By Michael McAllister
One of the most beloved Syracuse athletes in recent memory, former punter Rob Long spoke with us about his NFL prospects, time at Syracuse, and plans for the future.
Nation of Orange: Give everyone an update on what you're up to and involved with now.
Rob Long: Right now I've been working out a lot. I'm still pursuing the NFL and any opportunities I may have there. I'm working really hard to try and email and get in touch with all of the special teams coaches around the NFL. I want to let them know what I've been up to and that I'm still active and pursuing my football career. I was fortunate enough to have a workout with the Eagles about three weeks ago. It went very well. I'm taking things one workout at a time to try and see if I can find a spot to land.
Nation of Orange: Tell us about your workout with the Eagles.
Rob Long: I had an opportunity to get in front of coach Bobby April and kick. Everything went really well. I was very happy with myself. It was the best pro tryout that I've had. It gave me a lot of confidence to keep going. We've been in touch. Bobby April is a great guy, and said that I'm definitely ready to play in the NFL and am capable of starting and winning a job in the NFL. I thought that was really cool coming from such a well respected special teams coach as he is.
Nation of Orange: Have any other teams been in touch?
Rob Long: I've spoken to a few other teams. A lot of people are just glad to hear that I'm doing well and I'm back working out and preparing myself for a real shot at playing in the NFL. I've heard back from several different teams but no other workouts. I'm hoping in the near future I can accomplish that and get some workouts and let my skills do the talking for me to show how far I've come.
Nation of Orange: What were some of your best memories from your time at Syracuse?
Rob Long: I owe coach Robinson a great deal for giving me the opportunity to come to Syracuse to show what I could do. I'll always have a great deal of respect for him allowing me this opportunity to play. Coach Marrone has been great. He's a great mentor for me and all the other players there. There's a lot of fond memories I have of Syracuse. Obviously the Pinstripe Bowl, as bitter-sweet as it was, it was an awesome week for me. It was a nice culmination of all the hard work that I put in and the seniors to get to that point was something special.
Nation of Orange: Do you still keep in touch with any of your former teammates?
Rob Long: Yeah, I keep in contact with a good deal of my teammates. It's pretty easy with social media. Guys like Cody Catalina who I was close with. Donte Davis, former wide receiver, I talk to him often. Delone and a bunch of the other guys. We cross paths a lot. Aaron Weaver and Jose Cruz. Some of the guys who are still there finishing up like Carl Cutler and Ryan Nassib. I try to keep in touch with everybody because we shared a lot of good memories.
Nation of Orange: What are your thoughts on how Syracuse performed last season?
Rob Long: It was tough down the stretch. They, for whatever reason, struggled to get those wins. I still think they were a very young team on defense and so extremely talented. They bring a great deal to the table this year. I think it's something that will inspire them to do better this year. It's something that was unacceptable and they don't want to let happen again. I think they will use it as motivation to push on and get back to a bowl game. They are all a great bunch of guys and coach Marrone is going to do the right thing to make sure that this team does what it has to do to get back to winning.
Nation of Orange: What are your expectations for the upcoming season?
Rob Long: If I know coach Marrone as I do, I know they have the expectation to win the Big East. I firmly believe that will be their goal going into it. I don't think they will set the bar any lower. I think they have it takes. They have now a veteran quarterback in Ryan, and he's going to have a real solid year. They have some up and coming running backs and guys on the o-line coming back that makes them potent on offense. And they have a very formidable defense. A lot of guys there have a ton of talent. They should have high expectations for themselves and set the bar high so they a goal they can go get. I think they can win the Big East.
Nation of Orange: Compare the coaching styles of Greg Robinson and Doug Marrone.
