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
Think he’s a liability in coverage and they didn’t want to expose him against Brady. He just would’ve been picked on every time he was on the field. Needs to get in the playbook and figure out what his responsibilities are on any given play, otherwise we’re just going to get the occasional splash plays and some ST snaps. It’s still early, his time will come. [Reply]
Originally Posted by ChiefAshhole1056:
Think he’s a liability in coverage and they didn’t want to expose him against Brady. He just would’ve been picked on every time he was on the field. Needs to get in the playbook and figure out what his responsibilities are on any given play, otherwise we’re just going to get the occasional splash plays and some ST snaps. It’s still early, his time will come.
Rob Gronkowski ran a 4.68 at the combine 10 years ago. He is definitely slower than that now.
Willie Gay Jr. ran a 4.46 at this year's combine.
Covering Gronk with Willie would not have "exposed" him. I don't think he is too stupid to understand playing a tight end in coverage.
And he couldn't have performed worse than Hitchens did on the Evans TD on the left side of the end zone. Hitchens gets confused with the pick and just basically stands still in the end zone, and when Evans catches the TD pass, Hitchens looks like he is stunned.
Now, why was Hitchens even playing coverage in that down and distance at the goal line? Who knows, but Gay Jr. couldn't play worse than that.
Originally Posted by htismaqe:
Ward thought he had deep help. That's the safety's job.
Ward gets out of position almost immediately, and puts his hand on Evans' chest to slow him down. Watts was definitely out of position, but Ward knew immediately that he screwed up. He pulled his hand off, seemingly worried about a penalty, but he should have just flat out grabbed Evans and taken away any chance for a catch.
Originally Posted by htismaqe:
Honestly, I'd say there was something else going on maybe.
Because we've faced similar opponents and he's gotten more than 1 snap.
On a completely different note - Armani Watts played 2 snaps and gave up a TD on one of them. :-)
Not exactly a great sign, but hopefully he'll get more snaps this week against Denver. I know the physical traits are there, just hope he can pick up the mental aspect. This team doesn't exactly have a great track record of developing linebackers, but they have to get this one right because the cupboard is pretty barren there. [Reply]
Originally Posted by ChiefsFanatic:
Rob Gronkowski ran a 4.68 at the combine 10 years ago. He is definitely slower than that now.
Willie Gay Jr. ran a 4.46 at this year's combine.
Covering Gronk with Willie would not have "exposed" him. I don't think he is too stupid to understand playing a tight end in coverage.
And he couldn't have performed worse than Hitchens did on the Evans TD on the left side of the end zone. Hitchens gets confused with the pick and just basically stands still in the end zone, and when Evans catches the TD pass, Hitchens looks like he is stunned.
Now, why was Hitchens even playing coverage in that down and distance at the goal line? Who knows, but Gay Jr. couldn't play worse than that.
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I wouldn’t equate combine 40’s to a players ability to get open (or cover), otherwise Henry Ruggs would be lighting the league up currently. Gronk had over 100 receiving yards for the first time all season this game too, so I definitely think Brady had his eye on the that matchup.
Brady has made a legendary career off exposing defenders that are confused or out of place in the defensive scheme. It may not have been Gronk but if you have Gay out there who isn’t consistently in the place Spags wants him to be in, Brady is going to take advantage of it. Maybe he’s giving tells in his stance before the snap or isn’t catching on to coverage calls, idk but there’s something going on mentally with him to justify a one snap performance in a pretty big statement game. [Reply]
Originally Posted by chop:
I thought I read somewhere around draft time that stated Gay was the best coverage LB in the draft so this confuses me.
He for sure has the athletic capabilities of being the best coverage LB but he can’t get the reps if the coaches aren’t comfortable with him out there yet. I’m just suggesting it’s a mental reason in terms of not having a firm enough grasp of the defense and the plays being called. [Reply]
The other day I was watching some show on ESPN or FoxSports, and they were interviewing a former player of Spags, and he said something kind of interesting about how Spags decides who plays on Sunday. Wish I could remember what show that was. Maybe I'll remember later and find a clip of it.
Anyway, the short version is that Spags wants to see a player show consistent ability, confidence, and comfort for a couple weeks in a row in practice before he puts a player on the field. And then if the player shows some uncertainty or whatever, he kind of starts over with that player. But it's not punitive. Apparently Spags doesn't want the player to get embarrassed and lose confidence, so he doesn't put the player in that position.
Anyway, based on what that player said, imo, Spags doesn't think Gay is ready yet to play an offense like what the Bucs have with a veteran QB like Brady that could pick on him for a whole game. I'd bet we'd see something similar if we had to play a healthy Brees in a few weeks.
Against DEN Gay might see a bunch of snaps, and possibly MIA as well. [Reply]
