Kyle Long’s move to right tackle for the Chicago Bears required him to make multiple adjustments.
In a lighthearted moment on “The Kyle Long Show with Waddle and Silvy” on ESPN 1000, Long told a story about learning to coexist last week with his replacement at right guard, Vladimir Ducasse.
“He’s a Haitian guy, so he has an extremely thick accent,” Long said with a chuckle. "I’m not quite sure what the accent is. None of us have really figured it out. There’s literally a language barrier at first. He’d be making calls to me, and I’d be like, ‘Dude, I don’t understand what you are saying.’ We had to come up with our own words and stuff.”
A six-year NFL veteran, Ducasse is a former reserve guard for the New York Jets and Minnesota Vikings who entered the league as a second-round pick in 2010. He signed a one-year deal with Chicago in March and spent almost the entire preseason lining up on the second team.
Ducasse, listed at 6-foot-5 and 325 pounds, did start the exhibition finale at right guard before the team elevated him to first string in Week 1.
“He is a mauler,” Long said. “He really is a physical freak. The guy can get out and run, and he’s strong as an ox. Having him inside in the run game, I don’t think there is any drop-off right now at all.”