Witherspoon to Eagles, will reportedly move to WLB in W10 (Gocong MLB) (1 Viewer)

[duece2626]

(KFFL) Jay Glazer, of FOXSports.com, reports the Philadelphia Eagles have acquired LB Will Witherspoon from the St. Louis Rams in exchange for WR Brandon Gibson and a mid-level draft choice.

 

[Young 8]

wooooo

will he play MLB ?

 

[KellysHeroes]

Its getting real messy over there

 

[Zoomanji]

Its getting real messy over there

pretty much and we still don't have a MLB.Trotter is a joke, this move pushes Gaither out, Jordan and Gocong have been OK but I'm not even sure who the nickel backers are.Jordan, Spoon (in the middle ) and Gocong in the base I guess

 

[future_itisnow]

Any STL insiders around here? Curious as to who the WLB will be with Witherspoon being dealt. Good tackle opp to be had there.

 

[Don Quixote]

Any STL insiders around here? Curious as to who the WLB will be with Witherspoon being dealt. Good tackle opp to be had there.

Not an insider of any sort, but read something about Larry Grant filling in for Witherspoon when he got hurt. Does he become starter?

 

[Young 8]

http://twitter.com/caplannfl

# Finally, Reid said that Todd Herremans' checkup today for his foot went well and he'll probably be able to play on Monday night.9 minutes ago from TweetDeck

# Gaither is going to see a foot specialist, but Reid said he doesn't think Gaither will be able to play Monday night.13 minutes ago from TweetDeck

# Legit, he played in nickel for the Rams, really good playerRT @wondo425: @caplannfl cover skills solid, or is that propaganda from Big Red?14 minutes ago from TweetDeck

# Reid on conference call with local reporters breaking the deal down.17 minutes ago from TweetDeck

# Witherspoon is a three-down LB according to Reid, can cover TEs and RBs.19 minutes ago from TweetDeck

# Reid also said it looks like Omar Gaither won't be ready this week with his sprained foot.19 minutes ago from TweetDeck

# Meaning he will start off there, how much he plays depends on Gaither initially.20 minutes ago from TweetDeck

# Reid said Witherspoon will play at MLB to start.21 minutes ago from TweetDeck

 

[Bob Magaw]

spoon is signed through 2011, but his salary goes up to $5 million next season...

assuming bradley returns to MLB, & if spoon is retained at WLB (he has played both in his prior stints with panthers & rams), that could leave jordan as the odd man out next season...

maybe they could flip spoon next season, but that might be tough at that salary?

presumably it could depend on how he looks... he has played MLB, but probably a better fit at WLB... he will definitely have a better DL in front of him with the eagles than the rams...

 

[Multiple Scores]

Anyone worth a pickup here? Got lots of LB on bye this week.

 

[Mr. Know-It-All]

Paris Lenon will take over for Spoon in St Louis...but as a Rams fan this seals the fate of a very realistic shot at suffering through a 0-16 season. Laurinaitas is going to be good, but really outside of OJ and Laurinaitas we now have nothing. OL is a shambles, no production at wr or qb (see OL). S Jackson still is not a fit here and we should have traded him years ago when we could have maximized value. He would be a superstar somewhere else - just not a good fit here.

I am sad to see Witherspoon go. Very sad. This team has reached new lows in competitiveness.

 

[Benchwarmers]

Look for Chris Chamberlain OLB Rams to get some looks. Could be a steal ssssh!!!

 

[editor47]

always liked witherspoon as MLB with the rams. good tackle numbers. be interested to see what comes out over the next few days of how much he'll play

eagles lbs have never been great for numbers, though. but that was with dawkins there.

 

[GECKO]

Footballguys has spoon #1 on the depth chart and showing he is injured but likely to play.

 

[Norman Einstein]

gaither scheduled for season ending surgery

 

[bigal0303]

spoon has a glute injury will play though. Eagles middle linbackers trotter back in the day was a good 5 to 6 tackle a game man and Bradley is a emerging star putting up top 20 linebacker stats. So I would say the eagles have consistent points when healthy. Eagles Mlbs have more chances for sacks and picks than tackles though with the blitzing and 3rd down zones, so that is where they get there points and witherspoon is quick with that style offense great fit.

