Apr 22, 2008 11:21 am US/Pacific
Dolphins Will Make Jake Long No. 1 Pick
Miami Has Reached Contract Agreement With Michigan Offensive Tackle
MIAMI (CBS) ―
Michigan tackle Jake Long has signed a multiyear contract with the Miami Dolphins, who plan to select him with the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft on Saturday.
The Dolphins were interested in trading the top pick, but no suitors surfaced - so they decided to sign Long and avoid a possible holdout. Last year's top pick, JaMarcus Russell, missed all of training camp before signing a $61 million contract with the Oakland Raiders.
The new Miami regime led by Bill Parcells began negotiations last week with Long's agent, Tom Condon. Offensive line is considered the biggest need for the Dolphins, who went 1-15 last year, and new Miami coach Tony Sparano coached the offensive line with the Dallas Cowboys.
Long was a two-time All-American offensive tackle at Michigan. In 2007 he was a finalist for the Outland Trophy, which is given to best lineman in the country.
Jake Long gave up just three quarterback sacks in the final 26 games of his career at Michigan. One of those sacks was to Vernon Gholston, the other player rumored to be a possible top selection by the Dolphins.
The 6-foot-7 Long weighed in at 320 pounds at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis earlier this year.
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