Long momentum toward No. 1 pick grows

INDIANAPOLIS — General managers, coaches and scouts buzzed about coveting high-revving motors in the April 26-27 NFL draft as if they were working along pit row at the Indianapolis 500 rather than evaluating 333 prospects at the five-day scouting combine. No motor appears more admired among this draft class than Chris Long's. With uncertainty swirling over whether the Miami Dolphins will use the top pick on Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan, as well as concerns about defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey's 2006 stress fracture, the University of Virginia defensive end and son of Hall of Fame defensive end Howie Long is casting a long shadow over this draft. COMBINE NOTES: McFadden rising up buzz charts PHOTOS: NFL combine The buzz at the combine is that Long may be the safest pick. From a defensive standpoint, he would seem an ideal fit for the new Dolphins front office team of executive vice president of football operations Bill Parcells, general manager Jeff Ireland, coach Tony Sparano and the 3-4 defense they will employ. Long's coach at Virginia, Al Groh, is a Parcells protégé who served as one of his key assistant coaches for years.FIND MORE STORIES IN: Indianapolis | Hall of Fame | Miami Dolphins | Boston College | Bill Parcells | University of Virginia | Floyd Reese | Al Groh | Matt Ryan | Glenn Dorsey | Tony Sparano | Howie Long | Mike Mayock | Chris Long | Jeff Ireland  SOURCE OF THIS STORY