Chris Long at # 7?? Pro Football Weekly thinks so.

[fgssand]

Chris Long anybody??

Sure would exceed my hopes if he were still there for us.

Well, according to Pro Football Weekly, Gholston gone at #4 and Jets snare Stewart ( who I think will be a hell of pick, but not at #6).

They also have McKelvin as the top corner in the draft (he very well may be - if he can "get it").


http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/NFLDraft/Draft+Extras/2008/mock2302.htm


1. Miami Dolphins
OT Jake Long, Michigan
It doesn’t matter who the quarterback is if he doesn’t have time to throw. With Long protecting the blind side, QB Josh McCown may not have to run for his life for the first time in his career. The time-tested, proven way to build a football team is in the trenches, and Bill Parcells knows that as well as anyone.
2. St. Louis Rams
DT Glenn Dorsey, LSU
The Rams’ track record of drafting defensive tackles in the first round has been very suspect. However, the team’s brain trust is wise enough not to let past mistakes cloud its judgment of a legitimate talent with great passion.
3. Atlanta Falcons
QB Matt Ryan, Boston College
If the Falcons are to put the past behind them, nothing could do it better than a new face of the franchise at the most important position. Ryan has all the tools to become great.
4. Oakland Raiders
DE Vernon Gholston*, Ohio State
The Raiders’ ground game was not the problem last year, when they ranked sixth in the league in rushing. With Tyler Brayton (free agency) and Warren Sapp (retirement) gone, Tommy Kelly returning from a serious injury and a disgruntled Derrick Burgess having outplayed his contract, Gholston will provide the most help.
5. Kansas City Chiefs
RB Darren McFadden*, Arkansas
The Chiefs desperately want to trade down, but Carl Peterson has never shied away from the strategy of taking the best player overall. With the looming pressure to win immediately and Larry Johnson coming off injury, he may have to restrain himself from filling bigger needs at tackle and cornerback if forced to stay at the No. 5 slot.
6. New York Jets
RB Jonathan Stewart*, Oregon
Signing Calvin Pace filled a void at the OLB position. The Jets signed Alan Faneca and Damien Woody to establish a power-running game. All the offense lacks is a smashmouth back. After having surgery on his toe, Stewart is expected to be fully ready for training camp and could bring the blend of power and speed that’s missing from the Jets’ offense.
7. New England Patriots (from San Francisco)
OLB-DE Chris Long, Virginia
The Patriots have not drafted a linebacker in the first round since Bill Belichick came to New England, but Long’s versatility will be too attractive to pass up. A strategist like Belichick could utilize him in many ways.
8. Baltimore Ravens
CB-RS Leodis McKelvin, Troy
Age and injuries have wounded the Ravens’ secondary. McKelvin could step in from Day One and start.

 

[Zeke_Mowatt]

Chris Long anybody??

Sure would exceed my hopes if he were still there for us.

Well, according to Pro Football Weekly, Gholston gone at #4 and Jets snare Stewart ( who I think will be a hell of pick, but not at #6).

They also have McKelvin as the top corner in the draft (he very well may be - if he can "get it").


http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/NFLDraft/Draft+Extras/2008/mock2302.htm


1. Miami Dolphins
OT Jake Long, Michigan
It doesn’t matter who the quarterback is if he doesn’t have time to throw. With Long protecting the blind side, QB Josh McCown may not have to run for his life for the first time in his career. The time-tested, proven way to build a football team is in the trenches, and Bill Parcells knows that as well as anyone.
2. St. Louis Rams
DT Glenn Dorsey, LSU
The Rams’ track record of drafting defensive tackles in the first round has been very suspect. However, the team’s brain trust is wise enough not to let past mistakes cloud its judgment of a legitimate talent with great passion.
3. Atlanta Falcons
QB Matt Ryan, Boston College
If the Falcons are to put the past behind them, nothing could do it better than a new face of the franchise at the most important position. Ryan has all the tools to become great.
4. Oakland Raiders
DE Vernon Gholston*, Ohio State
The Raiders’ ground game was not the problem last year, when they ranked sixth in the league in rushing. With Tyler Brayton (free agency) and Warren Sapp (retirement) gone, Tommy Kelly returning from a serious injury and a disgruntled Derrick Burgess having outplayed his contract, Gholston will provide the most help.
5. Kansas City Chiefs
RB Darren McFadden*, Arkansas
The Chiefs desperately want to trade down, but Carl Peterson has never shied away from the strategy of taking the best player overall. With the looming pressure to win immediately and Larry Johnson coming off injury, he may have to restrain himself from filling bigger needs at tackle and cornerback if forced to stay at the No. 5 slot.
6. New York Jets
RB Jonathan Stewart*, Oregon
Signing Calvin Pace filled a void at the OLB position. The Jets signed Alan Faneca and Damien Woody to establish a power-running game. All the offense lacks is a smashmouth back. After having surgery on his toe, Stewart is expected to be fully ready for training camp and could bring the blend of power and speed that’s missing from the Jets’ offense.
7. New England Patriots (from San Francisco)
OLB-DE Chris Long, Virginia
The Patriots have not drafted a linebacker in the first round since Bill Belichick came to New England, but Long’s versatility will be too attractive to pass up. A strategist like Belichick could utilize him in many ways.
8. Baltimore Ravens
CB-RS Leodis McKelvin, Troy
Age and injuries have wounded the Ravens’ secondary. McKelvin could step in from Day One and start.

