Dolphins left tackle Jake Long is feeling healthy and ready to return to his All-Pro form.
“I feel great,” Long said in an interview with Jesse Agler of The Finsiders. “This is the healthiest I’ve felt in a long time. All healed up, working out 100 percent, ready to go.”
The perennial Pro Bowler battled knee and biceps injuries in 2011 and missed games for the first time since being the No. 1 overall pick in the 2008 draft.2012 will be a critical year for Long's relationship with the Dolphins. It's the final year of his rookie contract, and the two sides either need to work out an extension or prepare for a free agency departure.
When Long signed his rookie deal, it made him the highest-paid lineman in the league. He will likely look to get that distinction back and exceed the seven-year, $84 million deal that Cleveland's Joe Thomas signed last year.
Miami should be more than willing to pay up, but the team will have to be confident that he can stay healthy enough to fortify its line for years to come. Players of Long's character, skill, and work ethic don't come along very often, so he would not be easy to replace.
Long's leadership and talent will make him a invaluable piece as the Dolphins' offense transitions to a new coaching staff and a new system in 2012.
“Just these couple of weeks, he’s always been around the building saying 'Hi,'” Long said, regarding new head coach Joe Philbin. “Learning his philosophy the first day and just talking to us, I’m excited. I’m excited to learn from him.”
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