Dolphins' Talks With J. Long Are Said to be Serious

The Miami Dolphins are engaged in what one source said today are "serious" contract negotiations with the agent for offensive tackle Jake Long.

The Dolphins reportedly have been focusing on the Michigan product as the prospective top overall selection in the NFL draft Saturday and are attempting to complete a contract with him beforehand, as league rules permit.

Previous reports have indicated that the Dolphins could have defensive ends Vernon Gholston of Ohio State and Chris Long of Virginia under consideration as well.

The talks with Jake Long still could break down, and the Dolphins still could turn to Chris Long or Gholston before the weekend. But for now, at least, they seem to be zeroing in on Jake Long, perhaps believing that left tackle is a suitable position at which to begin the rebuilding of a team that went 1-15 last season.

The negotiations with Jake Long's representatives have progressed far enough that the two sides are discussing complex contract language dealing with the possibility of a lockout of the NFL players by the owners in 2011.

Last year's top overall choice in the draft, LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell, agreed last September to a six-year contract with the Oakland Raiders worth as much as $68 million, including $29 million in guaranteed money. Dolphins front office chief Bill Parcells reportedly planned to try to get the player he's going to choose Saturday to accept a contract worth less than Russell's deal with the Raiders.

Completing a pre-draft deal with the player they're going to pick would enable the Dolphins to avoid the sort of combative negotiations deep into the summer that plagued the Raiders and Russell.

Dolphins General Manager Jeff Ireland said during the team's pre-draft news conference last week that the club hoped the player it chooses will be a pillar of its defense for a long time. Ireland called it a "Freudian slip" when it was pointed out to him what he'd said, and amended his statement to say the team hoped the player would be a pillar of its offense or defense for a long time. People around the league wondered whether Ireland's comment had been a telling slip of the tongue or a pre-draft smokescreen orchestrated by Parcells.

For now, the Dolphins are keeping others around the league guessing about their intentions.

Chiefs President Carl Peterson said in telephone conversation this evening from his office in Kansas City: "This is a unique draft because there is so much speculation, beginning with the first pick."

The Chiefs have the fifth overall selection Saturday and Peterson, like everyone else, is waiting to see what Parcells and the Dolphins will do.

He might not have to wait too much longer.