Foku to First String
by Realtalk32 on Dec 23, 2009 8:42 PM EST
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PrintIt might not be the most breaking news of the season, but it is important news in my eyes. And more importantly, Impact News. As of Monday 12/21/2009, Moise Fokou has taken over the starting SAM LB position! He is officially listed the #1 SAM LB on the depth Chart.
Now, according to the depth chart provided by the Eagles media relations department, Fokou is the first-string strongside linebacker. "Production," said defensive coordinator Sean McDermott, when asked what the reason was for Fokou's promotion. "The guy's productive and I don't think the game is too big for him as a young player. He studies hard." "I've just been grinding," Fokou said. I've been "grinding hard and hoping for good things to come and just waiting. "I guess (my chance) has come, but I'm just here to help the team in any way I can and if it's my time right now then it is."
Now we all know that Chris Gocong has manned that position for some time now. I have no beef with him. He's an overall solid run stopping LB. Problem is, after that, he doesn't have much upside (define Upside right!). I believed that he was a weak link in the Eagles LB corps, and might be better (notice the might) as a DE. I also think he might flourish in a 3-4 defensive scheme. Again, I like Gocong against the run. He just isn't a complete true LB in my eyes. He's a good guy and plays to the best of his ability. He just lacks certain Linebacking attributes, and playmaking ability (hopefully that makes sense to u all). As we can see, McDermott likes these "work hard" types of players. This is also evident in the extensive playing-time of Tracy White whom McDermott also says,
"The guy comes to work and you appreciate that," McDermott said of White. "In this day and age of professional sports, the guy brings his lunch pail and then he studies on top of that and he can run. You've got to have speed and you look at our defense and we're built for speed in a lot of ways."
So, is this a good move or a bad move.? Foku over Gocong!? What happens with Gocong next season (i know..too early for that right. But still!)? Well no one knows the answer to these questions yet. But we all know that coaches do know the players inside and out. Their strengths and weaknesses. They see these guys everyday during football season. McDermott has been here long before Gocong and hes seen Gocongs play. Maybe he is seeing something that is hindering our LB corps. Hey, many of us have said that Gocong is "The Weak Link" true or not. But we'll have to see how this pans out. My only thing is ...why just before the playoffs? I mean, I'm fine with the move, but shouldn't it have happened sooner?!
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i think this is good
this shows that any player in the draft can be very succesful and u never know what draft pick u passed up or taken is going to be a starter in this league
Agree
I believe most, not all, draft picks come down to a lucky hit! I mean, u can do all the scouting u want, down the the t. There have been PLENTY of first round busts!! U never know what that draft pick means to your team until he is out on that field and playing.
"... You play to win the game. Hello? You play to win the game. You don't play it to just play it. That's the great thing about sports: you play to win..."
For those of you that questioned us Gocong haters, there’s your proof. A rookie 7th rounder is more productive than him.
A “defensive fullback” shouldn’t be a starting linebacker.
Andy Reid is 43-5 when running the ball at least 30 times in a game( Ray Diddy on Eagles Post Game Live after Bears Victory)
by Route36 on Dec 23, 2009 8:54 PM EST via mobile reply actions
And thats real talk.
Sorry BD, stealing your line…hehe.
Andy Reid is 43-5 when running the ball at least 30 times in a game( Ray Diddy on Eagles Post Game Live after Bears Victory)
by Route36 on Dec 23, 2009 8:56 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Amen
Sometimes I DVR a game and go back and watch in slow motion some plays to see the basics of football. On offense, which lineman are getting to their assignments and at least getting some movement on a running play. On defense, one of the easiest things to see with the constraints of not having a game-tape view from above is if the linebackers are reading run/pass correctly. And every time I do this without fail you see Gocong taking false steps, meaning he takes a step forward on a pass or a step back on a run. As a linebacker, the run/pass read is a fundamental key. Usually LBs read a lineman, or linemen in the case of a middle backer, first. As a strong-side linebacker, you would read tackle first. If the tackle’s head pops up, it’s a pass, if the head doesn’t it’s a pass. Gocong gets this wrong all the time! His speed makes up for some of his poor reads, but in the end the fact that he didn’t play a traditional LB in college continues to hurt him. BTW, the backers that are the best at reading run/pass are by far Trotter and Witherspoon.
