_2.gif "Time.com 50 Best Websites 2008")
Earlier on Monday, Tom Curran of NBCSports.com reported that the Miami Dolphins were close to a deal with Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long that would make him the No. 1 overall selection in the draft, and that would put him under contract for up to six years.
There’s now a similar report in the Palm Beach Post.
The unnamed source who provided the info to the Post claims that the Fins didn’t provide a deadline to Long, and that the Fins have not negotiated with any other players.
And those two statements are enough to get us to believe that the report is, was, and will be hogwash.
Surely, the Fins and Bill “My Way Or The Highway . . . And A Foot Up Your Ass” Parcells would have to do everything in their power to squeeze Long into considering the offer, especially since Parcells is by all appearances committed to paying the No. 1 overall pick in 2008 less than what the first selection received in 2007. Absent such hardball tactics, the only deal that Jake Long would be doing is the JaMarcus Russell package, plus 15 percent.
So we think that these reports are all part of the broader ruse to get another player to jump on an offer that currently is on the table. And we suspect that the other player in question is Ohio State linebacker/defensive end Vernon Gholston.
April 21st, 2008 at 4:41 pm
Why does Florio keep thinking Gholston over Chris Long????
(report as inappropriate)
Rating: 2.75 / 5 with 4 rating(s)
April 21st, 2008 at 4:44 pm
How many times must this story be reported before you admit it’s not a “ruse”?
You live blogging on Saturday?
(report as inappropriate)
Rating: 5 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
April 21st, 2008 at 4:50 pm
I think it’s because Gholston is more likely to sign before the draft because Chris Long is considered the #1 DE. Chris Long is also represented by the same agents as Jake Long so it may be tougher to play the 2 players against each other.
(report as inappropriate)
Rating: 3 / 5 with 2 rating(s)
April 21st, 2008 at 4:53 pm
Because Ron for some reason he has a man crush on Gholston the same way some retards at the Miami Herald have a man crush on Matt Ryan.
Well actually Im guess he is thinking Gholston over Chris Long is due to the fact that the Tuna can pitch the lower salary to Gholston and get him to take it. That and Gholston has move upside? I dont get it, but a lot of people think Chris Long has reached his potential and that Gholston hasnt tapped into his.
What do you think about them trying to trade the 1st pick to the Ravens, taking the number 8 and either a 2nd or 3rd rounder?
(report as inappropriate)
Rating: 2.65 / 5 with 3 rating(s)
April 21st, 2008 at 4:55 pm
Also, Parcells would want a freak pass-rusher over a safe run-stuffing 3-4 DE.
(report as inappropriate)
Rating: Not yet rated
April 21st, 2008 at 4:56 pm
Florio, I think your speculation though founded on sound
reasoning should give way to the Miami Dolphins huge need
at the OT position. Parcells with his history of trying to
dupe the press is thought to be offering up a ruse in what
ever he says or does. The need and advantages of taking Jake
Long are so great that it should be a forgone conclusion by
now. The Dolphins will still be able to pick up an excellent
DE/LB on the 32nd pick of the draft.
(report as inappropriate)
Rating: Not yet rated
April 21st, 2008 at 4:56 pm
The greatest13,
I dont like trading down that far.
Ireland mentioned it wasn’t about money. I think the GHolston/LT comparisons are part of the smokescreen. I would trade down to 5 at the lowest becasue I don’t want to draft after NY and NE.
(report as inappropriate)
Rating: Not yet rated
April 21st, 2008 at 5:01 pm
“What do you think about them trying to trade the 1st pick to the Ravens, taking the number 8 and either a 2nd or 3rd rounder?”
I don’t care what draft value chart they use, I’d trade the #1 for a lower #1 and a ham sandwich.
I would even dangle Taylor in front of Jax for the #26 pick.
unknown 1st rounder (for #1), #26 (for JT), #32, #57, #64, (not to mention the additional 2nd you’d pick up for trading out of #1)… that’s 6 picks in the first 64 for a team with many holes to fill.
(report as inappropriate)
Rating: Not yet rated
April 21st, 2008 at 5:01 pm
ron,
florio and almost everyone else (peter king, Don Banks, Mel Kiper, etc)
although….
maybe the fins are actually trying to pressure Chris Long into accepting a lower offer by “leaking” information to everybody that they don’t want Long and prefer Gholston.
maybe the fins are actually interested in Matt Ryan and are trying to pressure him into a lower contract by overtly ignoring Chris Long, thereby covertly showing interest…!!
