Seahawks’ Cary Williams feels confident with role after initial adjustment

RENTON — Cornerback Cary Williams attended three high schools and two colleges, and he played for three NFL teams before signing with the Seahawks in March.

So he’s sort of used to adjusting to a new scene.

Still, the role Williams is stepping into with the Seahawks comes with unique challenges. He’s taking over for Byron Maxwell, who departed during free agency, at right cornerback opposite Richard Sherman, and he’s expected to uphold the reputation of the Legion of Boom.

And after looking a little out of place for a few moments early in training camp, Williams says he feels right at home entering Sunday’s season opener at St. Louis.

What has taken the most time to master is a technique the Seahawks teach their cornerbacks called the “step-kick.’’ Seattle’s corners at the snap typically take a step to the side as receivers begin to make their moves at the line of scrimmage. When the receiver begins running, Seahawks corners kick a foot backward to turn and run with them.

Though it’s a technique that is becoming more popular — in part because of the Seahawks’ success — it’s not something Williams had done much of.

“It’s a lot different,’’ he said this week. “Some different movements, some different techniques, things like that, it took a while for me to really understand and comprehend.

“But the good thing about this organization is we practice and work on it each and every day, so it becomes second nature. So now it’s one of those things I know that I’ve definitely improved on and feel confident in.’’

Expect the Rams and others to test that, though.

Williams will become the seventh player to start at right cornerback for the Seahawks since Sherman became the starting left corner in 2011. Brandon Browner, with 36 starts, and Maxwell, with 17, led the way.

Though Maxwell did well enough to land a six-year, $63 million deal with the Eagles — filling a spot created when the Eagles decided not to sign Williams — opponents invariably looked his way first.

Williams, though, has been in high-profile situations before, having started every game for the Ravens in 2012 when Baltimore won the Super Bowl.

“Pressure is what you make of it, and I haven’t made it a pressure situation,’’ Williams said. “I understand what is needed of me, what they want, and I look forward to fulfilling those wishes and doing everything I possibly can to better myself and be the best me I can possibly be.’’

Williams’ three-year deal with the Seahawks is worth $18 million, including $7 million guaranteed — all this season.

The Seahawks didn’t give Williams that contract to have him play a complementary role. Still, coach Pete Carroll has said throughout camp that Williams will have to fight off third-year player Tharold Simon to keep the starting job. Simon, though, played only the last two exhibition games while recovering from offseason shoulder surgery and is listed as questionable for Sunday because of a toe injury.

Sherman said any concern about new faces in the secondary is misplaced, adding that “we feel great’’ about how the group has come together. Of adjusting to Seattle’s way of doing things, Sherman said Williams has “got it down now.’’

Receiver Doug Baldwin also noted that the Seahawks play more press man coverage than Williams has been asked to do in the past. “So he has to be more aggressive here,’’ Baldwin said. “He’s had to adjust to it.’’

Whether he has will become evident in the coming weeks. But Williams sounds like he knows where this story is headed.

“This is a great opportunity for me Sunday,’’ he said. “I look forward to taking full advantage of it.’’

Notes

• Simon was a new addition to the injury report Friday. Though listed as questionable, Carroll said Simon “is going to be available to us.’’

• Linebacker Mike Morgan (hamstring) is out. But Carroll said Morgan “will have a real chance to make it back next week.’’

• Everybody else is listed as probable or better, which includes quarterback Tarvaris Jackson (ankle), and tight end Cooper Helfet (knee). Carroll said both are “ready to go.’’

• Carroll said he was not bothered by Marshawn Lynch wearing holdout Kam Chancellor’s jersey in practice Thursday. “I thought it was a statement that all of us understand. We all wish Kam was here. So I had no problem with it. We don’t need to keep doing it, but I think it was just that.’’ Carroll also said there was nothing new on the Chancellor front.