The limited success Williams had in the NFL that season occurred because he was allowed by Eberlu’s scheme to attack inside. That’s what he remembers best about the scheme and the HITS principle that Eberflus created.

“Just him saying run to the ball, go after the ball, get the ball out — honestly, ball, ball, ball — and I carried that with me everywhere I went, because I know if you can take the ball away, you can stay in the league for a long time, says Williams.

What may have actually refreshed Eberflu’s memory and caught GM Ryan Pole’s attention was a preseason game last week when Williams had two sacks, three tackles and a forced fumble. His two sacks led the Browns in the preseason going into Saturday’s preseason game.

So Polak and Eberflus saw an opportunity they might not have from others they have on the roster like Michael Dwumfour or Keith Randolph Jr., whom they cut to make room for Williams.

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“They were just, like, they love how hard I play, how I fly around and things like that,” Williams said. “My departure is a big thing that stuck out to them so they were just like keep doing what I’m doing and be myself.”

It’s something of a homecoming for Williams and not because of Eberflus. Assistant Bears offensive line coach Jason Houghtaling was Williams’ head coach at Wagner.

“So it’s nice to be reunited with him and I know a couple of guys that are on the team,” Williams said. “Some people have a hard time going to new places and adjusting with new people but I feel like getting around new people and talking and learning is one of my strengths. I’m just up for the opportunity, really.”

Eberflus had a memory of Williams making some impact games that season in Indy.

“I think it was, we had an injury there if I remember correctly,” Eberflus said. “But he earned that spot, too, because of the way he practices, the way he plays and the way he just learned and got better every week. And he played some key snaps for us.

“I know he played the Tennessee game and he played at the end of the year. So he did well there.”

What Eberflus really remembers was the quickness into the gap Williams displayed. That’s what he flashed in the preseason game against the Vikings last week.

“I would say. Yeah, I like his departure,” Eberflus said. “He’s got a good departure. It’s hitting guys to the punch and getting them quick. I think he plays the run really well.

“So he has to continue to grow in there. We’ve changed some things since … he was with us a couple of years ago in terms of technology and some of the conversations are different because we’re evolving as we go. So he has to learn those things too.”

The role may not be that big. The fourth defensive tackle entered the game for 25% of the defensive snaps last year

The reason they were able to use Williams was mainly because of the injury to Zacch Pickens before the final preseason game, but Eberflus on Saturday said it did not appear to be a long-term injury.

Pickens was quite active in the rehab area at practice on Saturday, so Williams’ contribution may be small, but definitely necessary. That would be more than Williams made last year, as he spent it on practice squads.

“It’s a whirlwind of emotions because you’re building relationships where you’re at but you can’t turn down a great opportunity,” Williams said. “I was ecstatic, ready to go. I was honestly like, ‘let’s go for it,’ (while) waiting for the text for when my flight was going to get here.”

A Colt, a Brown and now, “I’m a Bear,” he said. “Bring it down baby.”

Twitter: BearsOnSI