OT Jake Long headed to the Pro Bowl after all

Dolphins left tackle Jake Long, originally a first-alternate to the Pro Bowl, is going to Hawaii after all.

Long was named to the team Tuesday after Buffalo's Jason Peters ceded his spot on the squad for physical reasons. Long joins running back Ronnie Brown and linebacker Joey Porter as Miamians on the Pro Bowl roster.

"It's a huge honor to be named to the Pro Bowl team," Long said in a statement released by the Dolphins. "I'm excited about the opportunity to join so many other great players in the game, and looking forward to representing my teammates and the Dolphins organization in Hawaii."

Long, the first pick in the 2008 draft, becomes the first player selected No. 1 overall to make the Pro Bowl as a rookie since George Rogers did it for the New Orleans Saints in 1981. Only four No. 1 overall picks have made the Pro Bowl as rookies since the NFL merger in 1970 -- the other three were Rogers, Billy Sims and Earl Campbell.

Congrats, large man.

By the way, if you're thinking the Dolphins won't be going back to the offensive line in the draft, think again. I am told a player who is impressing the Miami contingent in Mobile, Ala., in advance of Saturday's Senior Bowl, is Oregon State's Andy Levitre.

Levitre, 6-3 and 317 pounds, played primarily right tackle for the Beavers. But he projects as a guard in the NFL and can always work at right tackle in a pinch -- something the flexibility loving Dolphins are always looking for.

Keep an eye on Levitre, who is not a first-rounder, but likely no worse than a third rounder.

Comments

[Rico Tubbs]

He shouldn’t have needed an injury to someone else in order to go. But I’m glad Jake is going.

[C. Little]

must draft levitre must have lineman big lineman

PLEASE DO NOT LISEN TO C.LITTE ABOUT LEVITRE .
BY MONALIZA

[Fake GM]

I heard Favre is skipping the Pro Bowl because he wants to start practicing with the Century Village football team in Delray Beach.

[Fake GM]

I would love for this to be another nuts and bolts draft just like last year. I want offensive lineman and linebackers. I really couldnt care less if they dont take a reciever until the 4th round.
But the Phins have a ton of cap room and 5 starters are free agents. So I think it's hard to project what they will do in the draft until after free agency.

[Robert]

Phillip Rivers just opt out of the Pro Bowl. Why is Collins in, wasn't Pennington a second alternive.

[mrmikejohnson]

I can't believe the Dolphins are actually interested in Levitre. There's no way anyone associated with Parcells is going to leak the names of people they're interested in drafting. It has to just be a smokescreen.

Remember that draft were Wannstedt told the world the Dolphins were going to draft Vernon Carey? New England used that info to give one of the Dolphins mid-round picks to Minnesota by bluffing that they were going to take Vernon (when they had no such intentions).

I'd imagine that draft info with these guys is top secret. They're not as dumb as Wannstedt.

[VaMinnow]

Mando,

I thought Pennington was a second alternate for the pro bowl. I've heard that Rivers and Farve are opting not to go. Why is Collins going over Pennington?

[go phins]

we all heard about how the tuna and ireland were in love with henne before the draft.how did that work out? o yeah we drafted him.

[go phins]

also there was talk about langford and miami before the draft.

[go phins]

reports are rivers is opting out,so the 1st alt.kerry collins is going.when and if favre opts out then the 2nd alt chad pennington will go.got that?

[Chris J. Nelson]

Ryan Clady got robbed, he was better than Long this year.

go complain on a denver broncos blog or message board.

[Fake GM]

Clady was better in pass protection, but he is not a mauler like Jake Long is in the running game. Jake is a much better run blocker, and he is not as good a pass blocker as Clady, but he is still good in pass protection. Whereas Ryan Clay is not in Jake's league as a run blocker. That's why Jake is going, and he deserves it.

[cuban menace]

Forget drafting a w.r. during the draft, they have future hall of famer ted(hands of stone)ginn on the roster...... i shouldnt mix drugs should i? hahahaha teddy sucks major nuts.

[shanader]

Jason peters gave up his spot cause he knew he had a horrible season. I agree with fake gm, we need another draft like last years. If we get a guy like duke robinson in the first rd and pair him up with big jake on the left side we would run the ball on any D we play next year.

If they want to win, big guys in the trench that can play ball are the players that make the rest of the team play better.
If you don't need 8 guys in the box on an obvious run play then you won't get fooled and your dbs can react and play a better d.
If you can run the ball because your o line is big and pushes the d around, they need to put 8 in the box and that leaves tight ends/wide receiver/running backs open.
Unless the smaller player is totally outstanding then go big.

[Mark]

go phins, bang on the money again. We all knew the braintrust loved Henne before the draft, they appeared to be right about him and he's here. I also see several mock drafts have the Dolphins picking an interior lineman with either their second second round pick or their third rounder. Sounds about right. I guess it all depends with how they feel about BJ Raji and whether Atlanta would pass on him which right now seems unlikely.

