RB Kareem Hunt (11.8.23)

 

Kareem, that’s the number one defense against the run, going up against. What do you see there and how do you?

“I see a front seven. They got a lot of good players over there and they do a good job of what they do and stopping the run.”

 

How physical are these games and maybe even how much more physical this one be considering they’re in, first, the two defenses are so good. 

“I mean, it’s going to be a very physical game. I know that. And this week definitely got to prepare yourself and get your mind ready because it’s going to be a very physical game.”

 

You’ve been a part of this rivalry for a long time now. Deshaun’s (Watson) relatively new to it. What can you share with him about what to expect from that defense? 

“We got to expect them to make some good plays and we got to be able to bounce back from them and make big plays, too, because there’s still something to be made out there and we just got to play together.”

 

Why are you built for a physical game like this? 

“Because I’m not afraid of contact. I’m definitely excited for the challenge. I know they got a good defense and we want to come in and beat them.”

 

Do you have any memories, Kareem, of any certain games you had against the Ravens in your time? 

‘We had, I forget what night game, prime time game it was, and we played them here. That was a good game. I mean, you just got to keep that same type of physicality and attack them.”

 

Historically, you guys have played Baltimore pretty tough for the most part, but getting over the hump and winning the games has also been challenging. So, when you look at this game and the opportunity that presents itself, what do you guys got to do to not only just play well and compete, but get over the hump and win this thing? 

“We just got to take care of the football. We can’t turn the ball over. We got to go out there and execute our job and just be detailed and we got to go out there and fight. We got to go out there and win our one-on-one matchups and battle.”

 

Kareem, for years you and Nick (Chubb) had a great rapport, great blend in the backfield, and now it seems like you guys have recreated that with Pierre (Strong) and Jerome (Ford). Is that how you feel? And do you feel like all your skill sets complement one another very? 

“Yeah, definitely. You know those guys definitely quick, fast guys know can make some big plays for us. And I definitely know I’m the bruiser and I can make big plays for us, too. So, I think we complement each other pretty good.”

 

How do you like running behind Nick Harris? 

“I love that. I love seeing almost 300 pound lineman coming from the fullback position with a running head start in front of me.

 

Is he doing good? 

“Oh, he’s doing great, man. He’s making lanes, especially on some of them short yard plays we got to get.”

 

Does he run the ball? Does he want that ball? 

“He might get the ball. Honestly. They better watch out. If he do, I think he gonna carry about four people to the first down.”

 

Hey, with all respect to P.J. (Walker) and DTR (Dorian Thompson-Robinson), what does it mean to have Deshaun (Watson) back? In terms of confidence for everyone? 

“It means a lot. Deshaun’s our guy and he just goes out there and executes. He’s been here for a long time. He’s played a lot of football, a lot of experience, and it’s just good to see him back and get his legs underneath him.”

 

Do you feel like he was able to shake the rust off and he’s only going to continue to get better? 

“Yeah, I definitely do. I feel like it was just one of those games. He going to get ready and come and keep getting better each and every week. I feel the same way by missing camp and stuff like that. Each and every week I feel a lot better.”

 

Kareem, I know we’ve asked you about these AFC matchups in the last year. What does it mean to Northeast, Ohio when you go on the road to those environments? What is it like? What does it mean to get wins and everything like that?

“It’s not easy getting wins, especially in our division. We got to find a way to win those games going there. It’s going to be a loud crowd and they’re going to be ready to play us, too. So, it’s a big game for both teams and we got to show up.”

 

So what’s the backstory on you raising guys hands like they just won a boxing match?

“We got that from SpongeBob. It was the Squidward talent show when SpongeBob got all the love and they were throwing tomatoes and stuff at Squidward and stuff like that.”

 

Are you a SpongeBob fan?

“Yeah. Oh, yeah. And David (Njoku), we both are. That’s my childhood right there.”

 

When you dragged Deshaun (Watson) over, did he know what was coming?

“No, he didn’t. I don’t think he knew what was coming, but we had to get him over there.”

 

Do you have to explain it after the fact about where you got it from? 

“I mean, we didn’t even try to explain it to nobody. We just knew and the crowd was going with it.”

 

Can you put into words just how big of a game this is on Sunday for you guys? 

“I mean, every next game is the biggest game of the season. We got to win it. We got to find a way to win. And like I said, we got a bad taste in our mouth from seeing them earlier in the year. So we got to come back and fire back.”

 

Kareem, kind of on that note, how tough is this to play a team for the second time in a season? What new challenges does that bring? 

“I mean, we can’t really hide anything. We know each other very well. That’s the thing. We play them twice every year, so they know us pretty good. And they got a similar roster as they always had and so do we.”

 

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