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DE Gocong ready to make big jump from small school
April 21, 2006
By Pete Prisco
CBS SportsLine.com Senior Writer
Tell Pete your opinion!
Chris Gocong went to college mainly to earn an engineering degree. Playing football was a way to do that, but he really didn't think it would be anything more than that, not when your football stage was Cal-Poly, far removed from the big time.
Little did Gocong know then that he would become a pass-rushing force, good enough that he's one of the many risers on NFL Draft boards as we move to the final week before next Saturday's draft. He has scouts going back to double-check his body of work as he moves up a lot of lists.
"Very intriguing," is how one NFC scout described Gocong.
It's hard not to notice when a player gets 23½ sacks like Gocong did last year at Cal-Poly, a number that earned him the Buck Buchanan Award, given to the top defensive player in Division 1-AA.
In an NFL starved for pass rushers, players like Gocong become more and more intriguing as we get closer to the draft.
"We're all looking for them," Carolina coach John Fox said.
Gocong likened himself to former University of Georgia standout David Pollack, who was a first-round pick by the Cincinnati Bengals last year.
"That's a good comparison," said the NFC scout. "He's a poor man's Pollack."
Like Pollack, he can play both linebacker and defensive end. Like Pollack, he plays hard all the time.
"He's relentless," said an AFC coach.
But the jump from Cal-Poly to the NFL is a big one. Ask Gocong who his toughest opponents were and he lists Michael Roos, now a starting tackle for the Tennessee Titans. He faced him some when Roos was at Eastern Washington. After that, there aren't a lot of NFL players he's faced in college.
That's why he's a tough evaluation. You can't discount the number of sacks, but who did they come against?
When he went to the East-West Shrine game, he showed well against the top competition, which helped his stock some. That performance came after a first day of being somewhat awed by the players on his team.
"You see these guys on television and you recognize their face when you see them," Gocong said. "You're kind of in awe. But after a couple of minutes you realize they are regular guys and you belong playing against them."
When Gocong went to Cal-Poly, he did get a scholarship but it was one of only a handful of offers he received -- all of the small-school variety.
"I came from a high school with 700 kids," Gocong said. "I was a quarterback and inside linebacker. I wasn't highly recruited. So I went to Cal-Poly for engineering. I didn't think I'd be in this position. It's kind of amazing really."
He played nose tackle as a sophomore at 235 pounds, but was moved outside the past two years. He has since put on weight to 265 pounds. Some teams project him as an outside linebacker since he would be small for a defensive end, but that brings up questions about speed. He was timed at 4.7 in the 40, so the speed appears to be there.
"I really don't know what weight to be at," Gocong said. "It just depends on what team picks me. If it's a team that wants me at linebacker, I'll get down. If not, I'll stay near 265."
Gocong would appear to be perfect for teams with 3-4 defenses, since their outside linebackers play a lot like 4-3 defensive ends. Even so, they're other 4-3 teams who think he can make the transition to linebacker as well in their system.
Gocong headlines a list of small-school pass rushers who intrigue the scouts. With so many teams trying to find ways to get to the quarterback, anybody with a pass-rush past will get a close evaluation.
Here are two more small-school pass rushers who are moving up a lot of boards.
Brandon Guillory, DE, Louisiana-Monroe -- At 6-4, 252, he can play with his hand down and standing up. A former basketball and track star in high school in addition to being a receiver and linebacker on the football team, Guillory has outstanding athletic ability. He had 18 sacks in his career, 16 in the past two years. Has moved up some boards lately and has taken a handful of visits to teams. He has speed, being timed at about 4.5 in the 40.
Brent Hawkins, DE, Illinois State -- He had 17 sacks last year for Illinois State. A former transfer from Purdue, Hawkins is starting to get a lot of interest from teams and could be selected on the first day. At 6-3, 242, some teams consider him a linebacker, while others think he can bulk up and play down end.
