Jake Long safe, sound pick for Dolphins' new mindset

       The Dolphins today announced they have agreed to terms with overall No. 1 draft choice Jake Long, the Michigan offensive tackle.

     Many of you know I hoped Miami would roll dice on a potentially bigger dividend by targeting Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan, but, having said that, J-Long is a safe, sound pick that signals the new regime's clear direction toward fundamental, smash-mouth football -- Parcells football.

     Your thoughts welcome on the Dolphins taking Jake Long. Read my new column by clicking here. But what do you think?

Comments

[MichFan]

The absolute right choice!! This allows the Fins to finally get a starting caliber OT and frees them up to take the BPA at #32.

[Jimbo]

I told ya so....
2A CB that should have gone in 1st rd or QB Chad Henne. Possibly great OG or NT.
2B depending on 2A selection but, if no Qb is taken and Flacco is still there, he is a Dolphin.
3 CB even if 2A is a corner, the draft has a few very good corners and even a few more that are still upgrades over Will Allen & CO.
4 TE
6A & 6B. big, fat NT, and someone not in the GINN family.
7 who cares, depth on DL or MLB

I know there is 9 picks for the Fins...maybe another 7th rd'r.

No 5th rd because Cam had to have the girly arm of Trent Green for about 5 weeks....F****** idiot.

What would Cam Do? screw it up fellas, somehow, someway.

Is Jason getting traded??? If so, a replacement at either OLB or DE will factor into RD,,that being the pick we would get from either MInn or SD or Jax.
Can you imagine that Charger D, adding Jason Taylor to that mix?? Wonder how the Pats and Colts would see Norv Turner & CO then??

[Jimbo]

'excuse" the typo,-should read- DE will factor into RD 2- if J Taylor is traded.

Leave it to our favorite writer Grey Coyote to print how swell it would be to have Matt Ryan as the #1 pick.

[Sparky]

I think the pick hinges on whether or not J.Long can play LT effectivly. If not, than the Phins just payed 30 Mil for RT or RG.

[DMO]

It seems like the right pick, but the only thing that gets me is the contract. if Jamarcus got 62 mil for 6 years w 31.5 guaranteed, and Joe Thomas at the #3 pick got 5 yrs 43 mil with 23 guaranteed, it would make it seem like Jake really got a premium on the pay. Being that QB contracts are typically inflated... seems like Condon got the best of the fins.

[raoul duke]

I'm SOOOO exicited that I just can't hide it. DRIPPING SARCASM THERE I ASSURE YOU. TUNA you must work for Kraft you moron. I almost(ALMOST)hope Jets, Bills or Pats take McFadden and run his 4.3 "lack of toughness" down our throats for next 10 years you Idget Sea Cow.

[Jimbo]

remember, that 32nd pick is like having another 1st rd'r and there is ample talent to snag a lineman of any position offense, defense, a slew of very good Corners. Last I checked, the Fins are short of NFL talent at any DB position.

[Jc]

Good safe pick. But, in the end it does not matter because it is all a suprise. Remember Tony Mandrich, Eric Kumerow,etc.

[r. duke]

I honestly hate this team more often than not so why do I follow it? I must hate myself at some level.

[Jimbo]

Raoul, I feel your pain bro, but, Jake Long helps solidify a weak area of the team.
Didn't see McFadden coming to Miami. Even tho the 2 back with him and Ronnie with 3 WR seemed pretty f888888 amazing.

[Jimbo]

Raoul, don't beat yourself up over it. With a road grader LT, Vern Carey back at Rt, young star in the making at C, Ricky and Ronnie healthy could be something big this yr......

[raoul duke]

Anyway on to more important things. Question: If there was an F5 tornado tearing up plains of Oklahoma or Kansas and we dropped a Hydrogen Bomb on it what would happen?

[r. duke]

Thanks Jimbo you're a good Dolphin Brother.

[mike]

what a breath of fresh air to see the Dolphins finally make a smart move in the draft. This staff understands it all starts up front and i'm just happy to see a commitment to building a foundation as opposed to all the patch work that has gone on since JJ was here.

