DAVIE - When the Dolphins drafted an offensive tackle with the No. 1 overall pick, most fans weren't thinking about how it would affect veteran tackle Vernon Carey. They had other things on their minds, like Jake Long's behemoth build and his equally beefy $57.75 million contract, the richest ever given to an offensive lineman.
Now the spotlight is back on the former University of Miami standout, whose progress this season could have a significant impact on the line and the team's overall success in 2008.
Long's addition sends Carey, who started all 16 games at left tackle last season, back to right tackle. That's the position he primarily played at the University of Miami and the first three years of his NFL career. While Carey has previously admitted he feels more comfortable playing on the right side, that doesn't mean the transition has been easy.
"It was a little shaky at the beginning," Carey said during last weekend's minicamp. "I go out and I try to watch film every day and evaluate that. I won't say I'm [comfortable] yet, but it's going to be there."
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/football/pro/dolphins/sfl-flspdolcarey11sbjun11,0,5787096.story
Now the spotlight is back on the former University of Miami standout, whose progress this season could have a significant impact on the line and the team's overall success in 2008.
Long's addition sends Carey, who started all 16 games at left tackle last season, back to right tackle. That's the position he primarily played at the University of Miami and the first three years of his NFL career. While Carey has previously admitted he feels more comfortable playing on the right side, that doesn't mean the transition has been easy.
"It was a little shaky at the beginning," Carey said during last weekend's minicamp. "I go out and I try to watch film every day and evaluate that. I won't say I'm [comfortable] yet, but it's going to be there."
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/football/pro/dolphins/sfl-flspdolcarey11sbjun11,0,5787096.story
