The Dolphins took the suspense out of the draft this week when they announced that they had signed Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long to a five-year, $57.5 million contract and would make him the first pick in the draft, and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell wasted no time in making it official, calling Long's name at 3:02 p.m.
Although coach Tony Sparano and general manager Jeff Ireland were the ones who announced the selection of Long, make no mistake: This is Bill Parcells' pick, and Parcells knows whether Long succeeds or fails will go a long way toward defining his legacy as Miami's Executive VP.
So why did Parcells pick Long? Because he's unanimously considered the best offensive lineman in this year's draft, and Parcells wants to make quick fixes to turn around the 1-15 Dolphins. The last time Parcells took over a 1-15 team, the Jets in 1997, he went 9-7 his first season. If the Dolphins are going to have a similar turnaround, Long needs to be a great player from Day 1.
Previously on FanHouse:
Dolphins Will Draft Jake Long; Agree to Contract With $30M Guaranteed
Dolphins Want to Deal Jason Taylor for Some More Picks
If Dolphins Don't Take Matt Ryan, Mel Kiper Doesn't Think They Should Draft a QB
FanHouse Mock Draft: Miami Dolphins Select Chris Long No. 1
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 1)
1. WELL HERE WE GO AGAIN WITH ANOTHER STUPID PICK FOR THE DOLPHINS WHEN WE NEED A GOOD QB OR RUNNING BACK TYPICAL OF MIAMI SEEMS AS NOTHING NEVER CHANGES BILL AINT AS SMART AS I THOUGHT HE WAS WELL ANOTHER YEAR OF LOSING
Posted at 3:41PM on Apr 26th 2008 by jrm0071
2. i couldnt agree more
why draft a guy that you can build a team around like Ryan (QB) when the availability of other limited contrinutors is endless and of course we can always get Wansteadtdtedetttdumberdandirt back, he did for us what he did for the bears...
lets see...he wasted the careers of Taylor, Thomas and several others. He Consistently shopped at Rent a Wreck.....
3 years ago I gave up 5 club seats after 15 years as a season ticket holder (even tho I have lived in New Hampshire since 87.
just moved to TampaBay and now share a skybox.
I wont even watch the fins on TV anymore. Mr Wayne as pro fotball team owner your a pretty good trash and rental car guy.but sir as the owner of the fins....What was the founding family thinking?
Miami misses having a pro football team
rlz
Posted at 4:41PM on Apr 26th 2008 by rlz
3. You two guys couldnt be anymore wrong, when you start from scratch you build first in the trenches. You can have the greatest Q.B. around but if you have no body too block them he is useless. Give Beck a chance with a good line and see what he can do, by taking a Q.B. in the first round your going to be spending alot of money too sign him, where we can be filling other holes.
Posted at 5:35PM on Apr 26th 2008 by R. Hillman
4. i agree, and don't worry these will be the same guys a few years down the road telling everybody what a genius they thought parsells was for turning around their team lol
Posted at 2:31AM on Apr 27th 2008 by mikeeee4444