Noon BBI Chat with former NYG Linebacker Byron Hunt

Our questions. I want to ask you what is the biggest misconception fans have about the LB position?

Thank you for answering questions!

In the 1985 Monday night game in DC when Joe Theismann broke his leg, there were scuffles between Giants and Redskins players all throughout that game. I remember you getting into at least two of them. Was that a particularly intense game and was that your most heated rivalry at the time?

Has the LB position changed since you were playing? Is it still as important in today's NFL as it was in the 1980's to have a top LB squad?

I would be interested in learning if you watch much professional football nowadays, and if so, what linebackers stand out to you from around the league. What sets them apart and what do you look for when watching?

After Joe Danelo missed another field goal, the interception against the Cowboys in OT in 1981 has to be one of the highlights of your career. Can you walk us through that play?

The Bears have been awfully chirpy over the years about how they should have 3 or 4 Super Bowls from that era. How confident were you guys--players and coaches--that you could beat them if you played in the Conference Title game that year?

a good Head Coach some day? As a follow up, did you see the strain that the Front Office had with him too?

Being stuck behind LT and Carl Banks, you were the kind of player made for free agency. As much as we loved you being a NYG, do you feel cheated out of being able to play for another team where you could have played more?

Thanks for answering questions! I got your signature before a Jets-Giants preseason game back in the day... I probably still have the program somewhere...

Of the current Giants LBs, which do you think will have the biggest impact on the team's defense this year? Do you see anyone having a breakout season?

Big Blue Wrecking Crew!!! Can you tell us a little about what Bill Parcells was like and/or what it's like playing for him? And are you still close with any of your old Giants teammates?

although you didn't play as much as a starter do you feel like you could be affected?

Have you discussed this with other linebackers?

Who is the best coach you ever played for and what made you feel they were the best at their craft.

Did you first buy into his approach when he converted the defense from a 4-3 to a 3-4 in 1981?

Then, what were your and your team mates thoughts about Parcells in that rough 1983 season. Were you all sold on him after he benched Phil Simms and went 3-12-1?

Thank You for taking the time to answer questions for BBI!

.

Byron just e-mailed me. He apologizes for the delay but will answer the questions soon.

In comment 13559533 1st and 10 said:

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Our questions. I want to ask you what is the biggest misconception fans have about the LB position?

Thank you for your patience, I had a little trouble logging in

I do not want to speak for all fans, but one of the biggest comments I get about the outside linebacker position is.

wow you guys had big outside linebackers. I recently met head ccoach Ben McAdoo, Jerry Reece and they made similar comments.

in general a good linebacker should be able to play the run, pass and also rush the passer. we don't see that a lot anymore, the position has been buried by the passing game.

hope that helps and thanks for asking

In comment 13559539 Eric from BBI said:

Quote:

Thank you for answering questions! In the 1985 Monday night game in DC when Joe Theismann broke his leg, there were scuffles between Giants and Redskins players all throughout that game. I remember you getting into at least two of them. Was that a particularly intense game and was that your most heated rivalry at the time?

HI Eric,
sorry for the delay getting on, but I will make sure and answer all the questions.

btw: I always considered myself as a starter, started 16 games my rookie season, including our two playoff games.

That Redskin game was a very tough one for me, and I'm sure I was ticked off that entire game. after Joe broke his leg, JAY Schreader, might not be the correct spelling of his last name threw one of his first passes, right to me, I was a bit shocked because he was looking right at me the entire play, and he threw it right to me, as if I was the receiver. a gift it was, and I dropped it, I mean a walk touchdown. Never catch the ball in your chest, and I knew this, the only interception I ever dropped.

we you know the rest of the story, JAY went on to torch our secondary for a few long touchdowns. that guy had a cannon and he showed it. we never should have lost that game, so I was a bit testy

In comment 13559542 PatersonPlank said:

Quote:

Has the LB position changed since you were playing? Is it still as important in today's NFL as it was in the 1980's to have a top LB squad?

linebackers are smaller now , teams, coaches, fans don't consider them the best group on most teams.

Linebackers used to be asked to do everything on the defensive side, rush the passer, cover TE, running backs, and heck yeah wide receivers. Lawrence Taylor and I used to cover wide receivers as well our rookie seasons.
I think they are important but they are not the dominate group on teams like in the past.

name me teams that have a bad ass group of linebackers.
I use to be able to name you 15, back in the 80's.

by the way you can hear me on espn 104.5 in Albany area on Mondays during the football season. talking Giants football.

You can go online and hear my comments as well.

Thanks for the questions

In comment 13559564 Saos1n said:

Quote:

I would be interested in learning if you watch much professional football nowadays, and if so, what linebackers stand out to you from around the league. What sets them apart and what do you look for when watching?

Thanks for the questions and I'm sorry for the delay. had a problem logging on.