Rob Long: They're both very passionate about their jobs. I think anybody at that level would be. Coach Marrone has the experience of playing at Syracuse which I think was a tremendous asset for him to relate to the players and connect with us on a personal level. Knowing he had some of the same professors that we had when we were there. He ate at the same places we eat at. So I think that bond we were able to build with coach Marrone was important. He's such a great guy and just getting people to do as much as they could. He was really good at getting the potential, the most out of everyone. Marrone is really good at that and a good coach. So that was a real positive thing that Marrone brought to the table.
Nation of Orange: Tell us something about coach Marrone from the inside that fans may not know about him.
Rob Long: I don't know if he's thought of as an intimidating guy. But when it comes down to it, on a personal level, with me he's always been great. He's a really nice guy and he cares a lot. He's really genuine about everything he does. I know when I was going through my battles and everything, he was always there to call me. At least once a week to see how I was doing. He's a very sincere guy, a very kind guy. He's always been there for me and I know he does the same for the players there.
Nation of Orange: Speaking of your battle with cancer, you are still cancer free correct?
Rob Long: I am and everything has been a blessing. I'm extremely fortunate with how everything has played out. I can't tell you how lucky I really am for being where I am right now. Everything I've been through has made me a better person. I've just been extremely fortunate and extremely blessed to be able to continue to live my life, do the things I love, and be with the people I love.
Nation of Orange: You've been very involved with different charities, events, and promoting cancer awareness. Tell us a little bit about that.
Rob Long: Ever since this happened to me I really recognized that I'm here today because of the money and research that was done years before I was even diagnosed. I think it's so important that I give back and help those people who haven't even been diagnosed yet. In an effort to do that, I've spoken at the Relay for Life events around the country really. I've spoken up in Syracuse, down here (Philadelphia), and in Boston a few months ago. Another charity that's near and dear to my heart is called the Race for Hope. It's a brain tumor and brain cancer research fund. It's a 5K down in the Washington D.C. area. You run through the capital district and everything. They do a great job raising money. This year we raised over $2 million for brain tumors. Things like that are going to help us one day find a cure and put an end to this awful disease.
Nation of Orange: There was a special that ran here in Syracuse on television. As part of that special, your girlfriend discussed the process of you being diagnosed. Are you two still together and are there any wedding plans in the future?
Rob Long: I am still with her. She's been awesome. She's been through a lot. I don't think she knew what she was signing up for when we started dating sophomore year. She's been great. We've been through a lot given how young we are. We're still together and very happy. About the wedding plans, I don't know. You're giving me chills! I don't have a job yet so. We've been together, it'll be four years in October. She's great and when the time's right we'll cross that bridge when get to it.
Nation of Orange: After your playing days are over, what would your plan be as far as what profession could you see yourself pursuing?
Rob Long: Since I've been playing I've become such a huge fan of the game. I'd love to stay involved with the game in some way. After my playing days are over, I really want to work to help raise cancer research money. And just help others. If I can make a career or a living off of that. I just want to do something that makes a difference. I know I've learned a lot going through everything. I'm not going to sit there and waste time doing something I don't love or doesn't mean anything to me. It's not likely you'll find me behind the computer screen doing that work anytime soon.
Nation of Orange: Let's say coach Marrone gives you a call after you are done playing and says, "hey we have an opening for a special teams coach." Would you be interested in something like that?
Rob Long: Oh gosh yeah! I'd love to do that. I think I'd have a great time working as a coach. Working with kids and giving back in that way is something I could see myself doing. I don't know if I'm pretty enough to be on TV to be a broadcaster, but I wouldn't say no to anything at this point.
Nation of Orange: Any plans to come up to Syracuse or check them out on the road this season?
Rob Long: I absolutely do. I think I made it up to four games last year even going through treatments. I was able to go up a couple times and see the team. I love to watch them. It's so much easier to play than it is to watch. Being a fan is pure and utter torture. I would love to go, especially when they're at Temple. I'll be there. I love to come up to school and see everybody.
Follow Nation of Orange on twitter
Like Nation of Orange on Facebook
Photo credit: foxsports.com
