This guy can thrve in the 3-4 or the 4-3. There are 4 things a team needs to do very well, and do them better than their opponent every week in order to win. 1. Stop the run 2. Run the football. 3. Protect the passer 4. Rush the passer Not only do the Jets not do any of these things well, not only do they not do any of these 4 things better than their opponent week in and week out, they STINK at all 4 of them. Think about these 4 things, and think about the teams that win consistently, and ask yourself if this doesn't make perfect sense. Those of you who are clamoring for one DARREN MCFADDEN, remember this, there are two many other pressing needs on this team to go after a guy like him,so Chris Long makes perfect sense here. Then they can sign Alen Faneca. Now #'s 1,2, and 4 will improve immensely. Hopefuly draft a RT in the second or third round. Then grab a speed reciever in rounds 3 or 4. Keep our fingers crossed with Chansi Stuckey. This team is more than 1 year away from even thinking about the ultimate goal. Maybe if they can keep Kellen standing they can at least find out honestly if he is the guy or not. A guy like Chris long will help imrove the Jets defense from the annual rank of the Depths of the 20's immediately......... DRAFT CHRIS LONG! Tune in New years Day at 1:00p CBS Gator Bowl (Virginia vs. Texas Tech)
I just think its to must of a risk factor in drafting C.Long, I have seen so many busts on the D-Line that its scary. I say draft D.McFadden because he will turn any Offense into an explosive Offense. Its the Front offices job to scout well and draft solid O-Lineman in the 2nd, 3rd rounds, even the later rounds... Also in Free agency... But if we have a chance at D.McFadden... No way can we pass this kid up for a DE... No way. All the great teams have the Big 3... The Jets can have Kellen, McFadden and Cotchery for years to come... Add an O-Lineman here and there to play alongside Brick and Ferguson... Add another slot WR and the Jets will have one hell of an Offense.... And Yes I know that Defense Wins Championships, and thats why if the Jets really wanna win, we need to go out and sign Mangini the perfect 3-4 player... T.Suggs
I just have the feeling that C.Long can turn out into an NFL project... While I feel that D.McFadden is the best running back to enter the draft in a LONG TIME... A.Peterson was something else, but I feel McFadden can be the next best thing. If Thomas Jones can rush for over 1000 yards with this O-Line, I swear... McFadden may just rush for over 1500-1700 yards AS A ROOKIE if he were the feature back next year with an upgrade or two on the O-Line.
I agree with everything you said, but I am not totally sold on Chris yet. If we have more of a concerted commitment to the 4-3 next year, than I would say that it is a good idea.
Why would we change back to the 4-3 if we've just spent the past two seasons in the 3-4? Unless they fire Mangini, its not happening.
I love how people are complaining about how our defensive line is too small and then tell us to draft someone even smaller to replace them.......
There are certain packages where we could line up in a 4-3; we have done this already. I can't see Mangini changing though. Too bad: I think we go into next year still short a true NT. Chris Long is probably going to be too small to play for us.
Yea...I was gonna say we play a ton of 4-3 packages...thats the thing about the 3-4...you can line up however you feel like. While it sucks that a big time prospect at NT isn't available, theres decent prospects at the position in this draft. Plus, we need size at more than just NT. Anyway the '09 has a couple NT prospects (esp. if juniors declare)...Terrence Taylor, Boo Robinson, Ron Brace, BJ Raji, etc. This guy: http://isubengals.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/akoteu_viliami00.html + Frank Morton are interesting in this upcoming draft.
cris long has proven that he can play the 3-4. He plays the 3-4 DE position in Virginia and leads the nation in sacks! what more do u want out of this guy to prove that he can play in the 3-4?
Hit the nail on the head there. I was going to say the same thing. Agree with you 100%. I like how they complain about Chris Long weighing 280, but don't complain about Ellis only weighing 5 pounds more as well.
Actually, people do complain...hence the whole "we need more size" thing. Playing a 3-4 in college is completely different from the NFL. It's not even like Long dominated top competition, he dominated a soft schedule in the ACC....woo hoo....I don't even think Virginia played BC this year.
It would be rather shocking if a small guy like Long made that seamless transition from a college 3-4 to the NFL's 3-4. The NFL is incredibly more physical in the trenches than college. Long is going to see much bigger and stronger guys, and in order to justify that type of selection, he'd need to get a lot bigger AND be fortunate enough to have a dominant NT next to him. That's just way too many question marks to justify making him a top 5 pick.
Not really sold on Chris Long. Virginia is a soft football program and I agree they played a weak ACC shecdule this year. We've already drafted one undersized linemen from Virginia. I don't think drafting another is such a smart idea. Plus what great players who have had an inpact in the NFL have ever come out of that program Tiki, Ronde and Thomas Jones?
Well one UVA has never produced any defensive linemen who have had an inpact at the pro level. As I said soft program that has produced minimal NFL talents. I agree with Pennington 10. I think it will be tough for Long to adjust to seeing NFL sized linemen. He also won't receive any help with a weak spot at the Nose Tackle position. Teams never have to double team that spot on us which would help take some of the pressure of of Long. If McFadden is on the board, you do not pass on him.
