Breaking News: Jake Long Signs With Dolphins
Posted on April 22nd, 2008 by Bassett
ESPN.com is reporting that the Dolphins and Jake Long have reached an agreement on a contract.
This now puts the Rams on the clock, as they can start negotiating with players, we’ll see if things start to fall into place … we’ll keep you posted.
Hat tip to John G. for passing along.
nice maybe we’ll only have to wait 30-40 minutes for the Jet s pick now…
Jake Long was projected to be picked #1 or #2. The Rams need an OT and a DT. Do they trade down or do they take Clady or Dorsey? I still think Ryan and McFadden will be there at #6 for the JETS.
Lets see if St. Louis gets someone signed now, hopefully not Chris Long.
I’m not convinced that the Rams are keeping the pick.
For us Jets fans, who we root for all depends on the Jared Allen deal. Without that deal, one would want the Rams to take Gholston so the Falcons take Dorsey and the Raiders take Long, leaving the Chiefs with Albert/Clady and us with McFadden. If the Allen deal is completed, we want the Rams to take Dorsey, so the Falcons take Ryan, the Raiders take McFadden, the Chiefs take Long, and we take Gholston. Of course, as has been widely mentioned, the Raiders can also take Gholston and we McFadden.
pablo, you’re wrong, let the Raiders take mcFadden so we can land Gholston. D-E-F-E-N-S-E
this would be my ideal sequence:
STL-Dorsey (hope not Chris Long)
ATL- Dorsey or M. Ryan
OAK- DMC or Gholston (hope not C. Long)
KC- M. Ryan, B. Albert, S. Ellis, R. Clady
NYJ- 1. C. Long, 2. Gholston, 3. McFadden/Ryan (tie), 4. trade-down to grab McKelvin or Cromartie.
Dorsey
Ryan
McFadden
Chiefs trade Allen and take either Long or Gholston
Jets take either Long or Gholston
My son is such a tool. What was I thinking?
i heard on wfan that talks between the rams and glen dorsey are heating up deal could be done soon way before the draft.
The Dolphins should take someone else on Saturday… that would throw EVERYONE off.
Jet fans need the Rams to select Dorsey. Dorsey needs to be off the board when the Falcons are up at 3, leaving them with only one option… Matt Ryan. This will give the Jets a 95% chance of landing either C. Long or McFadden at 6. The only obstacle (hence 95%) could be the Chiefs looking at C. Long if they deal Allen.
If Jake Long and Glenn Dorsey are both off the board, I think the odds increase dramatically that the Falcons take Matt Ryan. If so, that leaves one of Chris Long, Darren McFadden or Vernon Gholston available at six. My preference would be for Long, but the Jets figure to have one of their top prospects still on the board for a far more economical contract than they would have had at three.
Well, HOZ, the Fan is the Fan, just like the Post is the Post: unreliable
dave
what good is D if you cant score on O? this team put alot of money into the D this offseason and with not knowing if we have a good QB or not we need to make sure our ground game is the best it can be and that mean taking mcfadden.
I keep asking this and no one answers .what would it cost the jets to trade up to the number 3 pick? would our number 6 and a 2 and a 3 in next years draft do it?
seanmac
i orginally wanted long as well but i have been hearing that he isnt ideal for our 3-4 he would be a better player in the 4-3
Trade up for Matt Ryan? I’ll hit Tannenbaum with a frickin fish. There are other QBs, draft picks are precious and Matt Ryan would have gone #1 if he was expected to be another manning.
Chris Long has an incredible motor and a high level of talent. He will be fine anywhere.
What is parcells doing – taking someone who most think will end up being a RT at #1? Oh well doesnt bother me – not someone I would have wanted for the Jets – Saturday is going to be one of the more interesting drafts in a long time.
mbi, the whole “Jake Long isn’t a LT” thing has been totally overblown. Jake reminds me of Jamaal Brown – another LT who scouts thought might be too slow to keep up with edge rushers, but who’s turned into an All-Pro because his athleticism was underrated. Jake will be better than average in pass protection, and will be an absolute monster in the run game.
I was hoping the Fins would blow their pick, but with Parcells at the helm, I’m not surprised they did very, very well for themselves.
matt…your wrong…we spent alot of money bringing in faneca,woody,franks and richardson…our RBs should be able to run the ball with ease this year…which will open up our passing game…we need to draft defense to stop teams from running and passing on us at will…our offense will do fine our defense needs help man…anyway,just my thoughts…
I think Herm is stupid enough to switch places with us for Pennington.
I don’t think they have the luxury of getting rid of Chad because if KC gets injured who plays – or if he doesn’t perform same question.
Will anyone show up to games if Tuiasosopo or Ratliff are behind center?
