The first preseason game last Saturday was a losing effort in Chicago, but the game provided some much-needed experience for the rookies. The dress rehearsal for the regular season was filled with lessons that couldn’t be replicated at practice and gave coaches more to evaluate as the end of camp approaches.
Chiefs rookie cornerback Joshua Williams was among the many players making their NFL debuts on Saturday. He shared his thoughts on the experience, and the lessons learned in defeat during Wednesday’s press conference.
“The first thing that would probably stand out, just coming from college to the NFL, (is) the pace,” Williams told reporters. “Just the little intricacies of the game, you know. Kinda the breaks between, knowing the pace of the offense and kind of what they are looking to attack and when they are trying to.”
Williams played in 37 snaps on Saturday and garnered plenty of action against the Bears’ receivers. He had some positive snaps and those that he’d like to have back, but it was a performance that the rookie can build on.
“Anything that I could have ‘bettered’ or improved upon,” Williams said. “That’s what I want to continue to do. Each one of these preseason games and into the regular season. So, sticking with my man, (and) knowing my assignments. Just the simple things. Nothing too crazy.”
The rookie corner was relieved to have finally seen game action after a long offseason. Now, he’s looking forward to his Arrowhead Stadium debut during preseason Week 2 against the Washington Commanders.
“Finally getting that under my belt and some of that real game-time experience, that was the main thing,” said Williams. “Just making sure that I can learn from it, take something from it and just apply it to next game.”
Williams will get to experience the fans of Chiefs Kingdom firsthand and use the crowd noise as an asset on defense. The rookie corner is getting the opportunities, and a strong performance in preseason Week 2 can help him achieve the steady improvement that he seeks.
