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'Big play' moniker fits veteran Steelers cornerback Gay
By Mark Kaboly
Thursday, Oct. 30, 2014
The Steelers' William Gay picks off an Andrew Luck pass intended for the Hakeem Nicks and returns it for a second-quarter touchdown Sunday, Oct. 26, 2014, at Heinz Field.
They call him “Big Play” Willie Gay.
If ever there was a nickname befitting a person, it's that for Steelers cornerback William Gay.
“That's what he does,” teammate Ike Taylor said. “Every time we call his name or his number comes up, he's making plays.”
But intercepting an Andrew Luck pass and returning it for a touchdown against the Colts or sniffing out a screen pass by the Browns to force a late punt in a tie game that led to the game-winning field goal aren't the only things “Big Play” Gay has done this season.
Gay has been the Steelers' best and most dependable cornerback — a far cry from the days of being best known for getting run over by Adrian Peterson and giving up three touchdowns in a game to Rob Gronkowski.
Gay has stepped in for the injured Taylor over the past five weeks and has played at a high level. He leads the team with 11 passes defensed while allowing 27 receptions and only one touchdown.
“He is playing hot for us right now,” safety Mike Mitchell said. “The thing I love about him is that no matter where they ask him to play or ask him to do, he looks forward to the challenge.”
The Steelers have asked Gay to do just about everything since his one-year hiatus in Arizona (2012) even though the ultimate plan was to have him play slot cornerback in their nickel package.
It's a role that Gay — who has the current streak for cornerbacks with 120 consecutive games played — thrived in the year before leaving for Arizona when he had two interceptions, a career-high 14 passes defensed and two fumble recoveries.
Instead of being that nickel corner, Gay has become the Steelers No. 1 option at cornerback with Taylor out and Cortez Allen being ineffective and getting benched. Gay will start his 17th game at corner Sunday since returning.
“He came back from Arizona, and he's seen it all,” Taylor said. “He said he couldn't worry about what anybody had to say, and he's here for a reason. He's been playing good football.”
Just don't ask him how good, because he won't answer.
Actually, he won't answer any question directed at him about him.
“It's not that it's uncomfortable. It's just not important,” Gay said. “What is important is that we win. It's a team sport we are playing. People say I am playing better.
“A couple of times in my career I have been 12-4, so to say that I improved … I went 8-8 last year. I just love winning football games.”
And making big plays.
Gay's big play last week helped the Steelers upset the Colts. In a 14-3 game, Gay picked off a Luck pass and returned it for a touchdown.
“He had a real significant play in that game,” Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau said.
That's how it's been with Gay. All five of his interceptions with the Steelers can be considered big plays.
Last year, he returned an interception for a touchdown in a win against the Browns. In 2011, his fourth-quarter pick against Cleveland led to a Steelers touchdown and a 14-3 win. And his interception a month later in Cincinnati with less than three minutes left in a 24-17 game clinched a Steelers victory.
In 2008, Gay intercepted Joe Flacco in the end zone to clinch the AFC North title for the Steelers.
“His nickname is ‘Big Play Gay' for a reason,” cornerback Antwon Blake said. “You expect to see those types of plays from him. He doesn't get enough credit for his play-making abilities.”
[URL]http://triblive.com/sports/steelers/7036955-74/gay-steelers-game#ixzz3HkSs45Zy[/URL]
By Mark Kaboly
Thursday, Oct. 30, 2014
The Steelers' William Gay picks off an Andrew Luck pass intended for the Hakeem Nicks and returns it for a second-quarter touchdown Sunday, Oct. 26, 2014, at Heinz Field.
They call him “Big Play” Willie Gay.
If ever there was a nickname befitting a person, it's that for Steelers cornerback William Gay.
“That's what he does,” teammate Ike Taylor said. “Every time we call his name or his number comes up, he's making plays.”
But intercepting an Andrew Luck pass and returning it for a touchdown against the Colts or sniffing out a screen pass by the Browns to force a late punt in a tie game that led to the game-winning field goal aren't the only things “Big Play” Gay has done this season.
Gay has been the Steelers' best and most dependable cornerback — a far cry from the days of being best known for getting run over by Adrian Peterson and giving up three touchdowns in a game to Rob Gronkowski.
Gay has stepped in for the injured Taylor over the past five weeks and has played at a high level. He leads the team with 11 passes defensed while allowing 27 receptions and only one touchdown.
“He is playing hot for us right now,” safety Mike Mitchell said. “The thing I love about him is that no matter where they ask him to play or ask him to do, he looks forward to the challenge.”
The Steelers have asked Gay to do just about everything since his one-year hiatus in Arizona (2012) even though the ultimate plan was to have him play slot cornerback in their nickel package.
It's a role that Gay — who has the current streak for cornerbacks with 120 consecutive games played — thrived in the year before leaving for Arizona when he had two interceptions, a career-high 14 passes defensed and two fumble recoveries.
Instead of being that nickel corner, Gay has become the Steelers No. 1 option at cornerback with Taylor out and Cortez Allen being ineffective and getting benched. Gay will start his 17th game at corner Sunday since returning.
“He came back from Arizona, and he's seen it all,” Taylor said. “He said he couldn't worry about what anybody had to say, and he's here for a reason. He's been playing good football.”
Just don't ask him how good, because he won't answer.
Actually, he won't answer any question directed at him about him.
“It's not that it's uncomfortable. It's just not important,” Gay said. “What is important is that we win. It's a team sport we are playing. People say I am playing better.
“A couple of times in my career I have been 12-4, so to say that I improved … I went 8-8 last year. I just love winning football games.”
And making big plays.
Gay's big play last week helped the Steelers upset the Colts. In a 14-3 game, Gay picked off a Luck pass and returned it for a touchdown.
“He had a real significant play in that game,” Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau said.
That's how it's been with Gay. All five of his interceptions with the Steelers can be considered big plays.
Last year, he returned an interception for a touchdown in a win against the Browns. In 2011, his fourth-quarter pick against Cleveland led to a Steelers touchdown and a 14-3 win. And his interception a month later in Cincinnati with less than three minutes left in a 24-17 game clinched a Steelers victory.
In 2008, Gay intercepted Joe Flacco in the end zone to clinch the AFC North title for the Steelers.
“His nickname is ‘Big Play Gay' for a reason,” cornerback Antwon Blake said. “You expect to see those types of plays from him. He doesn't get enough credit for his play-making abilities.”
[URL]http://triblive.com/sports/steelers/7036955-74/gay-steelers-game#ixzz3HkSs45Zy[/URL]
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