Vernon Carey Vernon A . Carey ( born July 31 , 1981 ) is a former American football offensive tackle who played for eight seasons in the National Football League ( NFL ) for the Miami Dolphins . He was drafted by the Dolphins 19th overall in the 2004 NFL Draft after playing college football at the University of Miami . Early years . 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 season . Carey was a first - round draft choice ( 19th overall ) of his hometown 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 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 season . 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 season . 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 season . 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 . 2008 season . With the Miami Dolphins drafting Jake Long as the number one pick , Carey was moved to the right tackle spot where started all 16 games in 2008 . According to Pro Football Focus , Carey was rated the 7th best tackle in the NFL . He only yielded 6 sacks during the entire season with 6 QB hits and 13 QB pressures . 2009 season . In 2009 , Carey started all 16 games for the Dolphins at the right tackle spot . As of January 3 , 2010 , Carey has started 74 straight games for the Dolphins heading into the offseason . Carey gave up only 4 sacks in 2009 . 2010 season . In 2010 , Carey started just 12 games for the Dolphins at Right tackle . He missed four games due to injuries . 2011 season . In 2011 , Carey started 15 games at right guard position while missing just one game . Retirement . On August 5 , 2012 , Carey announced his retirement from football . He became an assistant football coach at Miami Northwestern High School . Personal . Vernon wedded LaTavia , his long - time girlfriend , in October 2004 . The couple has a son , Vernon , Jr . and twins , son Jaylen , and daughter , Taelynn . They reside in Miramar , Florida . Growing up , the Miami Dolphins were his favorite sports team and Reggie White was his favorite athlete , Carey lists " Martin " as favorite television show , Biggie Smalls as favorite recording artist and The Bible as favorite book . He holds a B . A . in liberal arts from Miami .