Contract talks begin with V. Gholston

Gholston and C. Long are going to have great careers, but I think we have big needs on the O-line and we can get a solid DE/OLB later on if we need to.

 

I hope it's just a feeler contract because I'm not so sure Gholston is the right guy for the team. He's a bit light to play a 3-4 end and it's questionable whether he can move to OLB.

 

No shock here. Their going to talk to

Both Longs, Gholston and Dorsey. ITs just a matter of which one of them takes the lesser of the bunch.

 

He has the Strength to play just not the ideal weight. I much rather have him if we run a 4-3.

 

Yea, if we ran a 4-3, he'd be the perfect bit but we aren't.

 

Agreed. I myself don't like him at OLB. I mean if all he is going to do is blitz then fine, he could do zone coverage. I don't know how much man he could do.

 

Ya see, I feel that OT is very deep in this draft and we can get the RT/LT we need later in the draft and not passing on a special player like Chris Long is what we should do....Chris Long, by most scouts and draftniks, is the best player available at #1...why shouldn't we take him ??

 

Chris is athletic enough to play in any scheme, in fact at VT he played in a 3-4...He can play DE, OE or DE/OLB...that's not a restriction about him..

 

I want one of the Longs..

 

I'm hoping later in the day we see an article somewhere titled "Miami starts contract talks with Chris Long" I would much rather prefer to see us taking chris long, than vernon gholston. I think Long fits our defense better, and if we're going to go defense with this first pick, id rather it be chris long.

 

Just give me either Long, but I expect we'll negotiate with both Long's, Dorsey and Gholston, draft only the player who we come to terms with & sign prior to drafting them. Smart plan IMO.

 

Would using Jake Long and Vernon Gholston as a means to low-ball the contracts of Chris Long or Glenn Dorsey really work? I mean, if a bunch of us in an internet fan forum recognize this tactic, wouldn't even a lousy agent balk at this?

 

Depends, "what if" we really are willing to take Gholston or Jake Long?

 

I think Jake Long would be the better pick, but Tuna knows best.

 

I think they are testing the waters with Condon's guys (Jake and Gholsten) and will do the same with Chris and Dorsey's agents. This is doing their 'due diligence' with these guys. All the signs point to these guys being the top 4 guys. They are pretty equal with perhaps Chris have a edge, but money and signability (is that a word), as we all know, is a big part of the decision making process.

 

Condon doesn't rep both of them.

I believe he reps both Jake Long and Matt Ryan though, although luckily it looks like Ryan is out of the picture.

 

Yeah, I agree. While I would love to see it happen, I'm just skeptical of any of these guys signing for any less than what JaMarcus Russell got last year.

 

I think it's as much about getting signed on time as it is about saving money. The difference between 68 and 70 million is only 2 mil spread over 5/6 years. That is not even sneeze money to these guys.

 

Good thing about this draft....whoever we get, i will honestly be content and happy....no matter what. No 'freak outs' like last year....and years past. Cant wait for the draft, honestly iam looking more forward to the 2nd and 3rd rounds....to see who we scoop up, hopefully some guys fall. The TE from purdue would be nice, even if we trade up.

 

You're correct, Condon represents Jake Long and Matt Ryan, and we've specifically not begun negotiations with Ryan.

 

bill parcells and jeff ireland are really doing their homework

 

Chris Long, VT? Yea, I'd prefer Long over Gholston but I was referring to Gholston in what you quoted anyways.

 

Were basically going to take the player that will take the least.

 

i didnt expect this...

 

Are we in essence, making it harder to land someone very reasonably considered a top 3 pick? Why would Chris or Jake sign at a price tag less than they would receive when picked 1 or 2 positions after us?
Forgive me if my assumption about the asking $ is askewed, I was just going by old here-say, so to speak. But 'low-balling ' is a reason for the early offer, is it not?

 

Because if they dont sign with us....we will pass on them, and they will get that money anyways being picked 2nd or 3rd

 

And where's the incentive there?

 

they will probably work more incentives into their contract...performance wise...and team wise....because they are the 1st overall pick

 

Agree...

When the first reports came out about that the Dolphin f-o was in contract negotiations, the hype made it seem like J Long would be the 1st overall pick..

Now as more information is being released it seems like the Tuna and company are starting their due diligence.

Let the mind games begin.



Marino1983

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/draft08/news/story?id=3339368

 

i wonder if they are at the enquireing stage with Gholston. putting out feelers so to speak. it would make sense. i will not be surprised if we here about "negotiations" with the other potential top picks.

 

I read that too. Basically PFT is already comparing him to Mike Mamula who was a workout machine like Gholston, but he never amounted to anything in the league. The article says that if Gholston was the real deal, then he would be in on every play and every highlight from OSU games, which he isnt. This is just further talking about how he takes plays off.

Def a few question marks with Gholston.

 

I hope we go after Chris Long

 

I like Gholston, but I think with the #1 you almost have to take the all around play of a Chris or Jake Long. Vernon is a boom bust guy and we just cant afford a bust here. Hes explosive and strong, a great pass rusher, but there are doubts as to his lateral game and his commitment to the game. Jake and Chris are players that go out there looking to hurt someone every snap. They are solid players who fit the Parcells "mold" of size and aggressiveness.
When your dishing out the kind of money this pick will get, you want about as close to the sure thing as possible, even if his ceiling may be a little lower (and who knows really).

That said, we will have prelimary talks with several players. The Longs, Vernon, Dorsey, and even Matt Ryan I suspect will get some calls. If someone is willing to deal, it will likely make them a frontrunner, dont underestimate this!! Mario Williams all but had a deal in place with Houston in the days up to the draft, while Reggie Bush was being a bit sluggish, a big reason why Mario is a Texan right now. Money is, ultimately, what fuels a team, and if your not decided heavily on a particular guy, you might as well go with one who is willing to not eat up all your cash reserves you know?