There's a good reason Danielle Hunter's hands are always moving, always practicing, always rehearsing the same fundamental techniques whether the big man is training in the offseason, warming up on the sideline with an assistant coach or, heck, just walking past a mailbox on an off day.
"Pass rushing is all about using your hands," said the Vikings edge rusher. "I never get one of those freebie sacks. I'm a technician so I've constantly worked my hands. Do it day in and day out, it becomes natural. Like breathing."
The Vikings are 0-2, but Hunter is breathing and playing quite well so far in Brian Flores' new defense. His four sacks tie him for the NFL lead with former NFL Defensive Player of the Year T.J. Watt through two games. Six players have three sacks, including early NFL Defensive Player of the Year frontrunner Micah Parsons.
At a chiseled 6-5, 263 pounds, Hunter's physical attributes rank at or near the top of the NFL. But the length, the strength, the speed, the quickness and the relentless motor are dependent on Hunter's hands first defeating the hands of the offensive behemoth standing across from him.
"Danielle's hands are really good, one of the best there is," said Vikings right tackle Brian O'Neill. "I've been going against him for six years. First, he always practices hard. Not everybody does that. Second, he makes you have to be super precise with where you place your hands.
"If you're slow or soft or too patient or too quick, he's going to just grab your hands and pull himself through to the quarterback."
Vikings offensive coordinator Wes Phillips said Hunter is even better when he's able to grab hold of something else.
"He'll grab you right there on the 'V' of your neck on your shoulder pads," Phillips said. "All those guys like him — Aaron Donald, DeMarcus Ware when I was with him in Dallas — I was always very impressed with how accurate they are with their hands.
