It could just be talk, it could be serious, or it could be fishing.
Latest word is the Miami Dolphins have opened negotiations with Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long. Considering the condition of the team, this would be a smart move to solidify a porous offensive line to protect likely a new starter in John Beck (42 sacks allowed) and add a road grader to pave the way for the running game that will depend on two ball carriers coming off injuries (Ronnie Brown torn ACL and Ricky Williams torn chest muscle).
But what caught people off guard is also included in the negotiations is Ohio State defensive end/linebacker Vernon Gholston. Noone considers Gholston one of the best players in the draft. Heck, Virginia's Chris Long, a defensive end/linebacker hybrid like Gholston, is rated as a better player than Gholston. And depending on who you ask, Gholston is either a borderline top-five player or is overrated. Why are the Dolphins showing interest in the Buckeye?
One reason is that maybe Bill Parcells sees the closest thing to Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor he's ever seen. Maybe the Big Tuna thinks that highly of Gholston. If anyone could identify a player that special, it would be Parcells because he drafted LT second overall in 1981.
The other reason could be to dangle a player sought after by other teams in hopes of sparking discussions.
Parcells is no stranger to trading down to accumilate additional draft picks. And if there was a team that needed more picks to restock a weak roster, the 'Fins fit that profile. He knows there's at least three teams in the top seven (Oakland Raiders, New York Jets, New England Patriots) may have a jones for Gholston. The question is, how badly does one want him? All three franchises feel secure Gholston will still be available after two picks. His availability comes into question when he reaches Oakland at third. So if the Jets or Pats or whoever really want Gholston, they'd call St. Louis.
Unless, of course, if Miami has a legitimate interest in Gholston. Then teams have to make a call for the first pick overall.
Are the Gholston negotiations real or just a bluff? We'll wait and see.
All I know is this puts a Wolverine and a Buckeye in competition for being the first pick overall. The rivalry gets taken to another level.