That was REAL TALK!
Good post. I liked this Fokou kid since the preseason. He plays hard, very hard. Sure, he’s still raw. Undisciplined. But why not give the guy as much starting time as he can get before the playoffs roll in.
About 10 minutes ago, I was pondering my own existence. Then I decided that it didn't matter.
What’s wrong with Gocong? I mean, he’s not flashy but any means but he’s solid and consistent.
I am the people's troll :3™
He is consistent all right...
Consistently awful!
A SLB should be able to cover tight ends and pressure the QB. He can’t do neither, that’s what’s wrong with him.
Andy Reid is 43-5 when running the ball at least 30 times in a game( Ray Diddy on Eagles Post Game Live after Bears Victory)
by Route36 on Dec 23, 2009 9:24 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Pardon my English...
*either not neither.
Andy Reid is 43-5 when running the ball at least 30 times in a game( Ray Diddy on Eagles Post Game Live after Bears Victory)
I Like the move..........
If Fokou can stay AWAY from the penalties………..He definatly has a great chance @ being a Better LB and if hes not then we can easily just put Gocong Back in there…
All I can say is: Bout Time
I figured he was going to lose his job, I was just wondering when finally. I like Fokou and I think he will be good in years to come. I keep saying the last few linebackers to come out of Maryland have been pretty good to say the least. D’Qwell Jackson, Shawne Merriman, EJ Henderson, Eric Barton, etc.
I like this move...
but I would’ve liked White instead of Fokou. Don’t get me wrong, I think Fokou has the potential to be a good LB, but for now, White would be a better option. Although White doesn’t make the big plays, he’s always around the ball. Case in point, Sean Jones INT against CHI. He tipped the ball to Jones and he caught it.
If Fokou keeps his head in the game but his intensity level up
This depth switch will pay dividends sooner rather then later. He’s a very smart, talented kid who just needs more play-to-play discipline.
Yea
He just needs to play more smart. He has ability…he just needs to know when and where to be “more” aggressive!
"... You play to win the game. Hello? You play to win the game. You don't play it to just play it. That's the great thing about sports: you play to win..."
More about Gocong than Fokou
So the Eagles bench their 3rd year starter at SAM in their 15th game while in the middle of a key playoff chase for a 7th round draft choice this year?
This move speaks much more about how lowly McDermott thinks of Gocong’s production/play and what a liability he is on the field whenever a team passes (which is about 65% of the time against the Eagles).
Besides on special teams coverage, you likely aren’t going to see much at all of Gocong on defense the next 2 weeks.
Can you just give credit where credit is due? Regardless of the reasons, you don’t bench someone 15 weeks into the season unless you have faith in the person behind him. So regardless is Gocong was bad or whatever, Fokou must have been doing something right.
+1
you don’t bench someone 15 weeks into the season unless you have faith in the person behind him.
U said it right there!!!
"... You play to win the game. Hello? You play to win the game. You don't play it to just play it. That's the great thing about sports: you play to win..."
Missing the point
It isn’t that Fokou might be a better option. He may be. It is really about how poorly Gocong has played. McDermott isn’t going to come and out say on record, “Gocong is just too damn slow and the final straw was the Giants’ game where we gave up 500+ yards.” You just need to read between the lines a little.
Successful defenses generally aren’t shuffling around a bunch of starters with only 2-3 games left in the season for non-injury related reasons. Yet the Eagles are shuffling around every one of there LB-positions including tweaking the middle LB position (more Jordan and less ’Spoon) and SAM position (Fokou in, Gocong in)
I read between the lines
But the fact is you don’t start a rookie just because someone else is doing poorly. Because the logic is if the rookie couldn’t beat out someone who was playing poorly then the rookie shouldn’t be playing at all. I am not doubting Gocong sucks (I’m one of his biggest critics on this board), what I’m saying is Fokou must be doing something right if they put faith in him this late into the season with so much on the line. Its not like this is a rebuilding year, we are going to the playoffs. And apparently Sean and the FO have enough faith in him to shoulder that kind of load. Personally, the reason I think they named this now is so that in these next two games he can get some more experience so he can be ready for the playoffs. Makes sense.
