NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Justin Hunter arrived at Titans camp last week and found himself answering a bunch of questions related to an off-field incident last month.
In the time since, the third-year receiver has done his best to answer questions on a completely different subject – his play on the football field.
The news surrounding Hunter's play has been positive so far. He's off to a good start in camp.
"I know they just want to see me work. I know this year I have to get it,'' he said. "This is year three, and I have to start producing more. I am not satisfied. There's always more to be done.'
Hunter, a second-round draft pick in 2013, has 46 catches for 852 yards and seven touchdowns in his first two NFL seasons. He's made some big plays – like his 75-yard touchdown catch against the Browns last year – and had some big games – he had 114 receiving yards in a game during his rookie season at Denver, and a six-catch game at Oakland last year.
But he's also had too many games when he was just too quiet on Sundays. He had two catches or fewer in six of the 10 games he played in last year.
Hunter's new neighbor in the locker room, cornerback Jason McCourty, thinks the former University of Tennessee receiver has a chance to be a big contributor in 2015. Hunter has made a number of impressive catches early in camp, but he did let McCourty knock a ball away from him he probably should've caught on Sunday.
"He has a ton of potential,'' McCourty said of Hunter. "But his biggest thing is consistency, and that is any player in the league. It is not really about how good you are or how miraculous a play you can make, or how bad a play you make, it is about being as consistent as possible and that is what Justin has to do – make every catch when you are open, and contested catches and running the right route every time. Those are things that get you to the next level."
Hunter realized this himself. He admitted as much.
A sturdier frame should help.
The 6-foot-4 Hunter showed up at training camp at 209 pounds, which is roughly 15 pounds heavier than his playing weight at the end of last year's injury-shortened season.
As a rookie he was 196 pounds, and he started last year at 203. He plans to keep the weight on this year.
Hunter is also motivated to prove to coaches and members of the front office he was worth taking a chance on back in 2013.
An offseason incident – he was charged in an incident in Virginia Beach, Va., last month – got his attention as well. Hunter has a September 3 court date. Hunter has referred all questions on that matter to his attorney, while coach Ken Whisenhunt has spoken up in support of Hunter.
"When it comes to my career, it is always important to me,'' Hunter said. "I have a lot of people who have my back in this organization and in this family, and it means a lot to me to hear and see the support from them. I am going to work hard because I don't want to let anyone down."
