As for the draft class, he said he felt that DE's, S's, and CB's were the strongest positions in the draft this year. That says a lot about which direction they are headed.
WHAT HAVE I BEEN SAYING THE ENTIRE TIME?
I said that they don't value LB's high in the draft, but they do Linemen, and DB's including S's. Someone please recognize this.
Chris Gocong will be really good in this system. He is fast and healthy, they just IR'ed him last year first, so he could heal 100% and second, to learn the defense and what his role in it will be. Trotter is old, but not dead, he can play 2 downs and then they have some youth and LB to move around. I would like one more vet. Safeties and CB's are good and they are ok, but injuries last year, esposing the poor depth, and the loss of hood could seriously have them going in that direction early. They always like trading up a couple of spots to get an o-line that fell or even an off. skill player that slips. (I am in no way saying they will take michael bush, but on our team he could have the time necessary to heal and more importantly learn). LB's will be taken in 3rd or 4th.
You do not see to many 4-3 LBS that can also play DE. Most of the time it is an 3-4 LB that plays DE in a 4-3. He must have some speed to be able to handle the LB in the 4-3. I still see the Eagles going for Olsen maybe even trading up to get him. Then grabing a S in the 2nd and then in the 3rd LB unless a player slips and it is too hard to pass on BPA which could happen very easly in this draft and then going for a LB on the second day. Dallas wenr for a long time viewing LBs as some thing that could be repalced cheaply. It was not untill they resigned Coakly that they paid a LB more than 1 million a year I think. They would draft them then let them go in FA.
Well, the last time they tried the LB/DE experiment it failed. I think they tried it with Kalu.
Considering him a possibility for DE or SLB in a 4-3 means, to me, he can play neither well. I know one year - especially one shortened by injury - is a terrible time to call it, but I will. If they try the two-spot role, he will "bust." Book it. If they commit him to one position and don't ask him to gain or lose weight and learna a new position next year, he has a chance. This crap never works and it smacks of Reid's "I'm smarter than the 80 years of history in this game" ego (with the constant throws on 3rd and 1 and goalline and the pass wackiness).
Next, they do like high picks for LBs on occassion. Since Reid took over, they've taken three LBs in the second round in seven drafts (Gardner, Caver, and McCoy).
If you want to look at a position they really don't seem to care about, you can look at safety. They drafted Lewis in the second in 2002 and, for the most part, filled the backups and fill-in starters with underafted guys.
If you ask me, this looks more and more like a cornerback in the first round year.
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Last edited by HappyMondays : 03-23-2007 at 07:56 AM.
They have also taken 4 DB's and wayyyyyyyyyyy more linemen or offensive skill positions, than just 3 LB's, they have taken a LB in the second in drafts where they have had many extra picks. It is 4 LB's including the staunch david bergeron in the year with matt mccoy. The best LB's for the EAGLES under the reid era have not even been drafted by the EAGLES.
I expect them to use more picks for OL and even DB. There are more starting roles to fill. They also tried to address the LB position via free agency (Nate Wayne, Dhani Jones).
I doubt it will be LB, but that has more to do with who will be left at LB when they draft that late in the first. I think the guys still first round talent are suited (aacording to draft "experts") to play weakside. The Eagles have enough guys to play against the running backs. They need the guy who can shed blocks and cover the tight end.
and that will be chris gocong, i was high on him last year and was glad to see the EAGLES pick him up, he is a smart guy that had nothing but time to learn. He is 100% and ready to go from what I hear.
Hey, I'm all for giving the kid a shot at the position. Can't get much worse than Captain Banjo. I just don't want them trying to screw up his development by having him play at different weights and in completely different positions.
Tom Heckert: Chris Gocong to play LB and DE next season.
Tom Heckert: Chris Gocong to play LB and DE next season.
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