drpepper Posted April 19, 2008 Share Posted April 19, 2008 Interesting speculation I found this morning.GREAT BLUE NORTH DRAFT REPORTNEWS AND INFORMATION ON THE NFL DRAFT THE GBN DRAFT BLOGApril 19:Smoke or broken mirrors in Miami& The question around the NFL this day has been did new Dolphins G.M. Jeff Ireland just misspeak when he said the player the team was going to select at the 2008 draft was going to be a cornerstone for the defense or did he really let the cat out of the bag. Most commentators have been willing to give Ireland, a veritable novice in the general manager game, the benefit of the doubt and in the end that may very well be all there is to it, however as they say in the papers where there s smoke there s usually more smoke. In fact, most of the rest of league has assumed that wily old Bill Parcells was up to something with his dealings with the #1 pick at this year s draft. Only nobody seemed to be able to figure out what Parcells was actually up to.For lack of anything better to do on a quiet Friday evening 8 days before the draft, here s a theory as to what Parcells and the Dolphins just might be up to in opening negotiations with Michigan OT Jake Long and only Long, in particular when the Dolphins had long been thought to be most interested in either of DEs Chris Long of Virginia or Ohio State s Vernon Gholston. The Dolphins, of course, may have simply decided that Long was either the best player available in this year s draft who just happened to fill one of the team s biggest needs, or at worst, was going to be the safest pick of all of this year s top prospects. However, even if the Dolphins figured Michigan s Long to clearly be their guy, it seems counterproductive, if not downright crazy, not to also begin simultaneous contract talks with at least one other, if not several other, top prospects to increase the team s leverage in negotiations, especially when one of the Dolphins stated goals is to try and roll back the clock on the dollars paid to the top pick.Literally since the final whistle blew to end Miami s dismal 1-15 season last fall, the Dolphins have been looking to trade the top pick in this year s draft. And while it still looks like a long shot given the lack of a true marquee player in this year s draft, the one player that still might entice someone to move up is - you guessed it - Michigan s Long. Both Atlanta and Kansas City, with the 3rd and 5th picks overall respectively, for example, have huge needs at OT and would be thrilled to have Long fall to them. It appears that the Chiefs may be able to create some other options for themselves at OT by trading franchised DE Jared Allen for a package of picks, however, Atlanta could find itself in a bit of an unwanted spot on the 26th.In fact, the one team that would be most impacted if the Dolphins go ahead and select Jake Long is likely Atlanta. The Falcons have reportedly decided to pass on Boston College QB Matt Ryan and instead concentrate on rebuilding their offensive and defensive lines. In particular, the Falcons have to be most interested in Michigan s Long and LSU DT Glenn Dorsey. And as long as Miami appears committed to either of DEs Chris Long or Vernon Gholston, the Falcons are assured of getting at least one of OT Long or Dorsey. However, if Miami indeed takes Jake Long and St. Louis opts to take Dorsey, and there is a better than even chance that s what the Ram would do with DE Long off the board, the Falcons would be out of luck and likely forced to choose between one of the DEs, and DE is one of the few positions that the Falcons are reasonably set at, or QB Matt Ryan.In the end by focusing entirely on Jake Long, Miami may in fact be trying to put more than just a little pressure on Atlanta to trade up. And it only works if Miami talks only with Long; bring in the other Long or Gholston even for leverage and the gig could be up as it would look like the Dolphins could go with one of the DEs. And Atlanta, a franchise which really needs something good to happen to it after the embarrassing messes with QB Michael Vick and former head coach Bobby Petrino, just might be tempted. The Falcons have an owner not afraid to take a chance, plus with a total of 6 picks in the first three rounds, including three in the second, Atlanta also has plenty of ammunition to make such a move.Meanwhile, if Ireland really did let the cat out of the bag and the Dolphins actually intend to take a defensive player, Miami can continue negotiating with Jake Long until Thursday or Friday next week and if no trade appears imminent they can then call in the agents of the two DEs and even Dorsey, put the parameters of the deal they offered OT Long on the table and sign the first one that bites. And given the odds are that at least two of the three aren t going to get anywhere near that much cash if they pass one is almost certain to accept. Worst case scenario for the Dolphins is they stick with Jake Long and end up with a ten-year starter at the critical LT spot. On the other hand, if the Dolphins are able to work a deal with the Falcons they are still assured of getting at least one of Chris Long, Gholston or Dorsey and could very well still have their choice of DEs Long or Gholston, the players they reportedly wanted all along.Smart guy that Bill Parcells! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Draftnut57 Posted April 19, 2008 Share Posted April 19, 2008 The reason why that tactic will not work for Miami is BC there are 3 players that are all as good as the other , and are in a class of their own , JAke and Chris Long , and Dorsey . so why should we fret when we pick 3rd ? I'd rqather have a Bigtime DL over a OL anyway myself. I think Chris Long is the best player in the draft myself. And one of the 2 safest picks with the other being Ellis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shocker2 Posted April 19, 2008 Share Posted April 19, 2008 I am just not sure the Miami organizational structure is going to work. I recall Parcells saying he would hire a GM and allow him to make the decisions but every article I read references Parcells in a decision making role. So if the Falcons don't bite does that make Thomas Dimitroff smarter than Parcells. Parcells would of wasted all this time with the fake offers to Jake Long instead of getting who they really want signed. Hopefully the guy will hold out sign late and not make an impact for the Dolphins next season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atljbo Posted April 19, 2008 Share Posted April 19, 2008 Glenn Dorsey is by far the best player in this draft...... The thing is Miami will not take Dorsey.... its not even a option for them...... After trading for Jason Ferguson and signing Randy Starks, the Dolphins has already filled in that DT position (they also drafted Paul Soliai last year and Rodrique Wright played good last year) ...... Also, Glenn Dorsey does not fit there scheme at all....The Dolphins will draft either Jake Long or Vernon Gholston Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drpepper Posted April 19, 2008 Author Share Posted April 19, 2008 I can not see the Falcons taking Chris Long. As has been mentioned many times, we already have a huge investment in the DE position. These days, a team with so many holes can not afford to put so much money in one position (such as DE)......especially if one of the players could be on the bench.Also, I'm not sure that Chris Long is at the top of every draft board. Based on some of the NFL draft radio/internet shows I heard over the past few weeks, some scouts are not as high on him as some of the mocks make you think. He is recognized by some teams as very good and solid, but not a dominant player.....great attitude, work ethic, and genes, but not a guaranteed future Pro-Bowler. I do not think the Falcons see him as a player they just can't pass on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drpepper Posted April 19, 2008 Author Share Posted April 19, 2008 atljbo (4/19/2008)Glenn Dorsey is by far the best player in this draft...... The thing is Miami will not take Dorsey.... its not even a option for them...... After trading for Jason Ferguson and signing Randy Starks, the Dolphins has already filled in that DT position (they also drafted Paul Soliai last year and Rodrique Wright played good last year) ...... Also, Glenn Dorsey does not fit there scheme at all....The Dolphins will draft either Jake Long or Vernon GholstonThe article does not suggest that the Dolphins want or will draft Dorsey. It does suggest that the Rams could draft him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Reality Posted April 19, 2008 Share Posted April 19, 2008 I'm really glad Parcells is in Miami. He'd be a good snake oil salesman. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muskokas finest © Posted April 19, 2008 Share Posted April 19, 2008 Let them tease. The Rams would take Jake Long anyway. I hope Jake is available at 2 cause then KC might get involved in the bidding and negate any thought New Orleans had of coming up for Dorsey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papi Posted April 19, 2008 Share Posted April 19, 2008 I really hope this is incentive for our team to kick the "you know what" out of the Fins if they are on our schedule at any point.....or for any future parcells affiliated team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texasbirdfan Posted April 19, 2008 Share Posted April 19, 2008 When the Tuna left North Texas, he left mostly enemies- not friends. From the 'Boys staff and office to the sports writers and broadcasters and to most all fans- it was good ridance. There is nothing to like about his way of business unless you have strong ties to the mob. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark hunter Posted April 19, 2008 Share Posted April 19, 2008 texasbirdfan (4/19/2008)When the Tuna left North Texas, he left mostly enemies- not friends. From the 'Boys staff and office to the sports writers and broadcasters and to most all fans- it was good ridance. There is nothing to like about his way of business unless you have strong ties to the mob.he has brought a few folks from dallas though.....that said....i wish he would stop messing with us....& hope td comes up with something to make it all blow up in his(parcells) face Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Che Posted April 19, 2008 Share Posted April 19, 2008 mark hunter (4/19/2008)texasbirdfan (4/19/2008)When the Tuna left North Texas, he left mostly enemies- not friends. From the 'Boys staff and office to the sports writers and broadcasters and to most all fans- it was good ridance. There is nothing to like about his way of business unless you have strong ties to the mob.he has brought a few folks from dallas though.....that said....i wish he would stop messing with us....& hope td comes up with something to make it all blow up in his(parcells) faceThere is a such thing as karma. I don't give him that long in Miami anyways..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cam or phe Posted April 19, 2008 Share Posted April 19, 2008 Nice info man good job, sumthin we needed 2 kno 4real Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texasbirdfan Posted April 19, 2008 Share Posted April 19, 2008 mark hunter (4/19/2008)texasbirdfan (4/19/2008)When the Tuna left North Texas, he left mostly enemies- not friends. From the 'Boys staff and office to the sports writers and broadcasters and to most all fans- it was good ridance. There is nothing to like about his way of business unless you have strong ties to the mob.he has brought a few folks from dallas though.....that said....i wish he would stop messing with us....& hope td comes up with something to make it all blow up in his(parcells) faceThe interesting twist is that Parcell's daughter is married to the GM of the Patriots from whence Dimitroff just came. My guess knowing what I know about Tuna's mafia tendencies is he is in to digging around TD to find his weak points and stick us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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