Jene Bramel
Footballguy
Big news from Philly.
According to Jim Johnson, the light may have gone on for Matt McCoy. Deserves a significant bump up the rankings if this holds true. Even if Barber stays around in a nickel role, McCoy may still have a significant three down role.
Also some notes about Gocong in the article.
Reading Eagle
Eagles give McCoy a bump up the depth chart
Steve Patton
5/16/2006
PHILADELPHIA The Philadelphia Eagles drafted linebacker Matt McCoy in the second round last year, talked about his relentless approach and playmaking ability, and then kept him off the field.
In a season of turmoil and injury, McCoy was one of the few Eagles draft picks who didn't get a chance to show what he could do. He played in just four games and made just six tackles, all on special teams, as he struggled to learn the Philadelphia defense.
So it was something of a surprise Saturday when during the first practice of minicamp, McCoy lined up with the starters at weak-side linebacker, ahead of veteran Shawn Barber.
“I really didn't have an idea and it really didn't matter to me because I still have to prove myself,” said McCoy. “It does help me get comfortable with the guys, but it really doesn't mean anything because it's not game time yet.
“I'm going to be humble about it. Shawn's a great player. I guess it's my spot to lose and I've got to keep playing hard and stay hungry.”
The weak-side spot is there for the taking, with the departure of last year's starter, Keith Adams, to Carolina. When the Eagles signed Barber, who played the position well in a one-year stint in Philadelphia in 2001, most figured the job was his.
Defensive coordinator Jim Johnson, though, said the Eagles value Barber for his ability in nickel situations, thereby giving them a chance to get middle linebacker Jeremiah Trotter off the field in passing situations. While Barber will compete for the weak-side job, it appears McCoy will get the chance to win it outright.
“There's no question he's a much different player out there,” said Johnson. “He's a lot more confident. He struggled last year, no question, and I think he will admit that. But this year he knows everything, is playing with a lot of confidence, and he has to take it to the field.”
McCoy said spending the winter in Philadelphia made a huge difference for him.
“Being in the offseason program and training how they wanted me to train and studying how they wanted me to study helped a lot,” said McCoy.
“We expect good things,” said head coach Andy Reid. “We expect him to continue to learn, progress and get better.”
Tricky transition: Linebacker Matt McCoy struggled to learn the Eagles defense at his accustomed position, so imagine how difficult it must be for rookie Chris Gocong.
A defensive end at Division I-AA Cal-Poly, the Eagles are switching Gocong to strong-side linebacker, where he will have to learn pass coverage for the first time as well as digesting the team's complicated defensive scheme.
“I think switching my mindset from always rushing the passer to now covering backs and tight ends and things like that is going to be the toughest thing,” said Gocong, who led all of college football with 42 sacks the last two seasons.
“There's going to be some pressure on him to see how fast he can learn,” said defensive coordinator Jim Johnson. “We're going to have to have a little bit of patience. I know his head is spinning.”
Dhani Jones returns for his third season at strong-side linebacker, so there's no rush to get Gocong ready to play. However, it's no secret the Birds thought Jones could have played better last season, and would love to have someone push him for the position.
According to Jim Johnson, the light may have gone on for Matt McCoy. Deserves a significant bump up the rankings if this holds true. Even if Barber stays around in a nickel role, McCoy may still have a significant three down role.
Also some notes about Gocong in the article.
Reading Eagle
Eagles give McCoy a bump up the depth chart
Steve Patton
5/16/2006
PHILADELPHIA The Philadelphia Eagles drafted linebacker Matt McCoy in the second round last year, talked about his relentless approach and playmaking ability, and then kept him off the field.
In a season of turmoil and injury, McCoy was one of the few Eagles draft picks who didn't get a chance to show what he could do. He played in just four games and made just six tackles, all on special teams, as he struggled to learn the Philadelphia defense.
So it was something of a surprise Saturday when during the first practice of minicamp, McCoy lined up with the starters at weak-side linebacker, ahead of veteran Shawn Barber.
“I really didn't have an idea and it really didn't matter to me because I still have to prove myself,” said McCoy. “It does help me get comfortable with the guys, but it really doesn't mean anything because it's not game time yet.
“I'm going to be humble about it. Shawn's a great player. I guess it's my spot to lose and I've got to keep playing hard and stay hungry.”
The weak-side spot is there for the taking, with the departure of last year's starter, Keith Adams, to Carolina. When the Eagles signed Barber, who played the position well in a one-year stint in Philadelphia in 2001, most figured the job was his.
Defensive coordinator Jim Johnson, though, said the Eagles value Barber for his ability in nickel situations, thereby giving them a chance to get middle linebacker Jeremiah Trotter off the field in passing situations. While Barber will compete for the weak-side job, it appears McCoy will get the chance to win it outright.
“There's no question he's a much different player out there,” said Johnson. “He's a lot more confident. He struggled last year, no question, and I think he will admit that. But this year he knows everything, is playing with a lot of confidence, and he has to take it to the field.”
McCoy said spending the winter in Philadelphia made a huge difference for him.
“Being in the offseason program and training how they wanted me to train and studying how they wanted me to study helped a lot,” said McCoy.
“We expect good things,” said head coach Andy Reid. “We expect him to continue to learn, progress and get better.”
Tricky transition: Linebacker Matt McCoy struggled to learn the Eagles defense at his accustomed position, so imagine how difficult it must be for rookie Chris Gocong.
A defensive end at Division I-AA Cal-Poly, the Eagles are switching Gocong to strong-side linebacker, where he will have to learn pass coverage for the first time as well as digesting the team's complicated defensive scheme.
“I think switching my mindset from always rushing the passer to now covering backs and tight ends and things like that is going to be the toughest thing,” said Gocong, who led all of college football with 42 sacks the last two seasons.
“There's going to be some pressure on him to see how fast he can learn,” said defensive coordinator Jim Johnson. “We're going to have to have a little bit of patience. I know his head is spinning.”
Dhani Jones returns for his third season at strong-side linebacker, so there's no rush to get Gocong ready to play. However, it's no secret the Birds thought Jones could have played better last season, and would love to have someone push him for the position.
