NFL hopefuls Nate Lyles (left) and Chris Long run through a drill for coaches and scouts yesterday in Charlottesville. UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA

Long UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA

Albert UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA

Virginia pro day

Date published: 3/19/2008

BY TAFT COGHILL JR.

CHARLOTTESVILLE--

The Cavaliers head coach's mind-set could pay off for Chris Long and Branden Albert in next month's NFL Draft.

Long, a star defensive end, worked out at linebacker yesterday at Virginia for 49 NFL scouts, including one head coach--Scott Linehan from the St. Louis Rams.

The pro timing day workout came one month after Long performed at his natural position at the NFL combine in Indianapolis.

"I did d-line at the combine and I thought I'd show [the scouts] linebacker today," Long said. "It's just to show versatility. I feel I can do anything they want me to do defensively. I just have to work at it."

Long is expected to be a top five pick in the draft, and perhaps the Cavaliers' second No. 1 overall selection in their history, joining Bill Dudley in 1942.

Long never played linebacker at Virginia, but as the Cavaliers prepared for the Gator Bowl, he practiced there under Groh's tutelage.

"Coach Groh and I had about five sessions to practice," Long said. "It's been pretty easy stuff to pick up, but when the bullets are flying, it's going to be another thing."

Groh and Long did linebacker drills together yesterday in front of the NFL scouts. Groh said yesterday's workout was important to show that Long can catch and change direction.

"We clearly saw him do those things," Groh said.

Long said he weighed in at 267 pounds yesterday, but that he'd willingly go up or down depending on where he'll play in the NFL.

Groh said Long can play defensive end in a 3-4 scheme in the NFL on a "play-to-play basis" but that it may be a challenge for him to play an entire season there. He called it a "grind."

That's why it's important Long can play another position.

Linehan and the Rams are certainly interested with the No. 2 overall pick after the Miami Dolphins choose first. St. Louis runs a 4-3 scheme.

Date published: 3/19/2008