HOUSTON — Chris Long knew what he was looking for but wanted some advice.
A free-agent defensive end after eight years with the St. Louis Rams – the last two injury-plagued and not very productive – Long had made visits to Detroit, Washington and Atlanta.
And then Bill Belichick called.
So Chris Long called his father, Howie, now a studio analyst for FOX but also a Hall of Fame defensive lineman for the Raiders.
“Our discussion revolved around one thing,” Howie Long said Tuesday. “For me it came back to, ‘Why are you playing?’ And his response was always, ‘To win.’ ”
And while he knew his son enjoyed his other visits – especially Atlanta saying, “(Chris) loved what they were doing down there.” – Howie Long said this to him: “OK, what team has won the division over the last 13 years, 11 or 12 times? And what team’s been to six Super Bowls and won four, and came close to winning the two others that they were in?”
So a day after meeting with Belichick, Chris Long – who had never made the playoffs – signed a one-year, $2 million deal with the Patriots last March 18.
The Patriots, of course, will play Atlanta in the Super Bowl on Sunday.
“I kind of bet on the fact that this is the place that would give me the best opportunity to be here in this situation,” said Chris Long. “There’s a reason for that. I’ve learned that through the year and why these guys are in so many positions like this. They treat them as opportunities. You can’t take them for granted and I think that’s why we’re here. We’ve earned that. Atlanta’s earned this opportunity. Two great football teams.”
Howie Long, a Massachusetts native, said it was interesting that his son chose the Patriots because “the place that gave him the least definitive idea of what his role would be was New England. But it came back to the same thing, the opportunity to win.
“He made the decision on his own. He asked for my input and I gave it to him, but Chris is someone who makes informed decisions and generally choses wisely.”
Lining up in a variety of positions, Chris Long started seven games for the Patriots and contributed 35 tackles, four sacks and 10 quarterback hits. He has relished this opportunity to play on one of the NFL’s premier franchises.
“I think I added it up,” he said. “I had won about 37 or 38 games in my career. This year, to be a part of 16 team wins just like that, and to be here …”
DEFENSIVE TACKLE Vincent Valentine was added to the Patriots’ injury report Thursday with a back injury.
Valentine, who missed time in the regular season with a back issue, was listed as having limited participation, as were tight end Martellus Bennett (knee), defensive tackle Alan Branch (toe), safety Nate Ebner (concussion), linebacker Dont’a Hightower (shoulder), wide receiver Chris Hogan (thigh) and wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell (knee).
DEFENSIVE END Dwight Freeney was added to Atlanta’s injury report with a calf injury.
He didn’t participate in practice in what was called by pool reporter Peter King “more of a veteran maintenance day.”
Center Alex Mack (fibula) and wide receiver Julio Jones (toe) were both limited in practice.
Falcons Coach Dan Quinn told King that he was concerned over Mack’s injury. “I’m not panicked but I’m concerned,” said Quinn.
FAMILY TIES: Dante Scarnecchia is the Patriots’ offensive line coach. His son, Steve, is the assistant to the Falcons’ head coach, Dan Quinn.
Asked about his son the other day, Dante Scarnecchia said the two talked briefly on Monday.
“We had talked after the (conference) championship games,” he said. “Amazing, think about it. Here we are, the two of us in this game. That’s going to be stressful. But it’s great. It’s really a good thing. We’re really proud for him.”
Scarnecchia said he and his wife, Susan, plus Steve will go out to dinner Friday. “That will hurt bad, as far as I’ve got to pay for it again,” he joked. “It will be good.”
So who is Susan rooting for? ” I’m not asking her who she’s rooting for and she ain’t saying,” said Scarnecchia.
LADY GAGA held a press conference Thursday to talk about her halftime show but didn’t give away any secrets. No song list, nothing about dance routines, possible singing partners (Beyonce? Tony Bennett?) or her entrance/exit.
Asked if she would make a statement given the political events going on around the country, she said her music would make the statement.
“Music has the power to unite us,” she said. “This performance is for everyone.”
Mike Lowe can be contacted at 791-6422 or:
mlowe@pressherald.com
Twitter: MikeLowePPH
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