I think I'm actually seeing potential with this guy as a DE/OLB. He's being used alot in stunts and really this guy is beastly as a pass rusher. He's showing better speed than I ever saw. It was nice to hear his own coach didn't think his best pro position was as a DE...but as a Mike Vrabel type DE/OLB/ILB player. The guys growing on me, but combine is going to be huge. He's got to put up some good numbers in the linebacker drills.
I defintely see him as a strong side linebacker in a 3-4. The question is will he make it to 6 in the draft.
Yeah I posted this reply in the other thread but you made a new thread specifically for this, so . . . There are just two questions on that, both speed related: 1) Is he fast enough to keep containment on outside runs? 2) Can he drop back into coverage well?
I see a lot more hustle from him than I do from Gholston but I don't see the same type of speed and explosive. He is clearly a Mangini type player though; he's has a nonstop motor and plays a lot of snaps, unlike Gholston.
Both questions will kind of sort of be answered at the combine. I really want to see how he does in the agility drills.
the only question with him as a de/olb will be how will he do in pass coverage, he has the size and speed for it
doubt he'll be there when we select at six but if he was....its a very hard decision....chris long or vernon gholston Chris long has a non-stop motor, top notch intangibles, and flawless technique... or Vernon Gholston is explosive, physical speciman with speed...he can be that shawn merriman that every team wants and we desperatly need i would still pick vernon
For me, it goes like this. If my team were running a 4-3, then I take Chris Long every day of the week over Gholston. If my team is running a 3-4, then my choice is Gholston. Long is terrific as a traditional end, great work ethic, always working towards the ball, and a very good athlete. But, when it comes to dropping back into coverage and all that comes with being a 34 OLB, I have to lean toward a guy who's played LB before, plus has the explosiveness to get to the QB from that stand-up spot consistently.
I?m with the Hurricane, Long?s a great player, better than Gholston or Groves, but for playing OLB, i take both of them over him. Long is a perfect fit for a 43 DE, but when it comes to playing OLB in a 34 i?m just not sure, if he has all the tools to be sucessfull. Groves and Gholsten are perfect Fits for the purposes we need, so why make a circle squared? If he shows up at the Combine around 270 and runs a 4.7, i probably change my mind, but till then i?m on the Gholston Bandwagon.
My only objection to your wondering's about Long's pass coverage skills is how often will the guy be dropping back into coverage? If he is that good of a pass rusher then the coaching staff should be able to account for his area so he can be able to rush the passer. If he comes into the combine under 270 and runs a decent 40 then I would think about it. But I doubt he's dropping that low.
