Patriots defensive end Chris Long has done plenty during the past eight seasons to validate both his last name and draft stock, and there’s no denying the legitimacy of such a challenge.
But with all due respect to those years with the Rams, the best of Long’s football career might truly take shape in 2016 with his new team. For Long, unlike so many, life on the gridiron begins as a 31-year-old.
Long, the son of Hall of Famer Howie Long, has never been to the playoffs. Heck, he’s never even been on a team that’s won eight games.