Big Blue ink CB Gay to add depth

The Giants cut ties with Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie this spring, leaving a void as far as experience, depth and ability at the nickel back role. They made a move Thursday to fill that hole, signing William Gay, an 11-year veteran who, at 33, is actually two years older than Rodgers-Cromartie.

With Janoris Jenkins and Eli Apple returning and not much behind them, finding capable bodies is essential for the Giants’ defensive makeup. Ross Cockrell, who started nine games and played in all 16 last season, left in free agency, signing with the Panthers.

“I think this league, especially at the corner position, it’s such a high quality that when you lose a guy or two — and inevitably that happens, guys get injured,’’ defensive backs coach Lou Anarumo said Wednesday, “So I think that the guys that we’re going to bring in, whether it be through free agency and coming here through the draft, we’ll build the depth and work on it from there.’’

Gay spent 10 of his 11 NFL seasons with the Steelers, deviating only in 2012, a season he played for the Cardinals. Despite his advanced age for a cornerback, his career is marked by remark- able durability. Gay has never missed a game, playing in all 176, starting 101. Pat Shurmur, the new head coach, has talked since he was hired about “availability’’ as an underrated quality in a player.

“It felt like it was a good fit, first and foremost,” Gay said of joining the Giants. “They’ve got a quarterback. As a veteran, as a guy going into his 12th year, you want to go to a team that has a fast defense and then has a quarterback and weapons on offense. And the Giants have that.”

Gay also comes, no doubt, with a high approval rating from Deshea Townsend, the Giants’ new assistant defensive backs coach. Townsend was a teammate of Gay’s in Pittsburgh and Gay later played for Townsend with the Cardinals.

Gay will likely be in line to move in as the primary nickel corner in James Bettcher’s defense. The Giants this offseason also added B.W. Webb, Teddy Williams and Curtis Riley for depth and competition in training camp at cornerback.

Gay did not start any games in 2017 and was on the field for only 27 percent of the defensive snaps. Gay was released by the Steelers on March 14. He has 13 career interceptions and five touchdown returns.