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Eye on the Ball: A look at three top Virginia-based NFL rookies

Date published: 5/22/2008

WITH THE NFL draft behind us, I'm here to offer some insight and predictions into the top two picks for the University of Virginia and Virginia Tech, plus another player from the commonwealth who could be a sleeper pick.

CHRIS LONG

I may be a bit biased, being a fellow Wahoo and all, but defensive end Chris Long, chosen with the second pick overall by the St. Louis Rams, projects as a solid NFL player.

He is a better tackler than the other top defensive lineman in the draft, LSU's Glenn Dorsey. Long also has a good work-ethic, which is almost always a harbinger of pro success. Many times, top prospects who enter the NFL will flame out because of a distorted sense of entitlement; they think that they do not have to work as hard now that they have reached the highest level. Long has been a run-stopper his whole career, and he blossomed as a pass- rusher his senior year, with 14 sacks.

That kind of versatility, combined with his tremendous athleticism, could lead to Long's becoming a linebacker in the pros. However, I think the Rams would be better served to keep him at his natural position, as a transition can be tough for a young player to make--and the team has equally big holes at both positions.

DUANE BROWN

Virginia Tech's top draftee went to the Houston Texans with the 26th overall pick. Duane Brown has the athleticism and quickness that are typical of many Hokie football prospects. However, his blocking technique is still developing and is still a bit sloppy.

Bad technique can be corrected with a good coach, as long as he brings Brown along slowly and doesn't make him do too much too soon. But that may be difficult for the Texans, because they have been in dire need of offensive line help for their entire existence as a franchise. One of the reasons David Carr did not work out as their quarterback was that he simply was sacked too many times, and his body could not handle the wear and tear.

Date published: 5/22/2008