Al Groh: Chris Long should be 3-4 OLB in NFL

[PonyExpress]

Al Groh said Long should be a Vrabel style 3-4 OLB in the NFL. Coming from his own coach and BB's good friend, that settles it. I'm watching him and there's no doubt in my mind he can be an all-pro OLB. If available the Pats should consider trading up for him. He is that good. Anyone who thinks he's "too big" or "too slow" is nuts.

[Crazyeechrispats1]

I've never seen him play does anybody have a highlight video of the man?

[PonyExpress]

Originally Posted by Crazyeechrispats1

I've never seen him play does anybody have a highlight video of the man?

Turn on CBS. He's playing Texas Tech right now. Look for the athletic white guy on the Virginia D-line. #91.

[Crazyeechrispats1]

Thank you very much, The thing that tears me up is there's so many defensive players in this draft i want at least 5 of these guys, 3 being linebackers I'm gonna be torn come draft day to not get all these great talents.
Is it possible, that The patriots use one of the thirds to go back in the 1st round with the second and pick up another 1st, so we could see Chris Long,or Vernon Gholston, and Rey Malugna that be frickin sweet.

[cstjohn17]

Originally Posted by PonyExpress

Al Groh said Long should be a Vrabel style 3-4 OLB in the NFL. Coming from his own coach and BB's good friend, that settles it. I'm watching him and there's no doubt in my mind he can be an all-pro OLB. If available the Pats should consider trading up for him. He is that good. Anyone who thinks he's "too big" or "too slow" is nuts.

I was wrong, I thought he was too rigid to ever play OLB. He is a more of a pure DE at this point but coming out of college so was Bruschi, Vrabel, Colvin, McGinest, etc.

Long runs very well and really understands the scheme, I actually think he is not a candidate to bulk up and could be an impact DE/OLB playing around 265-275. Tremendous versatility but unlike other projects like Klecko he can be very effective in multiple roles.

I don't have to see anymore, he is a great player and will thrive in any system he is placed into. No way he last to pick 7 especially with the Jets at pick 6.

I was wrong, dead wrong.

[PonyExpress]

Originally Posted by Crazyeechrispats1

Thank you very much, The thing that tears me up is there's so many defensive players in this draft i want at least 5 of these guys, 3 being linebackers I'm gonna be torn come draft day to not get all these great talents.
Is it possible, that The patriots use one of the thirds to go back in the 1st round with the second and pick up another 1st, so we could see Chris Long,or Vernon Gholston, and Rey Malugna that be frickin sweet.

Honestly, if Gholston is half the player Long is I'd do cartwheels taking Vernon at #7.

[Peachhead]

Wow. That changes everything for me. Long is now the player I want the most. Dangit SanFran, why'd you have to go and win a few meaningless (for you at least) games late.

I still think Gholston would look great in a Pats uni though.

[Seneschal2]

Well, Long or Gholston are the only two I want with our first pick. Hopefully this board's majority will influence Belichick/Pioli in that direction.

In another thread, I mentioned how Vrabel's ties to Ohio St. may allow him to shed some light on Gholston, and whether or not he could play in the Pats defense. Same is true with coach Groh. His coaching experience with Parcells and Belichick speaks volumes, and there's probably no better judge of LB talent than him. He not only coached LT in college and w/ the Giants, but he was the Pats coach who worked out McGinest prior to the Pats drafting him.

So if Groh says Long can play in the Pats defense -- trust him.

[everlong]

The team drafting 6th could be an issue.

[Canada's #1 Pats Fan]

Originally Posted by everlong

The team drafting 6th could be an issue.

Not if they need a QB, which they do but because of the drafting of Clemens they won't draft a QB till later rounds.