Last year defensive end 
Adding value on the outside of the line, producing career bests in tackles (34) and sacks (5.0), gave Hunter the opportunity to remain a Lion entering into his fifth NFL season.
“I’m fortunate to be here with this team,” said Hunter. “I like the coaches we have here. I like what we’re doing on defense. This is just another opportunity for me to get better.”
Through 14 games with 9 starts in 2009, Hunter quickly learned what he needs to improve on and what he does well within the system.
Playing in the same defense, for a second consecutive season, Hunter knows what is expected from him and is looking forward to getting back onto the playing field.
“I love it. It gives me leverage to be able to play on the edge and play aggressive,” said Hunter. “That’s my style of play: disrupting and getting off the ball. The way we’re able to play allows us to do that. We use speed, power, getting off and attacking.”
Another thing that Hunter looks forward to this season is continuing to work under defensive line coach Kris Kocurek, who served as an assistant coach last season.
Having played football himself at the collegiate and professional level, Kocurek has instant credibility with his players as well as the ability to relate.
“Kris is just a football guy. He just eats, sleeps and breathes football,” said Hunter. “He played d-line in college and in the NFL, so Kris knows what he’s doing. He has a passion for the game and I think with his intensity and our hard work we’re going to have a d-line that’s going to produce big this year.”
A big factor to the defensive line’s production could be offseason acquisitions of veteran defensive end
Hunter believes their presence on the line will be an instant upgrade.
“That’s going to help us out tremendously,” said Hunter. “I played with Corey in Green Bay and with that big body he’s able to disrupt the inside, along with Sammie (Hill) and guys like
“Then we have Kyle Vanden Bosch and he’s just a professional, a veteran, who knows the game, plays aggressive and has a great motor. With him anchoring one side of our defense, that’s going to help us out and we just have to be consistent on the other side.”
With the addition of both Vanden Bosch and Williams, Hunter is confident that their skill and veteran leadership will also help out some of the young talent on the line, including second-year player Hill.
During his rookie season, Hill recorded 26 tackles (14 solo) and two fumble recoveries.
“Last year a lot of things were coming at him fast,” said Hunter. “I think this year he’s going to continue to work and things are going to slow down a little bit for him. You jump in the fire your rookie season and things come at you with a lot of power and you don’t know how to adjust to them.
“This year I think Sammie is going to be a much more aggressive player because he knows what’s expected of him, so he’s going to be able to play aggressive and play well for us.”
With the remaining weeks of the offseason workout program, organized team activities (OTA’s) and mini-camps, all which lead up to training camp in July, Hunter is simply working on improving his skills moving toward the season.
“I’m just trying to be consistent and do what the coaches ask me to do,” said Hunter. “We added Vanden Bosch, we have
