Gocong is down... (1 Viewer)

[ffchamp1]

According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the Browns "fear" WLB Chris Gocong has suffered a ruptured right Achilles' tendon.

Gocong will undergo a Saturday afternoon MRI to confirm the injury, but it sounds like his season is over. As is typical with Achilles' injuries, Gocong went down on a non-contact play. The injury means the Browns will be forced to turn to fourth-round pick James-Michael Johnson on the weak-side, though Kaluka Maiava could be in the mix once SLB Scott Fujita returns from his three-game suspension. Gocong has missed just one game the past five seasons.

 

[Bracie Smathers]

First preseason action and I was suprised that James Michael Johson was NOT starting on the strong side in place of impeding suspended LBer Scott Fujita.

Fujita was the starter and JMH saw action with the second and third stringers.

Gotta say JMH did NOTHING last night. I won't single him out because the entire front seven looked like crap including Kaluka Maiava who really looked like crap and it was easier to see him since he was in with the starters but pretty much everyone in the front seven looked bad.

It almost seems like the Browns anticipate that Fujita will play, oh and Fujita looked bad last night too, not leaving anyone out on the blaim-game.

Both CB Joe Haden and SS T.J. Ward were outstanding but only played the first quarter.

The Browns had pulled their starting D out before the Lions scored. FS Eric Hagg made a nice stop and looks like he belongs.

It looks like Maiava will be the weakside starter but if he looks as bad as he did last night then JMJ could get a shot but he has to show a heck of a lot more before I would touch him.

Bottom line, stay away from JMH till he shows something and he hasn't shown anything yet.

 

[Bracie Smathers]

Update on James Michael Johnson

Second game he showed a noticeable improvement. He will be the replacement for suspended strong side linebacker Scott Fujita for the first three games.

The Browns also need to replace weakside linebacker Chris Gocong who is done for the year. Last year's replacement LB Kaluka Maiavai has gotten the work as Gocong's replacement. He hasn't looked overly impressive and JMJ has made an improvement and he has looked good all through training camp.

In the first preseason game the Browns had four of seven starters in the front seven out for that game, DT Phil Taylor, DT Ahtyba Rubin, LB D'Qwell Jackson, Gocong. I'm sure the overal cohesion suffered and that is one of the reasons why the defense looked so shabby in the first game so I can understand why JMJ looked lost along with the rest of the front-seven.

From this morning:

My link

FOURTH-ROUND THUNDER

Round 4 pick James-Michael Johnson had a strong camp.

He is the likely opening-day replacement for outside linebacker Scott Fujita, whose appeal of a three-game suspension hasn’t gotten anywhere yet.

“He’s a student of the game,” veteran linebacker D’Qwell Jackson said. “He’s moving in the right direction.”

Special teams dynamo Joshua Cribbs never calls Johnson anything but “JMJ.”

“I’ve been letting young guys know ... ‘If you want to play in the NFL, special teams is how you do it,’ ” Cribbs said. “JMJ has stepped up dramatically.”

I've been on the fence with James Michael Johnson because I need to see more.He did appear lost in the first preseason game but he showed a noticeable improvement in the secnod game.

At the very least he will start the first three games filling in for Fujita's suspension and if he flashes he could be in line for more playing time either by taking snaps from Maiavai or outright taking over on the weakside spot or if Scott lands on IR at the end of the season as he has for the last couple of years he has been on the Browns then JMH could wind up taking over on the strong side and I would imagine he would be the favorite to be the starter in 2013.

Latest on JMH is he has a good outlook as far as opportunity so the next part is to see how he performs and he did show an improvement from the first to the second preseason game.

 

[ffchamp1]

Thanks for the update

Update on James Michael Johnson

Second game he showed a noticeable improvement. He will be the replacement for suspended strong side linebacker Scott Fujita for the first three games.

The Browns also need to replace weakside linebacker Chris Gocong who is done for the year. Last year's replacement LB Kaluka Maiavai has gotten the work as Gocong's replacement. He hasn't looked overly impressive and JMJ has made an improvement and he has looked good all through training camp.

