Spags on Gay's playing time

[kkuenn 3,599]

https://chiefswire.usatoday.com/2020/09/26/kansas-city-chiefs-steve-spagnuolo-willie-gay-jr-defense-playing-time/

 

 

Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo explains Willie Gay Jr.'s lack of playing time

 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Charles Goldman 

 

3 minutes ago

 

 

When the Kansas City Chiefs added Willie Gay Jr. with the No. 63 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, fans expected that he’d add an infusion of athleticism to linebacker corp right away. His 4.46-second 40-yard dash and 39.5-inch vertical jump at the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine made him one of the most athletic linebackers in the entire class.

The narrative surrounding Gay’s potential role within the K.C. defense was quickly defused when we learned he’d be working behind Damien Wilson at the SAM and BUCK linebacker positions. So far through two games, Gay Jr. has played just six defensive snaps due to brief injury absences by Wilson and Anthony Hitchens. Meanwhile, several Chiefs rookies like L’Jarius Sneed, Mike Danna and Tershawn Wharton have been getting a bounty of snaps for the defense.

On Friday, defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo was asked about what Gay has to do to see more snaps.

“About Willie, we always have hopes of playing as many guys as we can,” Spagnuolo said. “Matt House does a great job with Willie, Matt and Britt (Reid). I think he’s progressed really well. You know, you have guys in there that are a little more experienced. The position that he plays, there are some adjustments that you have to go through. He’ll find his way in there. We’re hopeful to continue to add on plays and reps in practice and then find his way into the game.”

It doesn’t sound like Spagnuolo is anticipating a natural increase in defensive snaps for Gay anytime soon. He’ll have to earn it with what he’s able to show on the practice field. Otherwise, he’ll have to wait for an injury to see time on defense.

There was some thought that he could see a bigger role after Dorian O’Daniel had a day off from practice on Friday due to a knee injury. O’Daniel is someone who could spy Ravens QB Lamar Jackson in Week 3. O’Daniel was back at practice on Saturday according to The Athletic’s Nate Taylor. If O’Daniel were unable to go on Monday, it just doesn’t sound like Gay has the trust of the defensive coaching staff to take on that specific role.

Right now, it feels like Gay’s best chance at seeing the field and make an impact seems to be on special teams. Through two weeks he has 34 snaps on special teams and last week he had a punt deflection.

“Yeah, his job out there on that left end spot is to rush the slot first, make sure it’s not a fake and then rush the punter,” Chiefs ST coordinator Dave Toub told reporters on Friday. “The slot tried to cut him, so he knew he wasn’t going to go out for a pass, so he turned it into a rush immediately. When he rushed, he did a nice job of getting his hand on the ball. Now, he didn’t block it, it was more of a deflection. When the ball goes past the line of scrimmage, it’s a deflected punt, it’s still a live punt. I wish he would’ve gotten a little more of the ball and it would’ve stayed on the other side and considered a block. The effort was great, he caused a bad punt, they had a bad net on the play. It definitely was a positive play and good for him. He keeps getting better and better each week. Every week, every practice, he gets better and better.”

If you look at players like Ben Niemann and Dorian O’Daniel, who are both getting increased playing time in the defense, they have something in common. They both started with primary roles on special teams before seeing time on defense. That seems to be where the Chiefs get their linebackers developed and ready to play. If Gay can continue to make plays on special teams, he’ll be that much closer to finally seeing playing time on the defensive side of the ball.

[oldtimer 8,686]

hopefully we'll see him  during the last 1/2 of he season..shame he cant beat out the likes of Hitchens tho

[xen 1,010,220]

8 hours ago, oldtimer said:

hopefully we'll see him  during the last 1/2 of he season..shame he cant beat out the likes of Hitchens tho

meh its a tough position to play.  Some come along faster than others.  I didn't think he was game ready coming out of college so with a fucked up offseason I'm not surprised.  6 snaps is a start.  I am also hoping he'll have some playing time by midseason.

