It was a long day for Jake and what that means

[Fins4ever]

I'm not. Right tackle doesn't typically go up against the best pass rushers from the defense like LT does.

With teams moving their best DE around from play to play, that isn't as true as it used to be. Our best rusher is Wake and he almost always rushes the RT. Bottom line is you need good players at both positions. Colombo proved that. lol 

[Landshark]

I'm not. Right tackle doesn't typically go up against the best pass rushers from the defense like LT does.

You are dead wrong on this, Pappy.  Great pass rushers can and will line up on either side of the line.  What makes the left tackle more of a premium position than the right tackle is that the majority of NFL quarterbacks are right handed, therefore their left side is their "blind side".

[Brian Fein]

^^ you are dead wrong.  left tackles are valuable, as you say, to protect a QB's blind side.  But, all great DE's don't always line up on the right end.  Cameron Wake is a great example.

[Landshark]

^^ you are dead wrong.  left tackles are valuable, as you say, to protect a QB's blind side.  But, all great DE's don't always line up on the right end.  Cameron Wake is a great example.

Apparently you didn't read my post. 

Great pass rushers can and will line up on either side of the line. 

I clearly stated that they line up on both ends of the line.  Therefore good tackles are needed on both ends to block them.  What makes the left side the "blind side" for a quarterback is that if he is right handed (which most are), when he cocks his arm to throw, his body is turned so that his back is to the left side of the play.  Therefore, he can't see what's coming.

Granted, there are a few left handed quarterbacks so the right side would be the "blind side"

[Brian Fein]

I read your post, and I still think you're wrong.  But I don't have proof.  I know from years of watching football that I can't remember seeing Jason Taylor, JPP, Cam Wake, Freeney, etc switching sides all game long.  These guys play their position, play their side, and rarely switch around to play "either side" of the line.

And thanks for explaining what "blind side" means - I wasn't sure

[MikeO]

When JT had O-Gun opposite him he didn't switch sides. Once O-Gun went to Chicago he started moving around. I know JPP moves around in NY. And Cam does now in Miami under Coyle.

[Brian Fein]

I'm going to watch for it cause I've never seen that.  Ever.

[MikeO]

I'm going to watch for it cause I've never seen that.  Ever.

find youtube clips from the Arizona game this year. Cam was all over the place and lined up all over.

[Landshark]

I read your post, and I still think you're wrong.  But I don't have proof.  I know from years of watching football that I can't remember seeing Jason Taylor, JPP, Cam Wake, Freeney, etc switching sides all game long.  These guys play their position, play their side, and rarely switch around to play "either side" of the line.

Some of those guys move around.  And I recall some great pass rushing defensive ends that played strictly on the left (facing the right tackle)

[tits muldoon]

He's gotta go!!!  You really want to pay him? It's not like he's coming cheap. Or playing at a high level  be a rt in few years anyway.. So long jake use 1 of 5 early picks on new tackle either side.

[hordman]

I don't think he will accept what the Dolphins deem to be reasonable.  His play clearly declined last year and has gotten even worse this year.  Sometimes you just gotta cut a man loose.

I agree with you Landshark.  He has gotten worse, has had some injuries here and there over the last couple of years and his play has declined.  Him and his agent definitely are not going to like the number MIA throws at him in the off-season.  He is just not worth top dollar.  I know it's another hole the Phins would need to fill, but I'm afraid we sign him for big $$$, he's gonna burn us with more injuries and less than stellar play.   Now, Joe Thomas, there's a man you would throw  big $$$ at.

[Fins4ever]

I clearly stated that they line up on both ends of the line.  Therefore good tackles are needed on both ends to block them. 

That is what I said all last year. We had a steel door on the left (Long) and a screen door on the right (Colombo). You need good players on both sides. DC are more creative than ever and if you have a weakness, a good coach will find and exploit it.

[BigDaddyFin]

Is Long playing hurt or not?  I thought he was hurt most of training camp and if it's lingering that may be a problem.

Your LT is your most important pass protector, followed by
RT- Ends up in a lot of 1-on-1 especially because teams slide the protection to the left
LG-More important because of the side he's on and handling stunts
C- With today's defenses, he usually doesn't end up in many 1-on-1 blocking assignments, more important that he makes the correct line calls
RG.- pretty much just has to be able to defeat the bull rush and occaisonal middle blitzes.  Teams rarely stunt on the right side.

[MikeO]

I said this a year or so ago, Jake Long is Tony Boselli. Great player but will have a short NFL career. Long has had so many injuries the past few years (biceps, back, knee, back..etc) that it has taken its toll on him and his play. He isn't the same player anymore. Not even close. And he never will be the dominate LT he once was.

Earlier this year I said on this very board (and was crucified for it)

You seem to come here in EVERY thread to pass along the gloom and doom, worst case scenario argument you can present, because you only see in black and white.  Marshall sucks even though he was a pro bowler. Jake Long should be traded of we can get something for him because he's always hurt. Now, Miami has no shot at Manning, and he probably won't even meet them. Doesn't this shit ever get old to you? Do you EVER look at the glass half-full?.. -EK

  the Fins should consider trading him when he still had high value. Now his value has dropped and the Fins either pay him big bucks (which is a contract he won't live up to) or they let him walk and get nothing.

The NFL is a game of chess you must be 2  moves ahead. You can't wait around and be "in the moment". Jake's decline was visable a year ago and it was obvious to many who watch every snap of every game.

[fyo]

Long is only 27. Any decline is purely a matter of getting him in shape, motivation, or using him correctly. His injuries haven't been that serious. This summer, it was an MCL sprain. No big issue, if handled properly.

I have complete confidence that Long can return to his level of "elite" again.