Bringing Him Back Home

One of the Saints’ primary goals for the 2008 off-season has been to find defensive players that can make immediate contributions; in that regard, their best acquisition thus far may not have come at the linebacker position, but at the cornerback position in the form of an LSU fan favorite with lots of championship hardware to show for his short NFL career.

Because the Saints defense ranked 30th in the NFL against the pass last year, giving up 245.2 yards per game and allowing a league-leading 32 passing touchdowns, it was certain that improvements to the secondary would be a priority. While the Saints didn't land the most sought-after CB, Asante Samuel, they did sign Samuel's former teammate, Randall Gay, to a 4-year, $17.6 million contract. Gay, who grew up in Louisiana and won a national championship at LSU, could turn out to be the steal of this off-season.

Gay’s NFL career began when the Patriots signed him shortly after the 2004 NFL draft as an undrafted free agent. During his rookie year, Gay proved to be a smart and reliable player and was placed into the starting lineup because of injuries to veterans Ty Law and Tyrone Poole. That season, he would start more games (9) than any other Patriots rookie and was the only rookie to start all 3 playoff games en route to New England's second world championship. Gay became one of the only players in the league who would win a BCS National Championship and the Super Bowl in back-to-back years, and that Superbowl (XXXIX) would serve as Gay's coming out party. In addition to forcing a fumble in the first quarter, he finished the game as the Patriots leading tackler with 11 solo stops. In 2007, he played in all 16 games (3 starts) and finished the year with 38 tackles while posting a career high in interceptions (3) and passes defended (7).

According to KC Joyner of NFL.com, Gay had a superb 5.8 yards per attempt last season, as compared to Asante Samuel's 7.4 yards per attempt. He also allowed zero completions on the seven vertical passes that were thrown his way. As Saints fans know all too well, one of the team’s biggest weaknesses last year was giving up the big play. Jason David was constantly getting beaten deep on "go" routes resulting in touchdowns. Had David allowed zero completions on vertical passes last year like Gay did, I would not even be writing this article.

On the flip-side, not being an every-down starting CB, Gay wasn't priced at the elite CB level that players like Asante Samuel, DeAngelo Hall, and Nate Clements (from last year) were. Gay's contract only averages out to about $4.4 million per year, whereas the aforementioned corners' contracts are in the $9-10 million per year range. Despite the smaller price tag, Gay should be able to greatly help the Saints secondary right off the bat. Gay, who isn't afraid to hit and excels at keeping plays in front of him, was not a starter in college – he played behind Corey Webster and Travis Daniels at LSU. The fact that he is a serviceable CB in the NFL and was not even a starter in college tells me that he has done his homework since joining the NFL. It also shows that Gay has adapted to the situation he has found himself in and managed to make significant contributions. Whether it meant taking over a starting role as a rookie or being a reliable nickel or dime back while quietly awaiting his next opportunity to prove he can be a starter, Gay has proven his worth and reliability in the national football league.

Of course, there are those who will say that Gay appears to be no better than Jason David, referring to the fact that both corners played in a zone-first coverage system with their former teams. Don't buy it. Jason David played in a strict cover-two scheme in Indianapolis and always had a safety over the top offering assistance. Gay, however, is more versatile. He played his college ball in a strict man coverage scheme while at LSU under Nick Saban. Saban often asked his corners to play bump and run at the line and hardly ever offered safety assistance over the top (his safeties were often blitzing.) Furthermore, Bill Belichick mixes his coverages up pretty consistently. He may start a game in a zone-read coverage, but will revert to man early and often. Lastly, Gay is 5-11, 190lbs, whereas Jason David is only 5-8, 180lbs. That extra 3 inches and 10 pounds will only help Gay hold his own when he is asked to play on an island.

With the signing of Randall Gay, the Saints should have a decent rotation of defensive backs, which will include Gay, Mike McKenzie (when healthy), Usama Young, Jason David, Jason Craft, newly-acquired Aaron Glenn and any other player the Saints may draft. Gay should be a great addition to this defense whether he falls into a starting role immediately or has to play some nickel or dime first. That being said, I would be very surprised not to see Randall Gay win a starting job. After all, this Brusly kid has shown time and time again that he can step in wherever he is needed, and no team needs a good, solid corner more than the New Orleans Saints.