Chris Long impresses at Combine

by Matty I on Feb 25, 2008 3:55 PM EST in News Comment 19 comments

The more of of Chris Long, the more I seem to come away impressed by him.

First of all, you need to consider his impressive interview with the media, which can be viewed here. Below are some highlights from the Q & A session:

Q: Has Al Groh told you about Coach Parcells? Would that be an easy transition?

A: I've heard a lot about Coach Parcells and Coach Belichick as well. I think Coach Groh is a guy with a tremendous amount of respect for that coaching tree. A lot of his coaching styles and the schemes derive directly from Parcells and that tree. It will be a tough transition whatever I do and wherever I go. I think he does have a lot of similarities.

Q: Are you impressed with Tony Sparano and Jeff Ireland?

A: I'm impressed with everybody I meet here. This is the NFL. It's certainly a great experience. Everybody I meet is so professional. Obviously that's what they do for a living. They eat, sleep, breath football.

Q: How is it practicing against D'Brickashaw Ferguson?

A: I would not be here if it weren't for D'Brickashaw and guys like Branden Albert who's here now and Eugene Morrell who will be here next year. It's humbling when you get beat every day in practice. The games are easier than practice by far. I was always very fortunate and appreciative not only of the type of player Brick was, but also for how he approached practice which forced me to raise my game and my level of intensity, so I'm ready for the game.

Q: What would you like to learn from Jason Taylor and Joey Porter?

A: These are all guys I grew up watching. Any team, you name it. It would be an honor to be on the same field and in the same locker room learning from these guys. If you approach the game correctly and try to be a student of the game, what better people to learn from than these all-pro guys and guys you grew up watching? It's really surreal actually.

Then you need to consider his stats in terms of his performance at the Combine today. Note that the only thing he didn't do was the bench press. He bypassed it because he suffered a sprained thumb in his bowl game and wasn't able to prepare as he would have liked. But he will bench at his pro-day workout. Below are his stats from today with his rank among defensive lineman in parenthesis:

40 yard dash: 4.75 (7th)
Vertical jump: 34" (3rd)
Broad jump: 10'4" (2nd)
3 cone drill: 7.02 (4th)
20 yard shuttle: 4.21 (1st)

Impressive performance. The two jump figures are good measurements of his explosiveness. The 3 cone drill is a good measure of agility. The 20 yard shuttle is a good measure of both explosiveness and his acceleration in terms of how quick his first few steps are.

But what isn't shown in those figures is how well he performed in the non-timed events. Long really impressed me with how fluid his hips looked and how quick he could back peddle to drop into coverage. It's becoming quite clear that he does have the ability to play outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense, just as the Steelers director of player personnel said yesterday.

If you want to see some of Chris Long's workouts, click here to head to his video on NFL.com. And thanks to the user Matt for posting this video in a diary.

Thoughts?

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Great Post

I hope we get this Kid,I could see him playing the OLB and at times putting his hands on the ground like D. Ware. I'm starting to think we may take him at 1 instead of moving down to 3 or 4 to take him. I like this kids motor. You can tell hes going to be special when you watch his college game tapes. The explosion and his closing speed is imprssive not to mention how he finishes.
Bring on Draft day!!!!!!

by jvw on Feb 25, 2008 4:09 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Chris Long

Is there any doubt that Parcells is going to take this guy. I would love to trade down to the 3rd spot and take him in a perfect world. Hopefully Atlanta will trade up and give us their 2nd and 3rd round picks or their 1st rounder next year. He ran a 4.7 at 270 some pounds. I would imagine that's going to get better if he drops a few pounds if he's moving to OLB at the next level. 260 would be an ideal weight. Gholston ran a 4.6 at 260 some pounds.

I can understand how some find it hard to take a 3-4 end with the first pick in the draft. That's why with his ability to maybe play OLB in the 3-4 it helps. I guess I'd rather have Long than an "OK" QB in a weak class.