"When you look at these guys, they all have the ability to disrupt the passing game," said the AFC coach. "That's what we're all looking for. That's why they're moving up. The level of competition is an issue, but if you hit on one of these guys, you will get a big payoff."
Around the League
Does anybody really believe the Houston Texans aren't going to take USC running back Reggie Bush? This is a team in need of star power. Bush will give that to him. He's the next Barry Sanders. That's why when talk came out this week that the Texans were considering North Carolina State defensive end Mario Williams with the first pick, it smelled like nothing more than a negotiating ploy against Bush and his agent. This is a franchise that has seen its fan base erode some, a franchise that is no longer in a honeymoon period. So how in the heck can they justify to their fans taking Williams? It makes sense. If I'm wrong about that, the Texans are worse off than some may think. Bush is a special player who can make David Carr and the passing game that much better. Williams has been called the next Reggie White, which is high praise. But did anyone settle into their seats for a game with the idea they couldn't wait to watch White? They did with Sanders. Bush should be the choice.
Can we please stop all this talk about how Hollywood Matt Leinart has gone? In talking to several people that know him well, Leinart is a student of the game. The word is USC coaches had to force him out of the building because he was spending too much time there studying tape. Leinart does enjoy the glamour of the Hollywood lifestyle, but who wouldn't at his age? Is that a black mark? Please. When it comes time to play football, he'll be fine. You wait and see. "I have no idea what the heck that's all about," said one team's offensive coordinator. "It's just that they have to find something to pick him apart about." Leinart will be a Peyton Manning-Tom Brady type of player. So what if he's buddies with Nick Lachey and dates Hollywood beauties? If the Titans pass on him with the third pick, they'll regret it. By the way, we hear the Titans coaches want Leinart while the front office and the owner might be leaning toward Texas quarterback Vince Young. The coaches might not have time to wait for Young to develop, while Leinart is much more ready to play now. He has impressed teams with his football knowledge on his visits with them, according to several sources. Young, on the other hand, has been less impressive when it comes to the Xs and Os part of the visits.
Hot rumor of the week: The Buffalo Bills have become hot on Vanderbilt quarterback Jay Cutler. Word is the high-ranking members of the organization, which means owner Ralph Wilson and general manager Marv Levy, have taken a liking to Cutler. The interesting thing there is that the Bills used a first-round pick on J.P. Losman two years ago, which means if they picked Cutler it would be a sign that Losman's tenure is likely over. There was word that the Bills were shopping Losman, but they denied that emphatically. If the Cutler talk is true, they would have no choice but to send Losman packing.
Word is the 49ers have pretty much made up their mind that they will take Maryland tight end Vernon Davis with the sixth overall pick. That's why they traded with Denver to get the 22nd pick from the Broncos in exchange for a second- and a third-round pick. If they take Davis, they can come back and draft a corner or safety with the 22nd pick. That would provide two impact players that will become immediate starters. Davis is a rare breed who will become an Antonio Gates for Alex Smith, something the offense has to have to show improvement.
Draft pet peeve No. 1: Coaches, media and scouts saying it's too high to take a certain position. We're hearing that lately when the talk comes to the New Orleans Saints possibly taking outside linebacker A.J. Hawk of Ohio State. Many in the media are saying the Saints can't use the No. 2 overall pick on Hawk because it's not a premium position. They said the same thing when the Jets used the 13th overall pick on Jonathan Vilma two years ago and all he's done is become a Pro Bowl player. When the Colts used the 11th pick on Dwight Freeney in 2002, many said it was too high for a defensive end that was small at 6-1, 260 pounds. You think either of those two teams regrets their picks? 'If he's a player, he's a player, so just pick him," said an NFC personnel director. "If you think the kid is going to be good, just pick him when it's your time to pick." The Saints like Mario Williams of N.C. State, but they used first-round picks on defensive ends in 2002 (Charles Grant) and 2004 (Will Smith), and both are good players. That makes little sense to take him. They could go for Virginia offensive tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson, but if Hawk is rated higher on their board, they should take him, regardless of the position he plays.
