The Miami Dolphins’ management began a discussion with potential draft pick Jake Long’s agent this past week. This discussion with Michigan’s mammoth All America Offensive Tackle has sent ripples across the NFL as everyone’s draft boards may have received what may turn out to be the first solidifying information of the year, but not so fast my friend, as one of those college football commentators likes to say. It’s time for the Raiders’ Al Davis and a couple of other NFL team owners and their upper management types to take a seat and listen for a change. Al, you might even want to take notes so you’ll be able to remember what’s being said here when you get out of bed tomorrow…
Early this coming week you can expect to hear that these same Dolphins have begun a conversation with Vernon Gholston, the Defensive End / Outside Linebacker that left a year of eligibility on the table with Ohio State and entered the 2008 Draft. Then later in the week you’ll most likely hear that the Phins are talking to Virginia’s Defensive End Chris Long. Got the picture yet? No?
Vernon Gholston Chris Long
Glenn Dorsey
Before April 26th, if I don’t miss the mark, we’re going to hear that the Dolphins have opened conversations with at least four of the top five 2008 draft prospects.
Why do you think they’re going to do this?
Al? Any idea?
No, it’s not to throw off the rest of the teams as to the Dolphins’ intentions with their number one pick.
You say that’s what you think Al?
You’re asking me what Al? What’s the point of that? All right, now listen carefully, Al. The Dolphins are playing it smart. They’re going to get a feel for how much each of these top prospects expect to receive in guaranteed money in order to sign before draft day is here. The Phins will be able to play games with each of these prospect’s negotiators and maybe even get a top player for less money by using this tactic, but that still is not the reason they are going through this exercise.
AL DAVIS! Get your head up off of that table in front of you and pay attention! The Dolphins are working to have their first pick of the draft signed, sealed and delivered before they ever announce who that pick actually is on the draft day. What a revelation!
What did you say Al? I see, money is not a consideration for the Pride and Poise organization. Uh-huh.
Well Al, how does having your $30 million first round pick from last year in training camp from the get go grab you?
What’s that Al? So what?
Well, it’s important to most NFL teams to have their top draft picks, you know, the expensive ones, in camp so they are sure to learn their team’s system as soon as possible rather than have them holding out while the rest of the team practices. Then these teams are in a better position to receive a return on their major investments sooner rather than later.
Yes Al, that might have given your young quarterback, Mr. Russell, a little more insight into the Raider playbook...
But thinking about it Al, since money is no object, what does it matter?
The team with the first pick MUST begin negotiations with at least the top three picks. Figure out what the slimeball agents are demanding and decide if you should trade down. Decide what other teams want and offer your pick.
I see this as a trade down year for Miami. There's no Adrian Peterson(this Vikes fan is still happy) available. I like DE Long over OL Long, yet that's me. Both are excellent picks.
Parcells needs to protect the QB.
Think of how much better the Texans would have been if CARR was protected.
I'll miss the Saturday draft, since the #### PGA swapped tournaments and the Byron Nelson is on draft days. I go every year.
I had multiple g'frens say I was crazy for watching ALL of the NFL drafts in past years. They're gone and the draft continues.
Today, the NFL Network re-broadcasted the 07' first round draft. I loved the prognosticators who said the Vikes shouldn't draft APeterson because of his injuries. Morons...a collar bone is hard bone is hard to bust. Been there, done that, twice. It was f'ing funny, in hind sight. I stopped into a beer tent during the PGA event and saw the Vikes draft Adrian. I knew it was a huge pick.
Hey, what was the car in your old Avatar?
Wondering, since I'm replacing my ragtop.
Last edited by slshusker on April 12th at 9:58 PM.
Great story Dwindy1! My Mom asks me this question every year..."why does the first team in the draft take the entire 15min to pick a player when they have MONTHS to make their decision?" And I can never answer her question. I'm not a Dolphan, but I really hope they make the right decision. I want to see them compete this season.
Who do you think will be this year's slider...the same way Quinn and Rodgers fell in the draft?
I'm thinking the money is too great now to pay the top 5 draft picks and nobody will trade up for that reason. If this is true I expect the Dolphins to take either of the Longs or Gholston and I'm leaning toward Jake Long. The guy is unbelievable as a left tackle and right now the Phins don't have a RT on their roster while the current LT is supposed to be better suited to the RT. They don't have another top OT and it's draft time...
The car is a 2004 Mustang...
Thanks Husker! Enjoy the Masters today...
In the past I think there have been trade discussions taking place in the background that we never hear about. The team with the pick is fishing to get a trade partner with probably two or more prospective partners trying to make up their mind. I've seen this happen and just before the time runs out a trade is finally announced, but more times than not the team owning the pick eventually makes their selection. You know this year's draft has cut the time available from 15 minutes to 10 on first round picks so the show will pick up the pace. I think it's going to be shown in the evening too...
With all the scrutiny these guys go through it's amazing what happened to Quinn last year, especially with so many in definite need of a QB. In this year's draft, if the Falcons skip on Matt Ryan with the third pick he may fall to the Ravens at 8. If the Ravens pass, the Bears or the Panthers with the 13th and 14th picks might take him... If they don't bite then there's the Vikings with the 17th pick... If they don't take him he might fall clear into the second round. Ryan is the top rated QB in this year's draft in what is considered to be a lackluster class of QBs with the best expected to be 2nd and 3rd rounders (Brohm, Flacco, Henne, Booty and Woodson...).
It's really gonna be a different draft this year for you Browns fans. Your first pick won't be until the middle of the 4th round (122) unless they decide to trade up (Brady Quinn? lol). Last year they did a great job in the draft and now your team stands ready to take down the behemoth Steelers!
BTW... I like having a good defense then build the ability to score...
Dwindy1
At this stage of his life I seriously doubt that Al Davis would know his #### from his elbow. He's ran the Raiders' franchise into the ground and they're no way nearer to turning things around than Hillary Clinton remembers what she was doing 14 years ago in Bosnia. Both are anal retentive and think so highly of themselves that it's a joke.
At this juncture they both deserve the ridicule they're getting.
I fully expect to see the Raiders select Darren McFadden with their 4th pick of the draft even though they currently have three very good running backs... Make sense to me! I expect they'll be back at the trough next season with another top 5 draft pick as their fans twist in the wind...
D-Man....great piece you have here. Put that money back in your matress. I love to see everyone piling on the Raiders, it keeps my mind off of how bad the Dolphins are.
husk....No one wants to trade up to get Miami's pick. They feel there is no break out star available in this year's draft. The money that must be paid to this year's #1 is all ready slotted according to last year's. It all comes down to which agent will take less guaranteed money.
Al Davis is such an easy target anymore... I think the Dolphins are on the rise! Give them a couple of years and I expect them to be kicking the playoff door down!
I think this year's no. one pick is supposed to get $35 million to sign. Now that is way out of hand for an untested rookie and I've said it many times before, this system is bass akwards and needs to be overhauled.
Dwindy unless I get some more unforseen votes You are the winner of the JOKERSWILD BEST HUMOR POST AWARD I will sending you a real trophy and if you want a half eaten butterfinger bar you will have to Fox-mail me your address so that I can send it expect 1to2 weeks for it to get there CONGRATS champ..voteing Monday morning 900am est.
dangit I didnt know my wife was signed on must have signed on while I was taking my nap oh well you still won ----------JOKERSWILD
Last edited by Buckeye Sweetie on April 13th at 2:18 PM.
Cool! Although I'm sorry that it came at the expense of one b@o! I'd like to thank my parents, all the girls I've loved before... I accept this great honor!!!
al davis wouldnt break the bank for his #1 draft pick and just hand over everything russell wanted, but he gave javon walker...he of 3 knee surgeries in the past 3 seasons, 8 missed games last year...a 6 year, $55 million dollar deal without blinking an eye.
THAT is why the raiders are going nowhere...check that, further down the toilet...faster than a sky diver hurling towards earth with no chute.
The guy has become a laughingstock and there doesn't seem to be anyone trying to get him to step back or to hang onto his money... It's almost to the point of being sad... Naaaaa!
Dwindy1
The Raiders' needs are so glaring that it's hard to say where they ought to start and where they ought to finish. They're still waiting on Robert Gallery on justifying their faith in making him their #1 first round draft pick from a few years back. I don't who the members of their scouting staff are but I dare say that a number of
em are memebrs of the Hellen Keller School For The Blind . They're about as inept a bunch of people as you're liable to come across in any walk of life. Laine Kiffin has really got his work cut for him this year. And if he survives it then he can count himself extremely lucky as I do believe that the clock'll be
ticking on his coaching tenureship of the Raiders. Not that it's entirely his fault for their current predicament. As they're a badly ran franchise and organization from top to bottom .
There really is no other way to explain it !
What a joke!! Somehow the dolphins sucking gets turned into a leason for Al on how to draft! Dude there is a reason your at your moms house eating cheetos in the basement..You don't know #### about the NFL or the draft...I didn't see any mention of the fins picking Ginn over a franchise QB?? hmm dude couldn't crack the starting line-up on the worst team in the NFL..Gallerey was the top lineman on EVERYONES board like Long this year..
There is a reason the fins are working a deal now..THEY ARE CHEAP!! they brought in a list of third string players this off-season..you know what...They all SUCK!! and they all signed for pennies.. hmm Good players cost MONEY...wow what a concept..HUH??
I'm a sports fanatic living on the west coast of Florida. I'm a rare bird that moved here from the left coast a couple of years ago. I advocate an even playing field in all of life's endeavors.
best slot
discussion with Michigan’s mammoth All America Offensive Tackle has sent ripples across the NFL as everyone’s draft boards may have received what may turn out to be the first solidifying information of the year, but not so fast my friend, as one of those college football commentators likes to say. It’s time for the Raiders’ Al Davis and a couple of other NFL team owners and their upper management types to take a seat and listen for a change. Al, you might even want to take notes so you’ll be able to remember what’s being said here when you get out of bed tomorrow…
