Rams memories for Long, McLeod

Eagles veterans Chris Long and Rodney McLeod weren’t around when the Rams moved to Los Angeles.

But the reminders of what could have been for those products of the University of Virginia, and other Eagles, are everywhere this week as the Eagles gear up to take on the Rams, who gave those veterans their start.

When the Rams were in St. Louis, they took Long off the board with the second pick in the 2008 draft.

Long, 32, got a taste of what it would be like early as Scott Linehan was fired after an 0-4 start and Jim Haslett, the defensive coordinator, won just twice the rest of the way, the Rams finishing 2-14.

Long played for four different head coaches in eight seasons with the Rams, Jeff Fisher cutting him after the 2015 campaign.

Long started 95 of 114 games with the Rams, recording 61 1/2

sacks, 11 forced fumbles and six fumble recoveries.

“If I never got cut, I wouldn’t have a Super Bowl ring so I’m not one of those guys that I’m upset,” Long said. “I love those dudes that I played with. A lot of people that I still talk to on a regular basis still are there. If I hadn’t played like crap, I wouldn’t have got cut. If I didn’t get hurt, I wouldn’t have got cut. I wasn’t 100 percent and that’s what happens in this league. So, I never hold any ill will towards a former team. Listen, I had eight great years there and I’ve got great respect for that organization. I’m happy for those guys that are having success.”

The Super Bowl ring came last year when Long played in every game for the New England Patriots, notching 3 sacks.

While Long opposed the Rams last year at Gillette

Stadium, recording 1 sacks, 1 tackle for loss and three quarterback hurries of then rookie Jared Goff, who threw two interceptions in a 26-10 loss, he respectfully applauds what Goff and this edition of the Rams are doing.

The Rams are 9-3. That’s two more victories than Long tasted in any season with the Rams, the team going 3-29 his first two years and a collective 39-88-1 (.448) in eight seasons.

“Yeah, I could see this coming,” Long said. “Certainly, it took a while for guys that were there. But Coach (Sean) McVay has got them doing a great job. There were always some pieces there. That defense is playing well. And to me, I’m not surprised they’re playing well. There’s a lot of good people in that locker room, and good football players.”

McLeod, 27, didn’t miss a game in four seasons with the Rams, who signed him as an undrafted free agent out of Virginia in 2012. He

left in free agency after the 2015 season, the Rams logging a 7-9 mark, the best then head coach Jeff Fisher achieved in his five-year tour.

When McLeod looks at this Rams team and its upside, he can only smile.

“I was there for four years,” McLeod said. “Obviously, I would have loved for that to happen when I was there. But I’m happy for where I am. And I’ve got a lot of guys over there that I know. So, happy for them. They’re playing well. And we’re going to have to bring our A game on Sunday.”

The Rams are favored by 2 1/2 points over the Eagles, who are coming off just their second loss in 12 games. The game features quarterbacks Jared Goff and Carson Wentz, who came off the board 1-2 in the 2016 draft, and are playing like it.

Both teams have solid running games, the Rams with certain All-Pro performer Todd Gurley, one of

the most complete threedown backs in the NFL, the Eagles with their committee of Jay Ajayi, LeGarrette Blount and Corey Clement.

The Rams have Sammy Watkins, a 6-1, 205-pound big body with sprinter speed and a penchant for getting into the end zone. He has six touchdowns and averages 17.0 yards per reception. Robert Woods could miss the game with a shoulder injury.

The Eagles counter with Alshon Jeffery and Nelson Agholor, who seven TDs apiece. Both teams need a win.

“We are a pretty evenkeeled group,” Long said. “And it doesn’t matter whether we’re in a hotel or sleeping at home, when we come out on the practice field we’ve got to get some good work done. And we’re playing a great team. Those guys deserve success. At the same time, just lining up and playing football this weekend, that’s all it’s about.”