Chris Long News: Pro Sports Daily

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October 8

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"Rams fans, Chris Long feels your pain. Although the former No. 2 overall draft pick has the most tackles - 18 - among the Rams' defensive linemen, Long has yet to record a sack after bagging four last year as a rookie. So, he understands when criticism is directed his way. "Part of that is very valid," Long said. "It's our job, and as an individual, I have to get more pressure on the quarterback. ... But I've got to be patient. I'm 24 years old. I'm going to work as hard as I can and try to earn what I've been given here." Long, a University of Virginia product, was given a six-year, $56.5 million contract that included $29 million in guaranteed funds last year. Living up to those kinds of ..."

Injury could sidetrack Long-vs.-Long matchup in Dolphins' game

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November 26

Palm Beach Post

"What promises to be one of the more intriguing matchups of the Dolphins' game at St. Louis on Sunday could be shelved by injury. Miami offensive tackle Jake Long, the top pick in this year's NFL draft, and Rams defensive end Chris Long, the second overall selection, could go toe-to-toe, but only if Jake Long's ailing ankle responds to treatment in time for him to play. "He's doing a little bit better today," coach Tony Sparano said of Long, who missed Wednesday's workout. "Good day (Tuesday), good day today. There were signs that were encouraging." When asked how close the Dolphins came to choosing Chris over Jake, Sparano said that was no longer relevant. "At the end of the day Jake was ..."

Patience is key as Long adjusts

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August 31

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"The Rams don't want defensive end Chris Long to break bad habits. Just old ones. After spending his college career in a 3-4 alignment at Virginia, where he played closer to the center and had two-gap responsibilities, Long is adjusting to the 4-3 scheme in St. Louis, where he's out on the edge. "It's a big difference because it's something you've 'repped' the heck out of all through college," Long said. "You take thousands and thousands of reps. Thousands of snaps in games. Tens of thousands of snaps in practice, and then you come here. "And I've probably only taken about a thousand reps here so far." Is that all? At the NFL level especially, football is a game of repetition and ..."

Linehan sees Long, Carriker coming around

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August 25

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"Whether they turn out to be All-Pros or just average joes, defensive linemen Chris Long and Adam Carriker will bank nearly $40 million in guaranteed money from the Rams. Given the meager statistics the team's most recent first-round draft picks have amassed this preseason, one might have cause for concern. Not coach Scott Linehan, though. He insists that Carriker, the No. 13 overall selection in 2007, is "playing consistent football." And while conceding that Long, the NFL's second draftee this year, is experiencing "some growing pains," Linehan added, "You know the production will come." Carriker (two) and Long (four) have combined for just six tackles in the three preseason games; ..."

Long looks quick in a workout test vs. Tennessee veteran

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August 7

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"In one-on-one drills, Rams rookie defensive end Chris Long blasted past Tennessee guard Jake Scott on consecutive snaps. Long's burst and quickness seemed to befuddle Scott, a four-year veteran. Wednesday's shared practices with the Titans provided Long, the No. 2 overall selection in the draft, with his first test against an opponent wearing a different uniform. "I did all right. I did some good things, I did some bad things," Long said. "I'll just keep working, same as every day." Coach Scott Linehan was kinder in his assessment. "I thought he did good," Linehan said. "He's a work in progress. But the guy is going to be everything, and more. It's just a matter of continuing to come out ..."

Less still is more for Long

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July 31

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"There's less than meets the eye with defensive end Chris Long's contract. But the No. 2 overall pick from Virginia still is a very rich man. Technically, Long's contract is worth $60 million over six years. But in truth, it will end up being a five-year, $48 million deal. That's because the sixth year of the deal voids if Long participates in 35 percent of the Rams' defensive plays this year. Or 45 percent of their defensive plays in any subsequent year (years two through five). Barring a series of injuries, Long should easily reach the playing time level. He is, after all, the Rams' starting right defensive end, and was so from the day they drafted him. First-round contracts, particularly ..."

Long in awe of his deal with Rams

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July 23

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"The dollars would be big, Chris Long realized. Yet when the papers were slid in front of him Tuesday afternoon at Rams Park, Long couldn't help being slightly dazed."I can't comprehend those numbers," said Long, the Rams' first-round draft choice in April. "I can't grasp what all those numbers really mean on a day-to-day basis." Those numbers? Long's contract covers six years — the final year is a club option — and is worth $56.5 million. Of that total, $29 million is guaranteed.Despite his temporary bewilderment, Long didn't hesitate before signing on the dotted line."

Rams agree to terms with top pick Long

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July 20

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"The Rams on Saturday reached a contract agreement with Chris Long, the No. 2 overall selection in April’s NFL draft. Terms of the deal were not immediately available, although coach Scott Linehan indicated that it covers at least five years. The deal, which Long is expected to sign early next week, guarantees that the 6-foot-3, 279-pound defensive end from the University of Virginia, will join his teammates when they report to Concordia University in Mequon, Wis., on Thursday. Practices begin Friday."

Team expects to sign Long soon

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July 15

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"After meeting for a second time with Chris Long's agent, Rams executive Jay Zygmunt said he foresees no snags in the negotiations that would make the team's first-round draft pick late for training camp."We remain very optimistic that we're going to be able to get everything worked out and that Chris will be in camp on time," Zygmunt said after talks with agent Marvin Demoff on Monday in Los Angeles. "Marvin expressed how important that is to Chris, and we expressed how important it is to the Rams.""

End is just beginning to learn with the Rams

June 2

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"Irked that his hottest new prospect turned the wrong way during a drill at Rams Park, defensive line coach Brian Baker marched up to Chris Long and spread his arms."Does this look like Virginia to you?" Baker blurted. "This is the NFL." So goes the early ripening of the No. 2 overall selection in April's draft. Long, a 6-foot-3, 279-pound defensive end out of the University of Virginia, is getting pounded left and right ? more mentally than physically ? as the Rams rush to bring him up to speed."We've thrown a lot at Chris, and that was the objective," said coach Scott Linehan"