Jake Long over Matt Ryan, any regrets?

[DolFan619]

http://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/sports_football_dolphins/2009/02/jake-long-over-matt-ryan-any-regrets.html

Jake Long over Matt Ryan, any regrets?

Tony Sparano, a lifer as an offensive line coach, is a firm believer that you can never get enough offensive linemen. He'll point out that last season's injuries to Justin Smiley and Donald Thomas, which handcuffed the Dolphins offensive line, proves that.

But do the Miami Dolphins have a single ounce of regret over taking Michigan stud Jake Long over Boston College standout Matt Ryan with the No. 1 pick in the 2008 draft?

Even though Long was a Pro Bowl left tackle in his rookie season, should the Dolphins have picked Ryan, who appears to be a franchise quarterback?

"Different people have different philosophies with this whole thing. You look at the way that whole thing went down. We feel like we got a very good player in Jake. I'm sure, I can't speak for Atlanta, but [Ryan] is a heck of a player," Sparano said. "At the end of this whole thing, from our end it's always been our philosophy that you start there, up front. My background is that way. Bill's background and history is one where you do start with the lines and you try to get the big people first.

"The tackle was available, and a left tackle in this league is at a premium. We were fortunate to get Jake. He has everything we were looking for in the makeup."

It's a good thing the Dolphins did because there was a crazy run on offensive tackles in last year's draft. Eight were selected in the first round.

Sparano really likes Chad Henne, whom the team took in the second round of the draft. He even went as far as hinting Henne likely would have started the season opener if the team didn't acquire Chad Pennington when he was cut by the Jets.

Sparano said he's very confident Henne will be successful when given opportunity because they had him rated in the same category as Ryan and Joe Flacco coming out last year, and he's benefiting from spending a season working under Pennington, who he thinks will become an excellent coach when his playing days are done.

Deuces.

> Posted by Omar Kelly at 5:19:08 PM

[bsfins]

My Vote No...None...Atlanta brought in a RB,to comlpiment Ryan,and draftted an o lineman later .....We took the O-lineman,and took the lesser risk on the QB.....I have no complaints taking Long over Ryan...I'm happy we didn't take Chris Long,or Gholston....in hindsight

[DZA]

No regrets what so ever.  Long was a great pick. now all the regime have to do is find some more Jake longs 

[Thundergod]

Get back to me if Atlanta gets to a Super Bowl and Miami's still hovering in mediocrity or 1 and done in playoffs.

[Defense54]

Pro bowl Caliber O Lineman?  Nope.........

[YoFuggedaboutit]

I'm happy with this pick myself.  Left tackle is one of the premier positions in this league. 

[dolphins4life]

We won the freakin division.  Of course we have no regrets

[EDGECRUSHER]

Nah. I was shocked that Matt played so well. Sure, he had a great team around him, but he still had an amazing season. Long was a Pro Bowler this year....technically, so Miami made a great pick. Henne has yet to really play too, so you can't judge this until about 2011 to be fair.

[DolFan619]

  No regrets whatsoever.  Miami has it's first legitimate top flight LT since Richmond Webb retired.  I wouldn't have it any other way.