Matt

by Matt27 on Feb 25, 2008 4:21 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Whats the big deal

Everbody talks about this kid like hes so great,Hes realy realy good but not that great tho.If you look at it vernon is 10 pounds lighter than him and hes faster and stronger then chris long.I believe comen outta collage chris is mentally smart and knows things the otha players dont.But take away longs popularity cuz of his father and the mental part of it,Tell me whos the better athlete vernon or long.Long is gonna play good at the next level but i believe hes reached his max and is almost toped out right know........So 2 years down the line you tell me who do you think well be the better player long or vernon..............

by lionel on Feb 25, 2008 8:04 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Good assesment

After reading your post I read a little on him and he does seem to be another option for us on defense. He's strong as a bull but the one thing I did read that I didnt like is how he tires during the game. Since he played at Ohio State there must be some film of him going up agaist Long of Michigan. If you have it or know where to access it please let us know.

by jvw on Feb 25, 2008 9:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Here's the only vid I've found with...

...Gholston vs Jake Long:

by Matty I on Feb 25, 2008 9:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks Matty

When all else fails there is youtube. I was able to see more of chris long. One thing that is becoming clear is this guy gets alot of batted balls and he plays the run well.

by jvw on Feb 25, 2008 10:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Thats the best

Yea he might tire out in games but thats something that can easily be worked on espacilly in parcels camps all his players come out in shape.I believe we need to learn how to rotate are players in a game so that doesnt happen.But compare long and vernon for me plaease and tell me what you see.Vernon is the strongest player comen outta collage now even stronger then jake long and thats a beast.Just look vernon ran a faster 40 time then chris.vernon also said he ran a 4.4 before.Bench pressing vernon had 37 reps that is amazing,Vernon also had the higest vertical and broad jump outa the defensive lineman and beat chris in that.The only thing that chris came in front was the type of stuff that wasnt so much about talent but more about being better trained for.........................

by lionel on Feb 26, 2008 7:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

yeah but

he's howie's son!!!!!!!

I have to agree here. if he wasnt' howie's son would he be a top 5 pick????

Plus, they are looking at him for a position, by his own admission, he has never played. I just don't, nor do I hope, see miami drafting him at #1.

by W NY Fins Fan on Feb 26, 2008 10:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The Chris Long Debate

I have not seen much of this Vernon guy at all. So I would be interested in any footage of him or stats. It appears that some people do not like Long, but here is one thing that he can do. Stop the run, and I do not care how over hyped he is, that is something we need help at. The only other options for us would be Elis at #1, but that is just too high for him. I am not liking this medical report from Dorsey, and add that to the back problems and injuries he already has and he will slide in my opinion. We do not need another running back, so scratch McFadden. Ryan is not needed since Brohm, Flacco and Heine (not sure of the spelling) will be all available in the 2nd round.

The first pick will be defense for sure, and it looks like it may be a LONG shot :)

I think Adams (Cowboys) and Fanica (Steelers) will be Florida bound in the FA market too, so we can concentrate on other things in the draft. What do you guys think?

by resman on Feb 25, 2008 8:17 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

we need a LONG shot

just not chris.

by W NY Fins Fan on Feb 26, 2008 10:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

PFT: Cowboys to pull a reverse Herschel with Fins?

Profootballtalk.com reports
POSTED 12:15 p.m. EST, February 25, 2008

COWBOYS SENDING MIXED SIGNALS ON McFADDEN

There's an odd dynamic playing out regarding the potential interest of Cowboys owner Jerry Jones in the big-name running back from Jones' alma mater of Arkansas.

On Sunday, Adam Schefter of NFL Network confirmed that there were rumors last month that the Cowboys would package multiple draft picks and running back Marion Barber as ammunition to get from the Fins the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, which would then allow Jones to pick McFadden. Schefter suggests that McFadden's stellar performance at the Scouting Combine on Sunday could breathe new life into that possibility.

It would be the flip side of the Herschel Walker trade for the Cowboys, who fleeced the Vikings more than 18 years ago for the guy who was supposed to be the missing piece of the puzzle with a Vikings team that was on the fringes of the NFL's elite.

But other talk in league circles is that the Cowboys wouldn't move into the top ten for McFadden. And Jones denies that he's plotting a reverse-Herschel.

