What if we end up with Chris Long?

[NePatriots]

It would be a weird pick but KC took LJ when Priest was in his prime and LJ and McFadden could be used together. I certainly don't expect this - nor do I expect The Jest to take Stewart - but Nawrocki isn't an idiot and he does talk to people. I agree it's a strange mock but he has been around long enough to be taken seriously.

I agree they could be used together, but, really, who is going to block for either of them?

 

[signbabybrady]

Everyone seems to overlook Atlanta as a trade partner for us. They could use a few extra draft picks as they are in serious rebuilding, we are not in their conference, and obviously there is a relationship with Dimitrof.

If Chris Long makes it past dolphins look for ATL to be a trade partner if Long is who we covet, why let him fall any farther than that.

 

[Metaphors]

OTOH C. Long, while supremely gifted, will be making an unusual position change from 3-4 DL to 3-4 OLB, and the Jets may not feel he can have the immediate impact they are looking for. He does not have the elite burst of a pure pass rusher, which makes his potential impact less obvious for 4-3 teams.

I agree totally with dryheat in other threads on CLong that he would be pegged for an ILB if the Pats took him. Most people (dryheat excluded) have him as a Pats OLB which doesn't seem to fit his skill set at all. I think Long could be successful inside, but I'm not convinced that this would be the best use of the #7 pick in this draft.

 

[PatsDparty]

If Chris Long makes it past dolphins look for ATL to be a trade partner if Long is who we covet, why let him fall any farther than that.

Because of the amount of money that you have to pay the 3rd overall pick.

 

[sebman2112]

Chris Long might be my favorite player in this entire draft. He's big, powerful, intelligent, and looked like an athletic freak at the Combine. Really, did you see how fluid his movement was during those drills? This is why I would be shocked if Chris Long's even on the board at 4th-5th overall. He's going to either the Dolphins, Rams, or Falcons, and everyone who just assumes Al Davis would take Gholston over Chris Long needs to rethink that theory.

Oh, and I still think Jonathan Stewart is the best RB of the class, and should be a very good back at the next level. It's rare that you'll find a player with that combination of size (235lbs), speed (4.48 forty), power, intelligence, and receiving ability.

 

[PonyExpress]

I agree totally with dryheat in other threads on CLong that he would be pegged for an ILB if the Pats took him. Most people (dryheat excluded) have him as a Pats OLB which doesn't seem to fit his skill set at all. I think Long could be successful inside, but I'm not convinced that this would be the best use of the #7 pick in this draft.

I trust Dryheat's judgment a great deal, but on this I disagree. Long looks like an ideal 3-4 OLB to me. I see the best player in the draft as Ryan, because he plays the most impactful position, followed by C. Long and would do cartwheels if the Pats somehow got him. But friendly disagreements are what make the draft so much fun.

 

[spacecrime]

so why dont the pats give the chiefs a little call, and package number 7 and a SEVENTH ROUND PICK, and for number 5!!! u are saying that is a crazy deal?

Yep, a 7th round pick from any team is next to worthless - 7th rounders rarely make any team. From the Pats, picking next to last, it is just barely before an UDFA.

The Chiefs would basicaly be giving their fifth for our 7th straight up.

Ha ha.

Not gonna happen.

 

[Metaphors]

I trust Dryheat's judgment a great deal, but on this I disagree. Long looks like an ideal 3-4 OLB to me. I see the best player in the draft as Ryan, because he plays the most impactful position, followed by C. Long and would do cartwheels if the Pats somehow got him. But friendly disagreements are what make the draft so much fun.

I just don't see Long having the speed to be effective on the pass rush or dropping into coverage. He is a downhill, power, effort, technique/hands guy. Some of that translates to ILB (Ted Johnson type) but I would think he would be most effective as 4-3 DE with the ability to shift inside on passing downs.

What do you see that you believe translates to OLB? You don't have to mention intelligence, effort and desire since I think we all agree those things are desirable at any position.

 

[ALP]

Yep, a 7th round pick from any team is next to worthless - 7th rounders rarely make any team. From the Pats, picking next to last, it is just barely before an UDFA.

The Chiefs would basicaly be giving their fifth for our 7th straight up.

Ha ha.

