" Jake Long never looked overwhelmed in 2008, at least off the field. Not around barking coaches or testing veterans at training camp. Not when being orbited daily by media -- an unusual situation for a rookie offensive tackle -- as if his 6-7, 310-pound body had its own gravity field.

Long's professionalism and cool confidence drew compliments from veterans and quickly stamped him as a team leader, even as a rookie. He wasn't some immature kid, but, on the field, he still wasn't a fully grown adult.

''I really wanted to work on my strength in the weight room, get a lot stronger,'' Long said about this offseason, ``Because you're going up against grown men every single play.''

Long had upper-body strength in abundance. He ripped off 37 bench-press reps at the 2008 NFL Scouting Combine to lead all linemen, offensive or defensive.

''I've always been a strong bencher,'' Long said. ``These things are power cleans, squats to strengthen my lower body and hips. And I really have. I don't even remember what I started at, but now I'm doing over 500 pounds [in squats and deadlifts], feeling strong and feeling good.''

Dolphins coach Tony Sparano concurred: ``The guy is in phenomenal shape. He is stronger [than a year ago]. He is in NFL-ready shape right now.''

When explaining why pass rushers can have good seasons at an advanced age, linebacker Joey Porter said, ``The game slows down when you get older. When you're young, you're just getting by on straight-up talent.''"