[Mike in Iraq]

Its not the sexy pick, but this is how teams are built. From the lines and out. I like this move.

[Tom]

raoul duke

My good friend. I know what it feels like to be so disappointed. But at least you're mostly alone in your pain. Unlike last year where the entire Dolphins nation was on the brink of a cult-like mass suicide. Last year I told myself I would never watch another Dolphins game after that moron screwed us with that moronic pick. But I came back. It's in the blood. You fucked up in life, you allowed yourself to be a Dolphins fan. Not much you can do but roll with it.

Jimbo it is great to see that nearly everyone (oscar_g being the lone holdout) now recognized CamMoron for the knucklehead that he truly is.

[John Michaels]

This was the rigt choice. Get a left tackle to protect John Beck and open up holes for Ronnie Brown. Nice work Bill, Jeff, and Tony. Oh, by the way, just for you Greg.... MATT RYAN SUCKS!!!!

HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! NO MATT RYAN FOR YOU!!! BECAUSE MATT RYAN SUCKS!!!!!

[Tom Hartman]

Anyone who thinks this is an unwise pick just hasn't watched a Dolphin game for a decade. Remember Brian Griese landing on his butt consecutive times as Dwight Freeney came in from his blind side? That's because we have had NO ONE AT HOME there. You want a QB to make it through the season, or a Ronnie Brown to make it on 4th and short? You need an offensive line, dummies.

TH

[manny]

Thank God Almighty.

The first correct first round choice this franchise had made in forever. Hell, I cant remember the last time we did the correct thing on draft day...

Whew..

If we would have taken Gholston, I would have been done. I just couldnt take it anymore

[Mr. Woodcock]

A white guy, road grating, big ugly from Michigan. Good pick. If the Dolphins had picked anyone that weighed less than 295 pounds with this pick it would have been a waste.

[Bob Touchton]

So Bill Parcells knows how to build a team? Name one that he "built" that went to the Super Bowl.

Yes, football does start up front. But you can build the Oline with later picks. How many #1 picks, or first round picks for that matter, were on either Oline from last year's Super Bowl teams. High round draft picks are for impact players like Gholston, who by the way trashed Long in their head-to-head matchups. Long built up all of his stats on a bad team playing against other bad teams in a bad conference.

Six mil per for a guy who will end up playing guard. And all that cap space will mean less free agent money down the road.

I guess Parcells sat around with his buddies Bobby Knight and Cam Cameron on this one.

With the first pick in the 2008 NFL draft, the Miami Dolphins select Tony Mandarich um make that Robert Gallery no make that Jake Long. Oh what's the difference, they're all the same guy.

[Alan]

Great, great pick. I watched most of his games the last couple years and he doesn't just pancake guys, he drives them 5 yards downfield. Michigan's running back Mike Hart (5-foot-9, 4.7 40-time) does not run for nearly 3,000 yards and 28 TDs in two years without running 75% of his plays behind Long.

McFadden is a waste of a pick with two starting running backs on the roster, and even though Ryan is good, he threw more interceptions every year he played - 3, 5, 10, 19.

So far, Parcells has done everything right. We can't question one move he's made, especially this one.

[Norlan]

I love this pick.. I've always said it, you need to complete your fundamental positions... and then get the play makers... We need a big time WR or TE in the offensive side... Defense should get some help at the Safety or CB position, we need help!! and some backups at LB... Specialty Team will win some key games for us this year; this is going to be one of the best specail teams i've seen here in a while... Jake Long just added 2-3 games for us in the win column.. believe it or not, a great OL or DL can make a difference... go fins!!

[Dave in VA]

I'm thrilled with this news. Takes a little drama out of Saturday though, huh?

Bob Touchton, Gholston didn't trash Long last year. Just happens to be the only guy ALL year credited with a sack against him. He had TWO penalties his whole college career, only ONE of them holding, the other a false start! He's a freakin beast!

