There were some pre-draft concerns that Michigan left tackle Jake Long might never be a perennial Pro Bowler at the position in the NFL. Many draftniks declared him better suited for the right side. If only somebody had spoken up about Robert Gallery before the Raiders used the second-overall pick on a guy who now plays guard. The Dolphins seem unfazed by all the blathering, and the left tackle job is Long's to lose. So far, so good. Not only is head coach Tony Sparano happy with Long's progress, but the guy he's replacing fully supports the move.
"Aw, man. Jake Long is a hard worker," Vernon Carey said. "He listens to the coaches. He listens to me. He's always trying to get better.Yes, after a 1-15 showing, that, along with a bunch of other stuff, is what you need. Now all that's left to do is find a quarterback and pray Jason Taylor turns down that movie role.
"He's one of those guys, he can come out here one day and do it bad and then the next day he picks it up right quick. I'm like, 'Wow. I wish I had it like that.' He's a guy who can pick up things real good. That's what you need at this level."