 

[Young 8]

INT & TD

 

[Young 8]

add a FF

 

[Twilight]

INT & TD

And a FF

 

[Multiple Scores]

19 points from Spoon for me so far with 12 minutes left in quarter 2.

#3 LB in week 7 already, 3 more points to be #1!!!

 

[Serenity Now]

Spoon!

 

[ninerfanatic492000]

Spoon!

wasn't that what "The Tick" said right before doing battle?

 

[Serenity Now]

 

[GridironMenace]

Looking ahead:

How does the Witherspoon signing affect Stewart Bradley next season? Spoon is signed through 2011 I believe. Would Philly move Spoon over to WLB or SLB with Bradley at MLB?

 

[WOW6616]

Is 'Spoon wearing the comm' helmet?

 

[kn1v3s0ut]

Will Gaither make it back as a starter in Philly in 2010 and beyond?

 

[Jene Bramel]

Is 'Spoon wearing the comm' helmet?

He's the only every-down linebacker, so it's likely.

Will Gaither make it back as a starter in Philly in 2010 and beyond?

I doubt it. Barring injury, I'd think the Eagles would start Gocong, Bradley and Witherspoon. Gaither hasn't been able to beat out Joe Mays and Jeremiah Trotter for snaps inside and was benched for Akeem Jordan outside. He's a nickel specialist at best given the current guys rostered.

 

[Young 8]

WTF is this ?

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d8...mp;confirm=true



Eagles linebacker Will Witherspoon is moving to the weakside this week, with Chris Gocong taking over the middle and rookie Moise Fokou at strongside.

Witherspoon has played well as the MIKE since the deadline trade, so this move comes as a surprise. We're guessing it could be temporary in nature, as Fokou likely only knows how to play SLB. Once Akeem Jordan (knee) returns to the lineup, the changes could be reversed. In the meantime, the move is a drain on Witherspoon's IDP value.

Source: Associated Press

 

[bigal0303]

WTF is this ?

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d8...mp;confirm=true



Eagles linebacker Will Witherspoon is moving to the weakside this week, with Chris Gocong taking over the middle and rookie Moise Fokou at strongside.

Witherspoon has played well as the MIKE since the deadline trade, so this move comes as a surprise. We're guessing it could be temporary in nature, as Fokou likely only knows how to play SLB. Once Akeem Jordan (knee) returns to the lineup, the changes could be reversed. In the meantime, the move is a drain on Witherspoon's IDP value.

Source: Associated Press

yes wtf is this? If this is true then gocong and witherspoon will be in for nickel. I think they need spoon in the middle they are playing great d even injured no need to f with things.

 

[bcr8f]

WTF is this ?

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d8...mp;confirm=true



Eagles linebacker Will Witherspoon is moving to the weakside this week, with Chris Gocong taking over the middle and rookie Moise Fokou at strongside.

Witherspoon has played well as the MIKE since the deadline trade, so this move comes as a surprise. We're guessing it could be temporary in nature, as Fokou likely only knows how to play SLB. Once Akeem Jordan (knee) returns to the lineup, the changes could be reversed. In the meantime, the move is a drain on Witherspoon's IDP value.

Source: Associated Press

yes wtf is this? If this is true then gocong and witherspoon will be in for nickel. I think they need spoon in the middle they are playing great d even injured no need to f with things.

I agree, He did play WLB in Carolina I think but I'd rather have him in the middle. Besides why mess with success?

 

[the branded hand]

WTF is this ?

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d8...mp;confirm=true



Eagles linebacker Will Witherspoon is moving to the weakside this week, with Chris Gocong taking over the middle and rookie Moise Fokou at strongside.

Witherspoon has played well as the MIKE since the deadline trade, so this move comes as a surprise. We're guessing it could be temporary in nature, as Fokou likely only knows how to play SLB. Once Akeem Jordan (knee) returns to the lineup, the changes could be reversed. In the meantime, the move is a drain on Witherspoon's IDP value.

Source: Associated Press

yes wtf is this? If this is true then gocong and witherspoon will be in for nickel. I think they need spoon in the middle they are playing great d even injured no need to f with things.