In the first preseason game the Browns had four of seven starters in the front seven out for that game, DT Phil Taylor, DT Ahtyba Rubin, LB D'Qwell Jackson, Gocong. I'm sure the overal cohesion suffered and that is one of the reasons why the defense looked so shabby in the first game so I can understand why JMJ looked lost along with the rest of the front-seven.

From this morning:

My link

FOURTH-ROUND THUNDER

Round 4 pick James-Michael Johnson had a strong camp.

He is the likely opening-day replacement for outside linebacker Scott Fujita, whose appeal of a three-game suspension hasn’t gotten anywhere yet.

“He’s a student of the game,” veteran linebacker D’Qwell Jackson said. “He’s moving in the right direction.”

Special teams dynamo Joshua Cribbs never calls Johnson anything but “JMJ.”

“I’ve been letting young guys know ... ‘If you want to play in the NFL, special teams is how you do it,’ ” Cribbs said. “JMJ has stepped up dramatically.”

I've been on the fence with James Michael Johnson because I need to see more.He did appear lost in the first preseason game but he showed a noticeable improvement in the secnod game.

At the very least he will start the first three games filling in for Fujita's suspension and if he flashes he could be in line for more playing time either by taking snaps from Maiavai or outright taking over on the weakside spot or if Scott lands on IR at the end of the season as he has for the last couple of years he has been on the Browns then JMH could wind up taking over on the strong side and I would imagine he would be the favorite to be the starter in 2013.

Latest on JMH is he has a good outlook as far as opportunity so the next part is to see how he performs and he did show an improvement from the first to the second preseason game.

 

[JoeSteeler]

Thanks for posting Bracie.

 

[Bracie Smathers]

Good quick bullet-point snapsis of James Michael Johnson from last night's preseason game against the Eagles.

My link

•Rookie linebacker James-Michael Johnson looked like a rookie. He decided to blitz Foles late which freed up tight end Brent Celek for the first touchdown. Johnson's roughing the passer penalty nullified an interception return for a touchdown by David Sims early in the third quarter. He did break up a couple of passes.

His blitz was a mistake as the TE he was supposed to cover waltzed uncovered into the endzone.The roughing the QB penalty was BS as the Foles was falling backwards and JMJ didn't hit him high or leate or low, he was simply continuing the play. Their was no roughing at all whatsoever on the play.

He showed great cover skills, nice hip swivel and gets into his drops quickly and has range and uses his hands really well in coverage. Very impressive in coverage and once he learns the defense a little better he might show something as a pass rusher.

Still a bit early to tell exactly what he'll bring to the table but their is potential here.

 

[JOBOOZOSO]

He's probably starting, so he's worth a flyer.

However, I'd much rather target another position than draft a LB selected after the 2nd rd unless it's a dynasty league.

ReDraft, Linebackers drafted after the second round, 2006 – 2011: 154

0% chance at drafting a starter (0 players)

5% chance of drafting a backup (8 players)

 

[Bracie Smathers]

Heads up.

Scott Fujita may not get the long anticipated suspension for bounty-gate which would relegate James Michael Johnson to back-up status.

Not very entertaining story but the gist of it is that a judge (from LOUISIANA where the ahem NEW ORLEANS SAINTS play) has ruled in favor of Jonathan Vilma which throws all of the impending suspensions up in the air so Fujita has a real shot to play which ofcourse means that JMJ would not be starting.

My link

Browns' Fujita optimistic he'll play in opener

TOM WITHERS AP Sports Writer Published: August 28, 2012 6:33PM

BEREA, Ohio (AP) -- Scott Fujita isn't convinced he'll have to miss a single game this season.

Suspended three games by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell for his alleged role in the New Orleans' bounty scandal, Fujita expressed confidence that he'll play in Cleveland's season opener on Sept. 9 against Philadelphia.

"I'm optimistic about playing in Week 1," he said.

Fujita was one of four players punished by Goodell for contributing to the pay-for-hits program that rocked the league. The 33-year-old returned to practice Tuesday for the first time since hurting his left knee in the Aug. 10 exhibition opener against Detroit. Following the workout on a bright, nearly cloudless day, Fujita said he "has a lot" of optimism about his suspension being reduced or delayed.

