This blue-chip defender ran excellent 4.71 and 4.77 times with a 34-inch vertical leap. His agility drill numbers were equal to any linebacker in an excellent showing. His overall effort was one of the best of the event. He did not lift, but will at the Virginia pro day.
-
from rivals.com -
Chris Long from U of V?Comment -
Good thing you have me -- and you can't edit
Comment -
Chris Long fits Parcell's defense. I think he is a can't miss and would be a good fit for the fins.Comment -
Oh, and I meant "can" edit.
Anyway, I'd take Long in a heartbeat. The best players, imo, are always the ones with the biggest heart. No quit in that guy and he never seems to give less than his absolute best.
My kind of defensive player.
Comment -
Long ducked Al Davis, but can't dodge expectations
Advertisement
Long ducked Al Davis, but can't dodge expectations
By Jim Corbett, USA TODAY
INDIANAPOLIS — Chris Long conveyed the confidence of a 10th-year NFL veteran Saturday when the son of Hall of Fame former Oakland Raiders defensive linemen Howie Long impressed during his scouting combine media session.
Long, a defensive end from the University of Virginia who could emerge as the No. 1 overall pick in the April 26 draft, was sharp, poised and funny when answering questions.
He talked about the time he had to hide from Raiders owner Al Davis on the car floor when he and his mother visited Howie during training camp when family visitation wasn't permitted.
ANALYSIS: Best TEs and WRs on Saturday
PHOTOS: NFL combine
"I was young enough to hide on the floor of a car, which means I was pretty young," Long said.
What would it mean to play for the Raiders, who own the fourth overall pick?
"The same as playing anywhere else, honestly. It would be an opportunity to play in the NFL," he said. "Obviously there's so much more to it there.
"I'm not afraid of any situation or any burden with the name. I've been dealing with this stuff my whole life. But obviously it will be taken to a new level in a place like that. It's pressure, but I tend to welcome any pressure with open arms."
There's a chance there could be two Longs, who go No. 1 in the drafts of their respective sports.
Long's brother, Kyle, is a 6-7, 290-pound, all-state left-handed pitching prospect who committed to play at Florida State in 2008.
Used primarily as a closer, Kyle Long struck out 67 batters in 32⅓ innings his senior season for St. Anne's-Belfield High School in Charlottesville, Va.
"I think my parents were keeping their fingers crossed that he would not play football," Long said. "He doesn't have to get hit playing baseball. He's throwing 96 miles per hour. He's a lefty. It seems like a no-brainer to me.
"I just hope I can live in his condo if I fall on hard times or something."
Leinart's critical year: A few minutes after Arizona Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt affirmed that Matt Leinart is his starting quarterback at the Indianapolis Convention Center media-room podium, Cardinals vice president of football operations Rod Graves put the Cardinals' quarterback situation in high-definition focus.
It is Leinart's job to lose. But Kurt Warner, coming off a 27-touchdown, 3,417-yard season, is expected to push the third-year former Southern California quarterback to reach his potential as the 10th overall selection in the 2006 draft.
Leinart suffered a broken left collarbone in the fifth game of the season and is back throwing.
"Ken has come out and said that Matt is our quarterback," Graves said. "But I've also said, 'He's going to have to step on Kurt Warner with both feet and pull that football out of his hands. Kurt is a competitor. He's going to fight for that job.
"It's a situation that's only going to make us better. We have two guys who want to be the starter and are eager to be among the league's best.
Warner, 36, will give Leinart a fight in his 11th season after playing some of his best football before injuries caught up to the 8-8 Cardinals.
"Ken will play the best guy," Graves said.
Does the organization still have confidence in Leinart?
"No question," Graves affirmed.
But there's a caveat.
Leinart "has to accept the fact he has to take his preparation to another level in order to be a great quarterback," Graves said. "I think he's accepted that. I see a difference in his attitude this offseason."
Rice running deep: This is a deeper running back class than the 2006 class that produced Reggie Bush in New Orleans, Joseph Addai in Indianapolis and Maurice Jones-Drew in Jacksonville.
