http://espn.go.com/blog/afceast/post/_/id/27893/parcells-does-not-regret-drafting-jake-long Four words Bill Parcells uttered as a musing exploded into a sexy headline that bothered him: "Parcells: Dolphins should have taken Ryan, not Long, in '08." The NFL.com headline was 150 percent longer than the actual quote. The former Miami Dolphins personnel executive, a bit stunned, also insisted it was inaccurate. Parcells said he doesn't lament drafting Michigan left tackle Jake Long first overall in 2008 and claimed if he had to do it all over again -- even knowing what we know three years later -- he would still select Long ahead of quarterback Matt Ryan. "Absolutely," Parcells told me Wednesday morning. "I do not regret taking Jake Long." Parcells recently told Miami Herald columnist Armando Salgeuro he could understand the idea that "maybe we should have" taken Ryan instead of Long in 2008. Salguero treated the comment appropriately. The quote appeared in the 21st paragraph in a story that was 31 paragraphs long. The quote wasn't significant enough to make the front page of the sports section. "Maybe we should have" doesn't equal an apology to Dolfans or anyone else. "You always wonder if you should've taken a quarterback," Parcells said when I called him Wednesday. "You always wonder about that. But I don't regret taking Jake Long. The guy has been in the Pro Bowl every season he's played. What else you want?" Taking Jake Long instead of a quarterback like Matt Ryan was part of Miami's overall draft strategy in 2008."Perhaps Matt Ryan instead," I replied. There was silence for a few seconds. "Well," Parcells said, "I've seen him as well." The comparison to be made is not between Long and Ryan. The Dolphins already have been proven correct with their decision. Long has been to three Pro Bowls in three seasons. He was voted first-team All-Pro last season. He's an elite performer at a critically important position. Miami was so certain of Long's future it signed him four days before the draft. "Historically, offensive tackles are the position with the least margin for error," Parcells said. Mando has some "Splaining to do" .... AGAIN!
So, in his article, Armando makes reference to Parcells finally accepting his request for interview: I'm guessing Bill won't be doing so again anytime soon.
Less than QB? Chad Clifton - Good, not great. Jermon Bushrod. Max Starks. David Diehl (converted Guard that year) Tarik Glenn (decent, but was not elite) Marvel Smith (again, good not great) All super bowl winners. Parcells, overrating the LT position again. Im glad we got Long. LT is important, but it's not the most important position on the field.
I'm bothered than Dolphin fans still give a **** what Parcells has to say. The real quote is right, but by accident.
Something to keep in mind.... The writers don't pick the titles of the articles. The editors do. Naturally, Tim Graham knows this and that's why he wrote, "Salguero treated the comment appropriately. The quote appeared in the 21st paragraph in a story that was 31 paragraphs long. The quote wasn't significant enough to make the front page of the sports section."
I"ll just be glad when we get a starting QB so we can put all the Long vs Ryan behind us. I can just visualize some time in the future, Long's name being put on the Dolphin Ring of Honor and people looking at it and saying "We should have drafted Matt Ryan".
I've bought one jersey in the last 3 years and i like it. (Hint it has the number 77 on it.) So from a fans point of view Jake Long was a great pick.
Good point, once we have a QB nobody will give a rat's *** that we went for Long over Ryan. Hopefully we can enjoy two great careers instead of one.
I saw on the main page that you posted, and all I immediately wanted to do was say shut up Revis. Is that wrong? No, I'm not talking to you, Revis. You're like ThePhins' red headed step child. We don't want you, but then who would we have to pick on if you weren't here....... besides Padre? lol.
Ted Ginn and Pat White want to thank the Miami Dolphin organization for making their live that much easier.
Nicer of you to actually recognize it. Sorry it's not in broken Jetanese. Honestly, level with me here----- would a Jets fan know a dictionary if he were hiding his pipe in it?
Did you forget your clown shoes at the door on your way out? The video clearly shows Mr. Ginn blowing Revis Island off the map.
Ummmmm, might I suggest you stick to looking foolish with the content of your posts because you're obviously no anglish teachr
Revis, Heed the words a wise man once told me. "It is better to stay silent and appear a fool as opposed to speaking and removing all doubt." Lol.
I don't see how you can fault someone for taking a LT that will be a probowler for 10 plus years and make the HOF at any position in the draft. You can throw Ryan out there 3 years later but Ryan was not Peyton Manning coming out of college. If we took a marginal player or a bust it would be horrible but we took an amazing player at a high value position so dumping on it in hindsight is just ignorant fan nonsense. There are always going to be great players in every round in a draft and regrets three years later but if the players you take are good and add value to the team you drafted well. Long is great, I can't fault anyone for taking him at #1 in that draft.
Actually, after the way Ginn destroyed the Jets and your hero Revis, I'm guessing you are the one most glad he's no longer a Fin. Now run off and go feed your fatazz head coach another meal before he eats another water-boy. Hopefully he wont choke on it the way the JESTS have the last two seasons!
