Orchard Park, N.Y. (WGR 550) – When the Buffalo Bills signed linebacker Christian Kirksey to their practice squad, they knew they were getting a veteran guy. The 31-year-old has played for three NFL teams over the course of eight seasons.
Related
Kirksey had his first practice with his new team on Thursday, and says this is the place he wanted to be.
"They have some good people over here: Micah [Hyde], [Jordan] Poyer, Shaq Lawson, Von [Miller] and on the coaching staff," said Kirksey during his meeting with the media after practice. "I’ve been with [senior defensive assistant] Al Holcomb and [linebackers coach] Bobby Babich, and I like the other coaches they have here. I want to be part of a winning culture, so I'm hungry and ready to help out wherever I can. It was a no brainer for me."
LISTEN LIVE TO WGR:
Kirksey has never played in a Sean McDermott defense, but he’s not worried about it much.
"When it comes to defenses, the biggest difference is terminology. That’s the toughest part when it comes to adjusting to new defenses, but at the end of the day, defense is defense," Kirksey said.
"You have certain coverages and you have to adjust to the blitzes, but you can only do so much on defense. It’s all about the communication part."
Kirksey says he is a quick learner, so he thinks he’ll get on board real fast.
In his 112 games in the NFL, Kirksey has started 92 of those contests. He thinks this is a huge opportunity to be part of, what is already, a very good defense.
"It’s great for me, because I’m around a group of guys that have been a top defense in this league for a while," Kirksey said. "To be able to be a part of it and have this opportunity, it’s humbling. I’m ready to win and ready to ball."
Nobody has promised Kirksey anything, as far as when he might be elevated to the 53-man roster. The veteran is just fine with that.
"Right now, head down. I’m just trying to learn this playbook and everything will work out for itself," Kirksey said. "All I can do on my end is control the controllables, and that’s me getting my head in the playbook and learning it as quickly as possible and let the chips fall where they may."
The team will practice on Wednesday to start getting ready for the opener against the New York Jets on Monday, Sept. 11 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
