Dolphins Reportedly Negotiating With J. Long

The Miami Dolphins reportedly are negotiating a contract with the representative for Jake Long as a possible precursor to making the Michigan offensive tackle the top overall selection in this month's NFL draft.

The Miami Herald reported that agent Tom Condon negotiated with Dolphins officials this week in South Florida.

It's common for the team with the top pick to negotiate with several players and then zero in on one of them in the days before the draft and attempt to sign him to a contract, as NFL rules permit, before officially using the choice on him. Having a deal in place before the draft avoids the sort of lengthy contract impasse and absence from training camp that plagued last year's top overall selection, Oakland Raiders quarterback JaMarcus Russell.

It's unclear if the Dolphins are negotiating with other players as well. The Herald reported that it's believed no face-to-face negotiations have taken place with the representative for Virginia defensive end Chris Long, another player thought to be a leading candidate to be the Dolphins' pick.

By Mark Maske |  April 9, 2008; 7:40 PM ET  | Category:  Dolphins
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