Excellent write-up, it definitely feels as though we've moved towards Jake Long in the last few days and weeks. I still think we will end up with Chris Long, but I wouldn't mind Jake either. Both are (relatively) safe picks that should serve us well for the next decade or so, which is all you can really ask for.
When you guys see the huge holes Jake opens up for Ronnie, Ricky and Lo Book you all will be very happy.
What is Tim Nagle's sig name. Does he post here? Great analysis. I think his reasoning of salary concerns playing a big part of the selection is an excellent point that too many gloss over. Jake and Ryan are the only ones that make sense if you have salary caps for each position
Will he be the LEFT Tackle stud that we all hope for though? Main negative points about Jake are that hes mostly played Right Tackle and he may need a season at Right Tackle before he goes to the Left. Thoughts?
Tim your efforts and opinion are appreciated. Thank you. I've been more in line with Chris Long being the best choice, however. You addressed one of the reasons. That being the well published belief that Jake Long is going to be a RT in the NFL. I'll defer to you on that. I'm sure you have a much better understanding of what to watch for. Nonetheless, my other reason still seems logical (to me). So, I would be grateful for your own thoughts. It seems to me that with this draft we have a real opportunity to address both lines with quality players who could make an immediate impact. This year's draft is so thick with NFL caliber OTs. We can draft Chris Long #1 overall and then at #32 we should still be able to draft a playmaker OT, thus addressing both sides of the ball right off. Would we be able to do the same thing if Jake Long is our #1 pick? So I guess I'm asking: Is a guy like Calais Campbell likely to have the same kind of impact that we should get by drafting C. Long and then OT at #32? Anyway thanks again for the write up.
If he needs a season to become acclimated to the NFL, I see no problem. His ability to run block is well documented. If he needs a season or 2 to get his NFL legs under him that's great. The only thing that I would have a problem with is if he couldn't make that transition to LT. I mean in the end it would be okay; we would still have our RT with Carey manning LT. But, knowing that we used our #1 overall for a RT would be disappointing.
Yeah I know exactly what you're saying. I guess if it does turn out that way. We do in fact draf t J. Long and he never can adjust to the LT spot, we'll just have to console ourselves in knowing that at least he wasn't Eddie Moore
This year, it won't matter, if Jake plays LT or RT, we have Carey as an insurance policy. That said, if we don't play him at LT this year, then drafting him #1 overall seems a reach, he pretty much has to play LT to justify the pick IMO. I would love to see the break him in slowly model used, but it just won't happen. To many egos involved for that to happen.
That was a very nice article Tim,thank you.But not everything is Jake. Like others,I too am a little concerned with Jakes foot work/speed.I think he would have a difficult time with a lot of the quick DE's/OLB's in the NFL.And just for the record I still want us to draft Chris.JMHO
Nice article, but... ...we're talking about the #1 overall, and about $30 million guaranteed. I appreciate Jake Long as a player, and he's a terrific run-blocker. However, he's not quite as much of a "can't-miss" guy as a Chris Long or Glen Dorsey. Plus, it's entirely possible that Jake ends up a RT in the NFL, and that would be an awful lot of money... not to mention the risk of losing out on a player like Chris Long or Glen Dorsey... just to "take a chance" on landing the top-rated OT in a draft where there are lots of OTs, and where the dropoff from Jake to the rest of the pack is arguably not that drastic. If the Phins do end up drafting Jake Long at #1, they'll be getting a good player... and missing out on a special one.
did someone say we are trying to iron out a deal w/jake long on ESPN? HMMMMMMMM....who'd a thought? nfl.com The presence of his agents doesn't solidify that Long, the three-time Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year, will be the No. 1 pick. The Dolphins are thought to wish to negotiate contract parameters with a least three players prior to the draft. Defensive end Chris Long, formally of Virginia, and defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey (LSU) are believed to be the others. Long is the first player to be contacted by the Dolphins. The 6-foot-7, 315-pound Long is widely considered the top offensive lineman available in the draft and a top-10 selection. Long, who started 40 games during his college career, finished second in the voting for both the Lombardi Award and the Outland Trophy last season.
I like this pick. I am still waver between the Longs, but the more I think about this pick the more I like it. It seems the safest. I guess worst case scenario you have an elite RT. Overpaid, but it is better than having a DE/LB that doesn't pan out.
http://blogs.nbcsports.com/home/arch...t-the-top.html Given the importance of the LT position and the difficulty and expense in getting the top notch ones in free agency I am pleased with this choice.There is a reason why so many of them are franchised or sandbagged We have a lot of coaches on our staff who know their OLs and if they think Jake is good enough to anchor our OL for the next 10-15 yrs then I feel comfortable with the decision
nice read! I think the concerns we maybe should have with Long, we shouldnt worry about too much. Our head coach, Sparano, is on o-line kind of guy, and Mike Maser too should be able to work with Jake and help him along and improve his pass blocking skills. I woudlnt worry too much about it. I wouldnt have a problem with him being our pick at all
I started warming up to Jake Long during the combine. Where he went up to the front desk of the hotel and said he was Vernon Gholston and asked for a 4:30am wake up call.
now we can look to round two and a defensive LB or DE. QB ...only if a trade happens for more picks. ONLY
Going back and re-reading the original post... is it fair to say then that Jake Long is the opposite of Richmond Webb in what he brings to the table as a "very very good" left tackle? Richmond when he was drafted was described as excelling in pass protection, quick feet, very nimble for a man his size, but lacked the mean streak, was not aggressive enough as a run blocking tackle and didn't blow people off the ball with a level of consistency that scared his opponent. Certainly not the drive blocker, hand puncher that Jake Long is. I think that is why myself and other Dolfans are luke warm with the pick. We are coming from the Richmond Webb mold of a pro bowl left tackle, as we haven't seen a left tackle worthy of discussion since he left, when perhaps there is room for a Jake Long mold of a pro bowl left tackle as Jake brings a different skill set???
The best article I have read on J Long. Thanks. Think the coaches will help him develope better pass blocking skills. Jake has always been my choice. On a bad team he is the only player I see impacting the whole team rather than just the O or D.
Forgot to look at when you wrote this and sorry for the delay in the response, but Jake can and will be a left tackle. Everyone is perfect, right? What I mean is they are still looking for the perfect player and he does not exist. Jake Long is a solid pick and will make everyone around him better. Who else could of been drafted that could make you think that for Miami. I am not sold on Chris Long and Vernon Gholston, even though they have talent, you can't say that they would have been the best pick for Miami. A left tackle is hard to find and they rarely become available after their original contract. This pick will not hurt the salary cap either and they did a great job of ensuring he gets the most chance to succeed in the upcoming season. Oakland’s QB missed an entire year! Parcells and company are already making sound decisions and that’s what Miami needs. Forget what the millions of different opinions are among fans. This was a solid pick and will be very beneficial. There may be growing pains in the first year, but I highly doubt that Miami will contend this year anyway. D'Brick struggled his first year and here was another amazing talent. Jake is a in your face beat you up knock you out finisher that will give the OL an attitude that is needed. The other side of the line will have a great opportunity to be addressed, but as a 3-4 team, my feeling is they will be, There are numerous options via waiver wire and free agency in the next couple years to address DT'S and maybe secondary and LB are more of a focus now...as they need the most time to learn the system...IMO.