RB Kareem Hunt (10.25.23)
How does the side feel?
“You know, getting better, for sure. Definitely taking it a day at a time and, you know, ready for this run.”
Kareem, how long did take you to really get in the football shape after signing?
“I really don’t know. You got to go out there and just play, and that’s what it kind of was. It’s hard to really say when or when it’s done, but I think each week I’m going to keep getting better and feeling great.”
Does it help that injury when you’re finding the end zone every week?
“Yeah, it does. It feels good being able to help contribute and help the team win.”
With (Jerome) Ford being out, can you pick up the load? Do you think you’re ready for more?
“Oh, yeah. I’m ready for any challenge, man. And that’s what type of person I am, what type of player I am.”
Does this just go to show you that you not only have to stay ready, but you have to try to stay positive and upbeat even when things aren’t going your way?
“Oh, yeah, for sure. You definitely got to stay positive and stay ready because any play your number can get called, you never know. I didn’t expect Nick Chubb to get hurt, so it’s just things that happen, especially at this position, running back and stuff like that. But it can happen to anybody.”
What’s it like to play in a game that has that back and forth? So many lead changes, feels like the game hangs in the balance at every possession. What’s it like?
“I mean, you just got to stay on top of it, man. You can never get too high, never get too low. You got to always go out there and do your job, and every play matters at that point because they’re scoring quick and we’re scoring quick, and everything we do just matters.”
Kevin (Stefanski) said that he had that fourth down play in his pocket all along, so how excited were you to know that was going to be your moment?
“I mean, I was about ready to go in his pocket and get it, but I was excited when I heard the play call. I know the offensive line was very excited, too, and we had to play powerhouse football and get it in.”
You guys got to go to Seattle, which is one of the toughest environments to play just because of the noise factor. Just how in tune do you guys have to be this week as far as dealing with those silent counts and making sure you guys are on point with the details of the operation?
“We just got to communicate, do a great job of communicating with each other and the signs, signals or anything like that. We just got to be detailed and stay on top of it and be on the same page.”
Kareem, sorry if you’ve been asked this. Does this almost seem a little surreal to you that this all worked out the way the way it did? Now you’re back and in such a role as you’re in again?
“I mean, most definitely it is. It’s kind of crazy to think about it. Like I said about midway through September, if you would ask me, I probably wouldn’t have said I wasn’t coming back or something or I didn’t know or think about that. But it happened, it happened for a reason, I guess. God got a plan for us and this team.”
Why do you think the team has been able to win despite the uncertainty at quarterback?
“We’ve just been playing together as a team, fighting for each other. The defense been doing a great job of holding up its end, and we got to come in and still put points on the board and just play together. That’s what it does.”
What makes you confident in this running backs room that you guys can continue to bring that run game no matter how many of you guys end up coming down?
“Yeah, I mean, we got good offensive line, good schemes, and I feel like we just do a good job of just putting the next man up. Those guys know what it takes to be a great running back. Coach Stump (Mitchell) is one of the best running back coaches in the league, and he knows how to get guys mentally ready to play, so we got to stay on top of that.”
This is, I think, your fifth different season with the Browns.
“Yeah, this is my fifth year.”
Does this team seem unique? You were on the playoff team. What’s the difference with this team?
“I feel like we’re definitely a closer team. I feel like as a whole, we all play for each other. Not just like individually and stuff like that. And I feel like that’s how it was in 2020, too. But talent-wise, I feel like we got the most talent since I’ve been here for the past five years. So, we got a lot of good players.”
How are you handling the uncertainty at the quarterback position?
“It’s just next man up. I mean, I know Deshaun’s (Watson) fighting to get ready to try to play or anything he can do to help us, and right now, we just got to keep finding ways to win. It’s not always going to be pretty. We just got to fight and find a way to win.”
Does Deshaun (Watson) have a message for you guys as he’s kind of fighting through?
“He’s just being there for his teammates. Doing what a quarterback should do and trying to help us think of ways to help win and what we got to do. So, we need a teammate and a guy like that.”
Can you tell it’s hard on him (Deshaun Watson) not knowing and not being out there when he wasn’t out there?
“I mean, I’m sure it’s stressful. Yeah, I’m not really sure.”
Kareem, your attempts have gone up over the last weeks. How has your comfortability level with this offense, just kind of as you’ve adjusted back to being with the guys, grown?
“I’m very comfortable. Like I said, this is my fifth year here, so I pretty much know everybody and the coaches, the plays and stuff like that. I feel good to get back and get used to getting banged around and stuff after missing camp and off-season and stuff like that. You can’t know, simulate those real reps in training.”
What’s it like watching Myles Garrett? It seems like everyone all of a sudden has discovered him after the game he had against the Colts. But you’ve been his teammate for five years. What’s it like, you know, watching him and how he’s able to dominate defensively?
“It’s fun. It’s really fun being on the sideline watching him. And whenever we need a big play, I’m on the sideline like, come on, Myles, we need you. It’s that time. And he always pulls through and makes the big plays, man. He’s been doing it for the past six, seven years. So, we know what type of player he is.”
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