Jake Long officially goes to Dolphins

By BARRY WILNER, AP Football Writer

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NFL Draft prospects from left, Vernon Gholston (Ohio State), Chris Long (Virginia), Jake Long (Michigan), and Darren McFadden (Arkansas), stand on the stage at Radio City Music Hall at the start of the NFL Draft Saturday, April 26, 2008 in New York. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)

By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Apr 26, 2008 at 5:36 PM EST

Story Updated: Apr 26, 2008 at 5:36 PM EST

NEW YORK (AP) — The shortened NFL draft immediately went long Saturday when Miami officially selected Michigan tackle Jake Long to start the proceedings.

St. Louis then took another Long, Virginia defensive end Chris, the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Howie Long. He was followed by Matt Ryan of Boston College, who could solve the quarterback problems in Atlanta.

Jake Long signed a five-year contract with the Dolphins this week worth $57.75 million, $30 million of it guaranteed. After commissioner Roger Goodell announced Long's name at Radio City Music Hall, the St. Louis Rams went on the clock.

The NFL cut the first round from 15 minutes per pick to 10, and the Dolphins used only a few seconds to hand in their card. The Rams and Falcons didn't take much longer.

Jake Long became the first top overall pick from Michigan since Tom Harmon in 1941. He was accompanied by several family members onstage as he donned a Dolphins hat.

Then came another Long, who proudly held up a Rams jersey and pointed to the fans in the upper deck of the hall. Chris Long is the second straight defensive lineman selected in the opening round by St. Louis, following Nebraska's Adam Carriker last year. Carriker likely will move to DT to open a spot for his new teammate.

Ryan has an open course to starting in Atlanta, with Michael Vick in jail on dogfighting charges, and only journeymen Chris Redman and Joey Harrington to compete with.

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