David Long Jr. – March 22, 2023
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Wednesday, March 22, 2023
LB David Long Jr.
(I wanted to ask, you were one of the Dolphins first players that agreed to terms with the team. I was curious what stood out about this team, about this defense and this opportunity here?) – “I mean, it was a stressful process, the free agency process. I was just hearing a lot of different things and Miami was just the best fit I thought for me and my future. And then as far as like the players, I know a lot of them. A lot of us have the same agent. So I know a lot of those guys for a few years now. And then just the history of the DC (Vic Fangio). He’s had one of their top defenses for a while. So it just felt like a great fit. And then when I got down there, it felt like an even better fit.”
(You mentioned Vic Fangio kind of playing a role in that decision. Obviously, he’s bringing over his system and kind of building it from the ground up so to speak. But what similarities, if any, are there from your time in Tennessee and what you might see in Miami here? The defense and maybe what your role will be.) – “As far as role, I really haven’t discussed (that). I’m just ready to get to work and just fit in however I can. As far as the defense, he plays that same style that I like. Fast and aggressive as far as having a linebacker on the field all three downs. And also, it felt like a good fit. I feel like as the time goes, I’ll learn more about his way and the way he sees fits.”
(You talk about playing fast and aggressive. I was watching some of the film breakdowns of your game from guys like Brian Baldinger, and he talks a lot about the way you anticipate and how you play with speed. I’m curious, calling out plays or recognizing keys, what’s the key to putting yourself in position to play that style of football?) – “Well, a lot comes from I’ve been playing football for so long. So it’s really just that natural feel. Then as far as pre-snap reads, I spend a lot of time in the film room. I like to study my players a lot. So any indication that I can find to help me be way faster than an opponent, I look for it, whether it’s the hand in the dirt, light in the dirt, or just the tight end peeking or going back. It’s the little things that can help you be just more steadfast. Those are things I look for. And then just the mentality as well. Just that that dog mentality. That plays a major role as well.”
(I wanted to allude to the that you had a really good defensive line there in Tennessee and you come here with a bunch of guys that have played at a high level too in DT Christian Wilkins, DT Zach Sieler and DT Raekwon Davis. I’m curious how having such a good defensive line helps you do your job?) – “I mean any linebacker would be lying if they said that that front four doesn’t play a major role in the success we have. In Tennessee, a lot of two gaps they would hold up off the double teams, and our job as linebackers is to get downhill fast to get those double teams off of them. So they helped me, I helped them. We all work as a team. The better we work together, the better the defense is.”
(Everything that I saw about you – intelligent player, three-down player, very good against the run, very good against the pass. Mike Vrabel singled you and Kristian Fulton out in his postseason thing. But I’m wondering how that grabbed you? Like did that catch you by surprise? Were you offended? What did you think about that?) – “I’ve always – if you watch film since my rookie year to the end of this year, every play, I lay it out on the line. So that was a surprise to me. I feel like it kind of created a narrative a little bit as far as how I take care of my body. If you ask anybody, I’m a first one in and last guy out type of guy. So I know he knows that as well. It really just put a bigger chip (on my shoulder) because I know what type of player I am. That wasn’t discussed to me, as well. So it was a lot. I took it with a grain of salt. I’m not really much a media person like ‘why did you single me out or whatever.’ I’m going to roll with it and I’m just going to get back to work.”
(And as a follow up, to tell me about being a part of this defense, because you do have so many good players. I know in Tennessee, it was a point of emphasis to improve the defense and you were part of that. Now you come to a defense that’s really loaded. Tell me about the potential and how you feel about joining this defense.) – “I feel great man as far as the pieces that we have and also just me being familiar with the guys around. Sometimes you come into a new defense and you got to get a feel for guys, how close you are off the field as well plays a major role in that chemistry on the field. So I’m just glad that I know a lot on each level. Christian (Wilkins), Raekwon (Davis), Jaelan (Phillips), Jevon (Holland, Xavien (Howard). All those dudes I’m already familiar with so it really shouldn’t be too much of getting to know (them). I know those guys play fast and aggressive and talk smack just like me. (laughter)”
(So there’s another David Long in the league and he was part of the same draft class. I want to know, have you guys gotten to know each other at all and bonded over that kind of shocking coincidence?) – “That’s my dawg. So we both are with Athletes First. Coming out, we both trained in Orange County at Proactiv. So I’ve been knowing him since I got in the league. That’s my guy. I finally got his jersey too. So that’s cool, too.”
(I wanted to ask you, you haven’t really been established as a clear cut starter going back to Tennessee. Do you feel like that that’s something that’s a chip on your shoulder, that you’re trying to prove that you’re one of the preeminent linebackers in this league?) – “Nah. I wouldn’t say I’m trying to prove – I mean, I think if you watch film, it’s not really hard. I mean, I’m not trying to prove anything. I know what type of player I am. My main focus is keeping my body together. That’s really my main focus.”
