Hunter Long – November 26, 2021
Download PDF version
Friday, November 26, 2021
TE Hunter Long
(It’s good to see you’ll get an opportunity this weekend. How has the rookie year been for you from an emotional standpoint in terms of not playing a lot? Has that been tough at all to deal with?) – “No, not really. I mean I knew coming in this year that I’d get some opportunities and have to try to make the most of them. I’ve tried to keep it even the whole year and attack each week the same, so this week was no different and the past seven or whatever (weeks) were no different either.”
(We already know TE Adam Shaheen will be out, so what you mentioned, trying to attack each week the same, is that easy or could it be difficult to do when you know an opportunity could be coming?) – “I don’t think it’s that difficult. I did kind of the same in college. I redshirted my freshman year and didn’t play a whole lot my sophomore year, so I’ve kind of been through this before where you just have to be as prepared as possible for when that chance comes. And when it comes, make the most of it.”
(Did you kind of know coming into your rookie season that it could play out this way and maybe that helped you prepare for it?) – “Yeah. I came into this year with really no expectations for where I was going to fall and what chances I was going to get. I think that probably helped the most. I’m not expecting too much or too little and trying to stay as even-keeled as possible through it. Obviously we have a lot of good tight ends and I love those guys, so it’s been awesome to see them do their thing. But like I said, I attack each week the same and I’m excited for this week.”
(What area do you think you’ve improved the most in since training camp?) – “Probably just understanding defenses and being able to read it fast. It was obviously – it’s not that much of a speed change from the college level to this level but there is definitely a speed change and with that, you have to adjust a little bit. I think just studying defenses each week – I mean the weeks I haven’t been playing, I’ve spent a lot of time studying defenses and watching film of other defenses. Probably just being able to recognize stuff faster and process a little faster at the line.”
(How much have you been picking the brain of your teammates and the tight end group?) – “All the time. They’re phenomenal tight ends and I got pretty fortunate to come into this room. Obviously I haven’t gotten a lot of playing time but I’ve been able to practice with those guys and see those guys and watch what they do and ask them all sorts of questions. I’ve got the best of both worlds in the variety of tight ends that we have. It’s been fantastic. I’ve enjoyed it.”
(Is there one piece of advice that they’ve given you that’s really resonated with you?) – “Probably just even less football related is just stay ready for your time to come. I mean they’ve been great through all of it. I’d probably say that’s the biggest advice they’ve had is just be ready, stay ready and your week is going to come.”
(We know from your college tape that obviously you can catch the ball, you can run routes, you can block. Of those parts of the game, what’s been the biggest challenge at the NFL level and where it’s taken the most work? Blocking, getting open, route running?) – “I don’t think there’s just one thing that’s ben the biggest challenge. Obviously at the NFL level, everything is a little faster. The windows are a little tighter. The people are bigger, stronger and it’s the best of everybody in college. I wouldn’t say there’s one area but just getting accustomed to that. We have a great team here so being able to practice against them every week, it’s been – I’ve definitely gotten better being here.”
(Have you had an opportunity to talk to Head Coach Brian Flores this week and what is your relationship with him like?) – “Yeah. I have a great relationship with ‘Coach Flo’ (Brian Flores) and his message has kind of been the same. We obviously have a lot of tight ends but my chance is going to come and like the tight ends were saying, just be ready and stay ready. That’s what I’ve been focused on doing.”
(In terms of the tape you’ve watched of other defenses, is it just the team you’re playing this week and you’ve made sure to sit there with TE Durham Smythe and TE Mike Gesicki and TE Adam Shaheen and just study each opponent’s defense?) – “Yeah. Definitely the focus each week is the team (we’re playing) because I’ve got to stay ready. Anything can happen throughout the week so I’ve been ready every week to play. But then just watching other tight ends around the league, picking up stuff that they do and trying to incorporate it into my game, and then obviously watching the tight ends that we’ve got and incorporating that stuff.”
(What guys have you watched from around the league that you think you’ve been able to maybe try to take stuff from?) – “Pretty much all of the big names. Every team has elite tight ends now, pretty much. The tight end position has evolved so much over the past couple of years and there are a bunch of great ones out there. So just taking bits and pieces from different games and trying to mold my game into something better.”
(Would that include TE Travis Kelce, TE Darren Waller?) – “Yeah. (laughter) Those types of tight ends. I’ve tried to dive into football and watch as much football this year as I can. So yeah, those names are included. (laughter)”
(Have the guys on this team been receptive to you asking for advice?) – “Yeah, they’ve been fantastic. They’ve answered every question I’ve come to them (with). I’ve probably asked them too many questions. (laughter) I’m sure they’ve gotten annoyed a time or two but they’ve been fantastic through it and answered all of my questions. They’re great friends off the field and help me on the field so it’s been awesome.”