Draft pet peeve No. 2: Teams that wait to long to admit their mistakes. If you used a high pick on a player and he hasn't worked out, do not be afraid to draft a replacement at that spot with another high pick. For example, if you took a safety in the 2003 draft and he has yet to become a quality player, don't be afraid to use a high pick on a safety this year. Teams that hold onto their mistakes too long are often cursed by them. Admit your mistakes and move on. It's better that way.
It will be a major shock to see Steve McNair taking a snap from center for the Tennessee Titans next year. Word is the team is ready to move on. So where does McNair land? How about Baltimore where he might be the perfect choice to save Brian Billick's job? McNair has a year or two left in him, but he has to be more dedicated to his craft. McNair has never been one to dive into the playbook and has often clashed with his offensive coaches.
The Carolina Panthers are optimistic that defensive tackle Kris Jenkins can make it all the way back from a torn ACL suffered last year in the team's opener. If he can, he will team inside with Ma'ake Kemoeatu to give the Panthers a heck of a duo against the run. Both players are powerful, which will make it tough to run on them. The Panthers also added Damione Lewis in free agency from the Rams. "He's a little different guy than Kris, a smaller, quicker guy," said Panthers general manager Marty Hurney. "So if Kris can come back all the way, and we think he will, Damione will give us a change of pace at tackle." Add in ends Julius Peppers and Mike Rucker and this is a heck of a defensive front.
The Browns are still actively trying to trade center Jeff Faine, but have yet to get a taker. Although there had been some talk of playing free-agent LeCharles Bentley at guard, he will play center, which makes Faine expendable. If the Browns can't trade Faine, they'll bring him to camp and then likely try and work out a deal then. In talking to a coach from a team needing a center, they had concerns about Faine. "He isn't a power player in there," the coach said. "He has trouble moving the big people off the ball." Bentley won't have that problem.
April 21, 2006
By Pete Prisco
CBS SportsLine.com Senior Writer
Tell Pete your opinion!
Chris Gocong went to college mainly to earn an engineering degree. Playing football was a way to do that, but he really didn't think it would be anything more than that, not when your football stage was Cal-Poly, far removed from the big time.
Little did Gocong know then that he would become a pass-rushing force, good enough that he's one of the many risers on NFL Draft boards as we move to the final week before next Saturday's draft. He has scouts going back to double-check his body of work as he moves up a lot of lists.
"Very intriguing," is how one NFC scout described Gocong.
It's hard not to notice when a player gets 23½ sacks like Gocong did last year at Cal-Poly, a number that earned him the Buck Buchanan Award, given to the top defensive player in Division 1-AA.
In an NFL starved for pass rushers, players like Gocong become more and more intriguing as we get closer to the draft.
"We're all looking for them," Carolina coach John Fox said.
Gocong likened himself to former University of Georgia standout David Pollack, who was a first-round pick by the Cincinnati Bengals last year.
"That's a good comparison," said the NFC scout. "He's a poor man's Pollack."
Like Pollack, he can play both linebacker and defensive end. Like Pollack, he plays hard all the time.
"He's relentless," said an AFC coach.
But the jump from Cal-Poly to the NFL is a big one. Ask Gocong who his toughest opponents were and he lists Michael Roos, now a starting tackle for the Tennessee Titans. He faced him some when Roos was at Eastern Washington. After that, there aren't a lot of NFL players he's faced in college.
That's why he's a tough evaluation. You can't discount the number of sacks, but who did they come against?
When he went to the East-West Shrine game, he showed well against the top competition, which helped his stock some. That performance came after a first day of being somewhat awed by the players on his team.
"You see these guys on television and you recognize their face when you see them," Gocong said. "You're kind of in awe. But after a couple of minutes you realize they are regular guys and you belong playing against them."
