George Karlaftis spoke to the media after practice Aug. 11
The Chiefs finished their last practice before they travel to New Orleans for the first preseason game Aug. 13.
After practice, second year defensive lineman George Karlaftis reflected on his rookie season.
“Last year I didn’t know what to expect, it’s a whirlwind being a rookie,” Karlaftis said. “Going into the second year having played, knowing what to expect and knowing what the game is like, eases your mind a lot.”
He said that he remembers defensive tackle Chris Jones and linebacker Frank Clark giving him advice throughout his first preseason game last year and is sharing that advice with the rookies this year.
“I remember Chris and Frank on the sidelines telling me to take deep breathes, calm down and that it will be alright and just do what I do,” Karlaftis said.
After winning Super Bowl 57 during his rookie season, he said all the players in the locker room are getting along and are focused.
“We’re gelling together,” Karlaftis said. “There is great energy, great comradery and all the guys are getting along. It’s a unique locker room situation. We got a winning culture and a winning mentality, and everyone accepts everyone and that’s awesome to have in a team.”
With Charles Omenihu suspended for the first six games of the regular season, Karlaftis said it doesn’t change the preparation throughout training camp.
“It’s always next man up mentality. That’s what it’s always been. It shows how tough this training camp is. It gets everyone ready to play whenever their number is called. So whenever he gets back we will be ready for him.”
Some of the rookies that Karlaftis is going to have his eye on in the first preseason game Sunday is the rookie defensive linemen with Felix Anudike-Uzomah, BJ Thompson, Keondre Coburn and Truman Jone.
“They’ve been awesome,” Karlaftis said. “You get to see them in practice everyday, but seeing them really get after it. It’s going to be exciting.”