Dolphins DC Vic Fangio had some frank words for new player
The Miami Dolphins are still in the early stages of training camp, but that doesn't mean some players aren't drawing notice. A number of players have stood out in a positive way. Christian Wilkins is playing at an extremely high level. Bradley Chubb has looked very good. Not surprising, as they're both key parts of […]
The Miami Dolphins are still in the early stages of training camp, but that doesn't mean some players aren't drawing notice.
A number of players have stood out in a positive way. Christian Wilkins is playing at an extremely high level. Bradley Chubb has looked very good. Not surprising, as they're both key parts of the Dolphins' defense.
However, a player brought in to be another key part of said defense hasn't quite reached what his coach expects of him yet.
Vic Fangio met with the media on Friday and had some interesting words regarding LB David Long, Jr.
"He's had ups and downs," Fangio said. "He's made some really good plays, and then some other plays we need to get him honed in on better. He's working hard to do that, but you can't just have flash plays. You've got to have good plays all the time."
Long was signed by the Dolphins in March 2023 to a two-year, $11 million contract. He was drafted in the sixth round of the 2019 draft by the Tennessee Titans, where he spent the first four years of his career.
Long had his best season in 2022, starting a career-high 12 games with 86 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, and 2 interceptions. He turned in a Pro Football Focus grade of 76.2, with an impressive 89.0 rush defense grade and 80.1 pass rush mark.
With Elandon Roberts' departure opening up a spot alongside Jerome Baker, it was believed that Long would be the clear candidate to fill that void. He's still the most likely candidate, but Andrew Van Ginkel has also been practicing some at inside linebacker and has recently been praised by Mike McDaniel and Chris Greer for his play.
As such, it appears Long will need to impress his coach more than he has in the first week and a half of training camp for his spot to be a lock.
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Featured image via Jeff Romance/The Palm Beach Post/USA Today Network
