First off let me state that I'm on the Chris Long bandwagon, and I really hope we draft him. With that being said, I've been thinking more and more lately about the possibility of drafting Jake Long. We are currently negotiating with his agent after all. Now I know this could be a ploy in several ways, but this thread is to discuss why if we did draft J. Long it wouldn't be that bad. The phins are in search of a left tackle, so they can hopefully move Vernon Carey back to RT, but most experts say J. Long can't play LT. They do however seem to say he can be a pro-bowl RT. So why not take J. Long and place him at RT, and leave Veron at LT. Vernon has been a pretty decent LT and there is no reason as to why he can't become even better. Then you now have two big dominating bookends at your tackle spots. When you throw in Satele and Smiley, they help round out and offensive line that is only missing one final starter. That position can either be filled with Mormino or some other draftee. Suddenly not only do we have a great offensive line, but with the exception of Smiley, it would be completely filled with dolphins draft picks. When was the last time we had an offensive line that we built with our own players and not other teams rejects? Let's just say it has been awhile The end result you ask? A drastically improved o-line which is very important for this young rebuilding team. Ronnie Brown was running all over teams last year with the mess of a line we had. Imagine what he could do with this newly rebuilt line. Not only that, but a strong line is important for a young John Beck. He needs time in the pocket and he needs to feel comfortable to succeed. If he is feeling gun shy, and running for his life all the time there will be no way he can grow and succeed. So I ask you dolfans, Would Jake Long Really Be That Bad?
I agree with you, nice write up. I am also a fan of Chris Long and hope that we take him. I have read that Jake Long will/would start off as a RT and then once he is fully developed, he would/could transition to LT. I dont think it would be bad at all if we took him. I agree with other posters on a thread that I read earlier when they were stating that the worst case scenario of Jake Long is a solid tackle. I just hope that if we take Jake first overall, there is a good defender to take in the second. Mayo, Connor could be gone and Groves/Merling are slipping according to early reports of heart surgery and sports hernia. I know if we take Chris Long, there will be OL in the second and on. There is plenty of depth in the draft of OL.
Jake Long would be a great addition but not at #1 for me. there are too many questions, is he a RT or LT? can he be a good LT or great LT? is he good enough for the #1 over all pick? no doubt he is gonna be very good in this league in time. is he gonna be worthy of the pick though?
I think that these sum up my response, too... Chris Long is my hope for our #1... I wouldn't be totally disappointed if we got Jake Long instead, but we can pick up quality OL help in the later rounds since the pickin's are so deep this year.
Oh I agree whole heartedly. I want Chris because I feel he will be a bigger impact in the league, and can be a pro-bowler at the least in his career. I'm just looking at it as it wouldn't be the end of the world if we took him.
I think the only reason there is a question about where J. Long will play is because people seem to want to convert him to a LT. I think if you leave him at RT then there will be no problems. And regarding your other point about there being too many questions, Alen1 already pointed it out, but you can say the same for all the possible draft picks. For example: Chris Long: Is he a De or a OLB? Is he too much of a tweener? Are we looking at another Matt Roth Can he transition to playing with his hand off the ground? Matt Ryan: Was he a Jay Cutler type, stranded on a bad team? Will he continue to throw countless interceptions? Does his considered intangibles overecome the rest? Is he really a franchise QB? Dorsey: What is the truth of his injury history? Will he fit in as a DE or a DT? Can he play DT or is he too small? Is it worth taking a DT at number 1 or will he be another Dan Wilkerson? Jake Long: Can he handle the speed rushers? Can he play LT? Is it worth drafting a RT at number 1? Is he Joe Thomas or Robert Gallery? Man I'm glad I'm not making the choice.
