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Patriots Super Bowl LI News: Chris Long Excited to Reach the Big Game

By Tarringo Basile-vaughan

Sep 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; New England Patriots defensive end Chris Long (95) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Cardinals 23-21. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; New England Patriots defensive end Chris Long (95) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Patriots defeated the Cardinals 23-21. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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New England Patriots veteran defensive lineman Chris Long will be experiencing the Super Bowl stage for the first time next Sunday and is beyond excited.

Chris Long may be a nine-year veteran in the NFL, but with the amount of excitement he has stepping on the Super Bowl stage for the first time, the New England Patriots defensive end is more like a young player stepping into the spotlight for the first time.

Drafted second overall in the 2008 NFL draft by the then-St.Louis Rams, Long was valued as a defensive anchor who would help propel the Rams into the playoffs.  Things, however, didn’t work out that way.  In his eight seasons in St. Louis, the team never reached the playoffs (averaging 4.6 wins per season) and Long saw his stock in the league eventually decline, primarily due to injury.

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So, when the opportunity arose to leave the Rams and get a fresh start, Long jumped at the opportunity to play for the Patriots.  In signing his one-year, $2.38 million contract, Long hoped for the opportunity to reach the playoffs and play for a championship.  Now, following a 14-win regular season and two playoff victories, the veteran defensive end is a week away from stepping on the Super Bowl LI stage and he couldn’t be happier.

"“It’s the whole reason I came here,” Long told the media Friday via NESN. “Everybody wants to win — that’s the bottom line. When you’re making a decision as an older player (on) where you want to be, you want to be in situations like this, with opportunities like this. We’ve earned the opportunity, and whatever we do with it, that’s up to us.”"

During this playoff run, Long has been visibly upbeat and excited about the run.  He summed up his level of excitement as being a 12 on a scale of 1 to 10.  That was just in playing in the AFC Championship Game.  You would have to believe that number will go even higher playing in the Super Bowl.

Chris Long and the New England Patriots’ defense will have their hands full with trying to slow down the high-powered Atlanta Falcons’ offense.  If Long is to get his first taste of a Super Bowl championship, the performance of the defense will be a major reason.

Next: Malcolm Butler Earns More Praise from Belichick

Want more coverage and analysis of Super Bowl LI?  Keep it locked here at Chowder and Champions.

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