By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
Early practices in Chiefs training camp on the Missouri Western campus have been key for one rookie running back, transitioning to a new sport.
Louis Rees-Zammit is a former union rugby player from Wales that has long dreamed of playing in the NFL and is getting his chance with the Chiefs.
Rees-Zammit says a key for him right now is getting to know the playbook.
"Cause I'm playing catchup with a lot of people that have played American football since they were little kids, six years old, so there's no time to rest for me," Rees-Zammit tells the media following practice. "I've got to give this my all because ultimately this is my dream and to make it come true then I've got to play, I've got to be a step ahead of a lot of people."
Rees-Zammit says the first goal to consider his rookie campaign successful is to make the team and knows a big part of that will be contributing on special teams.
"Been working really hard on that with Coach (Dave) Toub and Coach (Andy) Hill, and just learning the playbook as I said," Rees-Zammit says. "Learning the running back roles, being able to learn pass protection, and then learning my routes off that, I think all of that adds up and the main way I'm going to make this team is by learning pass protection and being able to be a key role on special teams."
Entering a packed tight end room, the Chiefs fourth round pick has one goal in mind during his first Chiefs Training Camp.
Jared Wiley from TCU says his biggest goal this training camp is just to prove he can contribute
"I know what's in our room, we've got me, Irv (Smith Jr.), Noah (Gray), Gerrit (Prince), obviously Trav, we have a really talented group," Wiley explains. "So if I can find a way to come in and contribute as much as I possibly can, whether it's on special teams, anything they want me to do on offense, that'd be my biggest goal just to prove that i belong in that room and to be able to be on the field with those guys."
One more practice will be held for rookies and quarterbacks tomorrow. The full team reports to St. Joseph tomorrow evening, before the first full practice open to the public on Sunday where there will be a $5 admission fee.
Tickets must be purchased online to attend and can be found by clicking HERE