MIAMI — The Miami Dolphins' season might be months away, but it appears the games have already begun.

In a move that at least begins a new major phase of their draft preparations, the Dolphins met with super-agent Tom Condon early this week to discuss a potential contract that would make Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long the NFL's first overall pick in 2008.

Condon, who also represents top quarterback prospect Matt Ryan, traveled to South Florida early this week at the team's request to specifically negotiate on Long's behalf.

However, the latest development does not mean Miami has completely settled on the tackle as its first selection — even if the negotiations are a step in that direction. At this point, Virginia defensive end Chris Long is still being considered.

It isn't unorthodox for teams with the first overall pick to negotiate with the agents of multiple players in order to gain leverage during their talks, an anticipated practice that brings a level of craftiness to the first overall pick.

That said, it at least appears Miami is not currently considering a quarterback with its first pick. The Dolphins are happy with John Beck's potential, which has led them to focus on players other than Ryan.

Whichever direction the Dolphins go — still likely to be either Chris Long or Jake Long — the team would like to have an agreement in place before the draft on April 26 for a number of reasons.

By completing negotiations beforehand, it would avoid the type of ugly holdout that occurred between the Raiders and quarterback JaMarcus Russell last year. It would also give the Dolphins more leverage, since they can use negotiations with multiple players to drive down the price of the contract.

But perhaps more possible, the decision to negotiate with Jake Long despite a gap of two weeks separating the team from when it must make the pick could also be a way for Vice President of Football Operations Bill Parcells to confuse other organizations.

Certainly, this is the time of year when every action will be viewed with a skeptical eye. Parcells' decision to negotiate in person with Condon (not exactly a stealth move) could simply be a way to "show" other teams that he's interested in the tackle.

Such a move could spark other teams interested in Jake Long to consider a trade toward the top of the board — something the Dolphins would still be interested in talking about. It will be interesting to see how soon (or if at all) Miami also begins possible negotiations with the agents of Chris Long, Glenn Dorsey or Vernon Gholston.

All three prospects could be considered in order to garner negotiating leverage — or, of course, as actual potential choices. As of Wednesday, no in-house talks between the Dolphins and any of those players were believed to have taken place.

Most notably, agent Marvin Demoff has not yet had talks with the team about Chris Long. But it's likely that those talks would take place, since Parcells is believed to still be intrigued by his potential.

Of course, another potential scenario remains: The Dolphins could truly be set on signing Jake Long. The team does have a glaring need for a tackle.

By signing him, Miami could then shift Vernon Carey to his more natural position on the right side of the line. Whether the case or not, this much is certain: The draft is still nearly three weeks away.

And these games have only just begun.