The Big Ten is a bad conference? Weak schedule Michigan played? Did you watch a game or any of Long's video footage? Get a freaking clue dude!

[Dave in VA]

By the way, scroll through the stories here and check out the Patriots slam...

http://www.profootballtalk.com/category/rumor-mill/

[Kurt]

Nice, safe pick. Congrats. It's a good day for Dolphin fans.

[Dave in VA]

I love you Kurt.

[Mike]

I love it!! the only worry I have is what's being said about his ability to block speed rushers. that being said I love the pick. I like Jake opposite side Vernon Carrey which has made strides since his rookie season. He'll be moving back to his natural position at RT. I love the foundation of Jake, Vernon, and Samson. It gives us a good front against a pass rush and hopefully huge holes for ricky and ronnie to run through. I pay for season tixs therefore I feel I have the right to call them by their first names. LOl! It'll give Ted and Ernest some more time to get down field. Now I hope they follow it up with maybe a Calais Campbell in the second round? I think they should go defense with the next two picks seeing as though our last 2 first rounders and 2 second round picks were used to take offensive players. But what do I know!

[Dave in VA]

The beauty of this is there's no worry of a hold out. This dude is signed, and ready to bust chops on day one. This guy is going to be a fan favorite. One of the few linemen who's jersey is seen in the crowd.

[beachside finhead]

The pick makes sense since our offensive line was 3 guys,a question mark and a void.However,I remained concerned that Darren McFadden will go to the Jets or Pats at 6 or 7 and we will be spending a lot of time chasing after him as he races to 2008 rookie of the year honors.

[Dave in VA]

beachside finhead-

One of two things is going to happen...

1) McFadden, as you suspect, will play us twice a year and make raoul duke (and the rest of us Dolphin fans) cry.

2) McFadden will end up being an over-rated turd and raoul duke will have to admit he was wrong and cry. (kidding brother dukey)

Either way, anyone that thinks they have a job in the Phin's backfield this coming year has got to be smiling at this news. Ricky and Ronnie must be salivating!

[Joe]

I think the pick hinges on whether or not J.Long can play LT effectivly. If not, than the Phins just payed 30 Mil for RT or RG.

Posted by: Sparky | April 22, 2008 at 03:22 PM

At least we would be getting use out of him. If we picked Ryan and he does not pan out, we paid $30mil for a backup QB. A miss with this pick and we have a quality guy at another position. A miss with any of the other players and it sets the franchise back a few more year.

[Clint]

PARCELLS IS WHITE HAIRED MORON !!!!
IF WE GO 0-16 WE DESERVE IT. HE KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT THE DRAFT...

[OC Dolphin]

I think Jake will be just fine at Left Tackle. The skill set which determines worth is more clearly defined than for any other position. If a young athlete is deemed worthy of the #1 LT tittle the chances are overwhelmingly in favor that he will transition and contribute from day one.

Last season, 20 of the league's 31 starting left tackles (64.5 percent) were first-round picks. What should that tell you about Jake Long being first within ALL first round LT picks? If he stays healthy, this sellection just made the QB and RB that much more effective.

The OL will be just fine, moreover with someone like Tony Sparano further coaching the youngster.

[Stav]

I can't fathom why any Dolfan would want Matt Ryan or any of the 2nd tier QB's when Tim Tebow is waiting for us next year.

If the Fins take a QB before the 5th this year, I think we have made a mistake. Take one of those San Diego guys, the guy from Tulsa, add them to the mix and see if they have any NFL ability. But on a team with so many holes, do not waste an early pick on another QB. Why do we suk? Easy. How many 2nd rounders have wasted on the QB spot over the past seven years?

*Hoping that Beck might prove worthwhile this year...and if not, big deal we get the first pick next year!