[jetlord 10,209]

Gotta keep reminding ourselves that DJ took about three years to become effective. 

[Burpo The Mad Clown 5,556]

4 minutes ago, jetlord said:

Gotta keep reminding ourselves that DJ took about three years to become effective. 

Good point. I remember the buzz right here that DJ was a wasted pick and the Chiefs should have traded up for Merriman, who got off to a quicker start. 

[kkuenn 3,599]

29 minutes ago, Burpo The Mad Clown said:

Good point. I remember the buzz right here that DJ was a wasted pick and the Chiefs should have traded up for Merriman, who got off to a quicker start. 

And yet people get all over Niemann who was an undrafted player?  DOD had potential. Hitch really fooled everyone. I would think though being year 2 we would be able to improve at LB. Maybe Spags sees something we dont, but tackling and run defense is basic stuff.

[AFCWEST 1,238]

It is concerning that he cant play ahead of some really really not so good players. How much worse could he be? 

[jetlord 10,209]

1 hour ago, AFCWEST said:

It is concerning that he cant play ahead of some really really not so good players. How much worse could he be? 

DJ got benched, not in his rookie year, in a defense that wasn't exactly top flight.  Gay has little experience, shortened summer training, and may not be a quick learner.  That doesn't mean we should write him off.  Even if he could be an upgrade over the current LBs, the staff seems to feel that bringing him along slowly is best in the long term.  Some of us expect too much.

[kkuenn 3,599]

7 minutes ago, jetlord said:

DJ got benched, not in his rookie year, in a defense that wasn't exactly top flight.  Gay has little experience, shortened summer training, and may not be a quick learner.  That doesn't mean we should write him off.  Even if he could be an upgrade over the current LBs, the staff seems to feel that bringing him along slowly is best in the long term.  Some of us expect too much.

True but on the flip side it would be nice to draft a guy in the 2nd round that was NFL ready and not based on potential. We seem to use the higher picks on potential more often than not under Veach. Kpass, Speaks, Hardman and Thornhill.  Thornhill played a major role so far. Hardman does what is asked but man why is Robinson and his drops still over him in WR sets?

[qnet 1,150]

3 hours ago, Burpo The Mad Clown said:

Good point. I remember the buzz right here that DJ was a wasted pick and the Chiefs should have traded up for Merriman, who got off to a quicker start. 

Looking back on it, that may have been a little unfair since Merriman seemed to be mostly a pass-rushing type LB, vs  DJ who was a in space type LB. 

[reesebobby 5,663]

Ive nevee forgiven merriman for the priest holmes injury. 

[xen 1,010,220]

6 hours ago, kkuenn said:

True but on the flip side it would be nice to draft a guy in the 2nd round that was NFL ready and not based on potential. We seem to use the higher picks on potential more often than not under Veach. Kpass, Speaks, Hardman and Thornhill.  Thornhill played a major role so far. Hardman does what is asked but man why is Robinson and his drops still over him in WR sets?

Andy has a history of developing high upside low floor guys like Gay.  If a linebacker had Gays's size, type of game, explosion metrics, overall athleticism AND was NFL game ready, he'd have gone in the top 10 or 15.  Sometimes you take what you can get and work to develop them.

Consider that he's taller, bigger and tested better than Patrick Queen.  Got to give him time to develop.

[Lamardirts 2,114]

My biggest issue with those type of guys is they spend most of their rookie contract getting it figured out, meaning your getting one good year before you have to make a sizable decision on them financially.  Kpass for instance, if he ends up with 10 sacks this year he's gonna get back in FA and what did we get for our 2nd round pick?    1 really good year and 3 meh years.    Not saying we should stop drafting high ceiling guys but we have shelled out a lot of big contracts and our success will be determined by how well we can fill in the gaps with those rookies.   Rookies not seeing the field, especially 2nd rounders sting a little.   This is an odd offseason though and I don't think this is a multi year figure it out kind of example.   Once he gets it figured out the guy is gonna be a stud best case and way better than what we have in the worse case.   I'll give him time.   Hardman could turn it around but guys who can't run great route at this point, don't have a great track record of learning.   Hill is one of those exception but his agility and quickness are on another level.    Kpass and Speaks weren't great draft choices regardless of what Kpass does this year.    Gotta have those 2nd rounders stepping up worse case 2nd year and being starters.   Veach has hit on so many other picks in lower rounds it hasn't effected overall talent of this team so far.   

