Chris long & Gholston vs. Demarcus Ware

[TwoCentPlain]

I didn't see much of these three play in college. Anyone seen much of these 3 play in college and can provide some comparisons? Anyone think Long or Gholston can/will be better than Ware?

Kinda strange that both Gholston and Long may get bigger contracts than Ware's next contract and they haven't even played one down yet.

 

[tomson75]

I doubt either one will be playing the same position in the NFL as Ware, so comparing them seems odd to me. I've watched both players numerous times, and am FAR more impressed with Long.

...and I doubt they will get bigger contract than Ware's next one. If one of them was playing QB and went number one overall....

 

[theogt]

Both could end up being better than Ware, but based on college production and measurables, neither is quite the prospect Ware was coming out.

I disagree, tomson, I think there's a good chance both end up 3-4 OLBs (albeit strong-side).

 

[NeonNinja]

Both look to be pretty good prospects and I see both playing 3-4 OLB. It will be tough for them to be better then Ware, but anything is possible.

 

[tomson75]

Both could end up being better than Ware, but based on college production and measurables, neither is quite the prospect Ware was coming out.

I disagree, tomson, I think there's a good chance both end up 3-4 OLBs (albeit strong-side).

I think there is a chance, but its slim IMO...especially for Gholston. He's got the measuarables, but I still think he's better suited at DE in the 4-3.

How many teams are running the 3-4 nowadays, anyway? Seriously, I don't know. Five? Six?

 

[theogt]

How many teams are running the 3-4 nowadays, anyway? Seriously, I don't know. Five? Six?

The Dolphins, at #1, and the Jets, sitting at #6. Neither should make it past 6, but if they did the Patriots are right there at 7.

 

[tomson75]

The Dolphins, at #1, and the Jets, sitting at #6. Neither should make it past 6, but if they did the Patriots are right there at 7.

Hmm...that is a bit more interesting. I could see Parcells putting Long at OLB pretty easily. I regress...

I still don't think Gholston should play OLB in the 3-4...on either side. Personally, I think he's a workout warrior and just an above average football player.

 

[theogt]

I still don't think Gholston should play OLB in the 3-4...on either side. Personally, I think he's a workout warrior and just an above average football player.

Maybe, but he did have 30.5 TFLs and 22.5 sacks in his last two seasons. That's top tier college production.

As for playing OLB instead of DE, he couldn't be any worse in space than Greg Ellis.

 

[speedkilz88]

Hmm...that is a bit more interesting. I could see Parcells putting Long at OLB pretty easily. I regress...

I still don't think Gholston should play OLB in the 3-4...on either side. Personally, I think he's a workout warrior and just an above average football player.

I remember people saying that about Merriman, and that seems to be who the scouts are comparing him to.

 

[tomson75]

Maybe, but he did have 30.5 TFLs and 22.5 sacks in his last two seasons. That's top tier college production.

As for playing OLB instead of DE, he couldn't be any worse in space than Greg Ellis.

I remember people saying that about Merriman, and that seems to be who the scouts are comparing him to.

I mean, if the guy is going to be the next Merriman....if I were Gohlston, with those arms, I'd want to stay as far away from Merriman comparisons as possible.

If he's basically just rushing the passer on every down, I can see where he may be pretty successful, but to compare him to Ware is still odd. They just aren't the same type of player.

 

[theogt]

I mean, if the guy is going to be the next Merriman....if I were Gohlston, with those arms, I'd want to stay as far away from Merriman comparisons as possible.

If he's basically just rushing the passer on every down, I can see where he may be pretty successful, but to compare him to Ware is still odd. They just aren't the same type of player.

Yeah, the Merriman comparison is much better. In more ways than one probably. Dude's probably on 'roids.

 

[Vintage]

Maybe Long and Gholston aren't the athletic prospect Ware was...

But they are every bit as good of a prospect. Long is in discussion to go 1st overall....

Obviously, this doesn't mean they will be better than Ware.... but it does mean they are just as highly thought of in terms of being a prospect.

 

[theogt]

I ran the numbers for my DE formula (based on college production and Combine performance). Explanation here.

Gholston - 151.73
Long - 150.10
Ware - 149.10

For comparison's sake, Mario Williams was a 156.63.

Somewhat surprised by those results. Gholston's ridiculous Bench Press number is really pushing up his numbers. It also helps Long and Gholston (in the formula) that they're 15-25 pounds heavier than Ware when he came out.

 

[postal]

.
I still don't think Gholston should play OLB in the 3-4...on either side. Personally, I think he's a workout warrior and just an above average football player.[/quote]
I take it you didn't watch him play!

 

[whitey_aw]

Isn't Chris Long like 280 pounds? I can't see him being an OLB in a 3-4, even if it is on the strong side. He played DE in the 3-4 in college, and I believe that's what he'd play in the pros as well.

Although, I could see them lining him up all over the place after he gets more accustomed to life in the NFL.

 

[theogt]

Isn't Chris Long like 280 pounds? I can't see him being an OLB in a 3-4, even if it is on the strong side. He played DE in the 3-4 in college, and I believe that's what he'd play in the pros as well.

Although, I could see them lining him up all over the place after he gets more accustomed to life in the NFL.

He's closer to 270. His coach Al Groh, who's coached a 3-4 all of his life, said his best position would be 3-4 OLB at the next level. He looked really good in LB drills at the Combine and certainly has the agility for it.

Greg Ellis was over 290 lbs. the year before he made the switch to OLB.

 

[couchscout]

I have no idea why some of you are suggesing Gholston cant or shouldnt play OLB, he basically was one at Ohio State. The Buckeyes have a pretty unique defense, where the strong side DE stands up at the snap, its called the LEO position, and Gholston did alot of dropping into coverage the last couple of years. I see absolutely no reason why Gholston (with his freakish athleticism and strength) and/or Long (with his perfect technique, and fantastic agility) couldnt be just as good or better than Ware.


Well....before I even his the send buttton, I started to think about it...I dont know that either one of them will ever be as complete as Ware. Thats whats amazing to me about him, he really doesnt have any holes in his game except quite possibly the worst inside spin move Ive ever seen.

 

[Romo2Dez4six]

Hmm...that is a bit more interesting. I could see Parcells putting Long at OLB pretty easily. I regress...

I still don't think Gholston should play OLB in the 3-4...on either side. Personally, I think he's a workout warrior and just an above average football player.

Chris Long is a beast and he could play OLB. Remember he comes from that Al Groh Hybrid of BP's 3-4.

 

[VACowboy]

If Greg Ellis can play LB, Long and Gholston sure as heck can too.

Long is a beast, plain and simple, but he isn't the physical talent Ware is. I don't think he'll ever be the all-world all-around LB that we have in Demarcus Ware. On the other hand, I think Long is far the superior pass rusher simply because of his drive. If Ware had Long's work ethic and motor, he'd be Lawrence Taylor. Long is just relentless.

 

[Doomsday101]

I didn't see much of these three play in college. Anyone seen much of these 3 play in college and can provide some comparisons? Anyone think Long or Gholston can/will be better than Ware?

Kinda strange that both Gholston and Long may get bigger contracts than Ware's next contract and they haven't even played one down yet.

I have to say I like Chris Long and think this guys is going to be a very good player in the NFL. He plays very well aginst the run and the pass and has a motor that will not stop. His dad taught him well