I agree, He did play WLB in Carolina I think but I'd rather have him in the middle. Besides why mess with success?

He's been lightning on the field as a MIKE. He's still on our waiver wire, but this move gives me pause. He's one of the players that I like like to say has "economy of motion". His directness to the ball on initial read or in pursuit is unrivaled IMO. Speed kills... even on defense!

 

[ninerfanatic492000]

from a guy whose had to watch alot of Ram's games over the years I'm not surprised anytime i hear Will Witherspoon is being shifted back to his Natural WLB spot. Will will make his fair share of highlight reel type plays b/c of his speed/athleticism but he also gets shoved out of plays or runs around blocks and out of plays way to often. Ram's coaches grew tired of his play at MLB much like the Chiefs with Derrick Johnson and the Raiders with Kirk Morrison. I'm not shocked that Gocong is getting a try in the Middle as he's played superbly this year on the Strong side. he's much closer to what they want(Stewart Bradley) in the middle. i don't think the Eagles dealt for Spoon entirely for him to play MLB but more-so they really just needed a another competent healthy body added to LB'er core with Gaither/Bradley down and Trotter looking disastrous.

you'd think the Panthers woudl have considered keeping him if they thought he could play MLB knowing Dan Morgan's penchant for injury back in 05. instead they let Will leave and waited a year till the 07 draft to address the situation and draft Beason.

 

[bigal0303]

from a guy whose had to watch alot of Ram's games over the years I'm not surprised anytime i hear Will Witherspoon is being shifted back to his Natural WLB spot. Will will make his fair share of highlight reel type plays b/c of his speed/athleticism but he also gets shoved out of plays or runs around blocks and out of plays way to often. Ram's coaches grew tired of his play at MLB much like the Chiefs with Derrick Johnson and the Raiders with Kirk Morrison. I'm not shocked that Gocong is getting a try in the Middle as he's played superbly this year on the Strong side. he's much closer to what they want(Stewart Bradley) in the middle. i don't think the Eagles dealt for Spoon entirely for him to play MLB but more-so they really just needed a another competent healthy body added to LB'er core with Gaither/Bradley down and Trotter looking disastrous.you'd think the Panthers woudl have considered keeping him if they thought he could play MLB knowing Dan Morgan's penchant for injury back in 05. instead they let Will leave and waited a year till the 07 draft to address the situation and draft Beason.

Very true. But spoon was known for his brains not bronze the reason why he played middle is because he understood and new what to do. His problem is being undersized that is why st.louis kept trying but it didn't work. In philly he would play mostly the pass not downing the rams but the last 4 years have been rough and they needed a run stopper a big guy in the middle. The eagles need a drop back blitz the middle kind of guy and that is what bradley was gaither couldn't cover and trotter was to slow that left mays who was always running into blocks. Witherspoon has it I think they are testing for next year when bradley is back, next week I believe he will go back to middle.

 

[Anthony Borbely]

I don't think the move has anything to do with how Witherspoon played in the middle. It likely is because none of the other LBs can play WLB at a level the Eagles want or need.

 

[Leonard Henry -2 Yds]

Is Gocong playing MLB? He's listed as DE in ESPN, that would be monstrous.

Please advise

 

[Jene Bramel]

Is Gocong playing MLB? He's listed as DE in ESPN, that would be monstrous.

Please advise

Here's the note from yesterday afternoon's Birds Eye View blog:

Moise Fokou, who missed yesterday's practice with the flu, was back practicing. Defensive coordinator Sean McDermott confirmed today that if linebacker Akeem Jordan (knee) can't play Sunday, Chris Gocong will move to MIKE, Fokou will play SAM and Will Witherspoon will slide over to WILL. There could some flexibility is moving the linebackers around, McDermott added.

 

[Zoomanji]

I don't think the move has anything to do with how Witherspoon played in the middle. It likely is because none of the other LBs can play WLB at a level the Eagles want or need.

Pretty much the case

Is Gocong playing MLB? He's listed as DE in ESPN, that would be monstrous.Please advise

Wow, really? He hasn't been a DE since he graduated from college. Another reason not to play on ESPN

 

[Leonard Henry -2 Yds]

Oh come on, ESPN is free/fine.

