INDIANAPOLIS — Like the Miami Dolphins' offseason is likely to be, general manager Jeff Ireland says the negotiations with former No. 1 pick Jake Long will be "tricky" and "complicated."

Speaking on the first day of the NFL scouting combine at Lucas Oil Stadium, Ireland didn't sound overly optimistic a deal with the pending free agent left tackle would get done. Long underwent offseason triceps surgery this winter but could still seek more than $10 million per season in a new deal.

"We've talked with Jake and his representative," Ireland said. "We've made our desire to have him back on this football team known. But that's a tricky one. There are a lot of different things that normally you don't have in that particular case. Some of the details I don't really want to get into. But it's a complicated negotiation.

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"But I'd love to have him back. He's been a pillar on this football team since the day he stepped on campus."

If Long departs, the Dolphins could move second-year tackle Jonathan Martin from the right side to the left.

As far as the combine, Ireland says for the first time in his career the entire coaching staff is in attendance. With robust cap room, five picks in the first three rounds, and a slew of potential free agents, it will be a critical offseason for Ireland and second-year head coach Joe Philbin after his 7-9 debut.

"I think it's a very, very important time for this offseason," Ireland said. "We put a lot into getting in this position. We're in this position by design. It's a very critical period for us. I want all eyes on all players."

As the team evaluates draft prospects, Ireland says there's no rush to re-sign Long, cornerback Sean Smith, running back Reggie Bush, wide receiver Brian Hartline or defensive tackle Randy Starks.

"We're going through a process," Ireland said. "I don't think we needed to get guys done by the 1st of January. The date I had in my head was March 9 (beginning of preliminary free agent negotiations). When you have as many of them as we do, you can't make knee-jerk reactions on getting certain guys signed."

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Follow Robert Klemko on Twitter @RobertKlemko

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