Steelers William Gay ‘Most Underappreciated’ Of His Era?
The Steelers have a heart warming story just waiting for an NFL Network: A Football Life pickup. They have in their midst one of the most ‘underappreciated’ Steelers of his era. That player is William Gay.
At least that’s according to Steelers.com media man Bob Labriola. In his post on Monday covering the state of the Steelers cornerbacks, Labriola said this about Gay,
"He is the most underappreciated Steelers player of his era. Around him over the past couple of seasons in the defensive backfield there have been personnel changes, players with declining skills, and injury issues, but Gay has remained a consistent and versatile contributor."
Versatile seems like a strong word to use here when it describes Gay’s contributions to this team. Has he played numerous roles? Yes. But, to project that he’s been able to adapt to playing anything outside of nickel is just straight up looney tunes.
Who’s Doing The Underappreciating?
Among the babbling in Labriola’s praise for Gay, the crux of Labriola’s statement goes undefined. Who would dare as to underappreciate William Gay?
Fans for years have always had their ups and downs with him. One minute he’s doing what he’s supposed to and makes a nice tackle off the edge at the line of scrimmage for no gain. The next he is allowing a second rate receiver burn him over the top for a 40 yard touchdown.
Do they not fully appreciate that William Gay is just good enough to serve as a back up to an injure #2 or #1 corner, but bad enough to never be fully promoted to a full time starter – except for that one year stint in Arizona, which didn’t really go that well.
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Speaking of playing for another team….
Is it the coaches who never fully appreciated William Gay? Perhaps that lead them to opt out on re-signing the then five year vet in 2012. It most certainly had nothing to do with the inability to ‘break out’ since being drafted. Right?
Maybe Labriola is referring to the Cardinals coaching staff and front office for cutting Gay rather than pay him the $3.25 million he was due for doing almost nothing on defense.
The NFL and the press could be to blame. After all, why couldn’t Gay be the first primarily nickel corner to ever be selected to a Pro Bowl?
Which Gay are we talking about here anyways? William? Willie? Or Will?
To be fair, Gay has his moments. His pick-6’s this past season were great, at one point game changing even. Were those a result of his turning the corner finally after seven seasons in the league? Or just dumb luck for the unfortunate quarterbacks? Am I to blame for not appreciating the disparity within the entire body of work? Do I not have a short enough memory span to forget 2007-2012?
Sure, he’s a great guy off the field too. I very much appreciate his community service. But, if we’re talking football here, then let’s keep it to accomplishments on the field.
Get In Line, Willie
Sep 7, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Lawrence Timmons (94) takes the field against the Cleveland Browns during the first quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 30-27. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Calling him the ‘most underappreciated’ Steeler of his era is still just down right absurd. If we are just talking Steelers fan base, someone go talk to Ben Roethlisberger about being thrown to the wolves every time he throws an INT, while those yinzers conveniently forget he’s won two Super Bowls with this team and orchestrated the game winning drive in the second.
Someone go talk to Lawrence Timmons who is the life blood of that linebacker core who’s jersey sales are countable on two hands. Seriously, just take a look around Heinz Field on game day, or pay attention to who gets talked about most every Sunday – Jarvis Jones because he has yet to make his mark?
If we are talking about coaches and the front office, someone go talk to Alan Faneca or Aaron Smith who were just about boned out of contract extensions (maybe Ben will be next on this list?) because the guys up top would rather cut off their noses to spite their face.
If we are talking about the NFL in general, someone go talk to Heath Miller, who is never in conversations of the Top 5 TE’s in the NFL since he started playing for the Steelers. Yet he is the complete package as a TE, and fans scream his name the loudest every time he touches the football.
William Gay, the most underappreciated Steeler of his era. Please.
No matter who Labriola says is doing the underappreciating, there’s about a dozen other players already waiting in that line.