Jeff Ireland says that in spite of a report that Miami Dolphins tackle Jake Long could be on his way out of South Beach the general manager plans on keeping the four-time Pro Bowler right where he is.
"I'd like to clear the air on an article," the general manager told the South Florida Sun Sentinel. "I don't normally go overboard on media speculation. But last night I saw an article about Jake Long. I have plans to keep Jake Long here for a long time. So, let's don't get ahead of ourselves. ... We drafted Jonathan Martin to be a tackle on this football team, a right tackle on this football team. Let's don't speculate any further than that."
Martin, taken in the second round by the Dolphins, played left tackle at Stanford where he protected No. 1 overall draft pick Andrew Luck who was selected by the Indianapolis Colts.
Long was the first overall pick in the 2008 draft, but is coming off a season in which he was slowed by knee and biceps injuries.
Ireland's recent comments seemed to indicate that Long's future with the Dolphins was hazy.
"We're not going to be as much a power scheme as we've been in the past," Ireland told the newspaper. "So his athletic ability and ... quickness and ability to play in space transfers to this scheme probably a lot better than any other scheme."
But Ireland did compliment Long's ability to adapt.
"Jake Long can transfer to any scheme, in any offense and any team in the National Football League, in my opinion," he added. "I think the guy is a tremendous athlete. He's quick. He's strong. He can do it."
