/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/31875715/20140124_kkt_st3_023.0.jpg)
Pro Football Focus turned their analytical magnifying glass on Bears' rookie offensive lineman Kyle Long as part of their "Rookies in Focus" series, and what they unveiled was a picture of a prospect who showed some flashes of productivity but still had some work to do to unleash his full potential and billing as a first-round pick.
Long's overall rating according to PFF was a negative-3.3 overall, with a -2.1 in pass-blocking and a -3.8 in run blocking.
PFF had rated Long highly at the start of the season based on a very strong preseason...
We may have been as guilty as anyone in starting the Kyle Long hype train as he was our top-graded guard during the preseason. While he did show that early promise, he did take a step back during the regular season on his way to finishing at -3.3 overall to rank 43rd among guards. He was hit-or-miss during the season, posting grades of at least +1.0 in five games but also notching seven games of -1.0 or worse. He'll be searching for consistency as he heads into his second year.
PFF also released a decent little infographic showing all their grades for notable rookie interior linemen; of the seven shown, Long was third-highest at -3.3, behind only Travis Frederick (C, Cowboys, +13.2 overall) and Larry Warford (G, Lions, +22.8), and ahead of Chance Warmack and Hugh Thornton.
We know at least two people aren't happy with Long's rating...
@Ky1eLong Kyle. Anyone that uses pro football focus heavily is sniffing glue. Don't waste energy.
— Chris Long (@JOEL9ONE) April 19, 2014