With The First Pick
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New England Patriots not playing around

By Carl Cockerham

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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After a bizarre incident that had New England Patriots star edge-rusher Chandler Jones shirtless and acting very strange outside a police station in Foxborough a couple of months ago with cops smelling weed at his home in the moments following the incident, the Patriots knew what they had to do.

They traded him to the Arizona Cardinals for G Jonathan Cooper and a second-round draft pick Tuesday. That left the Patriots needing an edge-rusher while not having big money to spend in free agency. Then they quickly brought in another well-known star at the position to replace him.

ESPN’s Trey Wingo reported Tuesday that Chris Long signed a 1-year deal worth about $2 million with the team. Long hasn’t made much noise in the NFL lately but do not underestimate this move. The 2008 No. 2 overall pick racked up 54.5 sacks with the St. Louis Rams to go with excellent run defense.

It was injuries that sapped him of his productivity over the last two years, limiting him to only four sacks in 18 games. Like most players that have been in the NFL as long as he has, Long was looking for a place where he get a Super Bowl ring. And as long as QB Tom Brady and HC Bill Belichick are with the Patriots, they’ll have a chance.

So look for a reinvigorated Long to get after the quarterback in a Patriots uniform in 2016. The Patriots have gone to Super Bowls before with players like Rodney Harrison, Junior Seau and Darrelle Revis. But more importantly, they get rid of Jones, who’s a good player but the Patriots don’t play that.

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