Sunday, August 9, 2009 9:54 PM CDT
So far, so good for Walters with KC Chiefs
By BRIAN NIELSEN, Sports Editor
bnielsen@jg-tc.com
RIVER FALLS, Wis. — On Saturday Pierre Walters was just glad to tackle Tennessee State’s Javarris Williams again.
What the former Eastern Illinois defensive end would really like come Nov. 19 is to sit by Williams watching the ESPNU telecast with a friendly wager or bragging rights battle backing their former teams playing in a regular season finale.
That would mean both former All-Ohio Valley Conference players and NCAA Football Championship Subdivision All-Americans are still with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Walters, who received a free-agent invitation to the Chiefs shortly after last April’s NFL draft ended, figured he got off to his good start toward that goal in Saturday’s scrimmage during the Chiefs’ preseason camp at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.
“I took a lot of reps,” he said on Sunday. “I had a lot of plays. I took a lot of reps with the No. 2 group. We’ve yet to watch film — I think we’re doing that tonight — but I think I finished with four or five tackles. It was good to get into that game speed and take tackles to the ground.”
One of his victims was the former Tennessee State running back Williams, drafted in the seventh round by Kansas City last spring.
“I think I had a (tackle for loss) on him,” Walters said. “It took me back to our OVC days. He was going on a zone read play. I closed in on him and gave him a good hit. We were eating lunch together. We’ve been joking around about that.”
Even with this OVC reunion, plenty is new with Walters moving from his defensive end position played at Eastern to an outside linebacker.
“I never have my hand on the ground,” he said of lining up defensively. “It’s not so different from a rushing the passer. I’m rushing the passer about half the time. But you also have responsibility in coverage, knowing which zone you have to cover, which slot receiver. I’ve been working at this whole outside linebacker thing in May. It’s all starting to come together for me.”
That doesn’t mean everything about the NFL camp has been easy.
“Oh man, it definitely hasn’t been all roses,” Walters said. “It’s a grind, definitely a grind. No matter what level of football, preseason camp is a grind. As things go on, I’m picking things up a lot easier. I’m picking up plays as a linebacker. I’m improving every day. (Linebackers) coach (Gary Gibbs) says I’m doing well. He knows it’s a new position for me. I’ve lost a lot of weight. I’m moving a lot faster, getting some drop(back)s, just trying to get better.
“The biggest thing is staying healthy. I’m in the training room three or four times a day getting treatment.”
These days as a linebacker, the former end whose 15.5 quarterback sacks rank 10th on Eastern’s career list may be as likely to come up with an interception.
“Yeah, most definitely,” said the outside linebacker listed at 6-foot-5, 269 pounds on the Chiefs’ roster. “I’ve yet to get an interception but I’ve had a couple of breakups. I haven’t had an interception since my senior year in high school so my feelings could change but as of right now nothing beats the feeling of a sack.”
Of course, the best feeling would be seeing his name on the Chiefs’ roster once the regular season begins.
Walters is not looking at how many others he needs to beat for a job during the preseason.
“Without getting into too much detail, I try not to get into the counting game,” he said. “You’re just not competing with guys on your team but all the guys in the NFL. I just try to focus on what I’m doing and my play.
“I’ve been learning a lot from Zach Thomas and Mike Vrablel and Monty Beisel, a lot of veteran linebackers. I’ve been standing by their side and asking a lot of questions. It’s crazy how much detail there is in football, how much football there is to learn at this level. I’ve just been trying to stay under their wing and they’ve been great with us.”
Still, the rookies have to endure the initiation that goes with joining an NFL team.
“During some team meetings or between them they’ll have rookies get up on stage,” Walters said. “It hasn’t been my turn yet. It’s in the back of my mind. I’ll be ready. I’m not much of a singer or dancer but I’ll do whatever they say.”
That’s a small price to pay to be playing NFL football. For Walters that is to start with Saturday’s preseason opener against the Houston Texas at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.
“I’m really looking forward to that,” he said. “It’s crazy. I don’t think it’s going to hit me until I run out at Arrowhead Stadium when I hear all the fans.”
EIU media day, youth clinic today
CHARLESTON — Children of all ages are invited to a clinic conducted by Eastern Illinois football players and coaches as part of today’s media day at O’Brien Stadium.
A team photo is scheduled for 1 p.m. and is to be followed by media interviews and then the clinic running from 1:15 to 2:15 p.m. Youth can also get autographs from EIU players and take photos with Billy the Panther.
The event is free.
Contact Brian Nielsen at bnielsen@jg-tc.com or 238-6856.
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