Ozzie Newsome knows the Dolphins need an offensive tackle. He is aware the Dolphins are talking to Jake Long. But that doesn't make him believe the Dolphins are going to actually draft Jake Long. No way, he says. “I think one of the best parts of the draft is the intrigue that goes with it with what other teams are going to do," Newsome said. "Right now, probably half of you think Jake Long is going to be the No. 1 pick. I’d probably smile and say that’s not going to happen. And, [Miami is] negotiating with the kid right now, for whatever reason." Newsome believes the Dolphins are still desperately trying to trade out of the top pick but would end up picking Chris Long if they have to stay at No. 1. Newsome's guess is as good as any because he bases how he handles the Baltimore draft, in part, on how Parcells has traditionally done things. “I give Bill a lot of credit," Newsome said. "You probably can take eight to 10 teams in this draft that are byproducts of what Bill started with the New York Giants. You take New England, then you have Atlanta, the Jets, you have us, Jacksonville and Cleveland. "A lot of what we do started in New York with Bill Parcells. Now, he has the first pick. But, I go to sleep every night – and this is what I learned from the first draft when we were picking fourth: If you’ve got four players, the other teams can’t get four link http://dolphinsindepth.blogspot.com/2008/04/ozzie-newsome-dolphins-not-picking-jake.html
I think it's interesting to hear what a GM picking in the Top 8 candidly thinks about what the Phins are going to do. At this point, I'd be surprised if it's Chris Long. But Newsome seems to think it'll be him.
Makes sense for Ozzie to say this, considering Jonathan Ogden is most likely retiring. The Ravens' two big needs are OL and QB. He'd love for Miami to start the DE/DL run at the top of the draft. Gholston, C. Long, Dorsey would be a dream start of the draft for the Ravens, since they have no intention of drafting D.
