Kyle Long had his own zinger chambered.
Asked Wednesday how he’d changed since playing brother Chris as a rookie, the Bears tackle took a shot at his own behavior. Monday, he was flagged for a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for arguing with an official.
“If you’re looking at the what-have-you-done-for-me-lately,” he quipped, “I don’t know if I’ve overcome any of the abilities to control myself.”
The last time the Bears played in St. Louis, on Nov. 24, 2013, Long was pulled away from a fight by his older brother, a Rams defensive lineman who ran in from his own sideline. He was flagged for a personal foul and later fined.
He sounded relieved he likely won’t have to face Chris, who hyperextended his knee in Week 5 and hasn’t played since, on Sunday.
“Nobody wants to have any family members dealing with injury or anything,” Long said, “but I wouldn’t wish playing against your sibling on anybody. It’s not any fun.”
Share Events on The CubeThe two-time Pro Bowler said he probably keeps his mouth shut more now than he did as a rookie.
“I was fired up as a rookie on the road; I bought into the whole thing that week, playing against my brother and my brother’s team,” he said. “I think it cost me in the end.”
His penalty Monday cost the team, too. After a third down pass got them to the 35-yard line, Long was flagged for arguing with an official that quarterback Jay Cutler was hit late.
Rather than try a 52-yard field goal, the Bears were forced to punt after the penalty.
“I think one thing led to another—he was protecting his teammate, as any coach would expect,” coach John Fox said. “I don’t think it was anything physical with the umpire. I think it was just some verbal communication he didn’t take a liking to.”
Asked whether there were any magic curse words players cannot say, Fox joked it depended on one’s definition of “magic.”
Long feigned ignorance.
“I have no knowledge of the aforementioned incident,” he said knowingly, drawing a laugh.
The Rams defense is fifth in the NFL, allowing 323.8 yards per game, and tied for second with 27 sacks.
Sunday’s game, then, doesn’t need to hype of a Long brothers matchup. The tackle is old enough to appreciate that.
“Things are really close for them, in terms of being one of the elite teams in the league,” Long said. “They know that. We know that.”
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Email: pfinley@suntimes.coma
