The Jake Long Contract

Jake is awesome, but I'd a take an above average LT/RT and spend the extra cash on a WR/TE, impact Safety. The top teams are getting by with mid-tier talent at OT, while the skill players are scoring points and winning games.

 

Two other factors:
1) which is easier to find in the draft
2) how long does it take to develop a Tackle compared to a Wide Receiver

I don't know the answers, but they affect your approach.

 

Just to be clear, J'Marcus Webb is not a mid-tier talent OT even though he's a starter, right?

 

I'd say an OL is a bit safer pick than most other positions, but you take a chance with ANY rookie you draft. Much harder to find elite players, but easier to get average-good ones.

Most highly drafted OL are expected to start right away, a WR can often take a year or so to learn the NFL level stuff. All rookies have a learning curve of course. With the holes this team has at WR/CB adding OT to that list of needed first rounder-type talent is tough. We simple can't afford to pay Jake top money though, unless we are fine with the talent level of the skill positions right now.

 

He was, what? A seventh round pick? Tice thinks he can work magic with any guy I guess. My point stands, that the top teams don't have the top talent at LT.

Actually, I think you were being sarcastic, right?

 

We have a young Qb to groom, creating a huge hole at the LT position isn't all that smart. Look at some of the talented Qbs around the league that struggled early on or still do because they have no protection, Stafford, Bradford, Cutler, etc, you can't learn the position when you're on your butt with your helmet turned sideways. I don't see Jake being greedy, I think a big contract that is cap friendly could be reached. If we trade him for a draft pick its pretty meaningless because then we'd have to use the draft pick on.....a LT that won't be as good as Jake more than likely. Hey its worth putting him on the market, maybe a team desperate for an LT will pony up a couple of high draft picks but more than likely any team will be offering low ball deals because of the money that he will command. We have a good LT in Long, I don't see creating holes to get draft picks that might not work out being a good thing. And remember, Ireland will be making the pick so there is that too.

 

IMO..when you draft somebody #1 overall..and he becomes an instant pro bowl talent...he should be a lifer.

SO I am for Jake Long being a Dolphin till retirement.

But if he forces out hand on his contract, then we have little choice. But we better get multiple picks and one of them better be a #1. We are handing somebody a hall of famer.