Former St.Louis – now Los Angeles – Rams defensive end Chris Long may benefit from a recent transaction. The New England Patriots made a deal to move a top pass rusher in Chandler Jones to the Arizona Cardinals for an offensive lineman and a second round draft pick.
Moving Jones means the Pats needed to get a top flight pass rusher and oddly enough, Chris Long was available just as the Patriots needed him.
Following from Adam Schefter of ESPN and first reported by Trey Wingo.
And there it is . Chris Long is going to New England.
— trey wingo (@wingoz) March 16, 2016
Former Rams DE Chris Long is signing a 1-year deal with the Patriots, per @wingoz. Long helps replace Chandler Jones.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 16, 2016
Long might not produce at the same clip as Jones did but he is no slouch. The last two seasons have been down years for the defensive end, playing 18 games combined totaling only 14 tackles, one forced fumble and only four sacks. In comparison, from 2011-2013 Long averaged 36.7 tackles and 11 sacks per season. Hopefully playing with a winning franchise and future hall-of-fame coach in Bill Belichick could turn his career around. It’s a small risk for the Pats but it could reap high rewards.