I find it hard to believe the chiefs take McFadden, or that the Jets pass on Long for Stewart, but if it does happen, I'll do a happy dance naked in the streets to a full Dropkick Murphys album.
Sorry to all who were eating when they read this post.

 

[Patriot_in_NY]

No way, Long is an over-achiever. I fear he's already peaked at 21. He doesn't dominate games either, just a steady guy. He's a worker for sure, but I'm leary of his senior year was more an aberration then anything. Other than being Howie's kid, I see a much more limited upside on him then someone like Gholston (who may disappear for a game or two, but is EXPLOSIVE and GAME CHANGING when he's on. I don't see that with CLong). Long's a great player and he'll do fine, just #7 on him might be excessive for my liking. He does have passion though. Someone will be dumb enough to do it, I just hope it's not us. Just a gut feeling to. Don't kill me on it.

 

[drew4008]

I would be jumping circles in my room. But I certainly don't think either the Raiders or Jets would pass on him.

 

[rookBoston]

How about this as a recipe for perfection at #7:

Miami - Jake Long
St Louis - Glenn Dorsey
Atlanta - Matt Ryan
Oakland - Sedrick Ellis
Kansas City - Ryan Clady
Jets - Darren McFadden
New England - Chris Long or Vernon Gholston... take your pick!

I'll tell you what, though. It's almost impossible that Long will last past St Louis.

More likely is that Long and Gholston are both gone, and BB pulls the trigger on Harvey. The more I see of Harvey, the more I think it's legitimate and fair value at #7. Don't overlook the connection between the Pats and the Gators.

 

[mgteich]

The obvious dream in your scenario is Oakland picking Ellis instead of McFadden. I think that if we traded with KC tomorrow, we would likely get Long or Gholston at #5. As the draft approaches, Jake Long, Dorsey and Ryan seem to be the top three, although the order is a mystery.

I suspect that KC will wait and make trades first with the jets and then with us, getting their pound of flesh from both of us if Gholston and Long are there at 5. If only one is available, we and the jets can bid for the spot. The loser would get their choice of Harvey or Rivers.

The very, very good news is that the patriots have fine chance for a top front seven player at #7, and fine chance for a couple of top corners with our next two picks.

How about this as a recipe for perfection at #7:

Miami - Jake Long
St Louis - Glenn Dorsey
Atlanta - Matt Ryan
Oakland - Sedrick Ellis
Kansas City - Ryan Clady
Jets - Darren McFadden
New England - Chris Long or Vernon Gholston... take your pick!

I'll tell you what, though. It's almost impossible that Long will last past St Louis.

More likely is that Long and Gholston are both gone, and BB pulls the trigger on Harvey. The more I see of Harvey, the more I think it's legitimate and fair value at #7. Don't overlook the connection between the Pats and the Gators.

 

[VJCPatriot]

More likely is that Long and Gholston are both gone, and BB pulls the trigger on Harvey. The more I see of Harvey, the more I think it's legitimate and fair value at #7. Don't overlook the connection between the Pats and the Gators.

That connection has not yielded any success stories yet, so I wouldn't count on it being Harvey just because BB is friends with Urban Meyer.

 

[rookBoston]

The obvious dream in your scenario is Oakland picking Ellis instead of McFadden. I think that if we traded with KC tomorrow, we would likely get Long or Gholston at #5. As the draft approaches, Jake Long, Dorsey and Ryan seem to be the top three, although the order is a mystery.

Not that far-fetched a dream. Ellis wowed the scouts at the USC pro-day.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/story?id=09000d5d8078ce04&template=with-video&confirm=true

Oakland needs to replace Sapp on the DL. Ellis is not that far a reach.

 

[State]

No need to draft down with this scenario

This would be great news if it pans out this way. We could get immediate help with youth and speed at the aging LB position. Some how I think the Rick Gosselin mock is more realistic, though.

 

[JoePats]

That connection has not yielded any success stories yet, so I wouldn't count on it being Harvey just because BB is friends with Urban Meyer.

Meyer is just as likely to tell BB NOT to draft one of his guys as he is to draft one of his guys.

Gholston performed than Harvey in every measurable area except Harvey was slightly faster (.04) in the shuttle. I would like to know from people who are better at this than myself what, if anything, Harvey does as well as Gholston.

 

[State]

I've had the mental image of Sedrick Ellis in silver and black. He definitely has the Raider look and will be a great NFL player.

 

[PonyExpress]

How about this as a recipe for perfection at #7:

Miami - Jake Long
St Louis - Glenn Dorsey
Atlanta - Matt Ryan
Oakland - Sedrick Ellis
Kansas City - Ryan Clady
Jets - Darren McFadden
New England - Chris Long or Vernon Gholston... take your pick!

