Ty Long (1) of the BC Lions in the locker room before the game against the Edmonton Eskimos at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, BC on Thursday, August 9, 2018. (Photo: Johany Jutras / CFL)
Ty Long is in the zone. If you don’t believe us, let’s take a quick look at the numbers: dating back to last season, the native of Roswell, Georgia has made good on 27 straight field goals at BC Place, hit 88.6 per cent of his overall attempts (70 of 79) and entering this week, leads the entire league in punting average.
So it’s safe to say isn’t battling any sophomore slump.
“I’m enjoying the weekly grind of playing in the CFL,” Long says.
“Handling all the kicking duties can be taxing so I’m just working on staying in good kicking shape through the end of the year. Each week is always a challenge. Year two is nice because it’s not so much new stuff it’s just taking what I’ve done and trying to master it more and more week in and week out.”
When Long first strapped on a Lions helmet at the start of 2017 training camp, not many outside the organization envisioned the Roswell, Georgia native would still be wearing it 15 months later. After all, the club had brought in reliable veteran Swayze Waters early in free agency.
Yet every camp brings about surprise. An injury to Waters meant Long was pressed into kicking duties for pre-season and stayed on the roster when camp broke. The rest, as they say, is history. Although special teams coordinator Jeff Reinebold wasn’t here yet, Long’s ability to stand out and make the team didn’t surprise him.
“Wally talks about that all the time with players that when they get the tap on the shoulder, you’ve got to be able to perform,” Reinebold says.
“Obviously everybody thought Swayze was going to be the guy and Ty was just brought in to be the fresh legs, but Ty got the opportunity and he ‘Wally Pipped’ him.”
For those not familiar, Wally Pipp was the New York Yankees first baseman that lost his job to Lou Gehrig in 1925. Gehrig would proceed to start the next 2,130 games, his record not broken until Cam Ripken Jr. surpassed it in 1995.
Ty Long kicks the winning field goal as time expires against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on July 14th at BC Place. Photo: David Friederich.
Perhaps fitting that Long was named after another baseball legend Ty Cobb, likely the best to ever come out of the state of Georgia where Ty grew up and excelled in both baseball and football.
So what it is about his success, particularly at home? It could be the cool Lui Passaglia t-shirt he wears under his pads. Or maybe he has just done a good job of staying in said ‘zone.’
“Playing at home is always fun,” Long adds.
“I enjoy the atmosphere, trying to help our team win and giving the fans a good game to watch. I work hard each week to put a good product on the field. I’ll stick with the same template I’ve been using.”
Reinebold has worked with his share of All-Star kickers and sees some of those similar traits in Long.
“I think he has the same mindset as all of the great ones I’ve worked with from Lui all the way to Troy Westwood, Carlos Huerta, (Jason) Medlock, Brett Maher, all of them,” the special teams guru says.
“They all want the spotlight, they all want the big kick, and they want to be the guy at the end of the game that it all comes down to. With two walk-off field goals to win games this year, Ty has proven that the spotlight is not too big for him. He’s also really grown in the other aspects of the game. He’s got such a big leg as a punter and his directional punting has improved immensely. Ty is a lot like Medlock in that way too. ”
Ty Long pays tribute to Lui Passaglia before warm ups at Montreal’s Molson Stadium on September 14th, 2018.
Long and everyone else has benefited from having a Reinebold leading of their group: the football lifer has brought a new approach and a lot more discipline. As a result, the Lions have committed the fewest special teams penalties in the entire CFL heading into this week’s action.
“Jeff has been great,” Long explains.
“We both search for perfection weekly so we get along well because we both want to be the best. I respect the hard work he puts in for our team to help us be successful each week.”
And Long has also been a busy guy away from football. Planning a wedding will do that. He and long-time girlfriend Cara Crumpton will ‘Ty” the knot in December in Birmingham, Alabama.
“Wedding planning is going well; she’s been doing 90% of it because I want her to have the wedding she wants to have,” Long chuckles.
“It’s an exciting process even with the long distance, but FaceTime and frequent texting make it a little easier. She supports my dreams and believes in me. It’s pretty awesome to have someone like that. I truly am very blessed.”
In the zone. That’s where he and the rest of his comrades will be as they continue this playoff push. The goal remains for his wedding ring to be the second important piece of jewellery he earns in 2018.
And after last week’s debacle in Hamilton, words can’t describe how motivated they are to get back on track. Based on how it went down, one might suggest they have “Long” odds to overcome, but the fact of the matter is they remain firmly in control of their playoff destiny.
“And we can’t wait,” Long adds.
“We have a bad taste in our mouth and we’re ready to get back out there and show what we’re capable of.”
Matt Baker: mbaker@bclions.com