I watch football and talk football on Mondays during the football season on espn 104.5 in Albany ny-you can get it on your computer or mobile device.

your best linebackers are now defensive ends/pass rushers on most teams. look at the Giants, they ask there defensive ends to do more than they do their linebackers.

what do I look for, all the tools speed, pursuit, tackling, pass defense/rushing the passer and covering , field awareness and size.

you want to see a all around linebacker watch Julius Peppers, who was a defensive end who now is a outside linebacker.

size is important and when you look at teams linebackers they are not intimidating in stature, go back to the combines and look at the linebacker position, they look all the same, cookie cutter types. its a position that is not what it used to be.

The teams like the steelers, ravens and packers, panthers

not sure what has happened to the Giants but they have had such a tough time drafting that linebacker/s.

head coaches are not longer defensive guys mostly offensive people, that's where it all starts

Thanks for stopping by on Big Blue Interactive!
As you can see by the name I use, I like linebackers!

Thanks for stopping by. Who were the toughest RBs you ever faced? Toughest blocking TE's and FB's? Other than Bavaro of course.

you felt you had to deal with in your career?

Thanks for doing this questions/answer on here with us

My question, do you have any unique/funny stories about your interaction with parcells and/or little bill that you can share here? Thanks

In comment 13559593 Eric from BBI said:

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After Joe Danelo missed another field goal, the interception against the Cowboys in OT in 1981 has to be one of the highlights of your career. Can you walk us through that play?

Eric, Lawrence and I have said many times, that game was one of the most exciting, fun games we ever played in.
Two rookie outside linebackers for the New York Football Giants, playing the final regular season game with a chance to get into the playoffs, against the Dallas Cowboys,whom the SMU Mustangs patterned their football program after, and all the Dallas fans back home watching, and lets not forget my Head Coach Ron Meyer told me he didnit think I could play in the NFL,

had a hand in that turnover that changed Giants history forever.

that the short answer

it changed the way the our team, felt about football. we had players who had never won in the nfl, never gone to the playoffs, you have to hate loosing in the NFL. it can be contagious, and btw winning too.

what I remember the most from that game is we had so many chances to put this game away... and I grew increasing concerned we were going to blow a great opportunity.

missed field goals, Brian Kelly dropped a interception, Lawrence had a fumble in his hands and lost it.
it was slipping away, so I told Joe Danelo after his last missed field goal, in so many words that we would get the ball back for him.

What was funny is I could see the whole play developing,

Danny white was looking to throw the ball to the right side of the defense, Lawrence was rushing from the right side and put enough pressure on him to force Danny White back across the center of the pocket, (I think Lawrence might have tried to jump over the guard and that is what moved White to look toward a secondary receiver) for Butch Johnson who was running a curl/in route. well we were taught by Tuna, to get your depth in pass coverage and feel the receiver, plus the corners who i worked with/mark Haynes on the left side would say in in in, if the receiver was coming on the in route.
with all that crowd noise I can still hear Haynes calling in in in
well, I rolled in and made a break for the ball as White threw it, cut in front of Butch Johnson and grabbed my first interception of the year.

I'm not sure what the down and distance was but we had them backed up... and earlier in that series I had missed a tackle for a loss. the running back, whose name I cant remember, (everson walls gave him one of his kidneys and his son played corner for ohio state and also in the nfl) spun out of my tackle, but he was stopped by our intense big blue pursuit. i can still hear Bill B (now a decent head coach for the Pats)saying WRAP UP.

after the pick I could hear BK (Brian Kelly) saying get down, get down. I wanted to run that ball back in the middle of the field and get down so Joe D would have a clear shot at the middle of the goal posts.

the wind was blowing like a MF, it was cold, the crowd was out of control, I had a wool cap on with the nose, eyes and mouth cut out under my helment, plastic bags on under my socks and was wearing skin diving gloves.

I was prepared for the elements but I could not wait to get into the lockerroom,

but the fans never went home.

some did not leave the parking lot til Monday

I hope that helps... CTE you know. lol

In comment 13559597 Optimus-NY said:

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The Bears have been awfully chirpy over the years about how they should have 3 or 4 Super Bowls from that era. How confident were you guys--players and coaches--that you could beat them if you played in the Conference Title game that year?

no one was going to beat us in the playoffs that year.

we had the best record and our offense was confident and our defense was stacked with a bunch of silent killers.

everyone is the nfl knew we had the best team down, the bears were a great team for one season

In comment 13559598 Jimmy Googs said:

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a good Head Coach some day? As a follow up, did you see the strain that the Front Office had with him too?

Bill B loved the giants and hated the jets, cant you tell...

George Young thought he was smarter than everyone when it came to football, remember he was placed there by the league so he had a lot of power.

Bill B was not liked by very many people but the linebackers, from van pelt on down to andy headen, well we thought he was a pain in the ass but he was cool, if you got to know him. we laughed a lot at him, cause Lawrence would always say Bill, have you every played.

he loves football I believe, and he watched a lot of film and was always trying to get a edge, even back then.

if you could have been in our meeting rooms, it was a laugh and a half

catch me on espn 104.5 Albany on Mondays talking giants football

"Where is Carlitoooo??"