I'll tell you what, though. It's almost impossible that Long will last past St Louis.

More likely is that Long and Gholston are both gone, and BB pulls the trigger on Harvey. The more I see of Harvey, the more I think it's legitimate and fair value at #7. Don't overlook the connection between the Pats and the Gators.

The word is St Louis is taking Dorsey.
That means the key player will be Al Davis. He'll have the choice of C. Long, V Gholston or McFadden. If he takes McFadden, I'll hear a choir of angels.

As far as DHarvey, I'm having the opposite reaction. The more I study Harvey the more I believe drafting him at #7 is not a good idea. I think he can be a solid starting 4-3 DE, and an average starting strong side 3-4 OLB. I see him as a marginally better prospect than Lawrence Jackson. What changed your mind about Harvey? Maybe I'm missing something.

 

[Water Boy]

Someone will be dumb enough to do it, I just hope it's not us. Just a gut feeling to. Don't kill me on it.

Consider me the Grim Reaper. Long has a rare blend of size and athleticism. BB/Pioli will be pinching their nipples if Long is still on the board at 7.

 

[rookBoston]

As far as DHarvey, I'm having the opposite reaction. The more I study Harvey the more I believe drafting him at #7 is not a good idea. I think he can be a solid starting 4-3 DE, and an average starting strong side 3-4 OLB. I see him as a marginally better prospect than Lawrence Jackson. What changed your mind about Harvey? Maybe I'm missing something.

It was the Combine tape that started me thinking more seriously about Harvey. His size/agility ratio not far different from Long and Gholston. I matched that with his reputation as a defensive playmaker for Florida. On film, he's smooth and athletic, and he's been productive. He moves like Colvin, but he's much bigger and stronger.

As a fan with #7 on the brain, it's natural for us to focus up-board and crave the players that we only have an outside chance at... and we inflate them in our brains. The ones that we legitimately can claim seem to pale, as much because they're ours if we want them as any other reason.

Fact is, in size, athleticism and productivity in college, Harvey is not all that different from Gholston. But Gholston is a trendy pick, is totally ripped, and has film beating Jake Long... it all helps fans embrace him and push him up-board. Harvey is under the radar.

 

[mgteich]

In any case, I'd be talking to KC.

Not that far-fetched a dream. Ellis wowed the scouts at the USC pro-day.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/story?id=09000d5d8078ce04&template=with-video&confirm=true

Oakland needs to replace Sapp on the DL. Ellis is not that far a reach.

 

[PonyExpress]

It was the Combine tape that started me thinking more seriously about Harvey. His size/agility ratio not far different from Long and Gholston. I matched that with his reputation as a defensive playmaker for Florida. On film, he's smooth and athletic, and he's been productive. He moves like Colvin, but he's much bigger and stronger.

As a fan with #7 on the brain, it's natural for us to focus up-board and crave the players that we only have an outside chance at... and we inflate them in our brains. The ones that we legitimately can claim seem to pale, as much because they're ours if we want them as any other reason.

Fact is, in size, athleticism and productivity in college, Harvey is not all that different from Gholston. But Gholston is a trendy pick, is totally ripped, and has film beating Jake Long... it all helps fans embrace him and push him up-board. Harvey is under the radar.

I'm looking for a reason to agree with you. I was a big fan of Harvey all season, and he was the original guy I wanted before testing began, and when i thought C. Long was unobtainable. The height, long arms and fluid movement skills are obvious. He has loose hips which are really incredible for a guy that big. But his 40 times of 4.84 and 4.94 are red flags for me. I'm not at all dismissing Harvey as a player. But wow is that slow for an edge rusher. Granted his 10 yard time was a good 1.59. I'm not a slave to these numbers, but they do have meaning. What they mean is that based on precedent he probably won't be an elite player in the NFL. A good solid player, but not an elite player. And an elite player is what I want. Add to that he has an inconsistent motor, like Gholston, and doesn't hold the POA particularly well, and I'm gunshy pulling the trigger that early.

 

[pats63]

I find it hard to believe the chiefs take McFadden, or that the Jets pass on Long for Stewart, but if it does happen, I'll do a happy dance naked in the streets to a full Dropkick Murphys album.
Sorry to all who were eating when they read this post.

I am with you brother!!!!!

 

[Disco Volante]

God damn it I hate having the Jets right in front of us.

Damn you 49ers, you 5-11* bastards.

 

[zarakotas5]

Chris Long was a helluva college player. Epic college player. College player being the operative words. Unless a team has the gumption and patience to transition him to an elite ILB, he'll join the ranks, IMO, of frustrated fans giving him grief. Good player, for sure. But not what you hoped for.

 

[tuckeverlasting]

Chris Long was a helluva college player. Epic college player. College player being the operative words. Unless a team has the gumption and patience to transition him to an elite ILB, he'll join the ranks, IMO, of frustrated fans giving him grief. Good player, for sure. But not what you hoped for.

wouldn't that be a kick in the pants if long was available at 7 and we passed on him.