They are shuffling players around and better late than never. Remember what happened when JJ tried to sub Demps in for Dawkins more in the NFC Title Game? I think the whole Philadelphia fan base remembers what that was like. But remember we are a more situational D than an every down D. D Howard and Clemmons have both moved down to play tackle, Trent has rushed from a MLB spot, even Clemmons has stood up and played MLB. Were 10-4 with a 5 game win streak by shuffling players, so if we have to keep shuffling players to keep this win streak going to the SB, then so be it.
Eh of course it "could be that way"
If that’s the case then oh well.! I don’t care really. I think we just needed a better LB there. I believe u might be missing the point. If he was playing so poorly, why bench him now and not mid-season! Why trust a rookie with only two career starts (really one real start as last game they mainly played Nickel defense). Why trust a guy who has hardly played with the first string on a daily basis. We have two games left, and are heading into playoff mode yet they bench Gocong! Our third year starter!! They must trust Foku in order to do that. If Gocong is playing poorly its nuttn new to us. We’ve witnessed this on more than one occasion. But why bench him NOW..it must not be just Gocong playing poorly. Maybe the coaches see something in Foku!
"... You play to win the game. Hello? You play to win the game. You don't play it to just play it. That's the great thing about sports: you play to win..."
LB in general in flux
LBs on this team have generally been wanting all season and it isn’t a good sign that McDermott is doing so much tweaking to the LB corps & playing time this late in the season for non-injury related reasons.
No coincidence that Fokou/White have been getting more playing time on 3rd down and passing downs the past 2 weeks. Gocong has been a liability all season long rushing the passer/in coverage and ’Spoon has struggled at times in coverage too.
It is going to be very interesting to see how McDermott uses his LBs this week and who plays on 3rd down and in nickel/dime coverage. The one thing I hope is that Jordan gets out there a fair amount because he is the one guy who has generally played well at LB although he has looked a bit more slow/tentative since coming back from his injury.
I wonder how much of this move is dictated by the rest of the LB shuffle. Gocong is not good in coverage. With Jordan and Bradley on the field, Gocong’s deficiency in that area might not have been so bad, but with Trot and Witherspoon (who is solid, but new to the system), it’s harder to cover up.
That might be so....
But why try to cover it up for so long. I HATE speaking for people but I cant hide the fact that some of us were “tired” of Gocong and noticing that he might be a weak link. We needed to get better there but I think the coaches were waiting to see if he could develop into an NFL LB! Waiting for that “breakout” season!! Doesn’t seem to be happening so I think they want to move forward while shaking things up.
"... You play to win the game. Hello? You play to win the game. You don't play it to just play it. That's the great thing about sports: you play to win..."
Yawn
Practically speaking this means little. Our D is all about situational players. Gocong will still be in on running downs, Fokou might get a small PT bump but overall this is a relatively small move.
Unless, of course, Fokou can run away and add some shine to our SLB situation. Never hurts to have a budding star emerge.
Yawn hahaha
I dont know all that..but i agree with ur last statement. This has more impact than u think. If Foku does a better job than Gocong, then that means our LB play gets bumped up a notch or two! Something that we’ve been waiting for! Also, if he does make an impact..next year will get very very interesting.
"... You play to win the game. Hello? You play to win the game. You don't play it to just play it. That's the great thing about sports: you play to win..."
Big deal
Gocong haven’t been used in nickel/dime situations at all lately and if it is an obvious running situation in a short-yardage play, I would imagine that Gocong would be in than Fokou.
So really this means that Fokou likely plays 1st & 2nd downs and comes out on most 3rd downs.
what this really shows is that linebacker has to be our main priority in the offseason/draft…. not to mention safety and de. i think our offense is solid, but our d has been scaring the crap out of me lately.
