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Five Patriots Players Under the Most Pressure in 2016

Steve Balestrieri

May 5, 2016 at 6:00 am ET

Five Patriots Players Under the Most Pressure in 2016

(PHOTO: Kevin Jairaj - USA TODAY Sports)

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Posted Under: Patriots Commentary

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Chris Long is trying to recapture the form that made him one of the best defensive ends in the NFL. (USA TODAY Images)

#2 DE Chris Long:
The eight-year veteran turned down much more money elsewhere to sign a team-friendly one-year deal worth just $2.375 million dollars in 2016. Long, 31, was once one of the premiere defensive ends in the NFL but knee and ankle injuries have limited him to just 18 games with four sacks the past two seasons.

With Chandler Jones being shipped off to Arizona in a trade, the onus will be on Long to return to form and pick up much of the slack. Long has never tasted the postseason in his career, and coming to the Patriots, a perennial AFC East Champion was a big part of the draw.

The Patriots are hoping that a fresh start in New England will re-energize his career with the Pats much like Rodney Harrison, Andre Carter, Roman Phifer, Junior Seau and others have done under Bill Belichick. He’ll be playing with a deep group of players including fellow defensive ends Rob Ninkovich, Jabaal Sheard as well as last season’s draft picks Geneo Grissom and Trey Flowers. So the pressure won’t be on Long to be on the field for every snap.

If he can find the level of play that netted him an average 75 combined quarterback sacks, hits and hurries from 2010 to 2013, per Pro Football Focus, second only to Cameron Wake’s 76 average over that span, then the Patriots will be in great shape.

Long says he feels good and is looking forward to the challenge. “When I entered free agency, I said whatever team I end up on, I’m going to work,” he told Patriots.com. I’ve worked as hard as humanly possible over the last eight years but I’m going to find the next gear, whatever it is. I’m very energized by just being a part of this thing.”

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About Steve Balestrieri

A former US Army Special Forces NCO and Officer, Steve has been following the Patriots since their days at Fenway Park. Steve has worked in the film industry and wrote as an Military Editor at SpecialOperations.com, 1945.com as a reporter for the Millbury Daily Voice, Millbury-Sutton Chronicle, and the Grafton News. He's also a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA)