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?