When Gocong went to Cal-Poly, he did get a scholarship but it was one of only a handful of offers he received -- all of the small-school variety.
"I came from a high school with 700 kids," Gocong said. "I was a quarterback and inside linebacker. I wasn't highly recruited. So I went to Cal-Poly for engineering. I didn't think I'd be in this position. It's kind of amazing really."
He played nose tackle as a sophomore at 235 pounds, but was moved outside the past two years. He has since put on weight to 265 pounds. Some teams project him as an outside linebacker since he would be small for a defensive end, but that brings up questions about speed. He was timed at 4.7 in the 40, so the speed appears to be there.
"I really don't know what weight to be at," Gocong said. "It just depends on what team picks me. If it's a team that wants me at linebacker, I'll get down. If not, I'll stay near 265."
Gocong would appear to be perfect for teams with 3-4 defenses, since their outside linebackers play a lot like 4-3 defensive ends. Even so, they're other 4-3 teams who think he can make the transition to linebacker as well in their system.
Gocong headlines a list of small-school pass rushers who intrigue the scouts. With so many teams trying to find ways to get to the quarterback, anybody with a pass-rush past will get a close evaluation.
Here are two more small-school pass rushers who are moving up a lot of boards.
Brandon Guillory, DE, Louisiana-Monroe -- At 6-4, 252, he can play with his hand down and standing up. A former basketball and track star in high school in addition to being a receiver and linebacker on the football team, Guillory has outstanding athletic ability. He had 18 sacks in his career, 16 in the past two years. Has moved up some boards lately and has taken a handful of visits to teams. He has speed, being timed at about 4.5 in the 40.
Brent Hawkins, DE, Illinois State -- He had 17 sacks last year for Illinois State. A former transfer from Purdue, Hawkins is starting to get a lot of interest from teams and could be selected on the first day. At 6-3, 242, some teams consider him a linebacker, while others think he can bulk up and play down end.
"When you look at these guys, they all have the ability to disrupt the passing game," said the AFC coach. "That's what we're all looking for. That's why they're moving up. The level of competition is an issue, but if you hit on one of these guys, you will get a big payoff."
Around the League
Does anybody really believe the Houston Texans aren't going to take USC running back Reggie Bush? This is a team in need of star power. Bush will give that to him. He's the next Barry Sanders. That's why when talk came out this week that the Texans were considering North Carolina State defensive end Mario Williams with the first pick, it smelled like nothing more than a negotiating ploy against Bush and his agent. This is a franchise that has seen its fan base erode some, a franchise that is no longer in a honeymoon period. So how in the heck can they justify to their fans taking Williams? It makes sense. If I'm wrong about that, the Texans are worse off than some may think. Bush is a special player who can make David Carr and the passing game that much better. Williams has been called the next Reggie White, which is high praise. But did anyone settle into their seats for a game with the idea they couldn't wait to watch White? They did with Sanders. Bush should be the choice.
Can we please stop all this talk about how Hollywood Matt Leinart has gone? In talking to several people that know him well, Leinart is a student of the game. The word is USC coaches had to force him out of the building because he was spending too much time there studying tape. Leinart does enjoy the glamour of the Hollywood lifestyle, but who wouldn't at his age? Is that a black mark? Please. When it comes time to play football, he'll be fine. You wait and see. "I have no idea what the heck that's all about," said one team's offensive coordinator. "It's just that they have to find something to pick him apart about." Leinart will be a Peyton Manning-Tom Brady type of player. So what if he's buddies with Nick Lachey and dates Hollywood beauties? If the Titans pass on him with the third pick, they'll regret it. By the way, we hear the Titans coaches want Leinart while the front office and the owner might be leaning toward Texas quarterback Vince Young. The coaches might not have time to wait for Young to develop, while Leinart is much more ready to play now. He has impressed teams with his football knowledge on his visits with them, according to several sources. Young, on the other hand, has been less impressive when it comes to the Xs and Os part of the visits.
