All Dolphins

Long Earns Recognition for Offseason Work

Miami Dolphins linebacker David Long Jr. is heading into his second season with the team

Alain Poupart

David Long Jr. during his first season with the Miami Dolphins
David Long Jr. during his first season with the Miami Dolphins / Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
In this story:

The Miami Dolphins kicked off their OTAs on Monday, and with it came the honor of wearing the orange jersey for practice.

And, as the team announced through its social media account, the distinction for this first practice belonged to linebacker David Long Jr.

As head coach Mike McDaniel explained last August, the orange jersey is "really a reflection of what our team wants and that person's effort that day."

Given that Monday was the first OTA, it's safe to conclude that Long was recognized for his body of work since the start of the offseason program April 15.

Along with wearing the orange jersey, the player also is in charge of the musical selections that are played during practice.

The Dolphins have a total of six OTAs (Organized Team Activities) over the next two weeks, with the rest coming Tuesday, Thursday, and Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday of next week. That will be followed by the mandatory minicamp June 4-6, which will conclude the offseason program for the Dolphins.

LONG READY FOR BIG YEAR

Long is sporting a new number as he heads into his second season with the Dolphins, having switched from the 51 he wore last season to the number he wore at West Virginia after 11 became available following the departure of Cedrick Wilson Jr. to the New Orleans Saints.

Long has a new linebacker partner this season with Jordyn Brooks replacing Jerome Baker in what essentially became a swap between the Dolphins and the Seattle Seahawks.

In his first season with the Dolphins, Long had a career-high and team-best 113 tackles, including nine tackles for loss.

Published
Alain Poupart
ALAIN POUPART

Alain Poupart is the publisher/editor of All Dolphins and co-host of the All Dolphins Podcast. Alain has covered the Miami Dolphins on a full-time basis since 1989 for various publications and media outlets, including Dolphin Digest, The Associated Press, the Dolphins team website, and the Fan Nation Network (part of Sports Illustrated). In addition to being a credentialed member of the Miami Dolphins press corps, Alain has covered three Super Bowls (for NFL.com, Football News and the Montreal Gazette), the annual NFL draft, the Senior Bowl, and the NFL Scouting Combine. During his almost 40 years in journalism, which began at the now-defunct Miami News, Alain has covered practically every sport at one time or another, from tennis to golf, baseball, basketball and everything in between. The career also included time as a copy editor, including work on several books such as "Still Perfect," an inside look at the Miami Dolphins' 1972 perfect season. A native of Montreal, Canada, whose first language is French, Alain grew up a huge hockey fan but soon developed a love for all sports, including NFL football. He has lived in South Florida since the 1980s.

Home/News