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NFL Free Agency: 5 teams that could sign Chris Long

By John Buhler

Sep 13, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams defensive end Chris Long (91) runs on to the field before the game between the St. Louis Rams and the Seattle Seahawks during the first half at the Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 13, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams defensive end Chris Long (91) runs on to the field before the game between the St. Louis Rams and the Seattle Seahawks during the first half at the Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 30, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams defensive end Chris Long (91) celebrates against the Oakland Raiders at Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 30, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams defensive end Chris Long (91) celebrates against the Oakland Raiders at Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

31. . NFC. East. New York Giants. 4. player

It was only four years ago that the vaunted pass rush of the New York Football Giants paved the way for the team’s fourth Lombardi Trophy and its second Super Bowl Title in four seasons. Now with both Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora retired and Jason Pierre-Paul with less fingers, the Giants’ pass rush was pedestrian in 2015 and their pass defense was horrid.

The Giants had the third fewest sacks in the NFL in 2015 with 23 and gave up the most passing yards in the league by over 200 yards with 4,783. Many point to the weak play of the Giants’ secondary last season for their abysmal pass defense, but one answer that can reduce bad play in the defensive backfield is to amp up the pass rush.

Signing Chris Long could help the Giants do a better job of getting after the quarterback in 2016. The Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo was Long’s head coach in St. Louis from 2009 to 2011, so there is certainly familiarity there with what Spagnuolo would want out of Long in his defense.

New York is one of those organizations that is at its best when it has a great pass rush that can dictate the game’s tempo defensively, by putting immense pressure on opposing quarterbacks on third down. Long is probably just a situational pass rusher at this point in his career, but could get a look by the Giants who frankly need leadership all across the locker room under the new Ben McAdoo regime in The Meadowlands.

Next: 3. Seattle Seahawks

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