TrinidadDolfan
1st Team All-Pro
The more I see what is happening, the more I believe that BP wants Chris Long. Here are my thoughts:
Fact: You want to get the player you really want for the lowest salary.
The way to do that would not be to negotiate with him FIRST, as BP & company have done with Jake Long. You want to negotiate with the player you want AFTER you have negotiated contracts with Long and Goldston and basically say "hey, we can get these guys for X, but if you sign for Y we would be interested in taking you as well. We would make you an instant star by being the 1st pick in the 2008 draft (instant media & endorsement appeal=$$$), and you would make a lot more money by signing this contract that if you were picked at #3 or #4 or #5.
You try and go in with as much negotiating power as you can. This was not done in Jake Long's case, so I think that talking to his agent is a ruse, pure and simple.
Next step: in we walk to Goldston's camp with the same speech....we love you as a player, just like we do Jake Long, haven't decided to go Offence or Defence as yet, can we work something out? etc... Talk the numbers and draw some interest.
Step 3: ignore Mc Fadden/Dorsey/Ryan.....no one seems to buy that we will draft either of these 3. Don't spoil the credibility of the previous moves by becoming unbelievable.
Final Step: Walk into Chris Long's camp and say hey, can we work something out? We have things ironed out with Jake Long and Goldston (who, some people believe has WAY more upside than you by the way), but what would it take to have you instead of them?
Chris then realizes the very real possibility of being drafted #3/4/5 instead of #1.....and hopefully lowers the #1 asking price on his contract.
This could very well be the case and the strategy of BP and our Fins. Negotiate with the player we really want after building negotiating power with J. Long & Goldston.
My personal feeling is that BP wants Chris Long in our lineup because, after QB, there is no more 1 important position on the field than the defensive player that can hurry/worry/smack the opposing team's QB...creating havoc and chaos.
He may feel as though Chris Long can do that. And while Goldston is freakish in his ability, it is too scary to pick (as #1) a player that has a "questionable" desire to play 100% every down. Unless his heart is in the game, I don't want him, period.
The smokescreen is in full swing, but after it clears and Goodell steps to the podium to announce the #1 pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, the screen will lift.....and the only player left standing will be.............. Chris Long.
Fact: You want to get the player you really want for the lowest salary.
The way to do that would not be to negotiate with him FIRST, as BP & company have done with Jake Long. You want to negotiate with the player you want AFTER you have negotiated contracts with Long and Goldston and basically say "hey, we can get these guys for X, but if you sign for Y we would be interested in taking you as well. We would make you an instant star by being the 1st pick in the 2008 draft (instant media & endorsement appeal=$$$), and you would make a lot more money by signing this contract that if you were picked at #3 or #4 or #5.
You try and go in with as much negotiating power as you can. This was not done in Jake Long's case, so I think that talking to his agent is a ruse, pure and simple.
Next step: in we walk to Goldston's camp with the same speech....we love you as a player, just like we do Jake Long, haven't decided to go Offence or Defence as yet, can we work something out? etc... Talk the numbers and draw some interest.
Step 3: ignore Mc Fadden/Dorsey/Ryan.....no one seems to buy that we will draft either of these 3. Don't spoil the credibility of the previous moves by becoming unbelievable.
Final Step: Walk into Chris Long's camp and say hey, can we work something out? We have things ironed out with Jake Long and Goldston (who, some people believe has WAY more upside than you by the way), but what would it take to have you instead of them?
Chris then realizes the very real possibility of being drafted #3/4/5 instead of #1.....and hopefully lowers the #1 asking price on his contract.
This could very well be the case and the strategy of BP and our Fins. Negotiate with the player we really want after building negotiating power with J. Long & Goldston.
My personal feeling is that BP wants Chris Long in our lineup because, after QB, there is no more 1 important position on the field than the defensive player that can hurry/worry/smack the opposing team's QB...creating havoc and chaos.
He may feel as though Chris Long can do that. And while Goldston is freakish in his ability, it is too scary to pick (as #1) a player that has a "questionable" desire to play 100% every down. Unless his heart is in the game, I don't want him, period.
The smokescreen is in full swing, but after it clears and Goodell steps to the podium to announce the #1 pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, the screen will lift.....and the only player left standing will be.............. Chris Long.
