News: The Browns released linebacker Chris Gocong and safety Usama Young.
Analysis: Neither defender was expected to make a large impact statistically. Keep them both off of Fantasy rosters for now.
News: The Browns placed linebackers Emmanuel Acho and Chris Gocong on season-ending injured reserve Monday to help reach the NFL's latest roster requirements. Gocong suffered a right Achilles tendon injury early in training camp and was unable to return to the field.
Analysis: Add an Achilles injury to Gocong's growing list of ailments. The 28-year-old was hampered by a minor shoulder issue last season but still managed to rack up a career-high 3.5 sacks and 70 tackles. However, he will need the entire 2012 campaign to recover from his latest injury and should be left on waivers in all Fantasy formats.
News: Browns linebacker Chris Gocong injured his right Achilles tendon in practice Saturday and is likely out for the season. Cleveland already was faced with not having Scott Fujita for the first three games because of his league suspension for being part of the bounty scandal in New Orleans before joining the Browns two years ago. "It looked serious. It always does when a guy doesn't get up," linebacker D'Qwell Jackson said. "You hate to see that. He plays a major role." Gocong was in obvious pain after crumpling to the ground during morning practice. Covered in sweat, he grimaced as trainers removed his right shoe and gingerly checked his ankle. As he was lifted onto a cart, Gocong kept his leg straight in protection. "They're evaluating his ankle and we'll see," said coach Pat Shurmur, who pulled the squad away and resumed drills. "Injuries are an unintended consequence of this game. As safe as you try to be, it sometimes happens and it drives the coach nuts. But for guys who don't play a lot, you learn you are one play from being in there full time."
Analysis: One day after new owner Jimmy Haslam III came to camp and provided a positive lift to a franchise that has been stuck in the losing doldrums, Browns players and fans fell silent when Gocong went down. "It affects us all, puts a damper on practice," Jackson said. "I hope it's not as bad as it looks." A severe injury would be devastating to a unit that already lacks depth and could lose Fujita to a three-game suspension to start the season. Look for rookie James-Michael Johnson to be placed on the fast track if Gocong is, indeed, out for an extended period. Veteran Kaluka Maiava is a possible replacement, but he's slated to take over for Fujita. Gocong has low-end Fantasy value in IDP formats, when healthy.
News: Cleveland LB Chris Gocong registered nine tackles, seven solo, in Week 15 in Arizona. He also sacked QB John Skelton twice in the contest, which doubled his total for the year.
Analysis: Gocong has 60 tackles and 3 1/2 sacks on the year for the Browns. Despite his nice outing, Fantasy owners in IDP formats need more production from their linebackers. Leave Gocong on waivers the rest of the season.
News: Browns LB Chris Gocong left Week 8 against the 49ers with a shoulder injury. Gocong sustained the injury in the second half and was unable to return to the contest. He finished with five tackles, four solo, prior to leaving the contest.
Analysis: There was no injury update of Gocong's status after the game, so Fantasy owners will have to monitor the situation throughout the week. Still, the 28-year-old is much of a source for tackles, which makes him more of a low-end option in most IDP formats, when healthy.
News: Browns LB Chris Gocong totaled four solo tackles and one sack in Week 7 against the Seahawks. He now has 1 1/2 sacks on the season.
Analysis: Gocong starts for the Browns, but as the weakside linebacker he is not always filling the stat sheet. He continues to have minimal Fantasy appeal.
News: Browns LB Chris Gocong is active for Week 4 against the Titans. He was listed as probable for the game with a groin injury.
Analysis: Gocong isn't a big tackler for a linebacker and doesn't offer anything in the way of interceptions and sacks. He's just a low-end option in Fantasy IDP leagues.
News: Cleveland LB Chris Gocong (groin) is listed as probable for the team's Week 4 matchup against Tennessee. Gocong was a full participant in practice during the week.
Analysis: Gocong suffered the groin injury during Week 3 against Miami, but it appears he won't miss any playing time with the setback. He has posted just nine tackles and half a sack this season and should not be considered a worthwhile Fantasy option for now.
News: Browns coach Pat Shurmur said LB Chris Gocong suffered a groin strain Week 3 against the Dolphins.
Analysis: Gocong did have four tackles and 1/2 sack Sunday against the Dolphins. He has just nine tackles on the season despite being a starting LB. Gocong is a low-end Fantasy LB when healthy.
News: Browns OLB Chris Gocong (neck) has returned to practice after missing nearly all of training camp and every preseason game. Barring a setback, he will almost certainly start Sunday against Cincinnati.
Analysis: Gocong totaled a career-high 75 tackles in 2010 -- his first season with the Browns. The team is shifting from a 3-4 defense to a 4-3, but Gocong will still get chances to make plays. It's just that he remains a low-end Fantasy option in IDP leagues.
