Dolphins Rams Still Waiting On Jake Long
By Brian Miller
Dec 2, 2012; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins tackle Jake Long (77) is introduced before a game against the New England Patriots at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
While the Miami Dolphins and the St. Louis Rams wait out Jake Long’s own version of “The Decision”, LG Ritchie Incognito is having a little fun on Twitter. Incognito has tweeted several pictures of he and Long dressed for Halloween and at a party. He is hash-tagging “#bringjakehome and is giving Long serious man love. Unfortunately no one yet know what Long is planning to do.
The Dolphins brass along with the rest of the leagues owners are all in Arizona for this weeks owners meeting but Long is at home weighing his options. According to reports, the offers between Miami and St. Louis are pretty much even. Perhaps Long is hoping and waiting for another team to jump into the fray. Perhaps he feels disrespected by the Dolphins for not giving him what he wanted.
In reality only he and his wife know.
While everyone waits for Long to make up his mind, other players are waiting as well. Sebastian Vollmer formerly of New England and Andre’ Smith. Both are waiting for the Jake Long deal so they can move on. Long originally wanted a deal in the neighborhood of 12 million per season but current belief is that he will end up in the neighborhood of 7.5 million per season.
The Dolphins are ready to move last years rookie tackle, Jonathan Martin, to the left side permanently but there is no question that Long is at this time a better LT than Martin. The issue however is his health. While the Rams insist that he has medically cleared and there are no questions regarding his health, the fact that two seasons in a row have seen Long injured at the end of the year, a time when a team hoping to make a run at the playoffs would want their top lineman active.
In addition to the other tackles awaiting their fate, RT Eric Winston who has yet to sign is still on the Dolphins radar as well. Winston would be the likely top option if the Dolphins fail to sign Long. Conversely, the Dolphins are not likely to make any strong push towards landing a player like Elvis Dumerville until the Long situation is resolved.