Dolphins Hint at Jake Long

Stories from Miami Herald
Written By Jeff Darlington

The Miami Dolphins could soon be off the clock.

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.

Dolphins -- draft chatter:

Written by Miami Heralds Barry Jackson

• After meeting with Chris Long, Jake Long and Matt Ryan on their college campuses, the Dolphins are now focusing on prospects beyond the top pick. Although the team doesn't release names, we have identified several players (excluding the UM prospects) who are being brought to Davie for meetings with coaches and team executives. Purdue tight end Dustin Keller -- a converted receiver who caught 68 passes for 881 yards in '07 -- will visit next Tuesday, but many believe he will be drafted before Miami's first of two second-round picks.

The Dolphins, who are making linebacker a priority, are bringing in Auburn's Quentin Groves, a potential second-rounder with 26 career sacks, and UNLV's Beau Bell, a potential third-rounder. (FYI: Miami requested more tape of Georgia's Marcus Howard and has closely studied several potential second-round linebackers, including Oklahoma's Curtis Lofton, USC end/linebacker Lawrence Jackson, Purdue's Cliff Avril and Tennessee's Jerod Mayo, although none of those five was booked for visits.)

• The Dolphins scheduled at least two left tackles for visits, Nebraska's Carl Nicks (highly skilled, but character issues) and Virginia Tech's Duane Brown (a converted tight end who impressed at the combine).

• Others invited for Dolphins visits: California safety Thomas DeCoud (big-time hitter, but just one career interception), UTEP safety/cornerback Quintin Demps (had two 100-yard interception returns for touchdowns last season), BYU linebacker Kelly Poppinga (late-round overachiever type), Michigan State receiver Devin Thomas (a likely first-rounder) and Virginia Tech defensive tackle Kory Robertson.

The NFL said teams can bring in up to 30 nonlocal players for interviews and medical tests, but not workouts. But players with local ties -- primarily UM prospects -- can work out for the Dolphins on Friday, including two under-the-radar linebackers who intrigue them: Clark Atlanta's Curtis Johnson (the Division II Defensive Player of the Year) and West Texas A&M's Steve Allen.

• Besides Michigan QB Chad Henne, among others on the Dolphins' radar as a possibility to open Round 2 (if he's there) is Boston College offensive tackle Gosder Cherilus, who met with top Dolphins officials on the day they worked out Ryan in Boston. Cherilus projects as a quality right tackle, but struggled somewhat at left tackle as a senior.

• NFL Network's Mike Mayock said the Dolphins should consider Ohio State defensive end Vernon Gholston at No. 1, in addition to Chris Long, Jake Long and Ryan. And word is Gholston (14 sacks in '07) intrigues Miami to an extent. But draftnik and former Browns scout Russ Lande said taking Gholston No. 1 is too high: ''He's not a fiery competitor. He turns it on and off. Those guys are terrifying.'' Like the belief of many around the league, Jason Taylor said on ESPN he expects Miami will draft Jake Long or Chris Long. (Incidentally, Miami hasn't requested a private session with LSU's Glenn Dorsey.)