KANSAS CITY, Mo. – From finding a place to live to fitting in with teammates, going somewhere new often presents obstacles.
Sept. 3, 2015; Seattle; Then-Seahawks defensive end David King (93) reacts during a preseason game against the Oakland Raiders at CenturyLink Field. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
But defensive lineman David King, whom the Chiefs claimed off waivers from the Seattle Seahawks on Tuesday, is ahead of the curve to make him feel at home.
“I’m surrounded by Sooners,” said King, who played collegiately at Oklahoma. “(Long snapper) James (Winchester) texted me yesterday and offered up a bedroom in his house for me to stay in. I talked to (offensive lineman) Donald (Stephenson) and (cornerback) Jamell (Fleming).”
Stephenson said he didn’t know the Chiefs claimed King off waivers until they saw each other Wednesday morning.
The offensive lineman said he was initially surprised, but believes King will be nice addition to the team.
“I’m glad to see him here,” Stephenson said. “He’s a good dude and he’s a pretty good player. I hope he finds a home here.”
Outside of the Sooners contingent, there are more familiar faces to King in the Chiefs locker room.
“I know (defensive lineman) Jimmy (Staten) and (linebacker) Tyrell Adams from Seattle,” King said. “I know a few people here. I got somebody to show me the ropes. I’m not just walking in here blind.”
The 6-4, 281-pound King basically hit the ground running, so it is a good thing he plenty of friends to lean on.
King arrived Tuesday night, took physicals Wednesday morning and now has to learn the Chiefs’ 3-4 defensive scheme from the 4-3 scheme he played in with the Seahawks.
“We’ll get to know him when he’s out here,” coach Andy Reid said. “But (general manager) John (Dorsey) thought he added something to our defensive line and that’s a pretty important position. He’s got to come in and learn and all that.”
For his part, King doesn’t believe picking up the scheme will be a hindrance despite not being familiar with it.
“Hopefully not long,” King said. “I haven’t seen the playbook. I got here about 30 minutes before the walkthrough, so I haven’t had much chance to see much of the plays.”
King, who can play inside and outside, likely won’t be counted on to make an immediate impact. The Chiefs have depth on the defensive line even with starter Allen Bailey currently nursing a calf injury.
But he does offer experience since entering the league in 2013 as a seventh-round pick of the Philadelphia Eagles.
Seattle signed King off the Cincinnati Bengals practice squad in December 2014, and he totaled three tackles, 1 ½ sacks and two passes defensed during his time with the Seahawks before being waived Monday.
His release opened the door to the unknown, but King said his agent, Jeff Nalley, told him the Chiefs were interested.
King is thrilled to have a new home with familiar faces and now hopes to contribute to the Chiefs’ three-game winning streak and push for the postseason.
“It’s always nice to be wanted and just thankful for them wanting me,” King said. “And I’m happy to be here and ready to work.”
———-
Herbie Teope is the lead Chiefs beat writer for ChiefsDigest.com and The Topeka Capital-Journal. Use the contact page to reach him or find him on Twitter: @HerbieTeope.
———-
