Just guessing here, but since Miami has the first pick in the draft, they just decided to get a four-day jump on it. It does surprise me, though, since I can’t fathom why they just wouldn’t wait til Saturday - maybe they were worried that Long would pull an Ellway!
Can anyone tell me - is this Howie’s son?
No, that’s Chris Long.
You agree to terms so you know you can sign him and get him into camp on time.
Given scenerios like the Eli Manning - San Diego mess, teams drafting the first couple picks will start the negotiating process before draft day. They want to make sure the player isn’t going to demand a trade right out of the gate and there is a general agreement on the numbers.