Not gonna happen.

exactly, but they MAY do it, simply to avoid paying top 5 money, b/c number 7 would recieve quite a bit less cash, and that is significant, if i was chiefs GM, it would defenetely be a move i would consider (as would BB and Pioli)

also, the jets wont move from 6 to 5, for chris long, so that they can lose a draft pick, cuz the chiefs wont be taking long....not even with ryan there

 

[PonyExpress]

I just don't see Long having the speed to be effective on the pass rush or dropping into coverage. He is a downhill, power, effort, technique/hands guy. Some of that translates to ILB (Ted Johnson type) but I would think he would be most effective as 4-3 DE with the ability to shift inside on passing downs.

What do you see that you believe translates to OLB? You don't have to mention intelligence, effort and desire since I think we all agree those things are desirable at any position.

I think Long is underrated athletically. His lower body power and balance are uncanny. This allows him, along with his hand usage, to win the leverage battles against much bigger men, and win them consistently. He combines this with very high awareness and smarts, and because he thinks faster than his opponents, he makes decisions faster and keeps the initiative in almost every confrontation. His burst is better than advertised, because of a long first step, and the power to maintain his balance through his second step. He timed just as fast through 10 yards as Gholston, and plays that way, intitiating his moves from an unusual sprinter's stance.

He combines these qualities with a relentless makeup, which allows him to dominate late in games when others flag. The ability to apply a 4th Q pass rush is the key to winning playoff games, and Long can do that better than anyone in this draft, because of his endurance and conditioning.

The same balance and awareness can be applied to coverage. It is about angles and recognition, and Long will adapt. His combine agility scores were elite, and show that he has as much potential in that regard as any other conversion prospect. His foot speed is similar to Kiwanuka's, who was excellent in space even as a rookie, enough so that he was transitioned to 4-3 LB lining up over the TE.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

I think C Long is the #1 player in this draft, and I can not see BP passing on him, unless it is for a QB.

I see J Long, because he plays OT, being the most in damand player, and therefor the reason BP and the Dolphins are leaking his name is to drum up some trade options.

Atlanta has two early second rounders, easily enough ammunition to move up to #1. But why would they do that when one of several players that fills a huge need will fall to #3?

So while BP may check out some of the other available talent, it seems to me that he has C Long written on the card.

 

[patchick]

also, the jets wont move from 6 to 5, for chris long, so that they can lose a draft pick, cuz the chiefs wont be taking long....not even with ryan there

I'll try one more time...

The Chiefs tell the Jets that they have an offer from the Patriots to move ahead of them. Ergo the Jets have to cough up a pick.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

I'll try one more time...

The Chiefs tell the Jets that they have an offer from the Patriots to move ahead of them. Ergo the Jets have to cough up a pick.

The irony, of course, being that the JEST would presumably have to cough up a higher pick than the Pats to move up to the same slot.

 

[Metaphors]

I'll try one more time...

The Chiefs tell the Jets that they have an offer from the Patriots to move ahead of them. Ergo the Jets have to cough up a pick.

No team would be stupid enough to trade a draft pick and jump up just ONE spot in the draft.

Excuse me...I have a call from Ty Warren.

 

[VJCPatriot]

I'd put the Pats chance of drafting Chris Long at 5%. He won't be there folks.

 

[Seneschal2]

5. Kansas City Chiefs
RB Darren McFadden*, Arkansas

6. New York Jets
RB Jonathan Stewart*, Oregon

7. New England Patriots (from San Francisco)
OLB-DE Chris Long, Virginia

I will say this is the most unique mock I've seen so far. Usually, as we get closer to the draft, the mocks tend to be more accurate. But this one's a real head-scratcher.

I won't waste my time analyzing the picks but am pleased the #1 player on my Pats Prospects board has found a way to #7.

Oh, and I still think Jonathan Stewart is the best RB of the class...

We agree.

One exception to this way of thinking is Matt Ryan, whom I believe Tan/Mangini would select if available. The development of a franchise QB would be a ready-made excuse to stick around for a few more years, no matter the outcome of the 08 season.

If the Jesters select Ryan, than BB knew more than he was letting on. I'll explain this mystery post draft (if they draft Ryan).

 

[ALP]

I'll try one more time...

The Chiefs tell the Jets that they have an offer from the Patriots to move ahead of them. Ergo the Jets have to cough up a pick.

that can be true...but will the jets believe them? anyone can say anything