Dolphins narrow their focus

[DolFan619]

http://www.miamiherald.com/616/story/462087.html

Dolphins narrow their focus

BY BARRY JACKSON
Miami Herald

Dolphins officials got a look Tuesday at two candidates for the No. 1 draft pick -- Virginia's Chris Long and Boston College's Matt Ryan, at their schools' Pro Days. But more contact with Miami awaits.

The Dolphins have scheduled private meetings with Long, Ryan and Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long in their college cities, according to officials who work with each player. (They have not requested similar sessions with Arkansas running back Darren McFadden, Ohio State defensive end Vernon Gholston and LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey, agents said.)

The Dolphins sent quarterbacks coach David Lee and director of college scouting Chris Grier to BC's Pro Day on Tuesday, while scout Bill Baker and outside linebacker coach Jim Reid were dispatched to Virginia. At Michigan's Pro Day last Friday, the Dolphins had national scout Ron Labadie, whose son Brad is Michigan's director of football operations.

Wearing shorts, Ryan threw to current and former BC players (there was no defense, obviously), and completed 48 of 52 passes, with three balls dropped. ''He pressed a couple times, trying to throw the ball a little too hard,'' Chiefs coach Herman Edwards told The Boston Globe. ``The thing this guy has is his ability to win.''

One concern is Ryan's 19 interceptions last season. Draftnik/former Browns scout Russ Lande said ''a lot of defensive players get very good breaks on his passes.'' Ryan, the draft's top quarterback, said, ''I try not to worry . . . too much'' about where he'll be selected.

• Chris Long will meet privately with Dolphins brass next Tuesday but won't work out, agent Marvin Demoff said.

Long -- who played defensive end in a 3-4 defense at Virginia -- did linebacker drills Tuesday to display, among other things, agility and ability to drop into coverage. Many project Long as an outside linebacker in the 3-4 scheme, which Miami likely will use a lot.

''Coach [Al] Groh and I have had about five sessions to practice,'' Long said Tuesday of playing linebacker. ``It has been pretty easy stuff to pick up.''

Asked whether Bill Parcells' relationship with Groh could affect his draft status, Long said Miami is 'not going to consider somebody based on one relationship. I know they are tight. I feel like their systems are similar, so that is an advantage for me. [But] I don't think [Parcells] will be, `Well, Coach Groh likes him. I like him, too.' ''

Long, who weighs 267 pounds but said he can easily add or shed weight, added, ``I have no preference where I go. What is important is the career after that.''

ESPN's Mel Kiper has said he believes 'Chris is Bill Parcells' favorite player in this draft.''

[fyo]

I'm convinced the Matt Ryan interest is a ploy. A last-ditch effort to get someone to trade up.

[Sunstroke]

I'm convinced the Matt Ryan interest is a ploy. A last-ditch effort to get someone to trade up.

There's logic there, unfortunately I think it's a bluff that no one will be buying. Every GM out there knows that Parcells-Ireland aren't going to go with Ryan...too many questions, and not much chance of him helping Miami improve immediately. At this point, Chris Long seems to be the clear pick for Miami at #1...though part of me is still holding out hope for Jake instead.