BY JEREMY SOMERVILLE
  BROWNS BEAT WRITER

Gocong Injured: Browns linebacker Chris Gocong suffered what appeared to be a very serious injury, and was carted off of the field, during Saturday mornings practice session.

Gocong, who has started all 32 games for the Browns since being acquired from Philadelphia, was defending a pass in the end zone and as he went to plant his right leg he reached down, grabbing the lower part of the leg, and was obviously in serious pain.

There was no contact on the play, his leg never extended into the ground, nothing until his reaction.

The play was nothing more than a freak injury as the linebacker attempted to defend tight end Jordan Cameron during the drill.

After practice, most team members and staff, seemed to fear the worst, believing that the injury is a torn achilles which would mean that Gocong would be lost for the season.

Losing Gocong could prove to be extremely critical, given the teams lack of depth at the linebacker position, and coupled with the fact that the team will be missing starting linebacker Scott Fujita for the first three games of the season as he sits out for his role in the New Orleans Saints bounty gate scandal.

No official word has come from the Browns at this point, however if it is an achilles as speculated, it will require surgery and will cost Gocong the season.

Gordon, Weeden Show Chemistry: During the Saturday morning practice session, Browns fans witnessed something they have not seen in a long while, chemistry between a quarterback and a wide out.

Rookies Brandon Weeden and Josh Gordon connected on a number of passes during practice that showed that the two youngsters were on the same page.

Benjamin Hitting Camp Wall: Rookie wide receiver Travis Benjamin, who many, including myself, thought could be a difference maker this season, has hit a camp wall.

During practice, the speedster from "The U" struggled to hold on to the ball multiple times when hit in the hands.

On one play, Benjamin split two defensive backs, blew right by them, and was hit in stride by Colt McCoy, only to see the ball fall to the turf.

Hopefully it was only an off day for Benjamin, but he looked like a different player then I had seen the past few days.

Haslam Visits Again: New Browns owner Jimmy Haslam III was in attendance once again Saturday. He spent most of practice in the ear of team president Mike Holmgren and head coach Pat Shurmur, asking them questions, while seeing what his billion dollars had bought him.

Random Thoughts From Camp: Weeden looks better every single day. The kid is smooth, calm, and prepared...Just a hunch but I expect James-Michael Johnson and Kaluka Maiava to be the starting linebackers week one against the Eagles. This team prefers to promote from within rather than bring in veteran cast offs...Buster Skrine is playing well enough to start. I thought prior to camp that he would be ready to take over for Sheldon Brown towards the end of the season, but he is much further along this season than I think anyone expected...McCoy is a fighter. The kid goes out there every day and does a good job of staying prepared and ready to go. I know he is not getting a fair shot, and most expect him to be traded before the season, but there is not doubt in my mind that he will be a much better back up to Weeden then Seneca Wallace...  

jsomerville@lakecounty-sentinel.com or follow Jeremy on Twitter  @CTownSportsTalk

POSTED 08/04/2012  14:47