Vernon Carey

Infobox NFLactive


name=Vernon Carey
|width=
caption=
currentteam=Miami Dolphins
currentnumber=72
currentposition=Offensive tackle
birthdate=birth date and age|1981|7|31
birthplace=Miami, Florida
heightft=6
heightin=5
weight=335
debutyear=2004
debutteam=Miami Dolphins
highlights=
* First-team "Parade" All-American (1998)
* First-team "USA Today" All-American (1998)
* 2x second-team All-Big East (2002-2003)
* Third-team "AP" All-American (2003)
college=University of Miami
draftyear=2004
draftround=1
draftpick=19
pastteams=
* Miami Dolphins (2004-present)
statweek=17
statseason=2007
statlabel1=Games played
statvalue1=62
statlabel2=Games started
statvalue2=48
nfl=CAR103808

Vernon A. Carey (born July 31, 1981 in Miami, Florida) is an American football offensive tackle for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Dolphins 19th overall in the 2004 NFL Draft. He played collegiately at the University of Miami.

High school career

Carey lettered in football and basketball at Miami Northwestern High School in Miami, Florida. He did not allow a sack during his junior and senior seasons, and was named as a Parade and USA Today first-team All-America pick as a senior. He also earned first team Class 6A All-State honors, and helped guide Northwestern to the Florida Class 6A state title.

College career

Carey was a four-year letterman at University of Miami from 2000 to 2003. In 1999, Carey was redshirted and was a member of the Hurricanes' scout team.

He played in eight games as a redshirt freshman in 2000. As a sophomore, Carey played in every game including one start, when he stepped in for injured left tackle Bryant McKinnie for the season finale against Virginia Tech. He started all 12 games at right offensive tackle as a junior, collecting eight touchdown-resulting blocks and 79 key blocks (42 pancakes). For his efforts, he was named as a second-team All-Big East Conference selection. He started 11 games as a senior, moving to left guard in spring drills after starting at right tackle as a junior. As a senior, he was named as a third-team All-America choice by the Associated Press and College Football News. He also earned second-team All-Big East Conference honors from the media. Carey led the Hurricanes in key blocks (knockdowns/pancakes) as both a junior and senior.

Professional career

Miami Dolphins

2004

Carey was a first-round draft choice (19th overall) of the Miami Dolphins in the 2004 NFL Draft. He was the third offensive lineman selected, behind only Iowa offensive tackle Robert Gallery (2nd, Oakland Raiders) and Arkansas offensive guard Shawn Andrews (16th, Philadelphia Eagles). The Dolphin signed Carey to a a five-year, $8.6 million deal. Carey earned $6.3 million in total salary in his first year.

Carey was tried at both tackle and guard during training camp his rookie season. He went on to play in 14 games, including two starts. The first of his NFL career came when he opened at right tackle in place of the injured John St. Clair (ankle) at the New England Patriots on October 10. He also opened at that spot the following week at the Buffalo Bills. Carey struggled at times during his rookie campaign, but showed enough promise to be a solid starter in the near future.

2005

Carey was originally planned to be the starter at left tackle in 2005, but he was shifted to right tackle in August. He went on to play in all 16 games, including 14 starts at right tackle. He secured the right tackle job following the benching of Stockar McDougle after Week 6. Carey was part of a line that yielded just 26 sacks - the fourth-lowest total in the NFL - and led a running game that averaged 118.6 yards an outing and 4.3 yards per rush attempt, which ranked seventh and fourth in the AFC. He took part in all but one offensive snap over the final 11 weeks of the season.

2006

The team once again considered moving Carey in 2006 - this time to right guard - however that notion was quickly abandoned. During a season when the Dolphins' offensive line mightily struggled early in the year, Carey was the lone bright spot. Starting all 16 games of the year at right tackle, Carey was by far the Dolphins' most consistent and productive offensive lineman.

2007

During a news conference that occurred during the first day of the 2007 NFL Draft, Coach Cam Cameron announced that Carey is now the team's starting left tackle.

Personal

Vernon wedded LaTavia, his long-time girlfriend, on October 5, 2004 - the Tuesday prior to the New England Patriots game of his rookie season on October 10 (which would also end up being his first career start). The couple has a son, Vernon, Jr. and twins, son Jaylen, and daughter, Taelynn. They reside in Miramar, Florida.

He holds a B.A. in liberal arts from Miami.

Trivia

*Vernon was as a high school teammate of San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Antonio Bryant and Denver Broncos linebacker Nate Webster.
*As a child, Vernon lived across the street from the site where Dolphin Stadium now sits, and could see it being built from 1985 through its completion less than two years later.Vernon is the all-ime leader in NFL games played for the Dolphins' franchise among Miami Hurricane players. He broke the record formerly held by RB Woody Bennett.

External links

* [http://www.miamidolphins.com/newsite/team/roster/playerBio.asp?docid=14868 Miami Dolphins Bio]