I'm far more upset that they didn't address the position in FA.   Ben Nieman should have been replaced....don't care if he's a good ST player.   I'm tired of Toub having so much say on this roster because ST is only good because we have a great kicker and had a great punter and returner.   The other areas are not so great lately.   

[reesebobby 5,663]

14 hours ago, xen said:

Andy has a history of developing high upside low floor guys like Gay.  If a linebacker had Gays's size, type of game, explosion metrics, overall athleticism AND was NFL game ready, he'd have gone in the top 10 or 15.  Sometimes you take what you can get and work to develop them.

Consider that he's taller, bigger and tested better than Patrick Queen.  Got to give him time to develop.

Why all the talk about Gays and Queens suddenly.  Don't ask.  Don't tell.   Just play football. 

[artsy 1,137]

I think we'll see more Gay Jr when he learns the playbook. I just hope he learns it at a faster clip than O'daniel....Which is the reason he hasn't taken Sorenson's or Nieman's job.

Apparently, DOD still can't pick up the playbook....

[Iluvhouse24 1,808]

Bump.

So is it official? Is this guy just dumb as a box of rocks? We gave up almost 200 yds on the ground last night. He has to be just lost with the playbook or something right?

[AFCWEST 1,238]

1 hour ago, Iluvhouse24 said:

Bump.

So is it official? Is this guy just dumb as a box of rocks? We gave up almost 200 yds on the ground last night. He has to be just lost with the playbook or something right?

WRONG-O

[artsy 1,137]

50 minutes ago, Iluvhouse24 said:

Bump.

So is it official? Is this guy just dumb as a box of rocks? We gave up almost 200 yds on the ground last night. He has to be just lost with the playbook or something right?

Lol..You must be talking about Dorian O'Daniel....

[Iluvhouse24 1,808]

3 hours ago, artsy said:

Lol..You must be talking about Dorian O'Daniel....

No I've already given up on him. I'm talking about Gay not being able to get on the field when we have arguably the worst LB room in football. 

[jetlord 10,209]

How long did it take DJ to become effective?  Give it some time. 

[AFCWEST 1,238]

1 hour ago, Iluvhouse24 said:

No I've already given up on him. I'm talking about Gay not being able to get on the field when we have arguably the worst LB room in football. 

WRONG-O AGAIN. The worst in the NFL? Seriously? 

[xen 1,010,220]

I really can't even comprehend freaking out about a rookie with limited college experience coming along slowly with an abnormal offseason.

*backs away from thread slowly*

[kkuenn 3,599]

37 minutes ago, xen said:

I really can't even comprehend freaking out about a rookie with limited college experience coming along slowly with an abnormal offseason.

*backs away from thread slowly*

Because he sucks that bad. Geez....    /s

[xen 1,010,220]

Gay got 5 and 9 snaps on D against the chargers and ravens respectively.  Against the Pats he got 24 snaps on D, almost a third of the total defensive snaps.  His pff grade for the Pats game was 82.6 which puts him in high quality range (90+ is elite).

Seems pretty obvious they're bringing him along and slowly integrating him into the defense.  Considering the lack of college playing time, that's probably smart.

He'll be ready when he's ready.  Do you also freak out when the chili's not done after 20 minutes?

[ChiefThunder 153]

Apparently Willie got the start against NE. 

https://www.arrowheadpride.com/2020/10/6/21504477/chiefs-patriots-making-sense-of-snap-counts-nfl-week-4