Peters backed out because he knew he couldn't show his face at that game. Anyone who gives up four sacks in one game to a division rival isn't an all star in any league.

Now if Favre would do the same - or did he already?

[rickyticky]

I think a lot of the Ted Ginn hate has more to do with Cameron then with Ted. You guys need to grow up and stop the Ted Ginn Bashing. The guy played well his second year with a real QB. He had a better year than B. Edwards.

[Rob in MLB]

Peters had no business being there in the first place. He gave up something like 10.5 or 11 sacks this year.

Jake might have given up slightly more than Clady, but Jake only gave up 2.5, which is the same amount that Joe Thomas did as a rookie last year (I think). Clady only gave up .5 but he also played in the AFC West and played in a system with a lot of roll outs and QB sprints. Cutler also has an incredibly quick release. Moreover, as everyone points out, Jake is a monster in run blocking. ESPN's stats guy says Jake graded out the highest of anyone offensive lineman he has seen since he started breaking down film (3 seasons worth).

Bottom line is that Jake deserves to be there.

[shanader]

C'mon fellas jump on the Duke Robinson bandwagon with me! Did anyone watch the senior bowl practices? if they get him our run game would dominate. Maybe the coaches can move donald thomas to center.call me crazy but can you imagine an o-line of Big jake, Duke robinson on the left; Smiley and carey on the right side and D.thomas at center?!?!? those o-line issues would be ova!

[cuban menace]

How about ocho cinco in the line up, isnt he a free agent this year? or would that be a waste because of the weakness of c.p arm?

ocho cinco as good as he is, has too much bad baggage, what he would bring to the locker room would destroy what has already been built.

[DC Dolphan]

I wonder if they'll run the "Wildcat" a couple of times with Ronnie in...probably not, since it will be that D-Bag Harbaugh and CamCam coaching...Those guys suck.

[phinsfaninne]

Congratulations Jake on the Pro Bowl.

Armando keep up the updates on who is impressing at the Senior Bowl (Dolphins specifically).

McShay says Raji might have put himself in the top 15 with his showing so far this week.

[phinsfaninne]

Cool picture of Bill Parcells and Belichick at the senior bowl:

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces

[Tinshaker]

Armando,

the aforementioned Levitre wrote in his blog that several teams were VERY interested in him, including the Dolphins. But he has not had a formal interview with them. Obviously he is on their radar though.

He played Left Tackle in college, but has been practicing at Left Guard and Right Tackle in Mobile. Do you think he is on the radar as a Tackle (ala replacement for Carey) or as a Guard to back up/compete with Smiley/Thomas? Do you think Ndukwe/Alleman will be gone soon?

[Mr. Bungle]

Tinshaker, I read up on Andy Levitre and guard seems to be where he's headed in the NFL. He's not real tall (6-3) or overly athletic and he has short arms. That doesn't sound like a tackle to me.

If we don't resign Carey, I think we'll sign another RT in free agency and look to the draft for guards. Guards in free agency are always overpriced and we already spent money there last year with Smiley.

IT LOOK LIKE LEVITRE WILL SIGN W/DOLPHINS SOON .IT SEEMS TO ME THAT DOLPHINS STARTING TO LOOK LIKE VERY WELCOMING PLACE FOR GOOD YOUNG PLAYERS AS WAKE AND LEVITRE AND STARTING TO LOOK AS A TEAM UNIT GOING TO FILLED W/
TALENT AND MAKING INCOMING STARS AND WHEN I SAY STARS I DO NOT MEAN DANCING W/ THE STAR.
BY MONALIZAAAAAAAAAAAAA

[Mr. Bungle]

"Armando keep up the updates on who is impressing at the Senior Bowl (Dolphins specifically)."

I don't think there are any Dolphins participating at the Senior Bowl. : )

[Mr. Bungle]

How exactly are the Dolphins going to sign Levitre when the draft hasn't happened yet?

[HP in PA]

The guys to watch are Cushing and Mathews from USC, both high motor intelligent LB's that could / should be available at our pick.

[Turd Ferguson]

Levitre looked terrible in Wed. morning drills. Urbik from Wisconsin looked solid and Duke Robinson from Oklahoma would be better options. Too bad B.J. Raji from BC will be gone by 25, but his teammate Ron Brace is stronger but less spectacular. He would definitely be a solid pick at NT.

[go phins]

mark ,thanks again for the complement.shanader,donald thomas played 1 full year of college ball playing guard after walking on ,now you want him to switch to center a position he's never played before.not to mention its 1 of the hardest to play because you have to read defense's and make line calls on the spot,is asking a little to much.he is still raw for a guard.

