Former Michigan players/current Miami Dolphins Jake Long and Chad Henne discuss the NFL lockout
Down in Florida, former Michigan offensive lineman Jake Long sees the Miami Dolphins facility he’s supposed to work in almost every day. Yet because of the NFL lockout, Long and his Dolphins’ teammates can’t go inside.
Instead, they work out at a local Division II school — 20 to 25 Miami players including Long and quarterback Chad Henne — trying to prepare for a NFL season that may or may not happen.
“It’s a little different,” Long said. “It’s been going on for a while now, so you’re kind of used to it. But we’re just waiting for that call when we finally can get back to work. Hopefully, it happens soon.”
There isn’t much players can do this point except for wait, work out and try to get ready.
Henne and Long both worked the noon-to-1 p.m. shift Friday in the annual Mott Takeover on WTKA-AM (1050), a fundraiser for C.S. Mott Hospital.
Henne said he took advantage of a small window when the lockout was lifted around the NFL Draft weekend to meet with new Miami offensive coordinator Brian Daboll to understand the new Dolphins playbook and what will be expected out of him this year.
The Dolphins are coming off a 7-9 season with Henne as the team's starting quarterback. Henne passed for 3,301 yards, 15 touchdowns and 19 interceptions in 2010.
“It’s beneficial for me because I got to go in there and meet with them for a little bit and learned a little bit about the offense,” Henne said. “I’m going to have to compete wherever I go, and there will always be a guy in line to take for the starting job and, hopefully, I’m that guy.”
In Miami, Long has already heard from draft pick Mike Pouncey, as the former Florida Gators center has picked Long’s brain about the NFL and the playbook.
Now, it’s just a matter of when they’ll get to play again.
“Absolutely, yeah (there will be a season),” Long said. “My opinion I definitely do not see (the lockout) going into the season. That would be awful if it did.
“For us, for fans, for everybody. I don’t think it will. I just hope not.”
Michael Rothstein covers University of Michigan basketball for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at (734) 623-2558, by email at michaelrothstein@annarbor.com or follow along on Twitter @mikerothstein
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