Cornerback Gay lets his play do the talking for Steelers
PITTSBURGH – When William Gay was fined by the NFL last month for wearing purple shoes, it marked one of the few times this season he has drawn any attention.
After all, opponents aren’t giving him a lot of work.
Ten games into the season, Gay’s numbers look pedestrian: 35 tackles, no interceptions and three pass breakups.
Considering that Gay has played more than 97 percent of Pittsburgh’s defensive snaps – the most of any Steelers defensive back – you’d think he might rank higher than seventh on the team in tackles and sixth in passes defensed.
But Gay’s value goes beyond the statistics. He is dependable. Gay has never missed a game in nine NFL seasons, having played in 138 consecutive contests, the most of any cornerback in the league. He also is doing his job so well that opponents aren’t throwing the football in his direction.
“Sometimes, it’s the plays you don’t have to make that are as important as the plays you make,” said Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. “The quality of play at his position and with him specifically, often times you say, ‘Man, that was a quiet game for Will Gay,’ because he’s doing what he needs to do in terms of minimizing the plays he has to make. I’ve been really pleased with the consistency of his performance.”
Gay has been a steadying factor in the Steelers’ secondary and will need to continue to be that if the team is going to make the playoffs.
When the Steelers (6-4) are in their 3-4 defense, Gay plays on the outside. On passing downs, he moves inside to cover the slot receiver.
In essence, it’s like playing two different positions.
“He’s playing more nickel than the normal stuff that we do,” said defensive coordinator Keith Butler. “William stays above the neck. He’s got an idea when they’re going to try to go deep on him. He’s got an idea when they’re going to try to do things. He recognizes things. He’s been around for a while. That knowledge and that experience helps him on game day.”
Reputation can help as well. While cornerbacks such as Seattle’s Richard Sherman get more publicity, Gay quietly was among the top 10 players at the position last year in percentage of passes defensed, according to FootballOutsiders.com. Darrelle Revis had the top ratio at 62 percent while Gay was 10th at 56 percent. He also returned all three of his interceptions for touchdowns, a team record.
But ask Gay to talk about himself and you’ll get a stock answer about the team. One of the few subjects upon which he will expound is his decision to thumb his nose at the NFL and wear purple shoes.
Gay wore the purple shoes in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a subject that has affected him deeply. His mother was killed in a murder-suicide by his stepfather when he was seven years old.
“I think we all know why I wore purple cleats,” said Gay, who has worked with women’s groups to raise awareness of the issue.
Gay wrote an impassioned story on the Monday Morning Quarterback website this week making a plea to the NFL to allow players to make one-time statements regarding social issues each season.
It’s the only time he attempts to draw attention to himself.
“He’s like that calm, older voice in the room that really puts everybody at rest,” said Steelers free safety Mike Mitchell. “As a safety, you see matchups on the field that you don’t necessarily like, so you lean that way. With Will, I’m always confident that he’s going to handle his.”
The Steelers play Sunday at Seattle (5-5). Tomlin is 2-0 against Seattle. … Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch had surgery Wednesday to repair an abdominal tear and will not play against the Steelers. … Pittsburgh’s defense ranks fifth in points allowed per game (19.1). Seattle is seventh (19.2).