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Miami Dolphins tackle Long ready to face challenges

BY JEFF DARLINGTON
Miami Herald

Time to set one thing straight from the start: Dolphins coach Tony Sparano isn't going soft. He isn't accepting excuses with any more patience than before. And he certainly isn't promoting any philosophies based on the concept of failing forward fast.

So when Miami's tough-guy boss says he's willing to accept an occasional hiccup from tackle Jake Long, the first overall pick in this year's draft, it's not what you think.

''It's OK to do it once, but that's it,'' Sparano said after Thursday's 14-10 win against the Saints. ``You can't do it again. I told Jake that on the sideline. You can't have this every week.''

Not exactly a long leash, is it? Then again, there's also no reason to interpret this as a criticism of Long, either. Instead, the meaning of Sparano's sentiment falls somewhere in between.

`INTELLIGENT GUY'

Sparano is referencing a belief long-understood by coaches and players about the growth of offensive lineman: You have to see certain moves before you can learn how to handle them -- but don't take long to do it.

So far, after his first full NFL preseason, the early signs still point to a bright future for Long. The rookie has displayed some very encouraging signs amid expectations that rival his arms in size. Aside from his obvious skill set, Long's ability to quickly make corrections has been a cause for optimism within the team.

''Jake is a pretty intelligent guy,'' Sparano said. ``He's pretty committed that way. Conscientious guys usually don't make the same mistakes.''

In eight days, Long will have the chance to prove just how developed his memory recognition has become. If a lineman's ability to use the past to improve means anything -- and if Long indeed possesses such a quality -- this is a perfect test.

Long's first test of the regular season happens to be against the Jets, who used their sixth-overall pick in this year's draft to select edge rusher Vernon Gholston. Coincidentally, Gholston, who came out of Ohio State, was the only player to beat Long, who went to Michigan, for a sack last season at the college level.

They developed a deep rivalry -- although friendly off the field -- that now will follow them to the NFL. Even aside from the sack, Gholston was easily the defensive player who gave Long the most fits during his college career.

HAVING AN EDGE

Gholston, though, had better have improved during training camp as well, because if Dolphins guard Justin Smiley's impression of Long's improvement provides any indication, the tackle finally could gain an edge.

''He doesn't really play like a rookie,'' Smiley said. ``He has the ability to overcome things. He hasn't really made too many mistakes, honestly. Occasionally, maybe his guy will come inside on him. But he usually recovers and does a really nice job. You haven't really heard too much out of his man the whole preseason.

``He's an all-star player, man. He's got some good years of football ahead of him.''

the Dolphins' offensive line has been sound during the preseason, although still breaking down occasionally as it did twice against the Saints when rookie Chad Henne fell victim on two sacks.

Long also has areas that still need improving, Sparano said. But he's getting close, something that Sparano noticed Thursday against the Saints.

On a third-and-1 situation, the coach said he saw Long do everything correctly as he recognized the situation and made the correct call. Then, however, his positioning became ''a little bit wide when he got to the linebacker,'' Sparano said.

The linebacker came underneath Long, who wasn't quite tight enough, forcing fullback Boomer Grigsby to bail him out on the block.

''But he did everything else right,'' Sparano said. ``Once he sees something, he usually doesn't make the mistake again. He's been pretty good that way.''

Long said he was happy with his first preseason as an NFL player, and he believes he saw dramatic growth in his ability. But now the real test begins with the regular season.

And a game against his former college rival seems like the perfect way to kick it off.

''The [preseason] games are allowing me to get used to the caliber of players, the speed and the strength,'' Long said. ``I'm just really getting used to the style of the NFL. But now, I finally get to games that count, so we can show people what we've got. I'm really excited.''

It will be good to have that kind of talent at our LT position...and if Jake develops into that top shelf level tackle, everything on offense will go better because of it.

  Jake is already a good run-blocker, he just needs to shore up his pass blocking techniques and everything will be good to go.  I love the way that Jake is able to quickly grasp concepts, and remedy his mistakes quickly.