The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Willoughby South grad Hunt on learning curve
South grad on learning curve in NFL: ‘There’s so much more to it’
For Chiefs rookie running back Kareem Hunt, finding his bearings in the NFL has been a work in progress.
The NFL’s offseason — albeit a short one — has begun.
For rookies, though, the learning curve is seemingly always in motion.
For Chiefs rookie running back Kareem Hunt, finding his bearings in the NFL has been a work in progress.
“I was the type of guy that thought they knew everything about football,” Hunt said at Chiefs.com. “And when I got here, I learned so much more about football, so much more to the game.
“A lot of college kids think they’ve got football down, but it’s not that easy. There’s so much more to it.”
Hunt, a Willoughby South graduate, told reporters during organized team activities one of the most revealing conversations he had was one with Chiefs general manager John Dorsey.
The GM told Hunt: “In college, you play football, In the NFL, you learn football.”
Chiefs coach Andy Reid, who led the Eagles to a Super Bowl, has long been known to have an extensive playbook.
It’s an offense that uses running backs extensively.
That good news for Hunt, but it also means learning quickly is imperative.
Hunt was drafted by the Chiefs in the third round as the University of Toledo’s all-time leading rusher with 4,945 yards and 44 touchdowns.
He joins a crowded backfield in K.C. that includes Spencer Ware, Charcandrick West and C.J. Spiller, who was signed in the offseason. It could have been more crowded but the team parted ways with former AllPro Jamaal Charles when the 2016 season ended.
Hunt and first-round pick Patrick Mahomes appear to be the future backfield for the Chiefs, although Mahomes, a quarterback, finding the field will likely take longer than Hunt.
It’s not uncommon for rookie running backs to play early and often, and have immediate success.
It’s that type of thinking that has Hunt’s position coach — former NFL running back Eric Bieniemy — excited.
“Kareem is a smart kid,” Bieniemy said at Chiefs.com.
“His football IQ is very high. He’s done a good job of retaining a lot of information, and trust me, we’ve been throwing the book at him because we want to challenge him and see exactly what will stick and what won’t stick. He’s done a heck of a job retaining information.”
The fact Coach Andy Reid’s stable of running backs is full is a blessing for Hunt, said Bieniemy.
“I think one thing that he can take out of this whole experience other than taking reps is just watching these guys work,” the coach said. “On top of that, seeing how they take care of their bodies, handling things in the training room, the weight room, all the littledetailed things to help you become that professional.”
Bieniemy has experience with another former great Toledo running back. In 2006, he was running backs coach for the Vikings when Chester Taylor rushed for 1,216 yards. He’s entering his fifth season as Chiefs running backs coach, and has already been a huge influence on Hunt.
“He’s helped me a lot,” said Hunt of Bieniemy. “He’s just been pushing me and pushing me and pushing me. He’s a great coach, and honestly, he’s got more out of myself than anybody has before.”