Long's play impresses Dolphins

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Long's play impresses Dolphins

Miami rookie called a 'total package'

BY CARL KOTALA
FLORIDA TODAY

Jake Long will have 16 games -- heck, his entire career -- to prove the Miami Dolphins were right in making him the No. 1 overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft.

But the rookie left tackle got a big thumbs up from his teammates following his performance in offseason workouts.

"Jake Long, he's a hard worker," right tackle Vernon Carey said. "He listens to the coaches, he listens to me, he's always trying to get better.

"I wish I had it like that. I mean, he's a guy who can pick up things real good, and that's what you need at this level."

Long is expected to anchor a rebuilt offensive line that will feature new starters at four positions -- including Carey, who slides back to the right tackle spot after spending 2007 at left tackle.

Throughout the offseason, the Dolphins searched for different combinations at guard to go along with Long, center Samson Satele and Carey.

One line of thinking was to put free-agent pickup Justin Smiley at left guard to give Long a veteran presence next to him. In fact, that's exactly how the Dolphins lined up the final two days of their minicamp. Smiley was at left guard and Trey Darilek -- who saw time at all five positions this offseason -- was at right guard.

If that turns out to be the way the Dolphins' offensive line is configured on opening day, however, it won't be because Long needs the help.

"Even though we're in shorts, you can tell the guy's a special player," Smiley said. "Honestly, Jake's a very special player. He's going to be a perennial Pro Bowler one day. I really believe that. I played with Larry Allen (in San Francisco) and I've seen good players on the offensive line and he's got everything that it takes.

"I'd like to think me playing over there would be helpful, but I really don't think it matters who you put over there."

It's not just the rookie's size (6-foot-7) and power that impress Smiley. It's the athleticism, the fundamentals and the willingness to work hard to improve all rolled into one big package.

"It's the combination of everything," Smiley said. "I mean, look at him. He weighs 320 (pounds) and he's got abs. That right there is special in itself.

"And to watch him run around out there, his technique is pretty flawless most of the time. That's uncharacteristic for a rookie offensive tackle. He's pretty special."

Though well-schooled from his days at Michigan, Long clearly has benefited by being able to spend so much time, so quickly, in the Dolphins offseason program.

By agreeing to a five-year, $57.75 million deal days before the NFL Draft took place, he was able to avoid a potential contract holdout such as the one that resulted in last year's No. 1 overall pick -- Oakland quarterback JaMarcus Russell -- missing all of training camp.

Long not only attended Miami's rookie minicamp, he was at the mandatory veterans minicamp and the team's organized team activities (OTAs) which concluded June 12.

"Jake Long's a guy who's got a lot of talent, a lot of ability, a lot of potential," Dolphins offensive line coach Mike Maser said. "He's working at it. He's a dedicated kid that way. I think he's got a very bright future in the league. I think he can definitely play left tackle, no doubt in my mind.

"All he's got to do is continue to work at his craft and develop his potential."

Maser and the Dolphins coaching staff are not making wholesale changes to Long's technique, which served him well in college (he allowed only two sacks in four years).

"It's definitely fine-tuning stuff, getting used to the speed," Long said. "That's the biggest thing. You've got to get out of your stance quicker, you've got to use your hands better."

Bigger tests await Long in training camp, especially if and when Jason Taylor reports.

But so far, the rookie has looked exactly like . . . well, what a No. 1 pick should look like.

"I see Jake on some perimeter pull stuff, where he can get out and he gets out in space, and you see him move his feet and do some things that way," Dolphins coach Tony Sparano said. "I've seen him kick-step in these practices right now to a wide end and do some things that way, but he's got a long way to go.

"He's knows he's got to grow in the true speed of the game when you get in game situations and how that changes at our level is really something that I think will test him. I like what he's done right now, and I think the people that he's practicing against are challenging him, and that's good."