1. CHRIS LONG, Virginia (6-3, 269, 4.81, 1) – Son of Howie Long, Raiders Hall of Fame DT who was a second-round pick from Villanova in 1981. According to best estimates, Howie measured 6-4, played most of his career at 265 and clocked 4.9-4.95. “I was (working) for BLESTO and I looked at film then of Howie,” said Rick Reiprish, New Orleans’ director of college scouting. “He was nowhere near the athlete Chris is. Howie would beat the (expletive) out of the blocker. The ball would run right by him and he was still beating the hell out of the blocker. But he really turned out to be a great player.”

Playing LE in a 3-4, Long had 21 sacks and 187 tackles in 43 games (37 starts). “I can see (Aaron) Kampman, a relentless going to the ball,” Buffalo VP of college scouting Tom Modrak said. “I think to get maximum production out of Long you need to move him around.” One scout envisioned him playing in a 3-4 like New England’s Mike Vrabel. “He might be a double-digit sack guy his first year as a three-technique in our system,” Indianapolis President Bill Polian said. “I said to Tony (Dungy): ‘What a shame. This is the guy we’ve been waiting for.’ ” Labeled a “practiced” athlete in a negative sense by one scout. “He may not reach the heights of some of these other people,” Cleveland GM Phil Savage said. “But at that part of the draft I would always try to hit the double off the wall and not swing for the fence because the money is so high.” Scored 34 on the Wonderlic intelligence test.

Beyond that, I suppose a ethnic bias against Chris Long is something for me to ponder. I’d hate to think that’s part of my thinking. Rather I’d like to think it’s Gholston’s exceptional athleticism (am I racist for attributing exceptional athleticism to a black player? the answer to that question is no doubt complicated by the fact that the black player in question happens to possess exceptional athleticism), and lack of traditional size for a 4-3 end that makes me assume he’ll be most effective in space. Long on the other hand could put on another 20 or so pounds and let his non-linear quickness become an even greater asset with his hand-down (something he’s been doing his whole life). Could Long become a 34 LB? Sure. Does he translate as readily as Gholston. I don’t believe so. If that means I think all white players are Wayne Chebret, so be it. It seems like a defensive accusation though.

He would be a great addition, possibly even worth trading up to get. He would be great in run support, give more attitude in our front seven, something we definitely lack, I’m sure he’ll get to the QB, and plus he’s versetal enough to stay on the field all 3 downs, and line up different places all over the field. It would be asking a lot of a rookie end to learn both ILB and OLB in a 3-4, but I’m sure as he matures he could pick it up.

A 3-4 is ALL about the LBs. I love Harris, but tha’s really it. I know we spent money on Pace, and I think he’ll be good, but of all the top prospects C long, to me makes the most sense. think about having him and Harris lining together for the next ten years…all we can do now is pray.

If on draft day it goes Dorsey, Ryan, McFadden, and then Gholston, we’ll be the luckiest team in the draft.

And as far as production and versatility, in both the run and pass game, I think Long’s work in college speaks for itself. Remember, we played a 4-3 on about one-third of snaps last year, and Long won’t have any trouble staying in on those downs as an end. I think he’s a terrific prospect, and his upside has really been understated by the “experts”.

Look up his combine stats on nfl.com and place them along side those of V.Gholston, who is considered a physical freak. Chris long was slightly slower in straight line speed measured in 40, but was better in 3 cone drill and 20 yd shuttle. Long had a better long jump and his high jump was one only inch less than Gholston. In short, because Long is white, people expect that he is all heart and no physical ability. It is simply not true.

Chris Long is not like Wayne Chrebet, who had lots of heart and minimal natural ability; he’s more Howie Long who had a hall of fame motor and natural ability.

It is absolutely ridiculous to call him a square peg and think he only fits as a DE in a 4-3, especially when he didn’t play in a 4-3 in college.

In addition to OLB, C.Long could also play ILB in 3-4, just as Adalius Thomas did this past year in NE.