Chris Long says goodbye (won't be re-signing)

[QuantumMechanic]

I don't suffer fools (or their sychophants) very well. You'd expect someone who rotted for years then got let go due to injuries to be a little more self aware about himself never being able to "get back to the player he was".

I'm suprised at the pass he's getting. I don't care if he stays or goes. Him basically saying they (BB) didn't use him properly is pathetic. Take of the blinders and see the insane stupidity that he is espousing.

He did NOT say BB didn't use him properly. He said he wants to play other than how BB wants to use him. That's not the same thing. The way BB used him on the Patriots, while proper for NE and the best way to get value out of Long for NE does not have to be the best way to use him on another team. And there's no intrinsic reason why it would be the style Long prefers to play (and clearly it isn't). So the hell what?

So Long subordinated his preferences to team needs and played other than the way he likes best in order to pick up a ring. And now having the ring he'd prefer to find a place where he can play the way that gives him the most enjoyment. How incredibly horrible! How incredibly selfish! Damn the bastard all to hell!

 

[BradyFTW!]

I don't quite get his decision and find it disappointing. If it isn't about money, why doesn't he stay and work on carving out an even bigger role for himself on a team that likely will be in the playoffs again? So he'd rather go start for another also-ran?

He knows that he'll be at best the Pats' third best DE behind Flowers and Ninkovich. And that's before you account for how the Pats will replace Sheard - if we take a DE high in the draft, there's a good chance he'd be entering next season fourth on the depth chart. He knows there are other competitive teams that don't have 2-3 DEs who are better than him, where he'd most likely play more than 15 snaps in a playoff game.

I think you're conflating 'amount of depth at DE' with 'overall quality of team'. My guess would be that he's looking to find a good team that could use a DE of his talents in a more prominent role than the Patriots will. Basically, I think it all comes back to Flowers' emergence as a really good player. It's one thing to be the first or second guy in a four man rotation. It's a little different being the third or fourth guy in a four man rotation.

 

[QuantumMechanic]

I don't quite get his decision and find it disappointing. If it isn't about money, why doesn't he stay and work on carving out an even bigger role for himself on a team that likely will be in the playoffs again? So he'd rather go start for another also-ran?

Because Belichick probably told him "If you stay here, this is how I'm going use you, and this is the technique you'll be playing, etc." and Long would rather be used a different way and play a different way. And (heaven forfend!) he might view playing his preferred style worth leaving some money on the table.

Also, keeping in mind Curran's article today about what a grind NE is above and beyond the standard NFL grind, being 32 and now having a ring he might not want to put up with that grind, which is a completely reasonable position to take.

 

[PatsBoy12]

Can you quote for us where he was *****ing about playing time?

There have been a lot of posts lately, it seems, where posters are stating things that the players who are potentially leaving have said and done. Most of it has been based on nothing or maybe something the player actually may have said once and it's being overblown or misconstrued. How was the locker room so tight then? Why had everyone done nothing but talk about the closeness and mental toughness of the team? Done thing isn't adding up, huh?

 

[PatsFanSince74]

I like Chris Long. Quality player. Good luck to him wherever he goes.

Unless it's to the Jets, in which case I take back everything nice I said above.

 

[Fixit]

I don't suffer fools (or their sychophants) very well. You'd expect someone who rotted for years then got let go due to injuries to be a little more self aware about himself never being able to "get back to the player he was".

I'm suprised at the pass he's getting. I don't care if he stays or goes. Him basically saying they (BB) didn't use him properly is pathetic. Take of the blinders and see the insane stupidity that he is espousing.

Well, we can agree that I see insane stupidity being espoused.

 

[fnordcircle]

Just a great way to go out. Other athletes need to look at this type of exit and choose the same path. Nothing wrong with the guy wanting more playing time. Or more money. Just be ****ing honest with us and we'll wish you the best.

 

[borg]

Great attitude, great teammate ....yada yada.
Cold hard truth....he's not starter quality for a team with lofty ambitions.
Twelve plays in the SB....the writing was on the wall.
Moving forward, Long might want to adjust his calculation of self worth because his 2016 tape was not very dynamic...except for one special play.
Good luck

 

[Keep Up With The Joneses]

Just like the Pats cut ties when it's time, I have no problem with players doing it. I would have liked Long for one more year in his role, but I don't begrudge him for leaving. As long as he doesn't sign with the Jets, Falcons, Ravens, Broncos, Colts, Steelers, Giants, Seahawks,...

 

[Tunescribe]

He knows that he'll be at best the Pats' third best DE behind Flowers and Ninkovich. And that's before you account for how the Pats will replace Sheard - if we take a DE high in the draft, there's a good chance he'd be entering next season fourth on the depth chart. He knows there are other competitive teams that don't have 2-3 DEs who are better than him, where he'd most likely play more than 15 snaps in a playoff game.

I think you're conflating 'amount of depth at DE' with 'overall quality of team'. My guess would be that he's looking to find a good team that could use a DE of his talents in a more prominent role than the Patriots will. Basically, I think it all comes back to Flowers' emergence as a really good player. It's one thing to be the first or second guy in a four man rotation. It's a little different being the third or fourth guy in a four man rotation.

