NFL Draft Preview: Why Miami Will Pick Chris Long

It is NFL Draft time and Miami owns the first pick! Question is, who will they choose? They will most likely choose Chris Long! Long, along with McFadden, are arguably the most talked about players in this year's draft. He played for the University of Virginia and is the son of former Raider, Howie Long. Long has the intensity and size the Bill Parcells appreciates. There isn't another player in the draft that can compete with his size, tenacity, and ability. He also works with their 4-3schemes. Long has showed that they can be successful in this scheme at the University of Virginia, but he will be undersized for this in the NFL. He will most likely be part of a 3-4 scheme.

We can't leave out Miami executive Director, Bill Parcells, relationship with head coach of Virginia, Al Groh. This will most likely work in his favor.

When compared to the other picks, Long is the most beneficial to the team. Players like McFadden would be an asset, but Miami has much more pressing issues to take care of. Chris Long is also an asset of the field. He knows how to work the media. He's polite and he's a team player. There is enough drama in the NFL as it is, it certainly doesn't need another athlete racking up arrests and baby mamas. Perhaps it is because of his father's molding.

Longs abilities would be put to good use with the St Louis Rams! Lord knows they need all the help with defense they can get. I don't see Tampa letting him slip away though. So in conclusion Chris Long will most likely end up with Miami. His strong leadership skills and determination to win are commendable. His only obstacle is his size. Long's strong defensive skills separate him from the pack and name will most likely be called first.

Sources:

http://www.virginiasports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=1133501&SPSID=88799&SPID=10606&DB_OEM_ID=17800

http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/interviews/chrislong/chrislong.html