Report: Dolphins begin negotiating contract with...

[Rick]

  Reports on ESPNews have stated that the Miami Dolphins have begun contract negotiations with Left Tackle from Michigan Jake Long.  If this report turns out to be true, We will hopefully have our All-Pro stud left tackle for many years to come.  This guy is an absolute beast. 
  Any thoughts about this?

[TonyB0D]

it's just smoke and mirrors so we can pick howie's son

[Defense54]

It makes sense to have him in camp on time. I mean if you can't decide between 3-4 players.......See which one is available for the best price. But I wouldn't put too much weight on it. The Tuna is a tricky MoFo.

[StL FinFan]

I would be happy with Jake Long, but I still think if they have the first pick, they will take Chris Long.

[fyo]

In a recent column, Peter King suggested that the smart move in this situation would be to shop a contract to all 3-4 potential #1s and sign whomever was willing to do so.

The Texans signed Mario Williams and got: #1) a really good deal because he wouldn't have gone first otherwise, #2) a really great player in camp on time.

[bsfins]

^^ It was his Monday morning QB
9. I think I have this interesting theory about what Bill Parcells and Jeff Ireland might do with that first-overall pick in Miami. I think they just might choose the four guys they like the most and say to each one, in effect: "We've got an offer for you. Look at Gaines Adams' rookie contract last year as the fourth overall pick -- six years, $42 million, with $19 million guaranteed. We'll raise the money and the guarantee five percent overall. Let's call it six years, $45 million, with $21 guaranteed.'' Then they'd go each player, one by one, and make the offer. That's the smartest way to not get held hostage by a player you don't think is worth first-pick-in-the-draft money. If no player took the offer, which would surprise me, Miami would have to decide whether it would be willing to pick the best guy blind, with no deal.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/peter_king/04/06/labor/3.html

an article from the miami Herald...
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.

The latest meeting between Condon and the team doesn't necessarily mean the Dolphins have made their final decision to select Jake Long over Chris Long, but it is certainly a major step in that direction.

By selecting Jake Long, the Dolphins would fill a gaping hole along their offensive line. Vernon Carey is currently slated as the starter at left tackle, but selecting Jake Long would potentially allow the team to move Carey back to his more natural position on the right side of the line.



http://www.miamiherald.com/616/story/489210.html

[YoFuggedaboutit]

This would work out because it would get our top draft choice in camp on time, and set the precedent for all the other top picks early on (They usually wait till the #1 pick has signed). 

[Defense54]

I bet it pisses off HBO. They like the Drama. F Them.

[bsfins]

HBO? TNT is the place for Drama! 

[Sunstroke]

I'm not 100% sure how I feel about this news...


"Happy happy joy joy
Happy happy, joy joy
Happy happy, joy joy
Happy happy, joy joy
Happy happy, joy joy
Happy happy, joy joy
Happy happy, joy joy joy"


I mean, there are obviously several highly qualified candidates, and I don't want to sell any of the others short...


"Happy days are here again
The skies above are clear again
So lets sing a song of cheer again
Happy days are here again!!"


I seriously wonder whether Parcells and Ireland are doing the right thing, tipping their hand this early...

 
"Infatuated with the fame
now let me explain
how we doin this,
at any time or any place
ready willin and able
let's get the dough
secure the FOOD ON THE TABLE!"


I think I'll just keep an open mind (oh wait, I just did!) and see how things play out here...


(Props to Ren & Stimpy, Ager & Yellen and Mos Def for the subliminals)

[Defense54]

HBO? TNT is the place for Drama! 

I was just watching HBO, I had it on the Brain........I meant ESPN. They Love the drama , the build up.  This kinda takes away a little of the Mojo. Tough Shit. If nobody wants to trade then it makes all the sense in the world. Lets make a deal and start thinking about #32.

[bsfins]

Thanks for the clarification....I agree with the F- HBO, for canceling Inside the NFL though

[YoFuggedaboutit]

Thanks for the clarification....I agree with the F- HBO, for canceling Inside the NFL though

I agree as well.  HBO is no longer worthy of being mentioned in the same sentence with NFL. 

[DolFan619]

  I think I can live with Jake Long as our number one overall pick.

[DZA]

Good news.   Excited about the Draft now