Cornerback Ellis Hobbs and linebacker Chris Gocong were each signed to a one-year contract on Tuesday. Both players were restricted free agents this off-season and were tendered the one-year deals by the Eagles. Neither player can now sign with another team. The deadline for teams to sign other teams' restricted free agents to an offer sheet is April 15.
Hobbs was acquired by the Eagles last year in a draft-day trade with the New England Patriots. Hobbs was the lead kickoff return specialist as well as a reserve outside cornerback for the Eagles before suffering a season-ending neck injury against the Dallas Cowboys last November. Hobbs averaged 24.1 yards per kickoff return and had 14 total tackles on defense in 2009. Hobbs started games in each of his first four years in the NFL with the Patriots. In all, Hobbs has started in 49 games (played in 71) and has accumulated 211 tackles, 2.5 sacks and nine interceptions. He has also returned three kickoffs for a touchdown. In 2007, Hobbs set an NFL record with a kickoff return of 108 yards for a touchdown.
Gocong was a third-round draft pick of the Eagles in 2006 and has turned into an excellent run stopper on the strong side. Last year, Gocong started at both strongside and middle linebacker spots, recording 50 tackles, a sack, a forced fumble and a pair of pass knockdowns. After spending his rookie year on injured reserve, Gocong has started games in each of the past three seasons. In 47 career games (35 starts), Gocong has 203 tackles, 4.0 sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. He also has 39 career special teams tackles.
-- Posted by Chris McPherson, 12:22 p.m., March 30