News: The return of Browns OLB Chris Gocong (neck) for the season opener is no sure thing. “We’re hoping for this week, but we probably won’t know for a couple days,” said GM Tom Heckert. The Gocong injury helped motivate the signing of Quinton Spears, who was waived by Miami.
Analysis: Gocong had a career-high 75 tackles in his first season as a Brown in 2010, and he has the potential for more on an improved overall unit in 2011. The neck injury is limiting his preseason reps, but he should still be in lone for a solid amount of tackles. Gocong is still just a low-end Fantasy commodity, so view him as such on Draft Day.
News: Browns LB Chris Gocong totaled a team-high 10 tackles (five solo) and one sack in Week 14 against the Bills. He added one forced fumble. It was his first 10-tackle game of the season.
Analysis: Gocong hasn't made a ton of individual plays in 2010. He might be a starter, but Gocong still has low-end Fantasy appeal.
News: Browns LB Chris Gocong totaled six tackles (three solo) and one sack in Week 7 against the Saints. It was Gocong's first sack of the season. He had two quarterback hits and one pass defense.
Analysis: Gocong really hasn't posted spectacular numbers since becoming a starter in Cleveland. He is usually good for 5-6 tackles per week and doesn't do much else. Gocong has minimal Fantasy appeal in IDP leagues.
News: The Browns acquired cornerback Sheldon Brown and linebacker Chris Gocong in a trade with the Eagles for linebacker Alex Hall and fourth- and fifth-round selections in the 2010 NFL Draft.
Analysis: Brown, who has restructured his contract after arriving in Cleveland, will likely move into Cleveland's starting lineup. Gocong is expected to compete for an outside linebacker job and could emerge as a pass rusher for the Browns. Hall is more of a project-type player for the Eagles to develop. None of these players are expected to be productive enough to warrant Fantasy use outside of being a one-week replacement option off waivers.
News: The Philadelphia Eagles have re-signed cornerback Ellis Hobbs and linebacker Chris Gocong to one-year contracts. Both players were restricted free agents, and each signed his tender offer, the team announced Tuesday. Hobbs, primarily a kick-returner and reserve defensive back, was acquired from New England last year and played in eight games before a neck injury ended his first season in Philadelphia. Gocong, a third-round pick by the Eagles in 2006, has recorded 203 tackles, four sacks and one forced fumble in 47 regular-season games, including 35 starts.
Analysis: Neither of these players are expected to produce many stats in the first place. Keep them off of Fantasy rosters.
News: For the second consecutive week, the Eagles will go with a different look at linebacker because of a knee injury to weakside starter Akeem Jordan. Coach Andy Reid ruled out Jordan for Sunday night's game at Chicago. Will Witherspoon will again start at weakside LB, and second-year man Joe Mays will start in the middle. Chris Gocong, who started in the middle in last week's loss to San Diego, will move back to his customary spot on the strong side. Rookie Moise Fokou, who started the past two games on the strong side, appears to be the odd man out. Additionally, CB Sheldon Brown is listed as questionable with a hamstring injury he suffered in San Diego. The veteran did limited work Thursday and Friday in practice. Reid said it will be a game-time decision as his secondary already deals with depth issues.
Analysis: Witherspoon is a solid Fantasy option this week with Mays a longshot sleeper if you're needy for a LB. Gocong and Brown can't be considered reliable Fantasy choices for Week 11. Jordan obviously shouldn't start, either.
News: The Eagles have announced the inactives for their Week 9 game at Philadelphia: RB Brian Westbrook, DB Dimitri Patterson, LB Chris Gocong, WR Kevin Curtis, DL Victor Abiamiri and RB P.J. Hill.
Analysis: Rumors were swirling earlier on Sunday that Westbrook was going to miss this contest, and this news confirms it. Bench him in all formats. The other guys all have little or no Fantasy value.
News: Eagles DB Sheldon Brown (four tackles, interception) and LB Chris Gocong (three tackles, sack) both helped out with nice contributions in a Week 5 rout of the Buccaneers.
Analysis: Brown and Gocong are nice pieces of the Eagles defense, but they don't record enough stats to be worth using in Fantasy IDP play heading into Week 6 at Oakland.
News: Eagles DL Omar Gaither (nine tackle, sack), DL Trent Cole (eight tackles, half a sack), DB Quintin Mikell (four tackles, fumble recovered), DL Juqua Parker (three tackles, sack), LB Chris Gocong (two tackles, forced fumble) and DL Chris Clemons (half a sack) all helped out in a Week 3 win over the Chiefs.
Analysis: Cole is the best Fantasy contributor in this group, and is a solid starting DL in all Fantasy formats. Mikell also has some value in deeper leagues, but the other guys are not worth using in IDP play. The Eagles are off in Week 4, so be sure to bench Cole and Mikell.
