Jake Long, who was not able to pass his physical at the start of training camp because he was still nursing an undisclosed left leg injury, passed over the weekend and is back on the field.
Great timing by him.
Long's return coincides with a game in which reserve left tackle Lydon Murtha, who generally did fine filling in, struggled somewhat with three penalties against Carolina. Murtha wasn't bad at his assignments or anything like that. It's just that those penalties, especially the pre-snap ones, kill drives and he is simply not as good as Long.
So Long returned to practice Saturday and today gets the day off, along with the rest of Miami's players. Long will be able to assess his physical condition and conditioning following his first dose of practice.
"It feels real good, getting back there with the guys and finally put the helmet on, jersey, run around out there, get to practicing, it felt good,” Long said after practice.
Dolphins coaches might not use Long in the preseason. He is expected to practice every day possible and that work against Jason Taylor, sometimes against Cameron Wake, and against Miami's burly defensive ends, should be good enough to get Long in football shape. The risk versus the reward of having Long crash helmets with another team's defensive linemen in the preseason seems to tip the scales toward risk.
Think about it:
Long worked all of last year next to Richie Incognito so it's not like the two of them need to learn each other. Yes, the offense is new, but I estimate the Dolphins will work between 40-50 team periods in which the first team offense faces the first team defense the next couple of weeks. On the week before the season-opener against the Patriots, and maybe even two weeks before, Long will also get snaps against a scout team.
So why are we worrying about getting him hit in a preseason game again?
"Whatever," Long said laughing. "Whenever coach puts me in there and expects me to play, I will be ready to play."
And with that, it seems the Dolphins starting offensive line is set. Long at left tackle, Incognito at left guard, Mike Pouncey at center, Vernon Carey at right guard and Marc Colombo at right tackle.
The biggest worry of all these for me? Not Long, coming off the injury. Not Pouncey playing as a rookie. Not Carey shifting to a new position at guard.
Colombo.
He has some ugly, ugly moments at times. The other night there was a pass play in which he let a blitzer run right past him untouched and in against Henne. Henne avoided the blitzer by scrambling away and then was hurried by another lineman that ran past Colombo. When that play was done, Colombo had gotten a chance to block two guys and really didn't lay a finger on either. Made me scratch my head.
Can he run-block well? Yes. Pass-block well? Not sure.
{Update: The Rams have released offensive lineman Tyler Donahue, an undrafted rookie out of Bowling Green. Why do you care? Because the Dolphins showed interest in Donahue earlier this year and will be among the teams wanting to add him to their roster. In fact, Donahue had a workout scheduled with the Dolphins Sunday. Donahue is a 6-6 and 300-pound offensive tackle.]
I'm a bit more hopeful now with long back, seeing Henne and Marshall start to click and seeing how Reggie bush adds another dimension to the offense that opposing defenses must account for. If we stay healthy we should be over .500 this year.
Posted by: Jason | August 21, 2011 at 01:56 PM
John thanks for stopping by. That really cleared things up for us. I'm guessing you won't be blogging here after game one.
Posted by: nome | August 21, 2011 at 01:58 PM
thats a relief. Chad only has to keep an eye on Colombo's side so that should help.
Now, I hope they can get Jerry back on track. Either way, looks like a formable OL if they can stay healthy.
GO DOLPHINS!!!
Posted by: dolfanSF | August 21, 2011 at 01:58 PM
exactly itc. and over 500 gets us nowhere. we either need a 12-4 season or a 2-14 season. tired of the same old 7-9,8-8,9-7 garbage
Posted by: dusty bottoms | August 21, 2011 at 01:58 PM
baffled by how all of the sudden some think this oline is good? they just keep throwing scrubs cut from other teams into the lineup
Posted by: dusty bottoms | August 21, 2011 at 02:05 PM
I wouldn't call Long Cognito and Pouncey scrubs. The RT is the biggest problem. Carey should be fine at RG.
Posted by: nome | August 21, 2011 at 02:10 PM
FBI Special Agent nome
How goes the Major Case: CircleJerk in Blue?
Any updates?
I believe you should call in a mathematician to help,
maybe your friend Semen Hole Sam
Even though he believes 10 is more then 28
Mayer you should interview kris, he alleges he is a hacking
victim in blue also. I suggest you try to find him,
Check mental health facilities, he had one of the best nuclear
meltdowns on this blog, ever.
If you crack this case you may get a promotion,
But may I suggest you change your name from nome to nemo??
Captain nemo just sounds better, don't you think?
Anyway, good luck
Your friend
NY Scott
Posted by: NY Scott | August 21, 2011 at 02:10 PM
Db. Nothing wrong with that. We would have been alright last year save injuries.
Posted by: ltcdolphin | August 21, 2011 at 02:11 PM
@2:10
You typed all that just to talk to me? I'm flattered. No go waste someone else's time and steal a few more web identities. You must be really, really, really bored in life.
Posted by: nome | August 21, 2011 at 02:13 PM
will always comeback to our qb, sad enough
Posted by: dusty bottoms | August 21, 2011 at 02:15 PM
I guess that means, no updates?
