Long Run Ends

College players await the NFL draft on Thursday. There will be elation and disappointment, based on where they were selected. Some will never hear their name called. Only one player will top the list.

Jake Long did that in 2008 when he was selected number one overall by the Dolphins. He began a career with four straight Pro Bowls as a member of their offensive line.

His venture into free agency after 2012 ended in disaster with the Rams as he missed the 2013 and 2014 seasons with a torn ACL.

He was a backup with the Falcons for 2015 and was having a good season with the Vikings in 2016 until he ruptured his Achilles during Week 10.

It all ended today when he announced his retirement. Eleven seasons went by too soon for him.