Virginia defensive end Chris Long believes his reward will come from a lengthy NFL career, not from the spot he was drafted. Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Virginia's Chris Long a likely top-10 selection Saturday

Date published: 4/24/2008

BY TAFT COGHILL JR.

Chris Long tries his best to avoid the Internet chatter about his strengths and weaknesses leading up to the NFL Draft.

He just can't.

The former Virginia star defensive end relishes every bit of motivation he can get to prove people wrong.

"I'm just obsessed with [what people say]," Long said. "You tend to hear the negatives louder than you hear the positives. So I couldn't tell you what anybody has said good about me, but I could tell you what they said bad about me."

One thing's for certain: Long won't be the No. 1 overall selection on Saturday in New York City.

That possible scenario was put to rest on Tuesday when the Miami Dolphins signed Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long to a five-year, $57 million contract.

But now that Chris Long doesn't have to wonder if he'll be Virginia's first No. 1 overall draft choice since Bill Dudley in 1942, he can ponder what team might invest a top-10 selection in a defensive end with a non-stop motor.

Except there's one problem: Long doesn't care what team calls his name.

"I have no preference where I go. I have no preference where I'm picked," said Long, who will be in New York for the draft. "What's important is the career after that--whether you're picked one through 30, or [later]."

Long probably doesn't have to worry about going later than the top 10.

In fact, not many draft analysts have him falling outside sixth-overall to the New York Jets.

He could possibly go fifth to the Kansas City Chiefs, especially since they traded defensive end Jared Allen to Minnesota yesterday.

He could also land with the Oakland Raiders at No. 4, the same team his father, Howie Long, starred on from 1981-93.

The Atlanta Falcons are at No. 3, but they drafted defensive end Jamal Anderson in the first round last season, so they're an unlikely destination. St. Louis could take a look at No. 2 overall.

Rams head coach Scott Linehan said there isn't much to dislike about a player who registered 14 sacks as a senior at Virginia.

FIRST-ROUND FRIENDS Virginia defensive end Chris Long and offensive lineman Branden Albert could join rare company if both are selected in the first round of Saturday's NFL draft. Following is the list of area schools which have produced two No. 1 picks in the same draft: 2004: Virginia Tech--CB DeAngelo Hall (No. 8 overall) and RB Kevin Jones (30) 1997: Virginia--LB James Farrior (8) and DE Jon Harris (25) 1984: Maryland--DE Pete Koch (16) and G Ron Solt (19) 1956: Maryland--C Bob Pellegrini (4) and B Ed Vereb (11)

Date published: 4/24/2008