Dolphins: Tricks or honesty in the draft?

Everyone expects Bill Parcells to have a trick up his sleeve, to play a card nobody knew was in the deck, to tell an out-and-out lie if necessary just so the Dolphins can gain an advantage not inherent with owning the NFL draft's first overall pick.

''He's the master of throwing around smoke screens or whatever you call them,'' St. Louis Rams coach Scott Linehan said of Miami's football czar.

Linehan has an interest in knowing what Parcells and the Dolphins are likely to do with that first overall pick because the Rams have the second overall pick. But ask Linehan what he believes the Dolphins are actually going to do and his answer pretty much echoes the consensus among NFL types.

''I have no idea,'' Linehan said. ``They could trade it with a minute to go in the first pick and no one knows. They might have the deal done and wait until then.''

The Dolphins may have a deal done on draft day. Or they may not. But chances are whatever they're doing will be widely known because, so far, they have been somewhat transparent in the months leading up to this draft.

In January, general manager Jeff Ireland told the entire world the Dolphins wanted to trade their first overall pick when he said Miami was ``open for business.''

Last month, managing partner Wayne Huizenga told the same world Miami's efforts to trade that first pick had seemingly failed.

''People aren't moving up,'' Huizenga said. ``The top four or five picks, people aren't willing to spend the money to move up. In some years, they would move up. In other years, they won't. This is one of those off years in which no team really wants to move up.''

And last week, the Dolphins made clear what they are likely going to do with that pick, barring a last-minute opportunity to trade. The team opened contract talks with Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long -- identifying him as its preference for the first pick.

There was speculation Miami would soon be talking to other players. There was even a report the Dolphins were already talking to Ohio State defensive end Vernon Gholston. But, in fact, the Dolphins have yet to negotiate with anyone other than Jake Long.

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