Now this is why people stand in the hot sun all day at NFL training camps for!
Rookies Jake Long and Phillip Merling got into a bit of a tussle at Phins camp on Monday. Of course, these are two guys trying to make an impression on their new team ... but it was a bit surprising since they have been best buddies off the field.
''But he's my man off the field,'' said Merling, in an unexpectedly bashful tone. ``I think he was surprised I hit him, because everybody knows we're good buddies off the field. I just threw a quick 1-2 off of instinct, I guess.''
Merling's (the first pick of the second round) fight with Long (the first pick in the entire draft) drew the attention of Tony Sparano ... Miami's new head coach. Sparano actually liked it, since he's been preaching a tough-guy attitude in camp.
I can see why Sparano is pleased. No, he doesn't want his rookie millionaires duking it out like that, but it shows the heart that a 1-15 team needs to have to build itself back up into relevance. They are young with some talent, but that talent won't overwhelm anyone. Miami has to out-tough people to win ... and if Sparano has his way than we could have a nice surprise in the AFC East this year.




