LB Willie Gay to the Saints on 1-year deal (Merged) (2 Viewers)

[nickj009]

Let’s not overlook the fact that he was also a second round draft pick. Upgrade for the scheme over Baun.

 

[ELLIASJWILLIAMS]

Is Willie Gay an upgrade over Werner? I wonder who gets the starting role.

More like a side grade. He had one above average year in 2022 and he’s been just ok since.

 

[SonOfNOLA]

Is Willie Gay an upgrade over Werner? I wonder who gets the starting role.

Werner’s job to lose as the incumbent 2.5 year starter in our defense. Gay’s athleticism gives him the higher ceiling. He looks quicker towards the LOS and closes lanes faster than Werner.

At the least, we could have our 2 starting LBs of the future post-Demario. Gay may be a contigency plan for Werner’s FA next year too if Werner’s market value is a lot higher than Gay’s. Or higher than what the FO would re-sign him to based on what other teams offer.

 

[HailStateSaintsFan]

Some info on his departure from KC here. Apparently Sportrac thought he would get 4 years, $28 million. Sounds like a young ascending player who was a part time player at KC that KC just couldn't afford to keep.


https://heavy.com/sports/kansas-city-chiefs/willie-gay-jr-free-agency-message-steelers/

https://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/for-petes-sake/article286584945.html

Don’t forget that Willie Gay, Jr. is from Starkville, MS, and a former MSU Bulldog. This is about as close to home as he can play. That friendly contract may be a hometown ‘type’ discount. Of course, after that year, we’ll probably break the bank to keep him.

 

[Saintscuffy]

Even Walterfotball likes this signing and thy NEVER likes our moves.

 

[St. Geezy]

Is Willie Gay an upgrade over Werner? I wonder who gets the starting role.

His speed really shows up on the tape!

 

[Cella]

why do not start him besides and Werner and instead of Baun ? Its not a big transition to play WLB instead of SLB and vice versa.

 

[StudioSaint]

More like a side grade. He had one above average year in 2022 and he’s been just ok since.

Unless you and I are using very different calendars, this is an odd to phrase it.

There's only been one season "since" the 2022 season, so what you are saying is that he had one above average year in 2022 and one okay year in 2023. You worded it as if he's had more okay seasons since he had the above average season in 2022.

 

[bthomas1]

Great Value pick I love it.

 

[bthomas1]

Man he can fly

 

[BoNcHiE]

We had zero depth behind Werner and Werner got ate up by mobile QBs.

I don’t know if Gay will “beat” him out, but there will be plenty of playing time for him. Especially in speed packages.

 

[2009ring]

May this Gay have the same success as that Gay.

You shouldn't talk about the Gays this way.


Also that superbowl picture is the 2nd best Saints-related picture ever.

 

[Joodas Avila]

Gay has a ton of traits. He’s a SB champ, is borderline elite when it comes to athleticism, & has untapped upside as a blitzer/pressure player. As much as id love to see him compete w/Werner for a starting spot opposite DD56, i dont really think that thats the case.

Gay signed a 1yr $3M deal w/escalators. Dude, thats ST money, which leads me to believe that thats mainly what they brought him here for. I have zero doubt that he’ll contribute on D, the question is to what capacity.

He was a “starter” in KC, but was more of a rotational player for them. Thats cool, though, cause we do need that BUCK/ELEPHANT LB w/the loss of Baun & Elliss the season before. I think Gay can be that guy. The untapped potential is totally there, & i hope our coaches can coach him up to max out his skillset. Either way, its a pretty decent get for us.

Still crossing my fingers that we land one of these guys:

OT Josh Jones
OT Jonah Williams
EDGE Yannick Ngakoue
EDGE Chase Young
EDGE Darrel Taylor
DT DJ Reader
DT Sebastian Joseph-Day
LB Darius Shaq Leonard
LB Devin White
S Julian Blackmon
S Ashtyn Davis

 

[St. Widge]

We had zero depth behind Werner and Werner got ate up by mobile QBs.

I don’t know if Gay will “beat” him out, but there will be plenty of playing time for him. Especially in speed packages.

Underhill seems to think he does some of what Baun did (not sure if he thinks there is pass rusher upside) and some of what Werner does. He thinks he's here as the #3 LB to play SLB, compete at WIL, and has a niche as a QB spy. He's apparently very good as a spy (makes sense given his speed) and we all know mobile QBs are a major issue for our defense.

 

[sfidc3]

FWIW, my nephew is a KC fan (having lived there now for almost 10 years) and also a Saints fan.....he thinks the Saints did well, says he is an up and coming player....