Don't be ridiculous. Talk about overthinking a no-brainer.
Take Long!!! Are you guys kidding me? How many althletic, do-everything 270# LBs do we get a shot at in any given year? And for a team that needs LB help, no less. Passing up #1 talent at #7... what are you talking about?!?!
How many UVA games have you watched over the last couple of years? CLong is a great football player, but there are legitimate reasons for him not being a no-brainer (does that make him a "brainer"?).
His strengths are obvious...great functional strength, use of hands and leverage to win 1-on-1 battles, solid short-area quickness to exploit gaps, terrific tackling technique. His weaknesses are equally clear...mediocre speed in pursuit, maintaining speed when changing directions, pass rush moves on the edge.
In a nutshell, the guy is dynamite when locked on with a blocker. He can engage, shed and make tackles. Very disruptive between the tackles. However, he is not very effective when forced to play in space. In my mind, that makes him an ILB for the Pats, but one that will initially be a liability in the passing game.
Add in the fact that he has only played at an "elite" level for one year (though he was solid his soph. and jr. years). Now consider that the ACC this past year was just awful, particularly the production on offense. Not red flags, but definitely worth considering.
As a 4-3 DE for anyone but Indy, I think CLong would be a standout. Skills, technique, smarts, desire. What's not to like? There are aspects of his overall package that bring up questions and concerns about his productivity as a Pats LB.
If Belichick and Pioli select CLong, I don't have any issues since they would obviously have a plan to use him. I don't have to know the plan to have faith in their evaluation and planning. However, it is a reasonable point of view that the Pats could look elsewhere even if CLong were within reach.