I’m glad my steelers routinely pick low, so I can ignore all the irrelevant drama.
(report as inappropriate)
Rating: Not yet rated
April 21st, 2008 at 5:12 pm
Mike,
Would you be willing to wager your paycheck that Jake wont be a Dolphin on Saturday?
(report as inappropriate)
Rating: Not yet rated
April 21st, 2008 at 5:14 pm
Who is Ron? But anyway, I don’t buy it either. Why would the Dolphins not negotiate with other players in order to have some leverage with Long? It doesn’t make any sense, especially with Parcells involved.
(report as inappropriate)
Rating: Not yet rated
April 21st, 2008 at 5:15 pm
Florio writes: “Parcells is by all appearances committed to paying the No. 1 overall pick in 2008 less than what the first selection received in 2008.”
And what appearances are those???? This is an assumption created by the media (mainstream and otherwise).
(report as inappropriate)
Rating: Not yet rated
April 21st, 2008 at 5:38 pm
Jake Long is Robert Gallery all over again, but with less nasty (which essentially means negative nasty, since Bob Gallery has none).
(report as inappropriate)
Rating: Not yet rated
April 21st, 2008 at 5:39 pm
Why on earth do NFL prospects expect a 15% raise each year? The rest of America, short of a promotion, get 3-7%. Why should NFL players be any different?
I completely support NFL players making large sums of money. I believe they should be paid more than other major sports, due to the overwhelming number of injuries and the condition in which their body is left after they retire. However, the proportion of NFL raises - particularly rookie raises - to the rest of Earth is, as Jerry would say, “kooky talk.”
(report as inappropriate)
Rating: Not yet rated
April 21st, 2008 at 5:54 pm
Who cares? This is the most BORING crop of players available for as long as I can remember. I doubt I’ll even watch this weekend
(report as inappropriate)
Rating: Not yet rated
April 21st, 2008 at 5:55 pm
As much as he may not want to Tuna is going to have to cough up and pay whoever they pick more than what their worth, theres virtually no way around it. If he has any sense at all he would stay away from gholston, the guys a bust.
(report as inappropriate)
Rating: Not yet rated
April 21st, 2008 at 6:22 pm
Ugh. Gholston. Not good. Pay a pick what they’re worth? Sure as hell ain’t $30Mill for someone who’s never played in the NFL. Nobody’s worth that for a good three or four years into their career.But, it is the insanity that is the Rookie scale. I still think if you can’t trade out of that 1st pcik then Chris Long is it. From a ll that I ahve read, Jake is more suited to RT than LT and the Fins already have Vernon Carey who is a solid RT (not so much LT). Still as stated above, I’d take a lower 1st round pick and a second (or a ham sandwich, less the bread ’cause I’m on Atkins).
This sounds good (from dolfan565):
“unknown 1st rounder (for #1), #26 (for JT), #32, #57, #64, (not to mention the additional 2nd you’d pick up for trading out of #1)… that’s 6 picks in the first 64 for a team with many holes to fill.”
I can’t wait for Saturday just to get this over with and end the BS.
(report as inappropriate)
Rating: 5 / 5 with 1 rating(s)
April 21st, 2008 at 7:56 pm
Why not Chris Long?… because he’s an overrated undersized DE, who had one good year against Duke, UConn, Wyoming, and Middle TN ST. In the NFL, he’ll be average best and all the scouts know it. He’s this years Brady Quinn (who I also said was overrated).
Get a grip, this is no ruse because there’s nothing to gain except the best player in the draft to fit the Dolphin’s needs. Having the first pick the Dolphins don’t need to steer another team from “their guy”, and they obviously feel such an agreement doesn’t hurt any chance they might have for a trade, or it would have been completely denied.
Jake Long is the best player in the draft, he satisfies the Dolphin’s greatest need and they’re trying to get a deal done to avoid a holdout. Everything else is just BS.
(report as inappropriate)
Rating: Not yet rated
April 22nd, 2008 at 1:49 am
The Tuna should trade back a few picks if possible, pick up a 2nd or 3rd and take a true Left Tackle. Nothing against J Long, just not a LT. Allows them to pick up another early round pick. If the Dophins are going young, then trade JT and get another 1st or early 2nd++. I like JT and think he’s great. But it’s just business.
(report as inappropriate)
Rating: Not yet rated