Chris Long not re-signing with Pats

[lordbannon]

http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/18799034/chris-long-says-re-sign-new-england-patriots

• Mike ReissESPN Staff Writer

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Veteran defensive end Chris Long signed a one-year contract with the New England Patriots last offseason in hopes of winning a Super Bowl, and with that goal accomplished, he explained Wednesday why he will be moving on in 2017.

On his Instagram account, Long thanked Patriots fans and expressed his admiration and appreciation for teammates and coach Bill Belichick, before writing, "This has zero to do with money ... it's the right move in my heart because I want to get back to being the player I was before. I'm thankful for my role this year, but as a competitor, I'm itching to do what I do best."

Long, who played the first eight years of his career with the Rams in St. Louis and was never part of a team with a winning record, might be seeking a more expanded role or a defensive system that he feels is more tailored to his skill set.

In Super Bowl LI, he played just 15 snaps as a designated pass-rusher and made a big impact, drawing a critical holding penalty that helped push the Atlanta Falcons out of field goal range when they had been in position to kick a field goal late and possibly increase their lead to 11 points.

 

[lordbannon]

So, any chance of bringing him back in a 3-4? Do we think he could still play in a 3-4?

From a leadership and work ethic perspective, I'd be all for it at the right price. I thought we made a mistake letting him go from that aspect.

 

[InnovatedMind]

So, any chance of bringing him back in a 3-4? Do we think he could still play in a 3-4?

From a leadership and work ethic perspective, I'd be all for it at the right price. I thought we made a mistake letting him go from that aspect.

Completely agreed. He could be our glue guy that helps drive Wade's philosophies

 

[OldSchool]

He too he took shots at the Rams for a lack of leadership after he left. Do you guys really think he would come back and make less money and suddenly be a leader? I doubt it plus I doubt his fit in a 3-4.

 

[lordbannon]

He too he took shots at the Rams for a lack of leadership after he left. Do you guys really think he would come back and make less money and suddenly be a leader? I doubt it plus I doubt his fit in a 3-4.

I thought he was always a leader. And he played in a 3-4 in college, and we were knocked for drafting him into a 4-3. The only question I have on fit is whether he can still do it, or if his age and injuries would prevent him from playing.

 

[RhodyRams]

we all take shots at the Rams front office but yet we come back every year LOL


don't see him returning either way

 

[A.J. Hicks]

He played in a 3-4 for the Pats.

I don't think there is a chance he's coming back here. I wonder if he'd sign with the Browns?

I texted my Raider buddies and said they should sign him up. He'd come for a lower price, be a good rotational pass rusher, and would get to play for his Dad's team.

 

[jrry32]

He played in a 3-4 for the Pats.

I don't think there is a chance he's coming back here. I wonder if he'd sign with the Browns?

I texted my Raider buddies and said they should sign him up. He'd come for a lower price, be a good rotational pass rusher, and would get to play for his Dad's team.

Not really.

Frankly, I don't want Long back. It's time to move forward with young guys. If we want to bring in a cheap vet like Freeney or bring in a guy like Ware for leadership, I'm good with that. But both those guys are better scheme fits than Long.

 

[Selassie I]

No thank you.

 

[Ram65]

Sounds like he wants snaps like he use to get. When healthy he stayed in the game most of the time. He could have gotten a little healthier as he was a part time player last year. He is not for the Rams but, some team that's has a need at DE. I think the Rams missed his leadership last year but, it was time to move on.

 

[Loyal]

Maybe he still just wants to play...Beyond that, I don't know why he still wants to play. He will never enter the HOF. He has had a decent career and now has a Super Bowl ring. Most players don't get the ring. Time to drink pina colladas on the beach....

 

[Yamahopper]

He should ride off into the sunset as a SB winner and be happy for that.

 

[Mikey Ram]

I thought NE played a base 3-4 and he meant he wanted to go back to a 4-3..

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Bring him in as a situational pass rusher and let him retire a Ram.

 

[JonRam99]

Wasn't he a 3/4 DE at Virginia? Not sure he's built to be one in the NFL, but he did play this position once. I don't know if I'd go back to a team that cut me anyway. Our luck: he goes to the Seahawks <cough Wistrom cough>

 

[…..]

No thank you.

simple post, yet very effective.

 

[So Ram]

He should ride off into the sunset as a SB winner and be happy for that.

I don't get folks that think that way sometimes ? To make it in The NFL it takes a lot of drive. It's in Chris Ling's blood. He could have just kept in NE for another chance as well. He wants to go out on his terms.

Yes the NFL is dangerous , but such is life. We make try to make the best of it. Got to love his passion for the game. He loves the face paint & getting dirty . The drive to push your body to a certain limit.

 

[jrry32]

I thought NE played a base 3-4 and he meant he wanted to go back to a 4-3..

NE plays a multiple scheme. You see a lot of different looks. When Long was on the field, they typically were aligned as a 4-3. In fact, from what I saw, they were often aligned as a 4-3 Under in their base defense.

 

[dieterbrock]

This thread is lol.
He's merely a situational pass rusher in New England but is leaving there because he wants more. And people think he would come back to the Rams to be a situational guy here? That's funny.