[Roger]

I had Jake Long pegged on my draft board since the day the season ended. I love Parcells and crew because they share my belief that this game is won in the trenches. He who controls the line of scrimmage, controls the game. It really is that simple. The Phins have been, perhaps, the clearest example of how a team unable to control the line of scrimmage on the offensive side of the ball sinks to the bottom. Last year, they finally had trouble on the D-side. This is due to bad draft picks in non-trench positions (i.e. J.Allen). First you control the trenches, then you worry about elsewhere.

[OC Dolphin]

Jimbo,

You did call it. Halfheartedly I suggested this move as well, back when Stephen Ross became 1/2 owner. An Ex alum who has donated so much as to have the Business School named after him....well, let's just say that it's a good bet that he is one happy cat today.

Can Henne be far behind? It's not as if Long would not know how to protect him!

[Dave in VA]

Clint, you obviously know it all. What should they have done? Enlighten us all please oh mighty football god!

[Stav]

Also I hope they trade #32 to one of the teams that needs a QB (Atl. KC, Balt. NYJ) and is right behind us. Let them take their chances on the Great Blue Hen, the next Jim Harbaugh, or Brian Brohm (although his fall in the draft reminds me of Dan's, so no Jets for him). We'll take their pick and a five and build up our team.

[Clint]

BILL PARCELLS IS WHITE HAIRED MORON ...
THIS DOLPHIN FRONT OFFICE CLEARLY KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT HOW TO DRAFT !! $ 58 MIL FOR AN OFFENSIVE LINEMAN >>> YEA RIGHT. WE ARE LAUGHING STOCK OF THE NFL AND FOOTBALL EVERYWHERE. WHAT A JOKE WE ARE....

[OC Dolphin]

If the Dolphins do select Chad Henne, Greg, feel free to pen my next article: Cronyism lives in Dolphinland. (The Dallas/Michigan connection).

[Dave in VA]

Clint, I would say you were a joke, but YOUR ALL CAPS B.S. IS MAKING MY EYES HURT SO BAD I CAN'T LAUGH!!!!

[mike1]

There was no certain picks this year. I would've gone with the best playmaker available, but at least ..as Cote says..we made a safe pick and not stupid one like last year.

[Stav]

Ok Clint we get it, you are one of those "fans" who's never happy or satisfied. It was funny. Now stop.

[raoul duke]

Dave in VA if Parcell's and Ireland successfully rebuild our team I will be glad to take an I told you so from every Dolphin fan out there. Really Parcell's and Co. do have alittle more experience building teams than myself but the very idea of throwing McFadden into our running back mix had to make any lover of great running teams salivate at least alittle bit. Thanks Tom for the condolences.

[Fish Boy]

First off, Jake Long has played the last 2 years at LT and had only 2 penalities, and allowed only 2 sacks. 2nd, Stav you are an idiot TIM TEBOW??? all he can do is run the option. He is not an NFL passer, most experts say he may not even get drafted. This was the best pick...remember Richmond Webb? Without Richmond...Marino is eating dirt. This will help Beck...and of course RUN RICKY RUN!!

GO PHINS!!
THE BIG TUNA!!

Fish Boy

[Kevin]

Did you say smash mouth football? I like hearing that. Now we need a d that plays that way also. Mean and dirty.

[Dave in VA]

Don't get me wrong duke, I understand your infatuation with McFadden. And I would never poke you in the eye if he isn't the second coming of Barry Sanders. But I'm damn happy with this pick. We gotta hog!

[Stav]

Fish Boy, I hate the Gators, but if Tebow had come out this year he woulda been a top three pick. Unless he does something to displease the no-nothings in the NFL (who let Marino become the 7th QB drafted and Brady sink to 6th round) he will be a top three pick next year. And the Fins will have a top three pick.

The only knocks on Tebow are that he plays in a gimmick offense and he has a slow release. There are no "experts" (what a joke term, hahaha) who say he will not be drafted. Like most top pick QB's he may end up sucking, but so will Matt Ryan and every other high pick QB since Manning in 1998!

[Stav]

Fish Boy, I just noticed you thought I said Tebow for this year. You are right, most experts think he will not be drafted...cause he didn't come out for the draft in '08!