Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando
The Dolphins have signed Jake Long and announced their intentions to draft him first overall and play him at left tackle. The chart shows the Dolphins' depth chart along the offensive line. The team expects to move Vernon Carey to right tackle. Justin Smiley is expected to start at right guard after signing as a free agent from San Francisco. Samson Satele returns at center. The team does not have an established left guard. Drew Mormino and Trey Darilek could be part of that equation, but the Dolphins could still draft another candidate in that spot.
Jake Long, Dolphins coach Tony Sparano and Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland are answering questions at a press conference to introduce Long. Long sounds like another former Michigan offensive lineman, Steve Hutchinson. His answers are short and to the point, although he smiles a little more freely in this setting. This appears to be a low-risk draft choice.
"I just think when you watch on the film, the tape doesn't lie," Sparano said. "With offensive linemen, you are not watching a highlight film. You are watching game tape. The sidebar to the whole thing is the kind of guy he is. That is separate from all that. Watching the game film is what sold me."
Getting Long signed now means the Dolphins don't have to worry about their top pick missing valuable time at training camp. Long said he thinks being in camp on time will help him get accustomed to the speed of the game.