One intriguing running back who might compare favorably with Jones-Drew is Rutgers' Ray Rice, the junior who can distinguish himself with a good 40-yard dash time on Sunday.
Rice, at 5-9 and 195 pounds who ran for a Big East-record 2,012 yards last season, is the seventh-rated back, according to NFLDraftScout.com senior draft analyst Rob Rang.
"I definitely like to watch Maurice Jones-Drew, he's the perfect example right now," Rice said. "I run bigger than my size."
Rice has produced a little MoJo of his own. Two years ago, Rice started as a complementary back with fullback Brian Leonard, whom the St. Louis Rams chose in the second round last year. He went on to lead the team in rushing, the second of three consecutive seasons with at least 1,000 yards on the ground.
"Ray Rice is not quite as explosive as Maurice Jones-Drew, who had 4.39 speed," Rang said. "Rice doesn't have elite speed. But he is so tough, he hits the hole hard. People think of him as a small back. But Rice has got that power.
"This draft, there's a lot of these undersized backs. He's far and away the best of them. I think he's getting an unfair shake because he's short.
What round does Rice figure to be selected in?
"Rice should be a late second- or third-rounder," Rang said. "He's a better blocker than you think for a guy his size.
"For most of these other smaller backs, they either operate in a spread attack or as a complementary back. Two years ago, Rice shared carries with Brian Leonard. Last season, he was an absolute pounder."
This and that: Ohio State linebacker Vernon Gholston is among the top 10 prospects in this draft class. He hopes to have the impact that a certain former Ohio State defensive end-turned-linebacker did. " Mike Vrabel made the Pro Bowl this year," Gholston said of the New England Patriots veteran. "That's one of my goals in the future. We come from similar backgrounds, Ohio State, similar positions." … Purdue tight end Dustin Keller posted the most impressive 40-yard dash time on Saturday, clocking 4.53 seconds.Comment -
Long is good, Mcfadden though is scary to pass up onComment -
I'd take Long over McFadden. Too bad he's gonna end up in Miami. The Dolphins will be shopping D in the draft.Comment -
Long may go first, but not to the deadfins unless Parcells can't unload the first pick. They have way too many needs at Miami to use the first pick like that.Comment -
Mcfadden ran a 4.27 i wonder where he goes.Comment -
I think the Dolphins would be remiss not to take Long and that sadly leaves McFadden possibly heading to Atlanta.Comment -
Gholston numbers were even better than longs. That guy is a freakComment -
All I have to say is Miami's defense isn't what lost them games guys... There defense played pretty well for the talent they have... its the offense that sucks...
so to say they will shopping D is wrong. They have O line needs the only position they are set at is RB on offense.
The only way parcells drafts most defense this year is if he decides none of the 4-3 guys can fit in his 3-4 scheme.
I also think Parcells is aware that he can trade down save cap room and still pick up draft picks. He might not get optimal value, but something is better than nothing. Whats wrong with trading a bunch of 3/4/5/6/7th round picks for 2-3 rounders? I'd rather get 5 guys I know can step in and play than draft 3 and come up with 4 wild cards...Comment -
I t could happen.. He is all over Arkansas guys. I knew about the Hamlin deal 4 months before it happened through mutual Memphis friend. Ken graduated a couple of years before I coached at his high school Alma Mater. He said Jones said he loved getting ex Arkansas players.Comment -
I think Auburn should be flogged for the blatant cheap shot of Glenn Dorsey. That poor guy's stock is falling all because of that.Comment -
IMo the two longs are the top 2 players in the draft
McFadden reminds of Cedric Benson. Benson wasn't quite the physical freak but he was definitely a man amongst boys for his entire college career. Im not talking about running style when comparing the two. I'm talking strictly about quality of college career and both considered top 5 picks pre draft.
McFadden could end up in Reggie Bushville if he is misused the way Bush is misused in New Orleans.Comment -
Mo, I'm sad dallas is zack thomas, last year was his only bad year in foots. He's still got game IMO
Comment -
What happened to Dorsey? I was hoping the Raiders would take him fourth.Comment
