They have only three forced fumbles so far this season, which is tied for the third-worst total in the NFL. The linebackers have none. The Eagles' defense has been sound and it has come up big in some big spots, and that is what matters most. But the game-turning, field-flipping plays have been almost non-existent through five games, especially among the linebackers. This is not a crisis but it is a fact.
So, at another weekly press conference, defensive coordinator Jim Johnson gets asked about his linebackers - all of whom are new either to starting (Chris Gocong), or to their position (Omar Gaither), or to the team (Takeo Spikes) - in a random series of questions spaced out by a couple of minutes. Johnson's answers are printed here, in full. Notice the undercurrent.
On Gocong, he said, "I think he's OK. I still want to see, like last week, he had a great chance for a sack but wasn't quite there. I tell Chris all the time, 'You need to make a couple of big plays. You need to get that confidence and spark.' But he's sound. He's solid. I'd just like to see more production out of him. That's just being honest with him, too.''
On Gaither, he said, "I'm comfortable. He's handled the defense well. He handles the front well. He handles the 2-minute situation. He's done a good job as far as that. I think he can be even more productive and physical but, as far as the overall handling of the defense, he's done a really good job.''
