Arrowhead Pride
When rookie cornerback Nohl Williams steps onto the field for the Kansas City Chiefs’ preseason opener against the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday night, it won’t just be another game. It’ll be the culmination of years of work, patience and sacrifice.
Before now, Williams has only been to one NFL game — as a fan.
“It was the Kansas City Chiefs versus the Los Angeles Rams in the Coliseum,” the Ventura, California native told reporters after Thursday’s training camp practice at Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph. “I knew De’Anthony Thomas was on the team, so that was a while ago.”
Now he’ll be wearing the uniform himself. For the 22-year-old, Saturday night will be all about embracing the moment, learning from those around him and showing he belongs.
“It hasn’t hit me just yet,” Williams acknowledged. “I’m just taking it day-by-day, but it’s going to be a blessing. Just going out there with my guys, putting [it] on for Kansas City, [my] name on my back and the people next to me. It’ll be big.”
While defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s scheme is famously complex, the third-round rookie seems unfazed by the challenge.
“It’s been fun, learning the defense,” he revealed, “just seeing how the veterans take in the information — and trying to learn something new every day. I like this defense a lot — so the more I learn it, the more I can fly around.”
Williams also likes his new boss.
“He’s a leader of men,” he said of Spagnuolo. “He always has great insight on what you should do on certain plays. He’s the DC, so whatever he says goes.”
Some pieces of advice from the Chiefs’ coaching staff have already stuck with him.
“Just being vocal, knowing the down and distance every play,” said Williams. “Keying in on the details of each play.”
In the meantime, the team’s long, grinding practice drives have improved Williams’ conditioning — and provided a glimpse into how big-game NFL moments will feel.
“It’s great,” he said of the 15-play drills. “That’s what’s going to get us in football shape and playing shape for those big games. When the drive does go 15 plus, it’s good for our team.”
Williams understands that winning a spot on Kansas City’s 53-man roster won’t come from being perfect on Day 1. Instead, it will come by stacking one good day on another — and using his mistakes as fuel for improvement.
“It’s been ups and downs, just putting myself in uncomfortable situations,” he admitted. “I can mess up now — [but] then in the game, when the bullets are really flying, I can show off for my team.”
Thus far, he’s been focusing on improving his skills in press coverage and learning the defense.
“The more I study, the more it starts to drill [into] me,” he said. “[I’m] watching the veterans. They’ve been in the system for a while, [so I’m] learning from them, picking their brains. Every day, I get a...
