Long coming Along!

by CaliRamMan on Jan 22, 2010 8:29 PM CST

Mike Sando wrote a good piece on Chris Long today, and I thought it would be nice for us to read. Especially since we seem to criticize the guy so often. Now, I hope everyone noticed the light came on later in the season for Long in his second year. It is now starting to click and it was showing week after week. I see good things for the kid in the future. It is always nice to see our young bucks progress. I'm sure the addition of Suh will only make his life easier. Enjoy:

Rams' Long definitely made strides

January, 22, 2010 JAN 22 2:02 PM ET Long beats Bridges, forcing Warner out of pocket (QB finds Wells for big gain anyway)

%20Long%20definitely%20made%20strides&id=13417','sendtofriend','noresizable,noscrollbars,width=400,height=500');return false;" href="http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcwest/post/_/id/13417/rams-long-definitely-made-strides#">Email Print By Mike Sando A confession: I spent some of Thursday night re-watching the Week 16 game between the Rams and Cardinals.

Chris Long bordered on dominant at times, a reminder that the 2008 first-round choice showed improvement during his second season with the Rams.

Six plays stood out. I've broken them down in the chart.

Week 16: Long vs. Cardinals

Quarter	Down	Distance	Yard line	Observation
2	2	4	ARI 23	Long beats LT Jeremy Bridges, producing 4-yard loss for Beanie Wells
2	1	10	STL 42	Long forces Kurt Warner to step up, allowing Leger Douzable to hit Warner
3	2	2	STL 49	Long blows up play on perimeter, limiting Wells to 1-yard gain
4	2	2	ARI 18	Long beats Bridges, collecting sack and forced fumble
4	2	6	ARI 40	Long slips under TE Anthony Becht, dropping Tim Hightower for 2-yard loss
4	2	7	ARI 41	Long beats Bridges, forcing Warner out of pocket (QB finds Wells for big gain anyway)

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Comments

Long definitely improved the last 4-5 games of 2009. But he's got a ways to go to prove he was worth the 2nd overall pick in the draft and all the $$$ he's being paid.

by edpjr on Jan 24, 2010 10:01 AM CST reply actions

Yes, he does need to keep getting better to prove he was worth the pick.

However, I’m optimistic after the last few games that he is beginning to get it and will continue to get considerably better, just like his Dad did. If we add Suh and a good left end next year, I think Long will look better more quickly than otherwise – simply because the QB won’t be able to easily move up in the pocket or slide sideways away from him like they all could do this year.

by andyrose on Jan 24, 2010 10:54 PM CST reply actions

I don't think Chris Long has ever played in a situation where

the other team had no choice but to ONLY pass because the Rams were up. Most of the time teams are running the clock out against us. When the Ram’s improve as a team, so will Chris Long’s numbers. More sack opportunities = more sacks.

by jb22 on Jan 25, 2010 12:48 PM CST reply actions

Pretty good point.

Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.

by Tackle Box on Jan 25, 2010 3:37 PM CST up reply actions

+1 makes sense

"The greatest accomplishment is not in never falling, but in rising again after you fall." - Vince Lombardi

by VTramsFan on Jan 26, 2010 12:09 AM CST up reply actions

My gosh...I'd love to see us ahead in a game by a couple TD's for the first time in years...

by edpjr on Jan 29, 2010 3:17 PM CST up reply actions

Isn't that the truth! It would be a fun experience for a change.

by andyrose on Jan 29, 2010 3:58 PM CST up reply actions

Yahbut

There were a lot of times he simply lost the 1-on-1 matchup with whoever was blocking him, even tight ends were moving him out on running plays. What I mean by that is, his poor play went way beyond sacks or the opportunity to get them.

He did play better down the stretch, and I’m personally extremely pleased by that because I have always supported the pick. I wanted him before they drafted him, and have not been at all happy by the way he got outplayed in so many aspects of the game early in the season. His improving play has me very optimistic about him leaving behind even the potential to be a bust

by CoachConnors on Jan 29, 2010 4:53 PM CST up reply actions