How Badly Do the Raiders Want Chris Long?

How can Raider Nation not be obsessed with the 2008 NFL Draft? More specifically, how can the group not be completely oblivious to all other concerns except for drafting Chris Long out of the University of Virginia? 

Yeah, sure, just last week this writer was espousing the virtues of drafting for the offensive line, but I've been rethinking things. Call me crazy, call me more of a flip-flopper than Mitt Romney, call me blitzed by the hype, but maybe the old guys currently on the silver-and-black OL can hold on for one more season; after all, there should be a few competent centers and such still available in the third and fourth rounds.

Seriously, how perfect would Chris Long be on this Raider team? Imagine a second-generation career Raider who could someday be a second-generation Hall of Famer. Imagine building a 'D' around this guy as an offense similarly evolves based on the refined raw talent of JaMarcus Russell. Imagine Chris debuting on the FOX pre-game show in 2021.

OK, no need to go that far; staying in the immediate present tells us stuff like the 36-inch vertical leap he can put his 272-pound frame through. He's also reportedly run a 4.7 in the 40 at the combine.

The Chris Long story is one of potential epic proportions should he somehow remain on the board when the Raiders step up to choose fourth overall in April.

To whet the appetite a bit, here's a nice compilation of clips from the Gator Bowl. Long was so hyped for the final game of his college career with the Cavaliers that he jumped around to swat passes like a 25-year-old Hakeem Olajuwon, and he was just as dominant a presence.

Check out the play at around 1:50 into the clip, wherein his awareness is justifiably raved about as he helps push the run to the outside. Long's run stuffing is a skill sorely needed by a limp run defense, and this video is a virtual how-to on how DLs should play pass coverage.

Here's a quickie titled "The Safety." Ouch, dude.

The only question - one we'll hereby submit for consideration to the Raider Nation - is: Should the Raiders trade up to get this one-day defensive MVP? How much should the silver and black surrender?

I'm pumped for Chris Long's brilliant career with the Raiders, and I'm not even a fan. How can Raider Nation not be obsessed?

Obsessive about the game throughout the year at RealFootball365.com