In comment 13559746 Eric from BBI said:

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Being stuck behind LT and Carl Banks, you were the kind of player made for free agency. As much as we loved you being a NYG, do you feel cheated out of being able to play for another team where you could have played more?

I always considered myself as a starter. I started 16 games my rookie season, including 2 playoff games.

I was not stuck behind anyone, I could of quit football
and went into real estate or became a lawyer. I finishe college in four years at SMU and had a lot of options.

one option I did not have was free agency. I know where I stand and anyone who knows football knows that as well, including you, I'm sure.

you may or may not know this but teams would not pick up, trade for, other teams players back in the 80's, lets say if you held out or demanded to be traded. very few, Mark Haynes forced his way out,

you would be surprised the thing the nfl/owners did back in the day. I'm glad that guys are making millions cause we paved the way for that.

LT and I talk every once in a while about what our contracts would be if we played now.

now many linebackers like us around now. zillions

thanks for the question, catch me on espn 104.5 Albany NY
Mondays talking giants football-get it online as well

giants jets preseason was like a warzone across the Hudson river back in the day.

it is so hard to grade linebackers these days.

in a 4-3 defense linebackers are different animals
middle linebackers really just have to make tackles, and the better you are at that the better middle linebacker you are.

follow the money- who are the highest paid players on the team... lol that's a easy one right... not the linebackers

you show me a linebacker who can rush the passer and he is a defensive end, you show me a safety who cant cover and he is a linebacker.

dude you figure it out, maybe that's the reason all the top college linebackers get lost in the nfl these days.


I do not know who will be the best linebacker on the giants roster, does it really matter, oh yeah, when is the last time the Gmen had a badass linebacker holding out for a big contract... insulting what has happened to that position


who knows really, your guess is probably better than mine

In comment 13559819 est1986 said:

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Big Blue Wrecking Crew!!! Can you tell us a little about what Bill Parcells was like and/or what it's like playing for him? And are you still close with any of your old Giants teammates?

I'm in touch with a lots of players all over the country including Gmen past and always present

Parcells was a very good coach and was always a good and positive coach unless you did something wrong...

part comedian and part your worst girlfriend--ever had one of those -- sorry G-Girls just kidding

if you really want to know ask Phil Simms, I defer to him

In comment 13559824 Joey from GlenCove said:

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although you didn't play as much as a starter do you feel like you could be affected? Have you discussed this with other linebackers?

Folks I started, between 1 and 60 games with the Gmen,
I don't remember how many, what's CTE.

you have to look at all the games from 1981, 82, 83,84 and 85 to see how many games I started, then ask me if you think I'm affected.

yes, my brother Sam Hunt is in the Patriots Hall of Fame as a linebacker, we discussed it but I forgot what we talked about,

thanks for the question- we looked forward to games cause it was like a day off from banging our teammates brains in

I appreciate it. I've always loved the linebacker position - and the 3 - 4 defense. I agree with what you say about how the role has shifted, etc.

I guess I'm just nostalgic!

In comment 13559829 Joeguido said:

Quote:

Who is the best coach you ever played for and what made you feel they were the best at their craft.

great question--they cared about me and each had nothing to gain from it


Tommy Atkins had retired- 25 district titles 4 state championships in Track

TOMMY Atkins White Oak High School Track coach
Told me I should run track my senior year in high school
ran 4.55 and 4.5 flat in mini camp in 1981 with the Giants
6ft 6 235 lbs--not bad for a linebacker

Mike Barr-risked his job to teach me something that would help me on the next level




Mike Barr---SMU linebacker
allowed me and taught me how to use my hands my senior year in college--was MVP--Honor mention all-American and all South west Conference- you remember the southwest conference

coaching has changed on all levels-find me a coach whose players believe and trust him and I will find you a coach who cares about his players

In comment 13559839 NYG27 said:

Quote:

Did you first buy into his approach when he converted the defense from a 4-3 to a 3-4 in 1981? Then, what were your and your team mates thoughts about Parcells in that rough 1983 season. Were you all sold on him after he benched Phil Simms and went 3-12-1? Thank You for taking the time to answer questions for BBI!

my brother sam hunt was in the 3-4 in New England and Parcells was there DC, so I knew of it flexibility.
we played a form of it in college but not as creative

you can find somewhere film where Lawrence Taylor and Byron Hunt are out playing like cornerbacks in the 3-4 defense.

our offense was 28 in the league and our defense was 1st
how many 3 and outs can you take, btw I think Simms was injured early that season.

that year if you remember Harry Carson was out almost all the season, Lawrence moved to inside linebacker with Brian Kelly and Van Pelt and I played outside.

just remember if you have good outside linebackers you can play them anywhere.

like I said I never considered myself as a backup and still dont

Mondays at what time on 104.5?

Already added to my bookmarks

Thank you for doing the Byron!!!

Much appreciated!

stuff. Thank you Mr. Hunt. Best wishes.

you for taking the time to answer our question Mr. Hunt.