Thats not so outlandish Johnny Styne, under the old value chart the move is 100 points equivalent to a high 4th rounder, under the new value chart the move is 40 points, equivalent to a high 5th rounder, and I don’t think either price would be considered a steal for Jets.
Would anything have prevented Tuna from taking a guy expected to go late in first round, and both sides knowing that, negotiating a deal well below previous # 1picks, and thereby actually paying realistic money for the pick? It’s tough to have to pay #1 money for a guy who’s really not a #1 overall. Tuna was stuck, based upon current cap slotting, which is why no one wanted the pick.
Matt, you are worng. The whoem pronlem with our offense and why we couldn’t score last year was because our O’Line was terrible. now that we have brought in the best guard in football and a solid RT we are ready to move forward. WHy did we bring in and give a conteract extension to T Jones last year if we didn’t think he had what it took to be the top RB here? I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again, Did you watch the Super Bow Matt? DI you see Brady on his ass all night? If we bring in DMC yeah we’ll score points, btu so will NE, we need to rbing in people that will hold them from scoring and bring the pass rush. We need to have confidence in Jones. Also, Matt if we bring in McFadden than that leaves leon Washington as the odd man out. he needs tonhave the ball in his hands too. There’s decent depth at rb with Stewart, Jones, and even some other guys later on int he draft. A top-tier talent like Gholston is hard to find. He’s the guy I want. i don’t like the quality at CB for the six spot. Our defense is what is going to get us there. Barton is on his way out and Ellis si getting old, so we eed to have a lot of young guys that are going to be here for a long time and Gholston or Chris Long could be one of those guys.
Hey Bassett or whoever has control over this, I’d like to see a poll of the readers and people that post on this site as to who they would like to see the Jets take. more importnatly, i’d like to see who thinks it should be defense and who thinks offense. Is there anyway fo getting that done?
If this is indeed true, Parcells just made the draft a whole lot easier for those between 2 and 6. C.Long is still a possibility. Trade down is still preferred. Drama. WHen was the last time the Draft was THIS exiting?
So basically sec108, the Jets can keep Chad and just offer their 1st + 4th for the KC pick?
Dave 75,
I completely agree with you…If Chris Long or Gholston are gone, TRADE DOWN. I do not want McFadden on this team…He doesnt fit the mold of where this team is headed.
DEF is my vote! Would love to see that poll.
how is chris long not fit for the 3-4 when thats what he played in virginia?
RK, yes, or a 5th depending on which chart you think GMs are currently using for a reference.
defense definitly defense…is my vote…
Jets must put pressure on the QB, you have to do that to win in this league. If gholsten is there they need to take him
This is all falling into place– Only stupid Al David can screw this up for the Jets. CHRIS LONG!!!!
I wonder if the Tangini regime reads this at all and sees what the real fans want.
Dave75,
Guess we will find out on Saturday if they read this…I can’t wait for Sat!! I hope Long or Gholston are there at 6!!!
Dave75, no offense, but if Tangini wastes ANY time at all reading the rantings of fans (real or not) instead of actually working on the draft (watching film, interviewing players, huddling with scouts, calling other teams, working on possible scenarios that may occur) then they should be fired on the spot.
C. Long has motor but what else really? He’s not quick and he weighed in at 266 at his proday. Pace is like 274 and he’s an OLB. He needs to put on like 20lbs and going through Manginnis trainning camp he will actually LOSE weight! Would anyone want him if he wasnt Howie’s son? Lets take him and find out… The only thing that will piss me off is us taking Leodis at 6!
Reprocity,
If you want to judge your football players based soley on a tape measure, stopwatch and scale, then yes, Chris Long leaves something to be desired, if you want to judge them by what they do on the field on game days he leaves very little to be desired. I happen to think his size and instincts would allow him to play multiple spots in the front 7 with OLB being his natural position.
Why is everyone so set on trading down if Gholston/Long or Mcfadden are still there, why the hell would we let someone take a star quality player away from us so we can get a bunch of o.k. players late in round 1 or 2 this makes no sense! Derrick Harvey is no C. Long or even Gholston and Mendenhall is no Mcfadden .This whole notion of sacrificing quality for quantity is insane the only scenario in which the jets should do this is if Matt Ryan is the only one left then we should trade out n pick up the best available corner to star opposite Revis.
Long was a DE in Virginia’s 3-4 in college. He is undersized for the position in the NFL, but proved at the Combine he is athletic enough to play OLB and does have the technique to play on the line in passing situations.
btw in a chat for ESPN last week he said he was equally happy with playing as a 4-3 DE or a 3-4 OLB, which somewhat allays concerns that he earlier said he didn’t like 3-4 as much.
maybe the raiders will sign shaun alexander he was release today that leaves run dmc to us
If there is to be a poll, please include BPA, because I don’t care if it’s O or D, just get me a six! I don’t expect to see the Jets picking this early in the coming years!
reprocity: ditto what bent and sec108 said. also, i watched not just the measurable drills like 40, but also the skills portion of the combine on the NFL network (yes, we have it in DC). c.long was very good at the drills designed to measure how a LB/DL drops back into coverage and then changes direction to make a play. deion sanders and rod woodson were very impressed with his quick footwork as well as his technique–low hips, and kept feet moving to pivot instead of stopping and planting to turn. if deion and rod were impressed, it’s good enough for me.
