Emma: Kyle Long, A Cornerstone For The Bears, Is Only Getting Better
By Chris Emma--
BOURBONNAIS, Ill. (CBS) -- Four years ago -- what now seems like an eternity ago -- Kyle Long arrived at Halas Hall fresh faced and eager for an NFL future.
Critiques and questions of then-general manager Phil Emery's 2013 first-round draft pick certainly followed. At the time, Long seemed to many experts as a reach, a risk for the Bears. He had limited experience at Oregon and concerns regarding his ability.
Long won over the Bears with his upside and passion for the game. Four years later, he's the same guy, just now a pillar for the franchise.
"A smart, tough guy who loves football," Bears offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains said.
During his three years in the general manager's office, Emery had many failings that eventually forced his firing. Yet, the selection of Long has proved to be outstanding. By the time Long's career is over, he could be remembered as a Bears great -- it's not too soon to say it.
Long became the seventh player in the Bears' long history to reach the Pro Bowl in his first three seasons. That list includes the company of Brian Urlacher, Gales Sayers, Dick Butkus and more. He certainly deserves consideration as one of the best linemen in the NFL.
Bears quarterback Jay Cutler remembers when a young Long took the field for his first training camp.
"It's like a big kind of caveman," Cutler joked of his friend Long. "We just pointed in a direction and he went and ran.
"You just saw the raw talent. He just needed a little bit of direction. He was open and willing to it."
Now, Long is a mainstay for the Bears organization. He's one of the team's most important players for 2016 and beyond.
When the Bears line up on offense, Long is the imposing figure who 3-techniques across the league fear. He's even better back at guard, following a season at right tackle that brought some highs and more lows.
Don't consider that a lost season by any means. The Pro Bowl nod was a nice honor, but the expanded knowledge of the offensive line will serve Long even better.
"There's no wasted experience," Long said. "The fact that I got to go out there and sink and swim sometimes taught me a lot about mental toughness and what it takes to be a pro."
Long has always been a true professional. His upbringing around his Hall of Fame father, Howie Long, was evident from the start. Long is endearing to his teammates and those around the organization.
Of course, when Long steps between those lines, his smile goes away quickly. He's always playing ticked off. On Day 1 of training camp, Long suffered a calf strain chasing down linebacker Danny Trevathan. He slammed the helmet down in frustration knowing there would be time missed.
The Bears were happy to welcome back Long on Wednesday -- even in just a limited role -- but nobody was happier than Long, who hates time away from the game.
Long just loves playing football.
"It doesn't have to be the most important thing in your life," Loggains said. "It needs to be in the top three, and it definitely is with him."
Added Long: "I'm here to play football. When I'm not playing football, I feel like I'm doing something wrong, and I feel guilty about it.
Now 27 years old, Long is just more than a key player for the Bears. He's a leader and a man in charge of the team's growing identity. Long came into a regime of Emery and Marc Trestman but quickly adapted to everything Ryan Pace and John Fox have brought to Halas Hall.
While the Bears work toward a new direction, Long has kept teammates on board. His presence as a locker room leader can be considered just as important as his stature on the field.
Like Cutler, Long recalls his rookie season. He came in with high expectations and didn't always look quite ready for the task at hand. It wasn't always seamless, though it would end with Pro Bowl honors.
"I didn't know how to get beat at the time, so I was pissed off all the time," Long said. "It didn't help me, it didn't help the guys around me. You got to be a shark. You can't show emotion, you just got to go eat something."
It would all change so quickly, with Long becoming that shark. He's just beginning with a promising Bears career.
Perhaps even Emery didn't quite know what Long would become when he made that surprising pick in 2013. It created critics and doubters that would be silenced quickly. Long has since become a cornerstone for the Bears organization.
Just don't be surprised with whatever Long does next.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670 and like his Facebook page.