I think Gholston will be a more productive, and more explosive, player in the NFL than Long.
I don't understand the "can't miss, can't be blocked, etc." surrounding Long. In my eyes, he's a gifted player that maximizes his talent. He has been aided by a NFL-calibre coach. He'll make a fine lineman/OLB, but talk about future HOF is optimistic at best. He dominates sub-par competition but is often neutralized by similar talent.
His Bowl game performance was pedestrian. I watched the game solely to watch him, every play. When comparing him to current NFL players, rather than his current competition, he looked predictable and stiff. He was lazy once the play progressed past his initial assignment. Honestly, I was disappointed and a little shocked. I had previously seen 3? UVA games this season, and my impression was generally (but not resolutely) positive.
Gholston, conversely, lacks the spit and polish but often dominates against even more highly regarded prospects. Games in which he has looked sub-par have come more from the fact that this facet of his game has been exploited, not from an inherent lack of ability. i.e.: Good "tactician" collegiates were able to leverage him here and there. After my condemnation of Long, this seems to be cherry-picking. Except, in these instances, Gholston had the physical superiority to recover. Something Long will lack in the NFL.
Gholston will benefit more from NFL coaching than Long will benefit from NFL training.