Now we need Dorsey to go #2, Ryan at #3 (which is possible if Dorsey goes #2). We would then be guaranteed MCFadden, Long, or Gholston. I’d be disappointed with Gholston, but I still couldn’t complain. I’m still holding out hope Oakland passes on McFadden and the Jets take him at 6 (no trade down please!!)
I get the point … all you have to say is chrebet. What I’m trying to get at is some one picked that high should be more prototype size and speed. We need some one to compete for the RT spot and DE. It would be nice if we could get some one like McFadden or Long but since long is no longer a consideration as a DE in a 3-4 then like I just said it would be nice to have him as a LB. Can you tell me one good 3-4 end who weighed 266lbs? Like i said!!! “Lets take him and find out…”
Thomas Jones is the Chad Pennington of running backs.
I could care less if we get Gholston, Chris Long, or McFadden. Long would be my pick if he fell, but isn’t likely. If Dorsey goes to the Rams, ATL could take either Matt Ryan which is most likely or if they like Sedrick Ellis, could opt for him. Either way, one of the 3 I want will be there after Atlanta. I have a strong feeling that Al Davis might pass on McFadden for Gholston or C. Long. I know he’s high on DMAC, but the fact is that Oakland NEEDS a DE more than they need a RB. I also think they are high on Michael Bush, who is returning this year. They could have Rhodes, Bush, and Fargas splitting carries. I expect Lamont Jordan to be released.
if i am crazy please tell me…
but can i assume we are at least gonna contact lamonts people and gauge interest in coming back?? assuming of course that he is a “mangini” type guy. dont recall him being a problem in oakland.
he is 29, this will be his 8th season…with 258 carries combined over the last 2 years. he ran in an anemic offense over there. why not bring him back….let him be a 10-15 carry guy for us….if he is cool with being a backup who could steal the job if he plays well…
guy was cool….and tough. wants to win…
Hopefully the Raiders take McFadden, leaving the Jets with the possible choices of Gholston or Long, assuming the Rams taking Dorsey and ATL taking Ryan, DEF is a must for the first pick. In the 2nd round CB or WR need to be addressed.
swizzle…
you hit the nail right on the head…flip the coin and make your pick…its a win win situation…cant lose with either 1…but it anit gonna happen…i hope it does but dont think so…just my thoughts…
doesn’t hurt to dream…
Thomas Jones is a beast…. He is a 20+ carries a game running back and has shown no signs of letting up.
He ran for over 1200 yards last year with no passing game and a JV offensive line. Plus the our Defense was on the field for the majority of the games due to our swiss cheese run Defense.
I am excited to see TJ in action this year with Leon coming in and changing the tempo.. We must figure out the QB situation and continue to sure up the D in the draft and maybe pick up a WR in the 3rd.
Teams cant beat us if they cant score!!!!
Okay Najy, I would not say TJ is a “beast”… only the way he looks, not really the way he runs IMHO, though he is certainly capable of stiff-arming at times (we all know this). I certainly wouldn’t compare him — even in the same conversation as — Adrian Petersen, Ladainian Tomlinson, or even a guy like Brandon Jacobs/Marion Barber the 1,2,3.
In point of fact, aside from the obvious from the list above (AP and LT), I might be inclined to take Brandon Jacobs and definitely Barber the 1,2,3 over TJ.
I just think TJ is pretty good, but nothing special. He’s had a great season (kinda) but I don’t think he is a great player who will have great production year in year out.
Who knows, maybe he can produce like he did once in Chicago, but I don’t see a long, impressive track record with him. It was based more on a year plus for a guy who had flopped with another team as a draft bust.
The above post might be slightly unfair… just checked and he has had 2 “good” seasons as a starting NFL running back. Didn’t say great, though the 1,300 yard season starts getting close.
Still, thats 2 years out of his career when he was “pretty good”. Last year, all excuses aside, he was bad.
I just don’t get the love for Gholston on this blog. Here’s the current Jets depth chart from ESPN.com:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/teams/depth?team=nyj&formationId=15
As you will see, ESPN is assuming (as I do) that Pace will be ROLB, playing the weak side. This makes sense, the Jets need a playmaker to rush the QB and just paid Pace a ton of money. So, where does Gholston fit in? If he’s in on the strong side, it would only be in obvious passing situations because getting bashed by the RT and TE in the running game, or covering the TE in 3rd and 6 is not VG’s game. I just don’t see it. Plus, VG is only a POTENTIAL pass rusher. I like Chris Long and I doubt that he, Ryan and DMc will all be available at 6. But, it’s now far more likely that one of those 3 will be there at 6 (thank you, Bill Parcells) and I’d be happy with any of them, but slightly happier with an offensive upgrade.
