Dolphins linebacker heading into second year of $11 million deal, recorded career-high 113 tackles last season
Dolphins linebacker David Long Jr. (Copyright 2024 by KPRC Click2Houston – All rights reserved.)
ALIEF – For veteran linebacker David Long Jr., it’s all about adapting whether it’s an audible from opposing quarterbacks or adjusting to major changes within the Miami Dolphins defense.
Heading into the second year of an $11 million contract and coming off the most productive season of his five-year career, Long is upbeat about the new look and feel of a returning AFC East playoff squad.
Whether it’s the arrival of highly regarded new defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, a former Texans starter and defensive coordinator and Baltimore Ravens assistant head coach and defensive end, linebackers coach and run game coordinator Joe Barry or signing linebacker Jordyn Brooks to line up next to him, Long, a key leader on the defense, is welcoming it all.
Although the Dolphins released Xavien Howard, Emmanuel Ogbah and Jerome Baker and lost Christian Wilkins and Raekwon Davis in free agency, the defense still has Jalen Ramsey, Jevon Holland, Jaelan Phillips, Bradley Chubb and Zach Sieler and added Calais Campbell, Brooks, Anthony Walker Jr. and Jordan Poyer.
Long led the Dolphins last season with a career-high 113 tackles after an initial slow start under former defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, who’s now the Philadelphia Eagles’ defensive boss.
“Yes sir, we’ve got a lot of dogs coming in, some dogs already there,” Long Jr. told KPRC 2 during Jeremy Hills’ youth football camp at Crump Stadium. “We’re just reloading. I think the most important thing when it comes to new players and new coaches is the chemistry that comes with time. We built something. The next step is to go to training camp and build from that.”
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linebacker David Long Jr.,@David__Long
at Jeremy Hills’ free youth football camp in Alief ‘I just want to be an example’@KPRC2
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— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) June 30, 2024
Long, 27, a former Tennessee Titans sixth-round draft pick from West Virginia where he was named the Big 12 Conference Defensive Player of the Year, finished last season with nine tackles for losses, six quarterback hits, his first career sack and one forced fumble. For his career, Long has 343 tackles, four interceptions, 24 tackles for losses, 11 quarterback hits and three forced fumbles.
“Same thing as last year, new system, new coaches,” Long said. “It was kind of difficult to get in a rhythm, especially earlier in the year when I wasn’t playing as much. Now, I’m in a place where I’m comfortable. I’m back to where I’m supposed to be. Right now, everything is what it’s supposed to be. Whether it’s the chemistry, the health, which is very important to me and my mental, that’s all good.””