Hot rumor of the week: The Buffalo Bills have become hot on Vanderbilt quarterback Jay Cutler. Word is the high-ranking members of the organization, which means owner Ralph Wilson and general manager Marv Levy, have taken a liking to Cutler. The interesting thing there is that the Bills used a first-round pick on J.P. Losman two years ago, which means if they picked Cutler it would be a sign that Losman's tenure is likely over. There was word that the Bills were shopping Losman, but they denied that emphatically. If the Cutler talk is true, they would have no choice but to send Losman packing.
Word is the 49ers have pretty much made up their mind that they will take Maryland tight end Vernon Davis with the sixth overall pick. That's why they traded with Denver to get the 22nd pick from the Broncos in exchange for a second- and a third-round pick. If they take Davis, they can come back and draft a corner or safety with the 22nd pick. That would provide two impact players that will become immediate starters. Davis is a rare breed who will become an Antonio Gates for Alex Smith, something the offense has to have to show improvement.
Draft pet peeve No. 1: Coaches, media and scouts saying it's too high to take a certain position. We're hearing that lately when the talk comes to the New Orleans Saints possibly taking outside linebacker A.J. Hawk of Ohio State. Many in the media are saying the Saints can't use the No. 2 overall pick on Hawk because it's not a premium position. They said the same thing when the Jets used the 13th overall pick on Jonathan Vilma two years ago and all he's done is become a Pro Bowl player. When the Colts used the 11th pick on Dwight Freeney in 2002, many said it was too high for a defensive end that was small at 6-1, 260 pounds. You think either of those two teams regrets their picks? 'If he's a player, he's a player, so just pick him," said an NFC personnel director. "If you think the kid is going to be good, just pick him when it's your time to pick." The Saints like Mario Williams of N.C. State, but they used first-round picks on defensive ends in 2002 (Charles Grant) and 2004 (Will Smith), and both are good players. That makes little sense to take him. They could go for Virginia offensive tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson, but if Hawk is rated higher on their board, they should take him, regardless of the position he plays.
Draft pet peeve No. 2: Teams that wait to long to admit their mistakes. If you used a high pick on a player and he hasn't worked out, do not be afraid to draft a replacement at that spot with another high pick. For example, if you took a safety in the 2003 draft and he has yet to become a quality player, don't be afraid to use a high pick on a safety this year. Teams that hold onto their mistakes too long are often cursed by them. Admit your mistakes and move on. It's better that way.
It will be a major shock to see Steve McNair taking a snap from center for the Tennessee Titans next year. Word is the team is ready to move on. So where does McNair land? How about Baltimore where he might be the perfect choice to save Brian Billick's job? McNair has a year or two left in him, but he has to be more dedicated to his craft. McNair has never been one to dive into the playbook and has often clashed with his offensive coaches.
The Carolina Panthers are optimistic that defensive tackle Kris Jenkins can make it all the way back from a torn ACL suffered last year in the team's opener. If he can, he will team inside with Ma'ake Kemoeatu to give the Panthers a heck of a duo against the run. Both players are powerful, which will make it tough to run on them. The Panthers also added Damione Lewis in free agency from the Rams. "He's a little different guy than Kris, a smaller, quicker guy," said Panthers general manager Marty Hurney. "So if Kris can come back all the way, and we think he will, Damione will give us a change of pace at tackle." Add in ends Julius Peppers and Mike Rucker and this is a heck of a defensive front.
The Browns are still actively trying to trade center Jeff Faine, but have yet to get a taker. Although there had been some talk of playing free-agent LeCharles Bentley at guard, he will play center, which makes Faine expendable. If the Browns can't trade Faine, they'll bring him to camp and then likely try and work out a deal then. In talking to a coach from a team needing a center, they had concerns about Faine. "He isn't a power player in there," the coach said. "He has trouble moving the big people off the ball." Bentley won't have that problem.