...especially when they screwed up and listed Rashied Davis WR, Chi as a cornerback last year, and I got made fun of constantly for starting him at corner. Then he scored a touchdown in 4 straight weeks.

It was maddening to my opponents and other owners, and made for an excellent time.

Anyway, it only sounds as if Gocong might play MLB this week. I picked him up, but will probably be looking at other options if Prince Akeem is a go.

 

[bigal0303]

You adapt to your league. I have used espn for 5 years now and it is fun drafting guys and being able to move them. I have Doom at Dline and Kampman and okeafor. Next year it will be switched but for now I will take advantage thank you espn plus they are good with there scoring for being free.

 

[northern exposure]

from a guy whose had to watch alot of Ram's games over the years I'm not surprised anytime i hear Will Witherspoon is being shifted back to his Natural WLB spot. Will will make his fair share of highlight reel type plays b/c of his speed/athleticism but he also gets shoved out of plays or runs around blocks and out of plays way to often. Ram's coaches grew tired of his play at MLB much like the Chiefs with Derrick Johnson and the Raiders with Kirk Morrison. I'm not shocked that Gocong is getting a try in the Middle as he's played superbly this year on the Strong side. he's much closer to what they want(Stewart Bradley) in the middle. i don't think the Eagles dealt for Spoon entirely for him to play MLB but more-so they really just needed a another competent healthy body added to LB'er core with Gaither/Bradley down and Trotter looking disastrous.

you'd think the Panthers woudl have considered keeping him if they thought he could play MLB knowing Dan Morgan's penchant for injury back in 05. instead they let Will leave and waited a year till the 07 draft to address the situation and draft Beason.

Very true. But spoon was known for his brains not bronze the reason why he played middle is because he understood and new what to do. His problem is being undersized that is why st.louis kept trying but it didn't work. In philly he would play mostly the pass not downing the rams but the last 4 years have been rough and they needed a run stopper a big guy in the middle. The eagles need a drop back blitz the middle kind of guy and that is what bradley was gaither couldn't cover and trotter was to slow that left mays who was always running into blocks. Witherspoon has it I think they are testing for next year when bradley is back, next week I believe he will go back to middle.

Witherspoon was known for his brains, not for finishing in third place and getting a bronze medal???? NM , you mean brawn.

 

[bigal0303]

from a guy whose had to watch alot of Ram's games over the years I'm not surprised anytime i hear Will Witherspoon is being shifted back to his Natural WLB spot. Will will make his fair share of highlight reel type plays b/c of his speed/athleticism but he also gets shoved out of plays or runs around blocks and out of plays way to often. Ram's coaches grew tired of his play at MLB much like the Chiefs with Derrick Johnson and the Raiders with Kirk Morrison. I'm not shocked that Gocong is getting a try in the Middle as he's played superbly this year on the Strong side. he's much closer to what they want(Stewart Bradley) in the middle. i don't think the Eagles dealt for Spoon entirely for him to play MLB but more-so they really just needed a another competent healthy body added to LB'er core with Gaither/Bradley down and Trotter looking disastrous.

you'd think the Panthers woudl have considered keeping him if they thought he could play MLB knowing Dan Morgan's penchant for injury back in 05. instead they let Will leave and waited a year till the 07 draft to address the situation and draft Beason.

Very true. But spoon was known for his brains not bronze the reason why he played middle is because he understood and new what to do. His problem is being undersized that is why st.louis kept trying but it didn't work. In philly he would play mostly the pass not downing the rams but the last 4 years have been rough and they needed a run stopper a big guy in the middle. The eagles need a drop back blitz the middle kind of guy and that is what bradley was gaither couldn't cover and trotter was to slow that left mays who was always running into blocks. Witherspoon has it I think they are testing for next year when bradley is back, next week I believe he will go back to middle.

Witherspoon was known for his brains, not for finishing in third place and getting a bronze medal???? NM , you mean brawn.

at least you new what i meant lol

 

[Young 8]

LT is tearing Eagles D apart

nice move

 

[bigal0303]

Yeah terrible move put him back in the middle gocong not a mlb