Dolphins Negotiating W/ Jake Long

[!Papacrunk!]

TALKS W/ J. LONG

The Dolphins have formally begun contract negotiations with agent Tom Condon about the prospect of selecting former Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long as the first overall selection in this year's draft.
Condon, who also represents Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan, was in South Florida early this week to negotiate specifically on behalf of Long at the request of the team, The Miami Herald has learned.
The Dolphins would like to have a contract in place with their first pick before the draft on April 26, which would allow them to avoid a potentially ugly holdout like the one that took place in Oakland last year upon the Raiders' selection of quarterback JaMarcus Russell.


Miami is still intrigued by Virginia defensive end Chris Long, but no in-person talks between Chris Long's agent and Miami are believed to have taken place to date. However, the Dolphins are believed to be happy with quarterback John Beck, and they are not considering Ryan as an option with the first pick.

I'd be happy with either Long, but extremely happy to have a a 1st round pick signed before the draft as well--like Mario Williams and not the Russell situation. I really doubt anyone will trade for the pick, but maybe stuff like this would light some fires underneath other teams, it wouldn't hurt.

[YardRat]

I'd be surprised if Miami didn't go defense with the first pick.

[Night Train]

Long is a very smart pick. I'm impressed.

[!Papacrunk!]

I'd be surprised if Miami didn't go defense with the first pick.

that seems to be the Parcells way from past drafts. That's why it'd be tough to count out Chris Long , but who knows

[FlyingDutchman]

I dont think you can go wrong with either Longs. Both will be Pro Bowlers

[TacklingDummy]

"Apparently content to keep the No. 1 overall pick, the Dolphins have begun discussing contract parameters with at least two players on their short list of candidates to become the draft's top selection. Official contract negotiations with Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long, and Ohio State defensive end Vernon Gholston were started this week, according to a source. Coincidentally, Long and Gholston are represented by the same agency, CAA, but have different agents."

[patmoran2006]

This is the right pick for them.. Start with the OL

[!Papacrunk!]

"Apparently content to keep the No. 1 overall pick, the Dolphins have begun discussing contract parameters with at least two players on their short list of candidates to become the draft's top selection. Official contract negotiations with Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long, and Ohio State defensive end Vernon Gholston were started this week, according to a source. Coincidentally, Long and Gholston are represented by the same agency, CAA, but have different agents."

I'm not sure where the quote was from, but I'm not sure if "content to keep the #1 pick" is the right way to put it. They've let it know for quite some time that they were more than open to listen to any offers for it.

[PECKERWOOD]

Gholston is the smartest pick, imo.