FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Stephen Nicholas recognized the learning curve ahead of him the moment the Falcons drafted him in the fourth round of the NFL Draft. Adapting to life as a professional football player isn't easy.
Assignments. Technique. Competition. All jumped immediately on the linebacker's radar. He never thought he'd have to also learn how to speak a new language.
"Terminology. That's been the biggest thing," Nicholas said after a recent training camp practice. "Once I get that I'll be good to go."
The 225-pound linebacker spent five years at the University of South Florida becoming fluent in tackling and the Bulls football lexicon. That all changed when he suited up for the Falcons because 326 career tackles, two interceptions and 20 sacks in college didn't help when it came to deciphering defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer's play book.
"What I used to call something back in college is called something different here," Nicholas said. "It's the same thing, but it's called differently. Sometimes you just have a habit of doing what you've been doing for five years and it isn't that anymore… You have to understand it's not that and learn the new terminology."
Nicholas said he's used some expressions on the field that have turned some confused heads, particularly when calling out routes or techniques that went under another name at South Florida.
But the rookie responded to any verbiage setback by letting his athleticism shine.
Nicholas is listed as the second string weak-side linebacker behind Demorrio Williams. The rookie started at the position last Friday in the preseason opener as Williams continued his recovery from a torn pectoral muscle. Thus far coaches have been pleased with Nicholas' progress and his ease amongst high-speed competition.
"I think the first thing that really stands out to me, an initial reaction to his game on Friday, was how he seemed comfortable," linebackers coach Brian VanGorder said. "He wasn't paralyzed by the first NFL game experience. I thought he held up real well.
"It's difficult for a rookie linebacker. I think he did better than the average. There's still enough mistakes that you look at and try to continue to get better... I like his quickness. His initial quickness I think is really good. Usually attached to quickness there comes some explosion. I think those are two qualities that he posses that jump out at you at times."
Like most rookies on the roster here at Falcons camp, Nicholas is careful not to appear overconfident or satisfied with his development.
"It was a good experience, (my) first NFL game," he said. "(Williams' injury) is definitely making me speed up a little bit. My biggest thing is just trying to learn and understand the defense and just try to get better.
With help from fellow linebackers, including Williams, Nicholas said he's well on his way to taking the next step in his NFL career and translating some of the techniques and expressions that led him to 102 tackles and an All-Big East selection as a senior.
That starts with taking advantage of the playing time offered him early in his career.
"I definitely wanted to come in and play on special teams, definitely," he said. "Any opportunity is a good opportunity. I just thank God for it and go out and try to work hard."
