It was tough watching William Gay last season get toasted just about every Sunday (remember the Raiders game), but the Steelers haven’t given up hope he’s a quality player in the this league that can be of value to the team.
The club went out and got back Bryant McFadden, and as of now he’s the starter opposite Ike Taylor, which leaves Gay without a spot. Well, besides being now a backup CB again, the Trib reports that he has been working out at the safety spot.
William Gay is quietly becoming the Steelers’ new Deshea Townsend. Gay, who started 14 games at left cornerback last season, is now the team’s nickel back. He’s also the second-team right cornerback and has been working out at safety during training camp, along with continuing to perform on special teams. Replaced at left corner by Bryant McFadden, Gay is smartly expanding his horizons and figuring out new ways to get on the field. “You always want to be prepared for anything,” said Gay, who played in every game in his first three seasons. “You can’t sit back and say I’m on the second team or I’m not in a starting role. (In) this league, you’re one injury away from being at a different position.” Gay is taking over the role held by Townsend, who played 12 seasons with the Steelers.
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DrGeorge
August 12, 2010 at 3:57 pm
The commentors on this site have anticipated this move for months. Nickel is a better position for Gay if and until his cover techniques at CB improve markedly. Moreover, the trend toward taller receivers throughout the NFL will limit the effectiveness of all 5’9″ CBs, like Gay and Townsend, for the foreseeable future, except for those few who are exceptionally athletic. Gay’s future is not at CB, and he seems more than a little undersized to play Safety, too.