Sat Apr 26 15:08:06 2008

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In a Draft Long on talent, Michigan's Jake goes No. 1

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New York, NY (Sports Network) - Thanks to the work done in advance by the Miami Dolphins, the opening selection of the 2008 NFL Draft provided little drama. As expected, Miami selected former University of Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long with the first pick in Saturday's draft, merely formalizing what had been a foregone conclusion for the better part of a week.

Miami agreed to a multi-year contract with Long earlier this week, announcing its intentions to take him first overall during a press conference Tuesday. Long, a 6-foot-7, 315-pounder who was a starter during all four of his seasons with the Wolverines, is the first offensive tackle taken No. 1 since the Rams pegged Ohio State's Orlando Pace with the first overall pick in 1997.

A two-time All-American, Long is the first pick for the Dolphins in the Bill Parcells era. Parcells, the former Giants, Patriots, Jets and Cowboys coach, was hired as executive vice president of football operations for Miami in December, and cleaned house, firing general manager Randy Mueller and head coach Cam Cameron within his first month on the job.

Parcells hired former Cowboys vice president of college and pro scouting Jeff Ireland to be GM, and former Cowboys assistant coach Tony Sparano to be head coach. The Dolphins are coming off a 1-15 campaign in 2007, and have not reached the playoffs since the 2001 season.