LONG, or BUST
With Miami’s move, Oakland should take aim at the other Long
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
By Victor Cotto Raiderfans.net Staff Columnist
Chris Long & Howie Long
Photo credit: G Fiume/Ron Vesely/Getty Images
With the 4th selection in the NFL Draft, the Oakland Raiders select…
Howie Long’s son.
Ok – if commissioner Roger Goodell does announce that particular selection, he may not do it in that fashion, but many within the Raider Nation will feel very giddy knowing that the offspring of a Silver & Black legend will try to follow his dad’s footsteps.
I for one will be.
Heck, I want it to happen.
If there, the Raiders
MUST select Chris Long on Saturday and continue the reshaping of what was a disappointing defense in 2007.
All the extra hoopla aside, Long is what the Raiders need. He is an athletic playmaker. He terrorizes quarterbacks, makes plays in the backfield and will lessen the pressure of
Derrick Burgess at the other end spot. Yes, Long played within a 3-4 scheme in college, but his size and speed are adequate enough to drive NFL tackles nuts while being stout enough on the edge against the run.
You can never have enough defensive ends that can consistently get to the passer. Just look at last year’s Super Bowl champs. Talents at end are worth their weight in gold, as evidenced by the copious contracts handed to those that hit the free agent waters and the lack of dynamic players at that position around the league.
One player with great rushing ability can change the complexity of a defense. Add a second one, and with the moves Oakland has done this off-season to sure up their secondary, you’re now talking about a team that will have the ability to bring the heat and cover at the back end.
This is what Long could potentially bring to the field.
Another will be the iconic image of seeing #75 gracing the field once again. No, not Brad Lekkerkkerker (2005), Chris Cooper (2001-03) or David Daniels (1966). But another Long, who will play on the defensive line and that will understand the importance of donning the Silver & Black.
The bloodlines are there. The father I’m sure has talked to the son about what it was to be a Raider. The son has already talked about what it would be like to be a Raider. And so far, you have to like the sound of it all…
“I'm not afraid of any situation or any burden with the name. I've been dealing with this stuff my whole life”, said Chris.
All we need now is for Goodell to make the announcement, for Chris to embrace #75 and for the Virginia star to work on his scowl and flattop haircut to complete the cycle.
Oh, and let Mario Henderson know what his other options are for his new jersey number.
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