Jake Long: Miami doesn’t take a “Long” time to sign top pick
The NFL draft is almost here and that means our little blogging vacation has come to a close. From this point forward, expect regular posts from here until next year’s free agency. My fingers are tired already! 
Today’s new is the signing of OT Jake Long to a contract days before the official start of the NFL draft. Long signed a 5-year, $57mm deal with $30 million in guarantees. Long is a 6′7″, 313-pound tackle from the University if Michigan and was among a handful of top prospects throughout the pre-draft process. He’s considered a high character guy with sound fundamentals and, perhaps most importantly, a mean streak on the field.
The Dolphins have been in negotiations with Long’s camp for almost two weeks, yet today’s announcement still comes as a surprise to some. A few days ago, Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland appeared to have made a slip of the tongue when addressing the media:
“This guy is going to be — you hope that he’s a pillar of your defense for a long time.”
Combine that with Bill Parcells’ penchant for defensive difference makers, and it seemed improbable to some that an offensive tackle would be their choice. So why DID the Fins sign Jake Long instead of one of the much ballyhooed defenders like Vernon Gholston, Glen Dorsey or Chris Long? I think something Peter King (of SI.com) said made the most sense. In speaking to Colin Cowherd on ESPN Radio today, King mentioned that Parcells is wary of committing the kind of dollars that come with the first overall pick to a player that could end up being a bust. In Parcells’ view, according to King, Jake Long has the lowest chance of failure because of the hit rate offensive tackles have had as high draft picks. King pointed to Robert Gallery, who was a bust for Oakland at tackle but ended up having “an above average year” at guard in 2007. In other words, even if Jake Long doesn’t turn out to be a great offensive tackle, the team could still move him inside and potentially have a cornerstone guard for years to come. The same couldn’t be said for any of the other players considered worthy of the 1st overall pick.
The St. Louis Rams are on the clock…
Lest anyone think Bill Parcells was going to take a measured approach toward rebuilding the woeful Miami Dolphins, think again. In what has to be the busiest single day in the history of NFL free agency, Parcells and his staff have signed a flurry of players in an attempt to right a ship that finished 1-15 a season ago. The Dolphins had approximately $40mm under the cap to spend; and Parcells appears ready to use every last bit of it. Today’s signings ranged from veteran locker room guys (e.g., Jason Ferguson and Sean Ryan) to potential Pro Bowlers (e.g., Calvin Pace). And considering the team’s cap situation, Parcells probably isn’t done yet.
OG Justin Smiley — The Dolphins signed Smiley to a 
DT Randy Starks — Considering how much defensive tackles are netting at the start of free agency, this signing seems like a downright steal. The Dolphins signed the 24-year old tackle to a 
QB Josh McCown — McCown was a part-time starter in Arizona and Oakland, and may find himself starting in Week One for Miami depending on what else the Dolphins do this preseason. Given a 
WR Ernest Wilford — Wilford was deemed expendable by the Jaguars after the acquisitions of Jerry Porter and Troy Williamson; but he quickly found a new home in Miami 
TE Sean Ryan — Ryan is another long-time Parcells favorite. Signed to a one-year deal, this is more about bringing in a high character guy that Parcells thinks will help the locker room as well as special teams. Ryan isn’t going to be asked to do much offensively; he has a whopping 9 career receptions in four seasons. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
NT Jason Ferguson – Ferguson just didn’t fit into Wade Phillips attacking scheme in Dallas, but should have a place in Dallas’ system. The Cowboys 
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