Fujita declined to give many details for his positive outlook other than saying he was encouraged by U.S. District Judge Ginger Berrigan's recent statements regarding suspended Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma's request for a temporary restraining order to block the bounty sanctions. The judge has said that if she can clear up concerns about her jurisdiction, she would likely grant Vilma the order because she found the NFL's disciplinary process in the bounty matter unfair and the punishment excessive.

The four suspended players are hoping to get the order to put the suspensions on hold. They feel they should be allowed to argue in court that Goodell overstepped his jurisdiction in handing down punishment against the Saints without showing any evidence.

Vilma was suspended for the entire 2012 season, and Saints defensive end Will Smith is banned for the first four regular-season games. Former Saints defensive end Anthony Hargrove, recently released by Green Bay, was penalized eight games.

The players and their attorneys believe the suspensions could cause them irreparable harm, possible grounds for a judge to grant a restraining order putting the suspensions on hold until it's decided if the commissioner acted properly.

An appeal hearing is scheduled for Thursday in New York. That hearing is occurring under a process laid out by the collective bargaining agreement. Berrigan has indicated that she would feel more comfortable about her jurisdiction after the appeal process under the league's labor agreement had been exhausted...

An appeal is scheduled for Thursday so it is possible this could be settled soon.

 

[Bracie Smathers]

If anyone was looking for a bit more info on JMH here is an excellent breakdown with full pictures of James Michael Johnson's last game.

Not only pictures but also this breakdown shows visual diagrams of the defensive responsibilities assigned to JMJ.

Really good stuff and tremendous source for anyone interested in James Michael Johnson.

Can't add anything to this so check out the link.

My link

 

[Shutout]

If anyone was looking for a bit more info on JMH here is an excellent breakdown with full pictures of James Michael Johnson's last game.

Not only pictures but also this breakdown shows visual diagrams of the defensive responsibilities assigned to JMJ.

Really good stuff and tremendous source for anyone interested in James Michael Johnson.

Can't add anything to this so check out the link.

My link

Thanks for this. I've been really high on this guy and hoping he succeeds.

 

[JoeSteeler]

If anyone was looking for a bit more info on JMH here is an excellent breakdown with full pictures of James Michael Johnson's last game.

Not only pictures but also this breakdown shows visual diagrams of the defensive responsibilities assigned to JMJ.

Really good stuff and tremendous source for anyone interested in James Michael Johnson.

Can't add anything to this so check out the link.

My link

Thanks for this. I've been really high on this guy and hoping he succeeds.

Yes thanks!

 

[Bracie Smathers]

Ughh.

Nother JMJ update and this one is not good.

During the last preseason game James Michael Johnson suffered an oblique muscle injury.

My link

Browns Rookie LB James-Michael Johnson Suffers An Oblique Muscle Injury

Filed Under: afc, afcnorth, browns, injury, nfl, rumor

Posted By: SteveRobWhatever 9 Hours Ago

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rookie linebacker James-Michael Johnson suffered an oblique muscle injury in the second quarter of the Browns' loss to the Chicago Bears at Cleveland Browns Stadium. As the game ended, the severity of Johnson's injury was not known.

The Browns cannot afford to lose another linebacker, a position in which they lacked depth even before training camp started. Chris Gocong will miss the season with a torn Achilles. Scott Fujita is still waiting word as to whether a three-game league suspension for his alleged role in the New Orleans bounty program will be rescinded.

If Johnson were sidelined for the Sept. 9 season opener, the Browns might be forced to field a starting linebacking corps of D'Qwell Jackson, Kaluka Maiava and untested Craig Robertson.

It didn't look good when it happened.Obliques are the stomach muscles located above the hip on the outer side of the torso and are crucial for pretty much anything to do with turning or twisting or throwing.

Basically this is an injury to a heavily used body part that could hamper him all season but so far no concrete updates.

 

[Bracie Smathers]

Update.

James Michael Johnson is OUT for the opener.

My link

... JMJ out: Browns rookie linebacker James-Michael Johnson, who was set to start at outside linebacker with Scott Fujita suspended, will be out a "a little while," according to Heckert. But the GM said Johnson's oblique injury is "nothing serious."

Currently, the Browns have no plans to put him on short-term injured reserve, and don't think he'll miss four games. He's expected to sit out the opener and likely at least another game or two. "It's more of a pain thing, a rib, whatever," said Heckert. "It's up in the air."

