Robert Tonyan talks about Packers culture and his breakout year
Yahoo Sports senior NFL writer Terez Paylor spoke with Green Bay Packers TE Robert Tonyan about the Packers tough loss to the Buccaneers in the NFC Championship, how the Packers culture helps the team move on quickly, and how he had such a breakout season this year.
Robert Tonyan joins Yahoo Sports on behalf of Sleep Number.
Video Transcript
TEREZ PAYLOR: All right. I'm here with Green Bay Packers tight end Robert Tonyan, who is here on behalf of Sleep Number. First of all, I just want to say congratulations on a great season, both individually and as a team. I'm sure-- you know, look, I know losing an NFC championship game is tough, but do you think the time will come-- maybe sooner rather than later-- where you guys can look at what you accomplished? And I know that you didn't quite finish the job, but it was still a hell of a season. Do you think you'll get to that point sooner rather than later?
ROBERT TONYAN: Yeah, I think you said it best. Right now, we're just kind of in that time where we're just kind of mad and negative and wondering what we could have done differently. But I think, later on, once we have time to decompress, we're going to see the positives in the past two seasons and how much better we got from last year to this year and how we can improve going forward and just continue to work and get better every day.
TEREZ PAYLOR: You know, one thing I think is really interesting is that you actually started out your career in Detroit. I grew up in Detroit. I grew up watching the Lions. And I'm used to them having a hard time beating the Packers. So I'm honestly kind of wondering, for you, just how different were the programs in Detroit compared to the program in Green Bay? I mean, is it all just the NFL, or when you got to Green Bay, did you notice things were run a little differently?
ROBERT TONYAN: Yeah, I didn't really know what to expect when I first got to the NFL. So Detroit was like the first culture shock of the NFL. So I just thought that's how it was. And then I get to Green Bay, and then, all of a sudden, I get around all these like big names and these great people and like how they're so selfless and-- you hear all these bad things from the outside about all these egos, but then you get around the guys in our locker room, and it's the complete opposite. Everyone's trying to better everyone. And that's what I think the best part about Green Bay is, the locker room and how close everyone is and the tight-knit group we got.
TEREZ PAYLOR: How about Coach LaFleur, man, how does he command that respect from the room? What were your first impressions of him when he got there?
ROBERT TONYAN: Yeah. He's smart. He's a brainiac. He loves the game. And he cares. He cares so much about football. He cares so much about his players. He worries about the person and he cares about the person. I think that's why, also, the culture we have there is so close knit and respectable, is because he allows us to be ourselves and speak our minds and our feelings and just talk it out, and he gives us like respect.
TEREZ PAYLOR: I think one thing that really stands out to me watching you guys this year, and specifically watching you, man, I think you've just got like kind of a nice feel for route running. You're obviously a good athlete, and you're a big guy, but just kind of your feel for settling in zones and creating separation, how much of that has to do with the fact you used to be a quarterback so you've got like kind of a concept for what type of target the quarterback wants, and how much of that is just natural athleticism?
ROBERT TONYAN: I think it's a work in progress. And then, you know, it's kind of natural for me-- because I did play quarterback-- just kind of the feel and the timing of concepts and learning the offense as a concept, turning my head at the right time. Or knowing when/how quick Aaron is going through his reads or whatever, I think that's huge to know too just timing-wise. But it takes a long time to get there and earn that trust and develop that connection. It's definitely not a walk in the park for sure in the NFL. You've got to be on top of your game. You've got to be getting better every day. And those little things definitely get you better.
TEREZ PAYLOR: Got you. Hey, last thing. I know you're always looking for ways to improve your performance, and you've partnered with Sleep Number, man. Tell us a little bit about how that's helped you get your sleep and improve your performance.
ROBERT TONYAN: With Sleep Number, it's allowed me the opportunity to just take my recovery and my game to the next level, realizing that, you know, your body, your mind, your emotions, all that needs rest too. You need a recharge after every day. So Sleep Number has allowed me the opportunity to keep mentally sane through this season and through this, you know, COVID time and just hold me to the standard that I want to be at for my team.
TEREZ PAYLOR: Outstanding, man. Hey, thank you so much for your time. We appreciate it.
ROBERT TONYAN: Thank you for having me.