I think the mere fact that we an issue with playing one side as opposed to the other...i think its fiscally irresponsible to give 32 M gauranteed to a Right Tackle...we dont have a left handed QB
I dont think jake long would be that bad of a pick. Afterall, i think its quite obvious that O-line is a the weakest area on the team right now. In talent, and in depth. So it only makes sense to take an offensive lineman. I know, i know... but not a possible RT at #1... that part of it doesnt make sense, and maybe not. But lets face it, were stuck with this pick. I dont think anyone is willing to trade with us, so were stuck with it. we have to make due with what we have, and what we have is the first overall pick, and a swiss cheese offensive line. so Jake Long DOES make sense for this team. HOWEVER... that being said, im still not sold on it actually happening. Id say if JT gets traded, chris long or vernon gholston is the pick. If JT stays, i can realistically see it being Jake Long...
Well this probably is true but if a team cannot move out of the pick then what is alternative? Take a chance and let the time run out like the VIkings so you can save $$$$$$$? Between the two (C Long and J Long) C Long is less risk as far as I am concerned! The biggest question mark about J Long is can he play LT. The biggest question mark about C Long is that his stellar play was just in his last college season.. Taking an offensive lineman #1 overall with questions concerning his ability to play the LT position is beyond risky! Taking a DE that did not consistently put up high numbers until his last season is less risky and a no brainer imo.. But I will defer to the Tuna and company.. They will be the ones to explain why they chose whomever if the pick this year is a bust! Marino1983
Jake Long would in no way be 'bad', but why take a guy that may or may not be your stud LT and have to pay him that money ?? Since, as you've intimated (and I agree as well) most draftniks think he'll be a great RT and a good LT the choice wouldn't be a bad one, but it's a sure thing that he'll want LT money on top of being the overall #1 pick...I don't know that paying him the premium money would justify itself if he doesn't turn out to be a LT... Again, there's a fine line of difference between Chris, Jake and Glenn so any of those guys would be good choices (although Glenn obviously would be playing out of position here) and I wouldn't be too surprised if they took Jake at all. In fact, to bolster your argument, we need two OL out of this draft. I know that Tunaland prefers the later rounds for their OL, but with Jake sitting there....it could happen...and it wouldn't be a bad thing for the team, just a little overpaying for a RT, if that's where he ends up...
True, but someone has to be the pick. You just need to figure out who is the most worthy if you can't find one who is clearly the best. That's why I think they will offer many contracts to different players. Rumor is that we have two out there right now, and if they offer a contract to Dorsey and C. Long, then you could say that they aren't trying to find who's worthy of being number 1, just the one who's willing to be number 1 on their terms. As for the origional post, I would have no problem with J. Long at 1, if his contract demands aren't 60+ mill with 30+ gauranteed. I think production wise, we would see more out of C. Long or even Dorsey (if we went 4-3).
To be honest with you i don't care what the draft experts say about J long that he can't play LT. that's Bill P and Tony S job. I trust there opinion if he can play LT in the NFL. The smart move is to have the player signed (J Long, C long or Vernon Gholston) before the draft so he is in camp from day 1. Jake Long makes the most sense to me since we need help on the OL and it protects us against any contract problems with Carey in the near future....
i still think they have targeted one player. the question is who? we wont know for sure til the end our 10 minutes is up.
At Michigan he is a three-year letterman. He has appeared in 28 games and made 25 starts at offensive tackle, 14 of which were at right tackle and 11 at left tackle. In 2003 he was redshirted. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jake_Long he was predominantly a right tackle, though he played at both. he is considered a natural RT.
I would like the fact of ronnie brown running behind that monster for a longgggg time! But if we go chris long...im happy too!!!!
