RD 2 | PICK 63 - @Chiefs: Willie Gay LB, Miss State
Gay (4.46 40 @ 243 lbs) made our NGS day 2 standouts list with elite athleticism (99 athleticism score) for a linebacker. Suspensions (8 total games) derailed his 2019 season and his production score took a hit (53).#NFLDraftpic.twitter.com/rCpEi7X6qT
This is the problem with looking for instant gratification from draft picks. Yeah, he's being worked in slowly. So what? Anybody who read anything about him before or after the draft should have expected that. And it's not all about him: this is a franchise and coaching staff that always plays veterans over rookies. The few guys that do see the field that early are the exceptions that prove the rule.
I think it's encouraging that his snaps are increasing and like many of you I really look forward to the day when we never have to see Ben Neimann on the field again. But it's gonna take time. [Reply]
Originally Posted by duncan_idaho:
He flashed a few times. It's fun watching him take on blockers. You can see the explosion and power.
Get him up to speed and he's going to be a real weapon on the second level for KC.
I agree. You could see him flash the ability to cover ground in the blink of an eye and showcase his ability to anchor against linemen. He’s going to be fun to watch in the last few games and in the playoffs.
The kid is going to tell us a lot about our coaching from House and Reid’s kid. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Pitt Gorilla:
I mean, linebacker is a mentally tough position to play. It's going to take a bit for any rookie LB to play. I think we're going to like the finished product.
Yep. And Spags puts special pressure on playing LB's too. It's a tough position to play, especially for this team. [Reply]
Originally Posted by htismaqe:
Yep. And Spags puts special pressure on playing LB's too. It's a tough position to play, especially for this team.
It’s actually very encouraging that they are giving him as many opportunities as they are. They gotta see that ability in practice a lot. Him making plays on natural ability.
It’s very exciting to think about this defense when he gets up to speed and Spags weaponizes him. [Reply]
I wasn't one of the people saying Gay was going to need time. I'm very thankful for the smart posters who knew this and repeated it, because it allowed me to not worry when he wasn't starting.
Originally Posted by Pitt Gorilla:
His athleticism allowed him to take some bad steps and still get around the block to make the play.
I'd have to go back and see if he was on the field for Harris' 41-yard run but more importantly than the flash plays is that he was on the field for so many snaps and there weren't any huge breakdowns.
EDIT: He was on the field but the run was actually to the strong side, so it was Wilson that got sealed out on the play side. Gay was on the back side of the play (and double-teamed). [Reply]
