Chris Long’s news conference Sunday afternoon at Rams Park:

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Chris Long speaks!
By Jeff Gordon
04/27/2008 3:37 pm
Here are some highlights from Chris Long’s news conference Sunday afternoon at Rams Park:

On what he likes about joining the Rams: “I think schematically, the coaching staff, everything I’ve heard about the city and the organization. The combination of those things and the people that I have met here and obviously their position in the draft. It all made sense to me that this would be the place for me to be. I wouldn’t rather have it any other way.

“I know Marques (Hagans) real well. I was very excited for the fact that we will be reunited here. He’s one of the best teammates I’ve ever had. Marc Bulger called me yesterday and I had about a five minute conversation with him. It was really encouraging to just hear how cool he was. He’s like ‘Hey you can crash at my place if you need a place to stay in the mean time. Any questions you have, I can answer them.’ And that’s a relief. It speaks volumes for this organization. He is the face of this franchise and the leader. I also talked to La’Roi Glover as well. Someone that I grew up watching back when I was a kid and now I’m going to hopefully be able to learn a lot from him.”

On learning the position from Leonard Little: “The first thing I want to do here is learn from the veterans and establish myself in the locker room because I’m not a guy who takes anything for granted and I know I have a lot to learn. Any guy like that, Leonard Little, La’Roi Glover, Adam (Carriker), any of those guys that are willing to help me, I would love to be helped. I need help. I’m a young guy. I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve got a lot to learn. I can’t wait to work with guys like that. Whatever they are willing to do, I’m receptive to that.”

On benefiting from his lifelong exposure to the NFL as Howie Long’s son: “I think that because of the fact that there is more pressure in my situation growing up that it has probably given me a bit of a mental edge. But at this point we are all equal as rookies. We have all been through college football for four or five years, so I don’t have any advantage over the guys now. I think the game has changed a lot since my dad played and since I grew up around that game. I’m new to it, just like he is new to the process as well.”

On his leadership potential: “I think you are who you are throughout this whole process. As a teammate and a player, passion is not something that you can contrive and neither is leadership. I think these things come naturally to some people. I don’t think of myself as a leader or anybody out of the ordinary. I just do what comes naturally to me as a person and as a teammate and subsequently as a player. If I’m able to be a leader, great, but I’m going to come in and try to be the same guy everyday.”

On his skill level: “I need to work on everything. My technique might be good relative to some guys but I don’t think technically the college game, especially with defensive lineman, is too high of a level. I really have to step my game up in some of these phases. I mean the press conference would go on for hours if I talked about what I need to get better at.”

On his ability to rush and stop the rush: “Versatility is something that I feel that I can bring to a team. I think it’s fun to play a number of different spots. To have a number of different responsibilities is something that I did at Virginia. Obviously that’s the college level and this is the pro level. I think really what I have to do is get just good enough to get on the field and do one thing well. I’m willing to do anything that coach wants me to do. I can’t wait to lineup anywhere on the field.”


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[Mooselini]

I'm glad we decided to pick him. He's such a great character. The team seems excited to have him. Here's to 08 guys

[bjjones2455]

Great pic at 2, Chris will make the defense a force to reckon with for years to come!

[thoey]

Welcome aboard son. Now get that contract signed and get to learning.

Oh, and get a number assigned. I know which jersey I am getting this year...

[Mooselini]

Oh, and get a number assigned. I know which jersey I am getting this year...

Youre in line too eh?

[tomahawk247]

Its great to see how Long knows he has to work to be the best, and it seems he is very willing to do so. Also:

Marc Bulger called me yesterday and I had about a five minute conversation with him. It was really encouraging to just hear how cool he was. He’s like ‘Hey you can crash at my place if you need a place to stay in the mean time. Any questions you have, I can answer them.’

Marc Bulger is a true leader for the Rams. I dont care what anyone says. He might not shout and scream to get people going, but he does all the right things.

[Varg6]

Its great to see how Long knows he has to work to be the best, and it seems he is very willing to do so. Also:



Marc Bulger is a true leader for the Rams. I dont care what anyone says. He might not shout and scream to get people going, but he does all the right things.

Bulger is the freakin' man. That is so cool to hear that he said that. I am VERY impressed by that. He is indeed a leader, and I think he does truly care about the team.

[Ramer]

Bulger is such a class act. I hope the OL stays health so he can show everyone what a great QB he is.

[evil disco man]

I like the fact that Chris Long really puts thought into what he says and means every word of it. Despite being the son of a Hall-of-Famer, he is loaded with humility and will be a leader on the defense. Pairing up with Carriker on the line will be scary; those are two intense dudes.

-jake-

[laram0]

Welcome aboard son. Now get that contract signed and get to learning.

Oh, and get a number assigned. I know which jersey I am getting this year...

I'm guessing he'll be #93. I'll be buying the jersey also.

[ramsplaya16]

bulger just wants long to take it easy on him in trainig camp, lol, but for real bulger is a true leader and we would be in a devastationg state as a franchaise without him

[Ramer]

Long will be the 1st jersey I buy in 08.