Chicago Bears’ Kyle Long Didn’t Expected To Go In First Round
By Mike Dyce
April 26, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; General manager Phil Emery (left) and head coach Marc Trestman (right) stand with first-round selection of guard Kyle Long (center) from Oregon University during a Chicago Bears press conference at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Reid Compton-USA TODAY Sports
The Chicago Bears made a push to shore up one of their weakest links in the 2013 NFL Draft by acquiring lineman. That started with taking the versatile Kyle Long of the University of Oregon. Long, who is Howie’s son and Chris’s brother, can play either guard or tackle.
While he had a feeling he was going to be drafted, he didn’t expect to hear his name on Thursday night. He was projected to be a second round pick, and was ranked as the 56th overall player in the draft by CBS Sports. Dane Brugler of CBS actually had Long going to the Bears in the second round of his mock draft.
“I hadn’t expected to be picked so high, but I was obviously grateful and excited about the opportunity and really thrilled about getting to work under Coach Trestman and for Coach Kromer,” Long said on WSCR, via Sports Radio Interviews.
But drafting a player with so much NFL history in his family has to be a strong choice. They already know what the NFL is all about, the good and the bad, and how to be successful.
“Everybody that comes into an organization and gets drafted should have the confidence to be able to come in and make an impact. Saying that would be kind of a bold statement, but I can promise you I’m gonna show up and I’m gonna work my butt off.”
But he knows he still needs to improve.
“My technique. I’m very raw in the game, I’m inexperienced, but I feel like my best football is ahead of me.”