Said D'Qwell Jackson: "That guy, he loves football, man . . . it shouldn't be a season-ending injury, so we'll get him back."

The Browns will most likely start rookie L.J. Fort or first-year player Craig Robertson in his place.

Fujita still maintains his belief that his suspension won't hold.If the suspension is upheld then JMJ probably won't get a shot to start but right now he's out of action for at least the first two or three games.

 

[Bracie Smathers]

According to Mary Kay Cabbott of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, even though the suspensions for Bounty-Gate have been overturned, Browns LB Scott Fujita is doubtful to play Sunday.

My link

Cleveland Browns linebacker Scott Fujita doubtful to play against Eagles despite overturned suspension

By Mary Kay Cabot, The Plain Dealer

on September 08, 2012 at 11:40 AM, updated September 08, 2012 at 12:02 PM

CLEVELAND, -- Browns linebacker Scott Fujita, who had his three-game suspension overturned on Friday, most likely won't play Sunday against the Eagles, a league source told the Plain Dealer.

Fujita, the Browns' starting strongside linebacker, suffered a lower left leg injury in the preseason opener against the Lions Aug. 10 and missed the final three preseason games.

A 10-year pro, Fujita returned to practice Aug. 28, but hasn't been in pads or team drills much this entire preseason. What's more, he was banished from the Browns facility all week after his suspension by the NFL for his alleged role in the Saints so-called bounty system kicked in Aug. 31st.

Fujita spent the week working out at nearby Baldwin-Wallace University, where he could hear the blare of practice horns and the shrill whistles.

With Fujita still on the mend, the Browns will likely start rookie linebacker L.J Fort, an undrafted free agent rookie out of Northern Iowa.

The Browns had hoped to start fourth-round pick James-Michael Johnson in that spot, but he suffered an oblique/ribs injury in the preseason finale and has been ruled out for this game. Johnson is also likely to miss at least another week.

Despite the fact a three-member panel overturned the bounty-related suspensions of the four current or former Saints players on Friday, Commissioner Roger Goodell can still suspend them sometime after this week's games for conduct detrimental to the league.

 

[MAC_32]

LJ Fort? Figured Craig Robertson would get an opportunity.

 

[PlasmaDogPlasma]

LJ Fort? Figured Craig Robertson would get an opportunity.

Everything I've read/heard has said Fort.

 

[MAC_32]

LJ Fort? Figured Craig Robertson would get an opportunity.

Everything I've read/heard has said Fort.

Just read up from Grossi, looks that way. Kinda bummed, thought Robertson may be legit. Not saying Fort's not, I just don't know anything about him.

 

[PlasmaDogPlasma]

Well, Fort did start but Robertson is getting plenty of action.

 

[Bracie Smathers]

Anyone who picked up Robertson or Fort might want to pump the breaks.

Browns starting strong side LB Scott Fujita is expected back and he will play Sunday but the way Shurmur has reacted he might split reps with the youngsters.

My link

BEREA — Browns coach Pat Shurmur said he expects outside linebacker Scott Fujita to play on Sunday in Cincinnati.

He didn’t say whether Fujita would reclaim his starting job or if he’d stick with rookie L.J. Fort.

“(Fujita) had a good week of practice,” Shurmur said. “Barring anything happening here in the next couple of days, he’ll play.”

Fujita’s only appearance this season was in the first preseason game at Detroit. He’s been bothered by a sore knee and was suspended by the NFL for his role in the New Orleans Saints’ “Bountygate.” That suspension was lifted last week. He is scheduled to meet with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Tuesday.

“He’s a great player,” Browns safety T.J. Ward said. “He’s a great team leader. He’s had a really good week of practice. We expect him to have a really good game.”

Fujita typically starts out strong early in the year before landing on IR late in the year but they didn't start him last week due to him missing practice all of last week but he's back this week.The youngsters, Robertson and LJ Fort should still get reps since they were in a three-way LBBC with Kaluka Maiava on the outside where Robertson was the cover LB and this week he is scheduled to be part of a cover package that DC **** Juron has installed for TE Jermaine Gresham so I'm sure he'll see some PT but it will likely be limited. Fort might be the odd man out if Fujita doesn't look rusty from his long lay-off so heads up.