Martin hoping to step up with Long out

Dolphins rookie tackle Jonathan Martin takes a lot of pride in his craft, and wants to be the best. And the best offensive tackles, in his view, all play on the left side. Now with Jake Long lost for the rest of the season with a torn triceps, Martin will switch to left tackle this Sunday against the 49ers after starting the first 12 games of his career on the right side. Utility backup Nate Garner will start at right tackle. "I think anyone who is in the NFL and an offensive tackle wants to play left," Martin said Wednesday. "I'm going to make the most of it, and prove that I belong there." If Martin does prove he belongs at left tackle, it could mean the end of Long in a Dolphins uniform. Long is an impending free agent, and he could fetch a monster contract on the open market even though he has suffered several injuries over the last two years and his performance has dropped. And Martin will be tested right away, as he and the Dolphins will face ...