Kansas Metropolis Chiefs rookie defensive sort out Omarr Norman-Lott didn’t mince phrases on Friday afternoon when requested what it’s prefer to face off towards one of many league’s premier inside linemen in Creed Humphrey.
“Humphrey is a brick wall,” mentioned Norman-Lott, matter-of-factly. “No, no, I’m not laughing.”
Later within the interview, he returned to the subject of Humphrey and expanded on why he feels the best way he does in regards to the Chiefs’ middle.
“I’ll let you know this,” began Norman-Lott. “We had a rep and he was like working the skin zone play. I used to be attempting to maneuver with him, and I used to be like, ‘Rattling,’ like mid rep. I’m like, ‘Rattling, this dude — he’s a brick wall.’ He’s stable and he’s an ideal athlete.”
It’s not simply Humphrey giving the rookie the whole lot he can deal with. Norman-Lott has additionally confronted off towards Chiefs guard Trey Smith in follow. Norman-Lott mentioned the advantage of going up towards such nice gamers is “astronomical.”
“These are a few of the finest guys on this league, so it’s helped me take my degree to the subsequent step.”
When he was requested what he’s specializing in in follow to assist him compete with gamers of the caliber of Smith and Humphrey, Norman-Lott gave a sensible and considerate reply.
“In all probability simply working my second transfer in move rush and staying low within the run recreation,” he mentioned.
Growing a counter transfer when the primary one is stopped will go a good distance towards giving opposing linemen a headache, particularly when paired together with his fast first step off the snap. As for staying low within the run recreation, that’s an ideal signal. Pad degree dictates leverage and the purpose of contact within the trenches — and the low man often wins.
One veteran who has been serving to Norman-Lott develop whereas additionally holding him to a excessive customary is his working mate on the inside defensive position, Chris Jones.
“He’s an ideal chief. He’s arduous on the rookies, and he’s unforgivable with us,” mentioned Norman-Lott, referring to Jones. “However that’s solely going to make us develop.”
Not each rookie will get seems with the first-team protection, particularly on a crew just like the Chiefs with veteran starters returning at each spot on the defensive position. Norman-Lott mentioned it was an honor that defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo allowed him to play some reps alongside the remainder of the first-team protection.
“I simply bought to make use of them the correct manner,” he mentioned. “I’m engaged on not messing up and simply taking part in arduous.”
Relating to avoiding errors, Norman-Lott mentioned he seems like a freshman in faculty once more — and that his teammates carry a unique degree of urgency and depth in comparison with the NCAA.
“This can be a job now. These guys’ jobs, my job is all on the road, so it’s a unique tempo and depth with it.”
Due to this, Norman-Lott mentioned he’s targeted on profiting from camp. If he’s not in conferences or on the sector, you will discover him both sleeping or finding out.
“There’s no extra time for nothing else.”