I don't think that is accurate. 2007: 13 starts at left tackle 2006: 13 starts at left tackle 2005: 4 starts at right tackle (injury problems) 2004: 10 starts at right tackle So, in all, Jake has started 14 games at right tackle while playing as a reserve in 3 games at right tackle. He's started 26 games at left tackle. The issue is this though. Where he starts in college and where he will end up in the pros are possibly two different things. There are a number of college left tackles that end up moving to right tackle or inside to guard because they lack the movement ability to remain at left tackle in the NFL. Last year, James Marten is a perfect example. He started every game at left tackle for Boston College and gave up only 1.5 sacks. He's playing right tackle in the NFL. The guy who was BC's left tackle before him was Jeremy Trueblood. He is also playing right tackle in the NFL. Believe me, when there is an elite left tackle prospect in the draft, everyone will know it. Left tackles are gifted players that can do things other offensive linemen cannot do. They stand out. [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9JNVuyHjus[/media] There's an elite left tackle prospect and an offensive tackle that is worth the #1 overall pick.
Hey, KB... Just to throw us all for a real loop - I have read in numerous pubs and posts that Clady is a far better LT prospect than Long. He is also rated to go as high as #5 to KC. If he is that highly rated, how big a gambler do you think the triumvirate are - could they take Clady as #1 since the odds are very much against him lasting to #32? I know it sounds weird, but are the collective cojones of this group that big, or, from the other perspective, the collective neural synapses that short circuited?
Which is exactly why C Long would be the more wise pick.. I do not have a problem with J Long being the Phins #1 pick. He is a rare talent that would be a major upgrade for this questionable Phins O-L. But for the kind of money Jake Long is going to demand he should be able to play at any position on the O-L! And from what I have heard and read,,, He cannot do this! I realize that V Carey has had issues playing @ LT but he has experience and quite frankly looked pretty decent last season, imo it would behoove the Dolphins to select a player that will give them greatest bang for their buck. I can see C Long being utilized exactly as JT has mostly played.. On either side of the line as as a DE to even a MLB position.. If JT is not traded can you imagine the headache's both JT an CL will give lining up across from T Brady? Hell JT alone (I believe) has sacked Brady more than any other qb that he has played against. C Long is an animal that will do anything to play and anything win. Who knows I wouldn't be surprised to see him lining up at TE! For the money that this pick is going to cost this organization Chris Long is the safer pick... Marino1983
True. Every player that you look at has a flaw and most of them are correctable. Like I said earlier, I wouldn't be dissapointed if we took Jake because he has a high probability of being a good player in this league BUT what if the player we want isn't there at 32 or other spot? That is my only fear. I rather take Chris Long and know for sure that there are PLENTY players at the position you contemplated earlier.
Jake Long has a lot of ability. If Ireland et al feel like his skills against speed rushers can be improved through coaching, then he could turn into a 10-year LT for us. I wouldn't be upset with the pick at all, although my first choice is Dorsey.
If we needed a Right Tackle, Jake Long would be good. But RT's aren't #1 picks. And if we needed a RT (which we don't) we could get Gosder Cherilus with 32. There's little value in Jake Long at #1.
True. This is a possibility and I want to hear your thoughts. Jake Long is a RT like you said and we all know, it has been said that he would play RT for a couple years and then once he is accustomed to the league, he would move to LT. Would you take him if it played out like that?
For once - just once - I'd like to pick the player on the board with the fewest questions attached. Chris Long is that player. Jake Long will be a monster run-blocker, there is no doubt in my mind. But you can get a good run-blocker down to about round 4 in this draft. That's not value at #1.
That's a BIG "if" though. You don't waste a high first rounder pick on a guy with question marks regarding his ability to play an important position, and definitely not the top pick in the draft. Right now Jake Long has the ability to be a very good RT, and maybe at some point he can be a very good LT, but he isn't the franchise LT that people make him out to be. I've seen some draft profiles and even Mike Mayock said that Long isn't as good as Thomas was last year. So I wouldn't draft him at #1, but if Parcells and Co. decide that he is the best player for us, then I'll support him. I'll be disappointed, but I'll support him.
So obviously you're in favor of moving Vernon back and drafting a LT. I'm of the same opinion, but this thread was just for what if w did take J. Long.
