Over the next couple of weeks we here at Playoff Bound Sports would like to highlight some of the veterans that do not regularly get mentioned in the blogosphere or in the media headlines. To start things off is the starting right tackle for the Miami Dolphins, Vernon Carey.
Right tackle for the Miami Dolphins Vernon Carey has experienced his ups and downs throughout his six year career, although mostly ups.
He started out getting drafted 19th overall by the Dolphins in the 2004 NFL Draft, and debuted in his rookie season at right tackle.
It was in Carey's rookie season that he struggled. Carey only started twice during the 16 game season, although he did appear in 14 of those 16 games.
But his rookie season served as a valuable learning experience at right tackle, as he then went on to be among the league's elite at the position for the next four out of five years. And the year that he was not among the league's elite at right tackle was because he transferred over to left tackle during the 2007 season, where he dominated the best opposing pass rushers in the league.
Besides being among the best at what he does in the league, Vernon is also the longest tenured Dolphin on the roster. He will be one of the key veterans this year, and looked up to by some of the younger players, such as versatile offensive lineman, and rookie, John Jerry.
Over the past six years, it is easy to forget the men in the trenches for the Dolphins, in large part, because for the majority of that time, because the line was in a flux, and inconsistent at times. But Carey has been the bright spot on the line for everyone of the years that he has started in the league.
In 2008 Carey was the 9th ranked run blocker in the league among right tackels, and was the best run blocker on the team, with an average of 4.51 ALY (Adjusted Line Yards, which is another term for yards per carry, only with different situations factored into the formula as well, such as distance and what down the run took place on.) Carey also anchored a line that improved its sack total from 42 in 2007, to 26 in 2008.
In 2009, Carey helped lead an offensive line that finished tied for 5th in the league in yards per carry, and the 4th overall run game as well. The Fins also gave up 34 sacks last year as well.
Carey will be a key contributor this year more than ever, with the offensive line coming off a year in which they allowed mroe sacks than in the previous year. He will be looked upon to provide not only a reliable option in the run and pass game blocking wise, but for his leadership this year, with the Dolphins being younger than ever this year.
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