Posted by: NY Scott | August 21, 2011 at 02:18 PM
dusty, couple of days ago u had us 4-12 , earlier today 6-10 now you imply your tired of but expecting 7-9,8-8,9-7
u obviously r making the mistake of overreacting to 1 preseason game, if we win a regular season game u'll have us going to a sb!!
good to see you getting optimistic
cna't wait till u change your mind about henne, that'll be sweet
Posted by: The wolf, icu, starvation coma | August 21, 2011 at 02:20 PM
yes update, henne just missed another td to hartline. he missed 34 in a row over 10 yards
Posted by: dusty bottoms | August 21, 2011 at 02:20 PM
no wolf, went through schedule today. any team could run into 6 wins. we need a 2-14 year, draft luck. hire new staff
Posted by: dusty bottoms | August 21, 2011 at 02:23 PM
and what reaction to a preseason game. that game was awful, 2 horrible teams going at it. hard to get anymore boring than that was
Posted by: dusty bottoms | August 21, 2011 at 02:24 PM
the one guy who looks like a stud is burnett
Posted by: dusty bottoms | August 21, 2011 at 02:24 PM
lol wow only on south beach
Posted by: dusty bottoms | August 21, 2011 at 02:32 PM
Dear dusty bottoms,
Your as much as a worthless fan as your friends nome and Semen Hole Sam. Hoping the Dolphins go 2-14?? I hope you crash your car into a cement pole doing 80. You wouldn't be missed
Posted by: Circle Jerk Club | August 21, 2011 at 02:45 PM
Itcdolphin I like the way you think.
Will you marry me?
Posted by: dusty bottoms | August 21, 2011 at 02:48 PM
There seems to be alot of rumors about the phins secretly trying to acquire tim tebow from denver. I wonder where this is coming from and how much compensation denver is asking for.
People are going to laugh at me for saying this but in the current offense that we have I think Tebow can be very successful in the system. But I wouldn't trade a high pick. Maybe a 4th and Matt Moore. It would be great to see him come back to his home state
Posted by: bk | August 21, 2011 at 02:49 PM
Db. That is a charming and sweet invitation. You have made all my buds in rehoboth beach de very jealous. But will still love you in the morning.
Posted by: ltcdolphin | August 21, 2011 at 02:51 PM
White people smell like wet chickens.
Posted by: Kyung Syung Park | August 21, 2011 at 02:37 PM
Oriental people eat panda d!ck and beg for more.
Posted by: Park Your Asss in He!! | August 21, 2011 at 02:51 PM
Cher,
Please sit on me.
Posted by: Graig M | August 21, 2011 at 02:52 PM
Dusty,
Miami U, The new name is , Prison University.
Posted by: U.S.F Fan. | August 21, 2011 at 02:56 PM
Usf fan. Nice try. Nothing proven yet
Posted by: ltcdolphin | August 21, 2011 at 02:57 PM
For the record I think Henne will turn it around this year
Posted by: bk | August 21, 2011 at 03:02 PM
ltcdolphin,
Come on man, Give my school some love. No way have they seen trouble like the U. The Bulls are back in town. ( My Song )
Posted by: U.S.F Fan. | August 21, 2011 at 03:03 PM
For the Record, even here at U.S.F love the fins. Hate the U. They Deserve whats going to happen to them.
Posted by: U.S.F Fan. | August 21, 2011 at 03:10 PM
Dusty it always comes back to the quarterback. We need a tight end too.
Posted by: nome | August 21, 2011 at 03:30 PM
nome will you be my quarterback? I'll snap your balls and be your tight end too
dusty ;)
Posted by: dusty bottoms | August 21, 2011 at 03:35 PM
BIG SIGH(Grooooaaaaaaan!)
Aloco,
We need your help little Buddy.
We have some very good posters here and then we have..........the others. Even when I try to make serious posts, the madness continues.
We have the Gang of DeFeat.
The Gang of Four
And now the newest addition:
The Gang of Circle Jerks.
Aloco, please tell us who you nominate as the Leader of the GoCJ?
Posted by: odinseye | August 21, 2011 at 03:45 PM
Usf. We have yet to have a player die on die on the practise field. When y'all are done paying for that check back in.
Posted by: ltcdolphin | August 21, 2011 at 03:55 PM
ltc,
Nice try, but there is nothing but thugs at the U. Plus a terrible place to live.
Posted by: U.S.F Fan. | August 21, 2011 at 04:01 PM
No try usf your player is not playing. Great place to live, was born and raised there. Your thinking is shortsided, kind of like how long your school has been around
Posted by: ltcdolphin | August 21, 2011 at 04:04 PM
Why not try Murtha at right tackle.Colombo scares me.Henne will be running for his life this season if they can't get a better RT
Posted by: randy | August 21, 2011 at 04:04 PM
ltc,
Calm down, its very clear your from there. I" sorry. Go Fins.
The u SUCKS.