I'm just thinking that he doesn't have a lot of time left in his career. If money truly isn't an issue then maybe finishing out with a contender as a strong role player would be worth it. (That's assuming BB wants him; maybe the Pats told him he's not in their plans.) Of course, the decision is his to make. I'm disappointed to see him go.

 

[patfanken]

QM is on the right track. This isn't about playing time, but rather how that time is played. Long was a true Patriot who did what the coaches asked all season long, DESPITE the fact he would have rather played a different role.

So given that he has his ring, why not go play someplace where his first concern isn't setting the edge, or maintaining "lane integrity", and just go balls out on every play. It's a lot more fun to do it that way, and at 32 why not go play more for the fun of it.

We also get an indication of just how hard it is to play for the Pats and why is truly is "not for everyone".....and why their mental toughness level is so high.

BTW- The recent Odrick sighting is now starting to make a LOT more sense (assuming we get the Miami Odrick and not the Jacksonville one).

 

[long distance]

Nice so long recap by Reiss:
Chris Long's stop in New England classic win-win for player, team


and in all honesty Long agrees with the conclusion - kudos

The sense is that the Patriots were likely heading in that direction regardless, but that doesn't change the bottom line: Both sides won in 2016 with Long playing for the Patriots.

 

[Tony2046]

I don't suffer fools (or their sychophants) very well. You'd expect someone who rotted for years then got let go due to injuries to be a little more self aware about himself never being able to "get back to the player he was".

I'm suprised at the pass he's getting. I don't care if he stays or goes. Him basically saying they (BB) didn't use him properly is pathetic. Take of the blinders and see the insane stupidity that he is espousing.

I don't understand this. BB has built an environment that attracts aging veterans to come here to play for a ring at discounted salaries. That's a good thing. Whether they come here to resurrect their careers, to improve their value or to get a ring it's all good. It's a benefit. We'll see it again this year. So why do we need to berate them when they leave?

 

[NormZauchin]

I think Long had said something earlier about how good it felt to be healthy the entire season, after several years riddled with injuries. It's interesting that he doesn't consider his more limited role with the Pats to have in any way contributed to his staying off the injury list. In his first six seasons with the Rams, he played all sixteen regular season games and was a starter in all sixteen except for one season. In 2014 and 2015, because of injuries, his starts plummeted, as did his stats (5 tackles in 2014 and 9 in 2015). So now he thinks that at age 32, as a full time defensive end, he will avoid the injury jinx that harmed his career when he was a younger man.

I like Long and wish him well, but I would be very surprised if he reprises his first NFL years with a competitive team. In any event, his time here, and even his departure, will serve as a further inducement for quality veterans to join BB and company for a ring.

 

[AtomicDawg]

DH follows lots of beat writers... i think he stays

Yeah a lot of them get to know each other being around these guys every day for 7 and a half months, sometimes longer. Add years to that and you get a certain trust factor with these guys. Especially guys like Reiss, Curran and Howe who are well respected around the league. It's easier to confide in someone whom you know if you told something like a private story to, they would have enough integrity (crap, too much ****dell watching) not to share it with everyone unless they asked you first.

Oh, and I agree, I think he's back too.

 

[Gronkowski123]

Good bye Chris!

 

[KamikazeKnight]

Is this the time of year where we freak out about losing everybody and how there's no way we make it back to the SB now?

 

[RIpats88]

good luck to Chris long....But I think hes making the wrong decision if he is doing this for more playing time somewhere else. granted I always expected him gone after the year. and we will replace him with another 1 year vet searching for a ring.

the reason he was so successful in 2016 vs the year prior with the rams is because Bill knew exactly how to use him as a 3rd down pass rusher and limited his snaps. If another team wants him to be a full time pass rusher he wont be as successful imo

 

[ausbacker]

At 32 he wants to be a full-time guy. I hope he can be. Loved him here.

However....The hoodie is right on players and roles alot more than he is wrong.

Sometimes with older players not named Pheifer less is more here

Belichick put Long in the perfect role. He's not an every down guy anymore but made an impact as a situational pass rusher. I understand Long's want for more time but from my observation, his tank isn't up to it anymore.

I wish Long well. Resurrected what looked to be a dead career, played well in patches, made an impact in the Super Bowl and got a ring. Can't complain with that.

 

[stinkypete]

Yet another moron. He makes no sense. He finally played on a playoff team. Won a SB. His Dad thought it's a great place for him.

Glad to show you the door. Appreciate everything you did, but you are a moron. Nowhere else is going to give you what you want. And for less money even?

Have fun when the realization that you are .500
or worse come December and most likely missing the playoffs.

Chris Long is a former all pro. He signed her to prove himself after several injured and ineffective years. He accepted his role and didn't ***** as he lost playing time to Trey Flowers. The Patriots would not have won the Super Bowl without him. He wants to start and hopes to re-emerge as a star. Belichick doesn't see the fit here.

So, where's the bitterness coming from? The man has earned his chance and is being classy about it.