Mike Ehrmann - Getty Images
With the first overall selection in the 2008 NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins selected Jake Long, tackle, University of Michigan. After four seasons, with four Pro Bowl selections, and two first-team All-Pro selections, Long has proven to be a wall at the left tackle, and worth the five year contract that he signed with Miami.
Now, as the Dolphins move to enter the 2012 season, talk has begun on why Miami has not locked down their franchise left tackle with a contract extension, given this would be the final year of that five year deal. However, a South Florida Sun-Sentinel report today shed light on why the contract extension has not been a pressing need.
Jake Long is not entering his final year.
According to the report, Long's rookie contract included a clause that would add a sixth year to the deal if he were to meet certain milestones. That clause was triggered by his rookie year Pro Bowl appearance.
So, now, the Dolphins know they have their left tackle for two more years. And, the need to lock him down is not pressing. However, a contract extension may still be needed.
With all of the bonuses and base salary, Long is scheduled to have a cap number $12,350,000 this next season. With nose tackle Paul Soliai most likely heading to free agency this year, Long will be the most expensive player on the Dolphins' roster. While the Dolphins do have cap space to make some moves this offseason, restructuring Long's deal could free up a lot more money.
Long should be looking to exceed the Cleveland Browns' tackle Joe Thomas' seven-year, $84 million deal signed last year. If the Dolphins are willing to extend Long now, despite an injury plagued 2011 season, he's going to be expensive; but, if the contract is done correctly, he won't hamper the team's salary cap situation.
Otherwise, the team can wait until the end of next season. After all, Long isn't going anywhere.
0 recs | 17 comments
Interesting one.
Still, I don’t think it may be a bad idea to do it depending on how much of 2013 is considered bonus money. They can shave a few mil off of this year into next without hampering Miami much at all with how much the cap should increase next year. They don’t even need to extend him if that is the case.
Finhead83 - February 16, 2012
Which would be better for the Dolphins - Long at $12M / year with an extension or another LT at $6-7M per year?
I don’t know. What I do know is that if the Phins get Manning or Flynn, they will command a $10M salary (that’s on the low end of salaries for a quality starting QB in the NFL). If that is the case, the QB, Marshall and Long would consume approximately $34M in salary cap for ‘12. That doesn’t leave a lot of room for the other positions on offense assuming they have approximately $60M to work with.
(Figure $124M Salary cap. $4M for specialists. $60M for offense. $60M for defense.)
ct1361 - February 16, 2012
You can adjust caps...
Where even a franchise QB can cost $8 mil for one year. You also can’t just assume that you can spread the cap evenly over offense and defense, especially when the highest paid players are often the QBs.
Finhead83 - February 16, 2012
Really
Flynn is going to “command” 10 million dollar salary…c’mon man
Phincent - February 16, 2012
A "little" less..
More like 7-8 for Flynn. Maybe 6-7 if he gives us the Philbin (good buddy) discount.
Simple Buddha - February 16, 2012
Anyone
Worry about Flynn? I know the college game doesn’t transition over, but Flynn really wasn’t that impressive for LSU back then. I’m actually torn. I have negatives to every QB situation we have going. It’s possible that Flynn could be beat out by Moore. It’s possible Manning will retire. And it’s definately not a “terrible” option to have Moore start again, if he plays like he did this year.
Mr_Solo_Dolo - February 16, 2012
If the Dolphins pick up Flynn
then I am not worried because it would be his former coach who has seen him progress for 4 years and has complete knowledge and trust that he will be a good QB. This situation would be a lot like when Holmgren brought Matt Hasselbeck along with him to Seattle, that worked out okay for them.
phinhead - February 16, 2012
Yeah, they went to a superbowl, were cheated out of a victory (the refs definaly cheated them), an had a franchise qb for a good decade.
AnishB15 - February 16, 2012 via mobile
Hasselbeck was a proven QB in the league..
but i can follow the logic on Phinbin trusting Flynn.
Aleta - February 16, 2012
He wasn't proven
He was a four year backup to brett favre!
phinhead - February 16, 2012 via mobile
It was eerily similar if recall
Strange - February 17, 2012
I still worry about wasting the money. However, I guess with Henne on his way out, Devlin isn’t exactly a “great” back-up plan in Moore went down. So it’d be nice to have insurance with Flynn or Moore (whoever wins the starting job). I’d hate to see us not sign someone and then Moore go down and force us to sign Sage or some other washed up, never was QB.
I guess I just have a pestimistic view to every situation? lol
Mr_Solo_Dolo - February 16, 2012
YES
Because every bit of cap space helps us this year to better our team. Hopefully Peyton or RG3 and some good solid draft picks.
miamimike71 - February 16, 2012 via mobile
I think this could work out for both sides.
Jake could gain another 6-7 year contract here and I wouldn’t mind seeing the Fins go for that investment.
thanksboo - February 16, 2012
I would definitely try to
but it shouldn’t be a top priority they have too many other things to deal with and we’re not desperate for cap space
Miamiboi84 - February 16, 2012 via Android app
We should restructure Long now!
Yes, we have another year. Great. There are three possible scenarios that I see.
We could eye a replacement for Long this year (either on roster or through draft) to allow him to leave and free up space. I don’t necessarily agree here, but my vote doesn’t count.
We could choose to wait, and renew Long next year. This gives us a chance to see if his health holds up and if he is still driven to excel. then use franchise tags and the such to wait and see. However, every year we wait, the more expensive his new contract will become.
Or we could sign him now, a bit early. Risk any drop off (either via new contract syndrome, injury wear and tear, opponent familiarity or simple aging). This would, however, free up money to solidify the core and more importantly, secure Long long term and at a better price than waiting. This would be my choice.
PhinNomenol! - February 16, 2012 via Android app
lock him up
Patssuck456 - February 22, 2012
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