ESPN NFL

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Graham

Statisticians who track offensive line performances rated Miami Dolphins left tackle Jake Long among the best in the NFL last year.

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	Dolphins coach Tony Sparano isn't concerned about the few preseason miscues by Jake Long.

As a rookie, Long went to the Pro Bowl. He gave up only a couple sacks, committed five penalties and, according to analyst KC Joyner, won 88.6 percent of his blocks at the point of attack, the sixth-best among all regular left tackles and 24th regardless of position.

Long hasn't been that efficient so far through three preseason games.

Palm Beach Post reporter Edgar Thompson pointed out Friday that Long has made three bad mistakes, giving up a tackle for loss, a sack and getting flagged for holding.

On Sunday, Dolphins coach Tony Sparano was asked about Long's early sloppiness compared to his excellent play last year.

"Jake didn't give up many plays last year," Sparano said. "He didn't give up many sacks. ... From my end, I felt the guy played pretty well against some pretty good people during the course of the season last year.

"Now, in the preseason right, he's gotten beat a couple times out there, and, you know, I think Jake will get that fixed. ... He's a pretty good pro for just being a young guy. He goes in, he watches the film, he's critical of himself and is very curious to get problems fixed.

"I think that any of those things that have happened right now with Jake, you know, he'll get some of those things fixed."

In other words, Sparano isn't worried, but he definitely has noticed.