DOLPHINS WILL SIGN LEVITRE SOON MEANS AFTER THE DRAFT OF COURSE .MOST OF THE TEAMS AND DRAFT PICKS HAVE SOME AGREEMENT TO SIGNING EVEN BEFORE THE DRAFT.
BY.MONALIZAAAA

[go phins]

as far as guard position,i'd rather draft 1 with 2nd second round pick,which is like a early 3rd or our 3rd round pick.

The draft board will change after free agency has opened for a few weeks. Look for the trifecta to make several moves before the draft. They will look to fill holes in free agency at positions they feel they wont be able to fill at their position in the draft rounds.

[Ixxy]

/\
II
II

[Tinshaker]

If by soon you mean in six months, then ok. But in the world of the NFL, six months is AGES.

[Mr. Bungle]

The Dolphins have to draft Levitre first of course.

I heard Levitre was impressive in individual drills. Duke Robinson is likely to be a 1st round pick and Levitre a 2nd or 3rd. I think I'd prefer not to draft a guard in the 1st round.

I heard Ron Brace looks fat.

AGAIN LEVITRE WILL BE SIGNED BY FINS SOONNNNNNN.DID YOU GO TO SCHOOL MR.
BY MONALIZA

I HEARD DUKE .R LOOKS FAT.
BY ME

[go phins]

mr bungle,i agree about the g position.did you read my posts about that a couple of spots up. first!!!

I wrote it first.

[shanader]

I've seen guys on this blog talk about MATT effing ROTH move to ILB! I think that's more of a reach than a guy moving from gaurd to center. And if he only played one year at gaurd he's a raw talent, I have enough confidence in this coaching staff to say they could coach him up to play center.

NO WAY JOSE SHANADER HE CAN NOT PLAY CENTER.
BY MONALIZA

[Phinatic]

MONALIZA,
WOW, your an idiot. First off you can't sign someone before they're drafted. Second you don't agree on a deal if you don't know you can draft them (only exception is the #1 pick because you know you can draft them). Third after someone is drafted it usuall takes months (right up until before training camp for most picks and 1st rounders sometimes hold out until pre-season) for a team to sign them

If you mean to draft Levitre, once again your an idiot. Who knows whether he gets drafted before our pick, or breaks his leg in the senior bowl

p.s. a rectangular shaped button on the left side of keyboard that says "caps lock" will turn off the all capital letters your typing with. If you have problems finding it just go ask your mom for some help

[go phins]

have you heard one coach mention .moving thomas to center? no.that's why its being mentioned by everyone they're looking at fa and the draft to upgrade at center!!!!! roth is not moving to ilb he's to slow and thomas is not moving to center.case closed!!!!

[Mr. Bungle]

MONALIZA, the fact that you keep repeating Levitre will sign soon makes me think you've never gone to school. What you're saying makes no sense. You might want to try if Levitre is on the board in the 2nd round when we pick we might draft him. While you're at it, how about taking the caps lock off.

[Mr. Bungle]

go phins, I think we'll draft a guard and possibly a center or tackle by the 3rd round. We need depth at every position on the OL.

[go phins]

guys.its monalizzzzza being monalizzza.if you've never .been on this blog before he likes to be a ballbuster,that's all

[Phinatic]

shanader,

I agree no way Roth ever moves to ILB, just not going to happen. Totally diferent positions and it shows how much that poster knows

Disagree with you on Donald Thomas. He never played high school football, and was found at the weight room at his college. He barely played a full year in college. He was supposed to be practice squad material, but showed great instincts. I know he played well in training camp and pre-season, but some veteran players never come back the same fom injury. Their is no way to know if he would have lasted the whole year playing guard, and thats without having the injury. This year he is essentially still a rookie and should be treated that way. It would be nice if he could come in and contribute, hell it would be great if he plays well enough to start. But for all we know he could get cut

[go phins]

mr.bungle exactly,and look for a couple of lb's AND db's too.

[shanader]

Ok FATHER! Maybe you should start your own blog since your opinon is the only one that counts go phins!

[go phins]

thank you phinatic i said the same thing.

[Phinatic]

I still think the jury is out on Satele. The general concensus is that he gets pushed around a lot. Somehow I think he's our starting center next year. We'll know by the time the draft is over I believe. But I got the same feeling I had about Hill last year

[go phins..]

shanader read phinatic's post it's not my only opinion.it's fact being fact.

SHANADER;I AGREE W/ YOU ON GO PHINS.
BY MONA

[Mr. Bungle]

Phinatic, Donald Thomas did play high school football. But you're right about how he started his college football career.

"At Hill Regional Career Magnet High School, Thomas lettered three times in football, playing as a defensive lineman and a tight end. He recorded six sacks his junior year. The versatile athlete earned a total of 10 varsity letters, including three as a center in basketball and four more as a pitcher and first baseman in baseball. He was an All-Division baseball player and was also named the SEC's Player of the Week once as a senior in basketball. He was also a member of the National Honor Society."

He's going to become a very good player in my opinion.

[Mr. Bungle]

Phinatic, I have the same feeling you do about Satele starting next year.