Posted by: U.S.F Fan. | August 21, 2011 at 04:09 PM
U (S)uck (F)an
Your little worthless Community College will never be playing for a Championship, USF, it's a joke.
Posted by: The "U" | August 21, 2011 at 04:11 PM
That's okay my next response is what else could you expect coming from the west cost of fla's trailer park trash. Glad I did not need to say that. Sure glad that your true colors show with your tpt language.
Posted by: ltcdolphin | August 21, 2011 at 04:18 PM
Hey the U. How about You Sodomize Football players?? :)
Posted by: ltcdolphin | August 21, 2011 at 04:19 PM
The u,
Do you speak English ? Most don't in Miami. Your either from haiti or your spanish. Nothing else lives there. Because they know better. That area sucks to. Not the dolphins. WOW, my FRAT BROTHERS love this.
Posted by: U.S.F Fan. | August 21, 2011 at 04:19 PM
Apparently, profiency in WRITING in English is not a prerequisite at USF.
But please keep going on about others lack of English with your biting wit and 5th grade level composition skills.
Posted by: Chief Hatuey | August 21, 2011 at 04:26 PM
Usf. Is that two faced. You apologize then go out and make the same mistake again. Well we know your maturity level, you must be a pledge and parroting your supposed frat brothers.
Posted by: ltcdolphin | August 21, 2011 at 04:26 PM
You hurt my feelings.lol
Posted by: U.S.F Fan. | August 21, 2011 at 04:32 PM
Did someone say sodomy.
I would like to be a victim of sodomy.
Posted by: Itcdolphin | August 21, 2011 at 04:40 PM
Send you some Kleenex
Posted by: ltcdolphin | August 21, 2011 at 04:41 PM
"My frat brothers love this" Why, you promised them head later?
Obviously you a pimple faced, pale little white kid who a beautiful Spanish woman wouldn't look at twice. Along with the fact your an ignorant little racist puke whose mommy and daddy couldn't afford to send to a real University.
Now get back to servicing your frat brothers poooosie.
Posted by: The "U" | August 21, 2011 at 04:42 PM
Will send you some Kleenex
Posted by: ltcdolphin | August 21, 2011 at 04:42 PM
"My frat brothers love this" Why, you promised them head later?
Obviously you a pimple faced, pale little white kid who a beautiful Spanish woman wouldn't look at twice. Along with the fact your an ignorant little puke whose mommy and daddy couldn't afford to send to a real University.
Now get back to servicing your frat brothers poooosie.
Posted by: The "U" | August 21, 2011 at 04:44 PM
"My frat brothers love this" Why, you promised them your ass later?
Obviously you a pimple faced, pale little white kid who a beautiful Spanish woman wouldn't look at twice. Along with the fact your an ignorant little puke whose mommy and daddy couldn't afford to send to a real University.
Now get back to servicing your frat brothers.
Posted by: The "U" | August 21, 2011 at 04:46 PM
This is to FUNNY. We thank you all SO MUCH.
Posted by: U.S.F Fan. | August 21, 2011 at 04:49 PM
Your USF frat brothers like when U Swallow First?
Posted by: The "U" | August 21, 2011 at 04:50 PM
Do any of you really want to talk to each other or just nothing better to do on the weekend than come to a blog and fight like little boys?
Posted by: ??? | August 21, 2011 at 04:51 PM
"We thank you so much" Glad to make the male cheerleaders at USF happy.
Bunch of homos who would never be able to make the squad at a real University so go to some third rate college in a third rate city.
Posted by: The "U" | August 21, 2011 at 04:56 PM
Chad Henning is a great QB and you are lucky to have him on your team. Nat Moore is a pretty good backup QB too.
Posted by: Dan Henne | August 21, 2011 at 04:57 PM
USF,
Call me.
Posted by: Cher, | August 21, 2011 at 04:58 PM
Hey Odin, why does your precious Henne constantly over throw wide open receivers ? Clyde Gates must want to whip his ass right now. He can't connect in practice niether the game.
Posted by: Mama | August 21, 2011 at 05:01 PM
You guys are so caught up in such stupid bs, go read it all and ask yourselves just what the heck are you doing with your time.
Maybe read a book if you still know how.
Don't waste your time responding to me...I've seen enough to know 5 minutes here was too much. Gone for good...
Posted by: ??? | August 21, 2011 at 05:02 PM
Is there a chance we could get Chris Johnson ?
Posted by: jose | August 21, 2011 at 05:02 PM
"Homos?" Really, dude? Using that kind of juvenile talk in 2011?
And, yeah, I'll answer the obvious question for you. I am gay and wouldn;t want to be any other way.
And if you ever used that language in front of me I'd knock your teeth to the other side of your face and make you wish you were never born. Twerp.
Posted by: ryan | August 21, 2011 at 05:06 PM
Odinseye
I just want to say about your post @11:41-
Bravo! Bravo! I completely agree with all your points. I know you are one of the most positive fans on here, but everything you said was logical and true. The haters can go have a circle jerk with fireman ed.
GO FINS!
Posted by: finsfan72 | August 21, 2011 at 05:07 PM