As a source tells us, however, Jones' demeanor at the Combine after McFadden ran the 40 in 4.33 seconds indicates that Jones indeed wants to bring Darren to Big D. Jones, per the source, was "smiling proudly" after McFadden's first effort in the 40, and then got up and left the RCA Dome after McFadden's second try, with a "huge grin" on his face.

Stay tuned on this one. Jones could be as driven to get McFadden as then-Saints coach Mike Ditka was to land Ricky Williams in 1999. The danger for Dallas is giving up too much in return.

And if Jones wears his heart on his sleeve, the Dolphins might be able to lasso the same kind of package that helped launch the Dallas dynasty of the early 1990s.

I know the topic is on Chris long but does nyone see the Fins drafting McFadden to then trade him
to Dallas for their 2 picks and a player? Sounds risky for the Fins to try and play around with that big a pick in the event Dallas would not trade. I think the Fins need bodies and trading down is the best option in a deep draft. I personnally would love to see Jones trade with us.

by kevin on Feb 25, 2008 10:39 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I don't like Chris Long with the #1 pick

Put me down for Matt Ryan if we keep this pick. A DE with the #1 overall that gonna be in a 3-4? Are you people serious? I'm hearing now he should be able to play LB. I don't care.

I said my peace peeps. Peace out.

"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."

by Neo on Feb 25, 2008 11:17 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Matt Ryan

I do not have too much information about Matt Ryan at all, but 19 interceptions in the ACC? You cannot be serious. Not sure what your rationale is for picking him when we already have Beck and there are 3 other QB's that we can possibly get in the 2nd round who are not that much of a drop off from him, so that probably does not make much sense. Also QB's ask for more money than a defensive player would. But who am I to comment?

Ryan and McFadden will not be playing for us. Say you draft Ryan and then he get mauled next year? We have not addressed the defense at all, and that is why I think this management will have to go defense. Yes Chris Long is a Defensive Lineman, but he is a football player.

Let's see how all of these guys do at their pro days, and I am interested in how he does in the Linebacker drills. He did rip it up in the DE drills, so that is my take.

by resman on Feb 26, 2008 6:11 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

My rationale is

is Ryan is the best QB prospect coming out and QB has been the biggest need for the fins the past 10 years.

What you mean?

~19 interceptions in the ACC~

Like the the ACC is a high school league. How bout he put it up 150 more times than any other QB coming out this year as well.

~ Say you draft Ryan and then he get mauled next year?~

he won't we got 40+ mill in cap and from what I hear we'll go after Olmen with some of the money. Not mention the draft is very deep at OL position.

So what if Chris is a football player. Despite all of what people are saying he doesn't play a "need" positon especially not as big of a need as "QB".

~that we can possibly get in the 2nd round ~

I'm tired of giving up second rounders and hoping to get lucky.

AJ Feeley
C. Pep
Beck

Just wasting away.

"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."

by Neo on Feb 26, 2008 11:40 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Draft and Parcells

With this being the first draft of a new regime, and not to mention we're going to have to give somebody around $30 mil guaranteed, Parcells is going to take the guy that has the least chance of failure.

It sucks that every time we're at the top of the draft there's not alot of Blue Chippers. Everyone of these guys we can make a case to draft and not to draft. I think Chris Long & Vernon Gholston are the two guys that will probably have the best chance to succeed VS failing. If we stay at the #1 pick I think it's Chris Long. If we trade with Atlanta, I think Long will be gone and Gholston then makes the most sense.

Matt

by Matt27 on Feb 26, 2008 1:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I dont know if you noticed but

Our Line was attrocious last year, we need to get younger and better in the trenches, and Chris Long seems to be the real deal.

by Patssuck456 on Feb 26, 2008 9:55 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

agreed

say what you will about other candidates for the top pick- but chris long seems like a beast. i have said, and i will continue to say that i am gonna be fine with whoever they wind up taking. but i am definitely leaning the chris long way as of right now.

The Jayfiss Report ...one fan's rants.

by NumberSeven on Feb 26, 2008 10:42 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Except he won't be playing...

in the trenches. He's not going to play DE in the NFL in a 3-4 scheme. If we drafted him, it would almost certainly be to play OLB, and we'd still have the same problem in those trenches you're talking about.

by urbino on Feb 26, 2008 5:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs