Undersized and overlooked by 31 NFL teams, Tennessee Titans linebacker David Long Jr. has let his play do the talking since entering the NFL.
After being taken in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL draft, the Cincinnati, Ohio native has had to earn every bit of playing time at the next level.
After a strong finish to the 2020 campaign that saw him make five starts, Long took over a full-time starting role at inside linebacker in 2021, surpassing the oft-injured Jayon Brown on the depth chart.
Long has been in attendance at organized team activities (OTAs), and on Tuesday emphasized the importance of being present with the team at this time of the year to allow for mistakes to happen, while also being able to grow from them without the stress of the regular season approaching.
The 5-foot-11 linebacker also touched on how he handles doubts about him due to his lack of size.
“I’ve been hearing the undersized stuff since high school, but it never changed the way that I played,” Long said, via ESPN’s Turron Davenport. “It really just revved me up as far as that dog mentality. ‘I’m going to show you how little you think I am.’ That’s just being me, and that’s been a part of my game since high school, college, and hearing the same thing. Even going in the [NFL], sixth round after being the (Big 12) Defensive Player of the Year, there wasn’t a knock on my talent; it was my height.”
Long will be entering his fourth year in the National Football League, which is also the final year of his rookie deal. Brown and Rashaan Evans, who was surpassed by Zach Cunningham in 2021, are no longer on the team, so the inside linebacker jobs are Long and Cunningham’s to lose.
The former was limited to ten games last year, including nine starts, due to a hamstring injury. However, Long still finished tied for second on the team in total tackles (75) with outside linebacker Harold Landry.
Returning to his role in the middle of the defense, Long could don a green dot on his helmet in 2022.
Usually one to quietly lead by example, the 25-year-old has been focusing on being more vocal. However, Long admitted that the process hasn’t been an easy transition.
“It’s not my nature, but you can’t be quiet in the field,” he said. “That’s a side of my game I’m trying to improve in. Knowing everybody’s job and communicating.”
Added to taking over a leadership role on defense, Long has also been tasked with getting acclimated to inside linebackers coach, Bobby King.
King emphasized bringing a hard-nosed, physical attitude to Tennessee, which will align well with Long’s style of play. Long’s early impression of King indicates that the coach will fit in well with the Titans’ organization.
“He’s pretty cool to have as a coach. He’s one of us,” Long said.
The Titans will have a few more OTAs before mandatory minicamp begins on June 14.
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