For new Buffalo Bills offensive lineman Chris Williams the decision was an easy one. Having grown used to playing in the cold, he chose the hot team to join when he became a free agent following the 2013 NFL season. Now poised to start at left guard for the Bills, Williams talked about playing in the cold and why he chose the Bills.
What are your thoughts on the Bills and why did you end up signing here?
“I’m excited to be here, excited for the opportunity. Buffalo seems like a great place to play. The fans here are outstanding, I’ve played here a couple times. The team is turning the corner and I’m just here to help them win and I’m excited about it.”
Was there anything specific that you liked about the Bills that piqued your interest?
“Besides the situation and the city, it’s just the fans and the opportunity to win. I feel like the team is a dangerous team. Very talented and a team that is going to win a lot of football games. I just want to be a part of that. I wanted to be a part of a winner, I want to win a Super Bowl and I think everybody here wants to do the same thing. It’s just exciting to be a part of that.”
Do you know any of the players on the team currently or talk to any?
“I talked to Thomas Welch, who I played with in college, I spoke with him briefly. My agent represents a couple of the guys on the team, but it’s an opportunity. I would go to Antarctica to play for an opportunity. Buffalo is a lot better than Antarctica and I’m just excited to be here.”
What is your understanding of your situation?
“From my understanding it will be at the left guard spot and anywhere else they want me to be. Obviously I don’t know too much about Buffalo or I didn’t coming in to it being in the NFC my entire career. I do follow football obviously and I know that the running game is fantastic here. I know the defense is fantastic and the quarterback is a good, young quarterback. I’m getting excited about jumping right in and experiencing those things. I know the front four of the defense is quite talented and with the offense being second in rushing, that is exciting for any o-lineman to come in to and hopefully we can continue that and be first in rushing.”
Were you bothered at all by the cold weather conditions?
“No, not at all. I spent four and a half years in Chicago. I like the cold weather. I think it’s an advantage; it’s a true home field advantage with the fans here and the weather here. Come playoff time hosting home games, that is what you want. It will be cold and snowing and it’s hard for teams to come up here and win games. The weather definitely didn’t scare me off.”
What was Doug Marrone’s role in going to Buffalo?
“Just talking with him and being able to talk to a head coach who had been an o-lineman, there are things that he can address with me right away that will help me elevate my game. We talked about how I never played for a head coach that was an o-line guy and that was super exciting to me. I’m just excited for the opportunity to basically end up with two o-line coaches on the staff and both can help you with your game. You’ve got to love that.”
Was this your first visit?
“Yeah this is my first visit. We’d been talking to a bunch of teams, but I did feel that this was my best opportunity and the best situation for me and my family to come and have an opportunity to not only win games, but to have a good family setting.”
What was it like to be a first round pick?
‘I think you have to learn how to be a pro and I can’t say I knew how to be a pro coming in to the league when I did. I learned a lot of things in Chicago about myself personally and about the game and how everything worked. I learned from all those experiences. I have no regrets and that’s how I am in Buffalo today from all those things that happened in Chicago. I’m just excited to be here and you learn a lot about yourself when God presents things to you in a different way. I’m just excited to have this opportunity and everything that happened in Chicago happened, but now I’m just excited to move on. Whether it’s playing tackle or playing guard or even getting cut. Getting cut was the most humbling experience anybody can have, much less a former first round pick. I learned from all of those experiences.”
You had an interesting first start to your Rams career didn’t you?
“That was crazy. They brought me in and like you said, I got on a plane with 100 strangers to fly to London. We get there and one guy has a back injury and so I’m trying to learn the snap count much less the playbook. Next thing you know Barry (Richardson) gets a concussion and they’re like, ‘Chris you have to go play right tackle.’ It was a lot of communication between me and the guard just trying to figure out what was going on. That’s kind of part of it, just jump in and get your feet wet.”
Did you get the sense that the Rams were interested in bringing you back?
“Yeah, the Rams were interested. We had some other teams interested as well, but this seemed like the best fit for me and the opportunity that I was the most excited about so I didn’t hesitate to pull the trigger to come to Buffalo.”
What would you say is your best strength?
“I definitely prefer run blocking more. I think I’m capable in both areas, but as an offensive lineman being real close to 330 pounds, going forward is a lot better than going backwards. But you have to be able to do both to win in this league and compete. It’s all about balance offensively and while I don’t call plays, I’m just excited to come in and play for the second ranked rushing team.”
Congratulations to you and your family Chris Williams as you move your wife and three year old daughter to Buffalo. Also, congratulations and best wishes on the successful birth of your son due soon.
