Defensive line could be hot spot for teams in NFL draft

The NFL has long been known as a copycat league. After watching the New York Giants' ferocious front four wreak havoc on the offense of the previously perfect Patriots in the Super Bowl, pro teams will surely put a premium on trying to imitate what worked so well for the champion Giants.

Fortunately, for the NFL's worst teams in 2007, immediate help is on the way.

Virginia's Chris Long, LSU's Glenn Dorsey, USC's Sedrick Ellis, Ohio State's Vernon Gholston and Florida's Derrick Harvey are projected to be selected in the top 15 in next Saturday's NFL draft. Long, the son of Hall of Famer Howie Long, and Dorsey, are potential No. 1 picks.

Tampa Bay defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin told reporters after Harvey's pro day workout last month that the Giants' performance will impact the way teams approach this year's draft.

"If you watched the Super Bowl, you can't have enough pass rushers," Kiffin said. "The Giants kept rolling them in there. They had eight deep. Ends are kind of like corners: You can't have enough."

Long, a defensive end, appears to be the top pass rusher in this class. He recorded 14 sacks and 79 tackles and was a consensus All-American. He also has a trait — character — that NFL teams are taking more seriously than ever following the undesirable headlines the league has received from players such as Michael Vick, Pacman Jones and Chris Henry.

Long is a superb athlete. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.75 seconds at the combine in February and has a 34-inch vertical leap. His combination of speed and strength should give Long the chance to have a long and productive pro career. He was so good in college, Virginia retired his number at his final home game.

"Every play, you have to block him to death," said Billy Devaney, executive vice president of player personnel for the St. Louis Rams, following Long's workout at the scouting combine. "If you let up, that's where he's going to get his sacks from."

Dorsey, a defensive tackle, also looks to be NFL ready. He played hurt last season and faced constant double and triple teams. Those factors didn't prevent him from being named an All-American, winning numerous prestigious individual honors, or being the cornerstone of LSU's national champion defense.

Dorsey figures to quickly help a defense improve against the run and the pass because he's solid against both.

Long leads a strong class of pass-rushing defensive ends. There isn't much depth when it comes to gap-plugging defensive tackles such as Dorsey.

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