NAPA, Calif. (AP) -- Memories of his days as a skycap remain with K.D. Williams, reminding the Oakland Raiders linebacker of the long road he took to the NFL.

Williams, an undrafted and seemingly unwanted player who spent time in the CFL and NFL Europe, has been one of the biggest surprises in Oakland's training camp.

He credits his time working in a Tampa, Fla., airport checking bags for travelers for getting him here.

"Being that skycap taught me more about respect and discipline than anything," said the 6-foot, 235-pound Williams, who is the frontrunner to win the job backing up weakside linebacker Richard Harvey.

"It was like, now I'm out of football and I had to live the straight and narrow. I didn't have much and I was living on a fixed income. It taught me that when I got my chance, I had to put everything into it. It was a blessing in disguise."

Williams, 26, was in the Dallas Cowboys' training camp last season and spent time on the Kansas City Chiefs' practice squad before being released last November.

Oakland defensive assistant Woodrow Lowe had spent the past four years with the Chiefs and knew of Williams' potential. On Lowe's recommendation, Oakland invited Williams for a workout and signed him in March.

Since then, Williams has made a strong impression. In the Raiders' 10-3 exhibition victory over Dallas last Sunday, Williams had 2{ of Oakland's six sacks, led the Raiders with eight tackles and added a solo tackle on special teams.

"I don't know what his motor runs on, but it runs all the time," coach Jon Gruden said. "K.D. is an interesting guy. He showed up and has made the plays since our first minicamp. He's continuing to improve."

Until recently, Williams was pretty much unknown. He played a season at Arizona Western Junior College before transferring to Division II Henderson State in Arkansas. During his senior year, Williams led Henderson State in tackles and sacks, had four fumble recoveries, five forced fumbles, two interceptions and a blocked field goal.

When he was not drafted, the Tampa native went to Canada. He spent three seasons in the CFL and was named to the All-Star team in 1996. Out of football during the 1997-98 season, Williams found work at the airport.

"He's making some plays, but you have to make sure he's making the plays where he's supposed to be making them," defensive coordinator Willie Shaw said. "Sometimes he's just running to the ball and not playing team defense. He has some pop and he's an eye-catcher, but there's good big plays and there's bad big plays. Enough of those bad big plays and eventually they'll catch you at the wrong time."

Considering his past, Williams is trying to keep things in perspective.

"I've never been the No. 2 (linebacker) in camp," he said. "It makes me hyped to know that I'm the No. 2 (with Oakland). But I can't take anything for granted. They can come out this afternoon and say, `Mr. Williams, we don't need you."'