Top two draft picks to battle: Long day ahead in trenches

Nov 30, 2008 (Sun Sentinel - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- LDG | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- It's been more than seven months since they went 1-2 in the NFL Draft, but Dolphins tackle Jake Long and Rams defensive end Chris Long are still mistaken for each other.

They're not related in any way other than their work ethic, potential and surname, but they will forever be linked.

"I've actually had three people in the last two weeks ask me if I was Jake," said Chris Long, who at 6 feet 3, 263 pounds is four inches shorter and 50 pounds lighter than the Dolphins' Long. "It's fine with me if people want to ask me if I'm Jake."

In just the 25th matchup of the top two draft picks (since the 1970 merger) during their rookie season, the Longs will be going helmet to helmet during today's game as Chris tries to get past Jake to sack Chad Pennington.

Neither team is second-guessing its choice. Chris Long leads all rookies with four sacks to go with 48 tackles, while Jake Long's reputation as a franchise left tackle is growing around the league. Chris has the added expectations of living up to his Hall of Fame father, Howie Long, who played the same position while making eight Pro Bowls.

"[Chris] is the Energizer bunny," said Dolphins offensive coordinator Dan Henning, who was among a contingent of team executives to visit him at Virginia on the same trip they worked out quarterback Matt Ryan at Boston College, and then on to Michigan to check out Jake Long and quarterback Chad Henne.

"Even though his dad was a very good player and he didn't take plays off, that's not what I'm getting at here. This guy, he goes 100 miles an hour all of the time. He's going, going, going. ... I think the difference between he and Jake Long is the position that Jake plays and the ability that which he played it in college. He was the prototype in every facet and, not only that, we had a need."

Rams interim coach Jim Haslett admitted Wednesday that St. Louis was ready to take whichever Long the Dolphins passed on.

"I think it will be a heck of a battle," Haslett said of the Longs' clash. "I love the way [Jake's] playing and I know we had great consideration if he was there with our pick. ... I do think it's a good one-two punch. Both of them are going to be excellent players for a long time in the league."

While both Longs dominated in college, each had adjustments to make on the next level. Chris came from a 3-4 defense and was able to use his speed to notch 14 sacks his senior season. Jake has already given up three sacks, two more than his entire senior season, as he learns how to better deal with elite speed rushers.

"What happens with Chris once in a while when he gets tired or he forgets things, sometimes he goes back to his old techniques," Haslett said.

Don't expect much trash-talking between the Longs, who grew close before the draft.

"I was going to text him today," Jake Long said Thursday after receiving treatment for his tender right ankle. "People call me Chris and tell me they love my dad, Howie.

"He's having a great year and is just a great competitor who works so hard. There's going to be a lot of battles, and it's going to be exciting."

Henning believes Long will fill a void at left tackle that's been vacated since Richmond Webb was protecting Dan Marino's blindside throughout the '90s.

"Mentally, he's 30; emotionally, he's 30. He is a man," Henning said of the 23-year-old Jake Long. "He knows how to practice; he's not frivolous about anything and he's strong.

"When something happens that doesn't fit, he doesn't go in the tank, he analyzes it and gets better. To have somebody like that back there, you can't buy it. I know that because there are a lot of people in the league that would like to buy it. We did."

The price tag for Jake was $57.75 million over five years, including $30 million guaranteed. Chris got $48 million over five years with $29 million in guarantees.

The more relevant comparison of Jake Long to a Ram is to Pro Bowl left tackle Orlando Pace.

Long, Pace and Hall of Famer Ron Yary are the only tackles to go No. 1 in the draft.

"They don't come around like that every year," nose tackle Ferguson said of Jake. "He's not a guy who's happy to be in the league being a first pick who got his money. He's trying to get better every week.

"He's going to put his own name out there. He'll be Jake Long. ... I think Jake is a little bit better run blocker myself, but Pace already has a half foot in the Hall of Fame, so we'll see in another 10 years."

It should be a Long afternoon.

Soliai suspended

Defensive tackle Paul Soliai was suspended for the second time this season for an unspecified violation of team rules and will not play today against the Rams. Defensive end Lionel Dotson or defensive end Rodrique Wright likely will be activated. ...

The Dolphins signed center Al Johnson, filling the spot created by Greg Camarillo's season-ending knee injury.

Omar Kelly contributed to this report.

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