Chris Long CAN play OLB in a 3-4

by Matty I on Feb 24, 2008 9:33 PM EST in 2012 Miami Dolphins News

Here's an interesting quote that is buried in this entertaining article about one of the potential #1 picks, Chris Long:

"There's not a lot of 3-4 college defenses and the way Chris plays in coach [Al] Groh's defense, he's as NFL-ready as you can be from a 3-4 standpoint," said Kevin Colbert, Steelers director of football operations. "Could he stand up and be a linebacker? Absolutely."

Absolutely? That's really great news, especially when you consider the source of the quote is a guy like Colbert. After all, the Steelers know what it takes for a player to be successful at the outside linebacker position in a 3-4 defense. However, we'll have to wait and see what Long runs in the 40 yard dash, scheduled for tomorrow for defensive lineman, to really know if Long has the speed necessary to play the OLB spot in a 3-4.

But if Long does have the speed, and the Dolphins feel he can be successful as an OLB in a 3-4 (if that is the defense they end up running), I think an interesting scenario could unfold. For example, the Dolphins could trade Jason Taylor and replace him with Chris Long. Long would then play the same DE/OLB hybrid position that Taylor would be playing if he remained.

Of course, I'm just speculating. But the reason I bring this up is because, if Taylor isn't traded, would Long be a waste at #1 overall if he has to play the DE position in a 3-4? After all, 3-4 DEs don't usually have a visible impact on defense, but do play an important role in the success of the defense. That's the question Bill Parcells, Jeff Ireland, and Tony Sparano will have to answer. Though we also can't forget that there hasn't been any official announcement that the Dolphins plan to run a 3-4 defense. Right now, most are just assuming they will. But Sparano said that he plans to make the system fit the personnel, not the other way around. And if the Dolphins aren't able to find a quality nose tackle, either in free agency or in the draft, then this team could very well play a 4-3 defense. And if that is the case, then Chris Long would have to be a serious, serious candidate to go #1 overall. Just imagine having Taylor on one side and Long on another.

Yup, exciting times ahead!

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Sounds good

I think that chris long is good but i dont realy think that hes that amazing tho.But i guess were just gonna have to wait until the combine is ova to tell wat goes on..I believe that the top 5 guys are all realy good,but there all about in the same level tho....N there sayen that chris long isnt even that much betta then vernan from ohio state.Were just all gonna have to wait in see wat happens tho in the combine and see who realy stands out.....................

by lionel on Feb 24, 2008 10:24 PM EST reply actions

newaccount

matty I

long time reader of yours, first time poster. im usually a huge fan of your insights/opinions, so never needed to log in before, but i have to ask how you put so much stock in a 40 time. its an arbitrary number (40 yds) that wont reflect in the least how well long's first couple steps towards the outside on a sweep would do (etc), or whatever. football is played in more than a straight line 40 yards at a time, the combine means little, the 40 in particular. it would be way too easy to use the 40 times to judge players, which is why the casual football fan weighs in to those numbers way too much. you know better don't you?

anyway, love all your news and commentaries, keep it up

buster

by buster on Feb 24, 2008 10:57 PM EST reply actions

first of all,

thanks for signing up and commenting. Glad to have you aboard!

As far as the 40 time, you're exactly right. A good 40 time doesn't mean he'll be effective as an OLB. But a bad 40 time does really show that he probably won't be able to play the OLB position in a 3-4.

by Matty I on Feb 25, 2008 12:00 AM EST up reply actions

I've been skeptical...

of using our first pick to take C. Long. Primarily, that's because people have been talking about him as addressing our D-line problems, and he just doesn't seem cut out for DE in a 3-4. If he can play as a big OLB, that's great. I'm still not really on board with taking him, though, because I just don't see LB as the position we most need to address. We'd still have our [much more serious] D-line problems, and, of course, lots of holes on the O-line.

It's possible we could solve those through FA, freeing us up to take C. Long. And maybe that's what BP and Ireland will do. I don't see why they would, but, hey, they're the professionals.

by urbino on Feb 25, 2008 12:13 AM EST reply actions

I've never liked this pick.

You want an outside linebacker? Go sign Briggs. You can probably work a better deal than you will have to pay the #1 draft pick. You want a DE? The draft is deep, pick later. You can always restructure JTs contract and keep him for another couple of years. But picking C. Long with the #1 pick is a waste of a #1 pick when there are other options at that position and you have so many holes to fill.

Hell, I would rather see them take McFadden! We have the cap space, even though I don't like the idea of tying up that much money at one position. I have been dead set against this from the beginning, arguing against many people here with a man-crush on the guy. But if we can address the line in FA, this guy would win games and help Beck.
If Ronnie makes it back, great. He is only getting about 4M/year for the next three years, and has about 9M in prorated guarantees left. The cost to the Fin against the cap this year and next is ~6.8M. You could keep him or trade him at those numbers.

by LeftCoastFinFan on Feb 25, 2008 11:25 AM EST reply actions

I don't like

Chris Long at his pick. No DE in a 3-4 scheme is worth the #1 pick. Sure they said they are gonna play the system that best fits our players, but if you don't think over time they players they get aren't gonna fit a 3-4 scheme your living in a dream world.

I don't like Mcfadden here either. Why waste this pick on the deepest position on the team.

If Parcells is not sold on Beck, and rumors has it that Parcells is not sure Beck "is a keeper", the you draft the franchise QB. I personally think if we can't trade, Ryan can solidfy his postion in being drafted #1 with a strong workout.

What are a QBs 2 best friends? A good OL and RB. We can address the OL in FA/draft and we already have good RBs. Draft the (YOUNG) Franchise QB, throw him in day 1 and let him go. Don't draft a 26 yr old rookie and bench him for a year. Cameron is a F*cking moron.

But as it has been said:

"It all starts with the Dolphins," an executive with another team said Sunday, "and not a single person here has any idea what they're going to do."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKu3wbzo0-g

by Neo on Feb 25, 2008 1:42 PM EST reply actions

The only thing I don't agree with in your post

is about throwing him in day 1. I could totally see drafting Ryan and letting him play behind Beck for a year. If we beef up the line, and get out running game back (as well as pick up a WR or TE who can catch), Beck should get his shot, and Ryan can take the year to learn the system.

Why? Because if Beck succeeds you have something worth trading. If he totally fails, you can always put Ryan in partway through the season.

by LeftCoastFinFan on Feb 25, 2008 2:20 PM EST up reply actions