Head coach Andy Reid said earlier this week that Chris Gocong's performance last Sunday against the Panthers was the best game of his career.

While he loved the praise from his head coach, Gocong said that it's needs to be a starting point.

"It's great, but it's also something I have to build from there," Gocong said. "It's the first game and I feel like the defense set the bar high. We have to keep climbing that ladder."

Gocong had six total tackles and two pass knockdowns in the Eagles' 38-10 win over the Panthers. Gocong was a pivotal part of the overall defensive performance as Carolina averaged 2.9 yards per carry with two very good backs in DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. Gocong's performance is that much more impressive when you factor in that Williams loves to run the ball to the outside.

In his third season as the starter at the strongside linebacker position, Gocong may be in position for his best season as a pro. New defensive coordinator Sean McDermott was the linebackers coach in 2007, Gocong's first season as the starter.

"I think he knows what I'm good at and I'm looking forward to doing what I do best," Gocong said.

Which is?

"Getting to the quarterback and making plays," Gocong said with a smile.

Gocong was one of the most prolific defensive ends in college. He had 42 sacks in 41 games at Cal Poly. The challenge moving from defensive end to linebacker was adjusting to playing in space. But one of Gocong's pass deflections Sunday came at the goal line showing how far along he has progressed.

"I was hoping for a pick, but we'll see if we can get it next week," Gocong said.

That's asking a lot of a player who doesn't have a single career interception.

"I'm going to be as greedy as I can," Gocong said.

He might have a chance this week for some picks. New Orleans has an amazing offense and put up 45 points and over 500 yards of offense last week.

"They have a great offensive coordinator (Pete Carmichael) who is very patient. He'll set up plays for the next quarter. It's a chess match. That's something Sean has to game plan for."

There were a number of questions about the defense heading into the season opener. One of them was whether the linebackers would be good enough. Have the questions been answered?

"We had those answered by midway into the third quarter," Gocong said. "We know how great we are. We just need to be consistent."

By that point, the Eagles had chased Jake Delhomme out of the game before finishing with seven total turnovers, five sacks and a touchdown.

-- Posted by Chris McPherson, 11:20 a.m., September 17