News: In the Eagles' 36-31 loss vs. the Giants in Week 10, notable defenders included LB Stewart Bradley (14 total tackles; 13 solo), FS Brian Dawkins (seven solo tackles, forced fumble), DE Trent Cole (six solo tackles, sack), LB Chris Gocong (six total tackles, forced fumble), LB Omar Gaither (four total tackles, forced fumble) and DT Mike Patterson (solo tackle, interception).
Analysis: Of these defenders, Cole, Bradley and Dawkins are reliable Fantasy options with Gocong and Gaither useful in deeper leagues. The Eagles play at the Bengals in Week 11.
News: Eagles LB Chris Gocong picked up his second sack of the season Week 8 against the Falcons. He finished with four solo tackles.
Analysis: Gocong starts for the Eagles, but he only had 13 tackles entering this game. Leave him on waivers in Fantasy IDP leagues despite the sack.
News: Eagles LB Chris Gocong recovered a Tony Romo fumble in the end zone for a touchdown in the second quarter during a 41-37 Week 2 loss against the Cowboys. Gocong had just one assisted tackle in the game.
Analysis: Gocong had a career-high 66 tackles in 16 games last season for Philly, but has just two tackles in the first two games of 2008. He is nothing more than role player for Philadelphia and can be ignored in Fantasy.
News: Eagles LB Chris Gocong had his first sack of the season Week 12 at New England. He also had four tackles.
Analysis: Gocong only has 50 tackles to go along with the one sack. You probably shouldn't use him in Fantasy.
News: Eagles LB Takeo Spikes (six tackles), LB Chris Gocong (six tackles), DB Brian Dawkins (five tackles), DB Sheldon Brown (four tackles), LB Omar Gaither (four tackles) and DL Trent Cole (three tackles) all made decent contributions in Philly's 17-7 win over Miami in Week 11.
Analysis: Cole is a top-five DL in IDP leagues, while Dawkins, Spikes and Gaither have minimal value as reserves at their respective positions. You will want to reserve all these guys except Cole in Week 12 when they take on the Patriots.
News: Notable Eagles defenders from Week 8 at Minnesota include: DL Trent Cole (eight total tackles, two sacks), LB Chris Gocong (eight total tackles), CB Sheldon Brown (seven total tackles), DL Juqua Thomas (four solo tackles, sack) and LB Omar Gaither (seven total tackles).
Analysis: Of these defenders, Cole and Gaither are useful in standard IDP league play. The Eagles host the Cowboys in Week 9.
News: Eagles LB Omar Gaither (seven tackles), DB Lito Sheppard (seven tackles), DB Quintin Mikell (seven tackles), LB Chris Gocong (six tackles) and DL Mike Patterson (four tackles) all made decent contributions in Philadelphia's 19-16 loss to the Bears.
Analysis: Gaither, Patterson and Sheppard have minimal value as backups at their respective positions in IDP leagues, while Mikell is owned in zero percent of leagues for a reason. Bench them all in Week 8 against the Vikings.
News: The Eagles cut seven-year veteran Dhani Jones, thinning a linebacking corps made crowded by offseason additions. Jones, 29, was largely a disappointment after he joined the Eagles as a free agent in 2005 following four seasons with the New York Giants. He struggled with the Eagles after being moved to the strong side from his natural weakside position. He became expendable after the selection of Nebraska's Stewart Bradley in the third round of this year's draft. Bradley and Chris Gocong, a third-round pick last year, are expected to compete for Jones' position on the strong side. The Eagles acquired weakside linebacker Takeo Spikes in a trade with Buffalo last month.
Analysis: Jones is a decent No. 4 or reserve Fantasy LB in deeper leagues when employed. Assuming he re-signs elsewhere, that's what you should expect him to be if he starts. Bradley and Gocong won't be worth much consideration either as they'll rack up limited stats as strong-side linebackers.
News: The Eagles placed Chris Gocong (stinger) on the injured reserve list on Saturday.
Analysis: Gocong was a third-round selection this year. He won't have any Fantasy value this season.
News: It looks like Dhani Jones will hang on to the strong-side linebacker job by default. The two other people who were competing for the job, Chris Gocong and Greg Richmond, both are hurt.
Analysis: Gocong, a third-round rookie, missed much of training camp with a stinger and has fallen too far behind. He's a fourth- or fifth-round pick in rookie IDP leagues.
News: According to reports, the Philadelphia Eagles have signed DL/LB Chris Gocong to a four-year contract.
Analysis: Gocong won the Buck Buchanan Award as the top defensive player in Division I-AA last season. He had a I-AA season-record 23 1/2 sacks and forced four fumbles for Cal Poly.
