Tag: Jake Long

Alabama loses two assistant coaches to other highly-competitive programs

Two Crimson Tide coaches are accepting promotions at there big-time programs.

Nick Saban seems to be the only constant at Alabama. Players come and go, as do his assistant coaches. Working alongside Saban in any role is worthy of being placed on a resumé, which is why so many of his former assistants get hired elsewhere.

It feels as if every year Saban loses members of his staff, who go on to get promotions at other programs. In fat, his old defensive coordinator, Kirby Smart, just beat him in the national championship game.

With the season over, players are entering the NCAA Transfer Portal, declaring for the NFL draft and coaches are leaving for other opportunities.

Two Crimson Tide coaches: cornerbacks coach Jay Valai and analyst Jake Long, have accepted new positions with other highly-competitive programs.

Valai will be the co-defensive coordinator for the Oklahoma Sooners and Long will be the inside linebackers coach at Oregon.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow AJ Spurr on Twitter @SpurrFM.

Numerous former Dolphins included among HOF modern era candidates

Numerous former Dolphins included among HOF modern era candidates

The next round of Pro Football Hall of Fame modern-era inductees won’t be known for approximately six months or so — but we’ve seen the whittling of the field begin. And for fans on the Miami Dolphins, there are going to be a number of familiar faces that have their names included in this year’s initial round of nominees. There are five former Miami Dolphins who have made the shortlist for 2022:

  • Offensive tackle Jake Long (2008-12)
  • Linebacker Zach Thomas (1996-2007)
  • Cornerback Troy Vincent (1992-95)
  • Offensive tackle Richmond Webb (1990-2000)
  • Wide receiver Wes Welker (2004-06)

The opportunity to get a former Miami Dolphin into the Hall of Fame still feels most likely with former linebacker Zach Thomas; who has come painfully close over each of the last two years as he’s flirted with Canton. Thomas has been a finalist for each of the last two rounds of voting but did not make the cut into the final-five on either try.

Among other former Dolphins, it feels unlikely that Richmond Webb or Troy Vincent will garner the needed support to make the leap as a modern era candidate — although both were tremendous pros and Webb in particular is endeared to the Dolphins’ fanbase for a decade of blocking Dan Marino’s blind side.

And while Jake Long’s tenure in Miami was brilliant; he isn’t likely to have played long enough to garner serious consideration for the Hall.

Once again, the hopes of Miami making an appearance in Canton appear to be rooted in underdog Zach Thomas; perhaps the third time will be the charm.

Michigan football first-round NFL Draft picks since 2000

Looking back at the Wolverines first-round NFL Draft picks since 2000.

[jwplayer THgEYRwx-XNcErKyb]

While the greatest NFL player of all-time is indisputably Tom Brady, who has six Super Bowl rings with the New England Patriots, he was famously a sixth-round NFL Draft pick in the 2000 NFL Draft.

But Michigan is No. 13 of college football institutions with 14 first-round NFL Draft picks since 2000, each with varying levels of success.

WolverinesWire takes a look at all 14 picks with a snippet on their careers in the NFL as well as Ann Arbor.

CLICK THROUGH TO THE GALLERY BELOW.

[vertical-gallery id=22608]

Former Wolverine takes shot at Michigan football program, Jim Harbaugh

Former Wolverines great Jake Long noticed Juwan Howard’s leadership for the Michigan Basketball program. He wishes their football had that.

Hey, it’s time to check in on our rivals. Because, well — it can be fun to see what’s happening at TTUN.

It’s a good one this time too. Former Wolverine great Jake Long noticed Juwan Howard’s leadership for the Michigan Basketball program, and he apparently wishes the football program had the same culture, somewhat taking a shot at Jim Harbaugh.

Prior to taking on Tom Izzo and the Michigan State Spartans, Howard touched on how he’s taken a back seat at times and humbled himself in order to improve.

Long decided to quote tweet the video and approve Howard’s statement.

He also put that “Our football program should take some notes.” That implies that head coach Harbaugh hasn’t quite taken that step in his leadership. Here’s exactly how the couple tweets were phrased.

Michigan Football ended the season 9-4. IT were absolutely obliterated by the Alabama Crimson Tide without its star quarterback, a bad look for the program that desperately wants to take that next step.

It’s on Jim Harbaugh. He has the talent, and Harbaugh must find a way to exploit teams and opponents better.

But to have former players call it out is not an ideal situation. Yikes.