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]

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]

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]

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]

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.

 

[PatsCanada]

The way I look at the Jets picking in front of us is that they are the only real threat to pick Gholston before we have a chance at him, so even if Chris Long (in my mind the best player in the draft after watching him today) ends up with the Jest, it should mean Burnin Vernon Gholston is still availible, quite the consulation prize.

 

[Mangold74]

I think Long would be a great fit for either team. I don't know if he makes it to 6 but if he does the Jets should jump all over him. Gholston is a nice player but I'm not sure he'll adjust to the 3-4 playing outside with multiple responsibities.

 

[mangenious]

Give you guys a Jets fan point of view. Im praying for Vernon Gholston with Chris Long as my second choice. Unless those two ae gone would I consider Laurinitis. We have Dave Harris at ILB and yes we lack another ILB force but we lack anything resembling an OLB pass rushing force

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Why hasn't Schegal of OSU worked out for the Jets at ILB.

One of the problems I have with taking Laurenitis is because guys like Schegal have not panned out well in transitioning from Tressel's defense to a 3-4 in the pros. Even Hawk, who I thought had oddles of talent hasn't looked grea on the outside for the Pack this year. Poppinga has outplayed him at times.

I think Senior bowl practices will ultimately decide for me if Long can play OLB in a 3-4 next season. But whether he can or can't, I do not see him making it past the Jets come day.

 

[BosPats]

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.

Being Howie Long is a Boston boy,
and his Kid did play for Al Groh at Virginia.
This must have been the plan from the beginning?
don't you think, or is it just a coincidence?
Chris Long is a perfect fit in New England in the defense.
and Being that he has ties in Boston
is enough for me. Draft Him
I'm sure Bill Belichick intends too.
Somehow for some reason, he will slide
right to Belichick, this is too good for the NFL for this not to happen.
I suppose Howie is probably telling Al Davis, "don't draft my kid, Al."

 

[dryheat44]

Why hasn't Schegal of OSU worked out for the Jets at ILB.

One of the problems I have with taking Laurenitis is because guys like Schegal have not panned out well in transitioning from Tressel's defense to a 3-4 in the pros. Even Hawk, who I thought had oddles of talent hasn't looked grea on the outside for the Pack this year. Poppinga has outplayed him at times.

.

Schlegel played for the Bengals this year before getting injured. I think he's a smart football player who understands defenses, but unlike a guy like Bruschi, just lacks the physical skills needed to compete at this level.

 

[Brady'sButtBoy]

Long put on quite a display yesterday, certainly helping his draft stock. He quite agile for a big guy and his first few steps look very quick. VA used him standing up some of the time so he's already got a taste of the OLB position. Thing I liked best was that Long was always around the ball. He won't last 'til number 7.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Didn't the Jets spend a 3rd or 4th or Schlegal? What a waste. Poor Jets.