Dsmizzle,
I dont understand… is 1119 yards not good anymore??? Especially behind a horrible line?? I thought that was impressive on the part of Jones.
2007 stats:
5th in the league in carries
10th in the league in rush yards
18th in the league in yards per game
2 fumbles total in 2007
9th in the league in 1st downs.. total of 55 first downs
I would say those are very impressive stats considering the offensive line that we had.. You do agree that we had a horrible offensive line, right???
And dont forget that he was splitting time with Cedric Benson in Chicago who was a first round pick and he still put up impressive numbers.
Also, I want to respond JAGG on the “Ryan’s not a franchise QB because Parcells passed on him” argument. I guess that also means that Gholston and/or Chris Long are not in the LT, Banks, Ware mode of franchise DE/OLB, too (unlike QBs, Parcells’ no. 1 draft priority has always been 3-4 OLB). And, DMc is not a franchise RB and, obviously, Dorsey and Ellis are not franchise D-lineman. Parcells saw a team that had lots of needs, prioritized them, looked at the salary cap and his team’s roster and decided that Jake Long was the safest pick. After the Ted Ginn and Beck picks, which, in part, got the last FO fired, safety might have been the overriding goal.
the only way this draft goes really bad is if gholston goes to SL at 2 then Dorsey to ATL at 3 mcfadden 4 to OAK then KC since the just traded there de takes Chris long at 5 I want mcfadden but the only way i will be upset is if this is the way it falls cause then i feel we dont get a great player
dsmizzle…
to be honest…i also think TJ’s a good back not a great 1 like you already stated…but,you cant blame TJ for a bad year with that god awful line we had…he will bounce back and give us a 1300 -1400 yards this year coming up…and he will have the line to get him in for some TDs as well…and leon will also have more opportunities to make some plays…as will our QB will have time to throw the ball…to a reciever who will have the time to get open…thats what an improved o-line does for an offense that was down right offensive…just my thoughts…
Take a look at this…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Q3cGgSuorU
I like TJ, but he has had injury issues and he will be on the wrong side of 30 at the start of this season. IMO, DMc would be a nice complement, like Bettis (Jones) and Parker (DMc).
Thomas Jones is a beast and is capable of 1400+ rushing yards behind a good o-line.
Sack, I disagree. BT weakside, Pace strongside. Pace has the more rounded skills required as shown by his 98 tackles.
Repo – 266 is prototypical OLB size in a 3-4.
Najy and dakar:
I’m not 1,000% down on TJ or anything… I’m just not going to let the fact that he is on the JETS deter my desire that they draft a playmaker, whether on O or D.
In point of fact, TJ’s plodding, strong-armed style might make an electric back the perfect compliment.
Its not like the Vikings didn’t have a TON of needs and Chester Taylor wasn’t coming off of a year that rivaled TJ’s best (1,200+ yards, TD’s about the same, etc.), and just like Chicago, the Vikes didn’t have a competent QB while he was doing it. The Vikes also had drastically upgraded their O-Line at the time.
DSmizzl
Did you take a look at the stats that i posted on Thomas Jones for 2007?
Najy:
I saw the stats. I fully understand where you are coming from. I know TJ is a guy who can take a ton of carries (largely b/c he has less wear and tear because he was a bust and/or too ineffective to start most of his career), and I know that he has produced in Chicago and got over 1,100 yards last year.
To answer a question you asked (I think it was you Najy), I am not impressed by 1,200 yards and 1 TD. It certainly becomes a little/a lot more impressive when you consider how bad the JETS were, but I knew TJ was capable of getting the 5th most carries in the league and cracking 1,100 yards.
DMC brings something to the table that TJ and Leon don’t; the ability to take it to the house but also the ability to take the ball 15-20 times in a game. I think Leon is perfect for 5-8 carries and a few screens and all the kick/punt returns.
My point is that he was able to gain those yards and perform the way he did with adrian Clarke and Montgomery rotating in at LG.
Clement is not even on our team anymore! (so what does that tell you about his performance?) And d’brick is not a great run blocker. He only got 1 TD because our O line couldnt push my little sister around.
And stilll, he put up good numbers. Look for TJ to tear it up this year (1500 yards and 8 TDs is a reasonable statistic for him) with Leon spelling him and our new and IMPROVED offensive line.
Plus these guys are dieing to have him back in Chicago and realized they made the wrong trade by letting him go and keeping Cedric Benson…
You have to appreciate TJ man…. I love his style and I am confident in his ability.