Not a main priority,
we’ve just been decimated by injuries… I want Micah Johnson to come in and play Sam for us.
thats Cobb on Kolb crime if you ask me... as said by yophillybro
lol, did as soon as I could...
you have to admit he is something special.. The dude is big, fast and physical even for an NFL LB.. And we dont need someone who caused turnovers, we need someone who will produce and not mess up…
I want him or Lindley.
thats Cobb on Kolb crime if you ask me... as said by yophillybro
I won't ever question his talent
I mean I stick with what I said. I think he is extremely solid. Has all the qualities to be spectacular, he just has to do it. Personally, I still think he is a better LB than Spikes (I think Spikes is overrated though so that may be a little bias). People are going to hate me for this, but if we were to draft him, I think he could take over the starting MLB from Bradley based on how their abilities stack against one another. In Micah’s defense though I think he needs to drop maybe 10 lbs and that may help him in coverage a little because it just seems his frame is a little to big for his skills. I mean the guy is 6-2 258 lbs. If he were about 2 inches taller than that extra 10 might not take as much a toll on him. 260 is almost too big for a MLB spot unless your McClain (but he’s a man child and tall as hell so he doesn’t count). But with a little time in the system and some experience under his belt I could actually see Micah taking over the MLB spot hypothetically.
bro, MJ has not fat on him
I say he needs to stay where he’s at… And Ive been thinking that he could take the MLB spot, but ive been afraid to say it for some time now…
Bradley and MJ could interchange at Sam and Mike.
And I agree with you, Spikes is way overrated, he lives off Tebow’s hype down here in FL… They say he’s the “tebow of the gators D” but he’s always getting hurt during games and missing series and hes a very dirty player and wont be able to pull the shit he does in the NFL.
thats Cobb on Kolb crime if you ask me... as said by yophillybro
You preaching to the choir
Its obvious he has no pretty much no fat on him. The article I read a month ago said he was only 4 percent body fat. But muscle weighs more than fat remember and even he has said that he has thought about slimming down just a tad. Dropping 10 lbs off wouldn’t hurt him. But its whatever is up to him.
I agree a little with what you say on the being dirty and always hurt. But my thing is he always disappears when he is needed and the talent that surrounds him makes him seem like a better player than he is. He is not that fast, he can hit (but thats pretty much a given if you play LB, a LB that doesn’t hit hands towels out on the sidelines), and he doesn’t seem to be able to decipher plays that quick. I mean when he attacks, he attacks but it seems more like his attacks are more preemptive chances than reads. I don’t think he’ll be a bad LB in the NFL, just he’s a overhyped.
yeah, I didnt wanna go that far in depth about spikes.
I truely dont like him, he’s to dirty of a player…
thats Cobb on Kolb crime if you ask me... as said by yophillybro
I like Gocong alot but I have always been saying
we need to find another LB to fill in there and just move him to LDE… He would truely be a force at DE, of coarse we would have to put some weight on him but watching him play when he’s rushing the passer and playing the run he still plays like a defensive end..
I also like fokou, he is a pretty damn good athlete, I think he needs to play smarter sometimes so he doesnt get us stupid penalties. He has some good size and is pretty quick and he can play the pass alot better than Gocong… All in all Im hesitant yet somewhat excited because I feel Fokou has a shit ton of potential, I just dont like the fact that we have a 7th round rookie starting at LB but he is a hell of a steal.
thats Cobb on Kolb crime if you ask me... as said by yophillybro
Foolish
Looking doing as much seriously tweaking as the Eagles are to their defense at LB this late in the season isn’t really a good sign. Its more about trying to find something that works a little better before the playoffs starts. Eagles’ LB just haven’t made many impact plays this year and have been routinely getting bet in coverage.
A lot of this happened due to the Giants’ game when the defense (and the LBs in particular) got completely exposed.
Here is hoping that Jordan slowly rounds back into form because the LBs and FS really are the weak spots in this defense right now. Offense is certainly of putting up points but I just don’t know if this defense is good enough to put the clamps on an offense the caliber of NO, Minn, AZ, or Dallas.
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