Gase take on Gregg: He did his time
Seven years after Gregg Williams was at the heart of the Saints’ Bountygate scandal that resulted in league banishment, New Jets head coach Adam Gase made it clear that he isn’t the least bit concerned about hiring the confident and brash defensive coordinator with three decades of NFL experience.
“Gregg was penalized for that heavily,” Gase told Mike Florio on the Pro Football Talk podcast on Wednesday. “Football was taken away from him. He did his time. That’s what makes this country great, right? People get second chances all the time. He’s gotten a second chance. He’s done it right.”
“He’s gone and worked extremely hard to do things right,” Gase continued. “For me or anyone else to hold that over his head, to me, is wrong. It’s just like when we give players second opportunities. It’s the same thing. People make mistakes. We’ve moved on from it. He did his time. That’s something I’m not even concerned about.”
The Jets officially announced Wednesday that the 60-year-old Williams, who was suspended by the NFL for the 2012 season, will join Gase’s staff. Williams, who went 5-3 as the Browns interim head coach this season, surely doesn’t lack confidence.
“I’ve always wanted to work with him,” Gase said. “I’ve always wanted to go against him in practice. I love the way that his players feel about him, the swagger, the attitude that he brings to his group. I love his experience and the fact that he’s been a head coach. He takes over Cleveland and they’re winning ballgames over there ... and he’s acting like this is what it was going to be the whole time. He didn’t even blink an eye. He wasn’t surprised. I love that about him. His attitude is just infectious.”
Williams’ fiery personality and Gase’s own no-nonsense vibe have prompted some people to wonder whether they’ll be able to co-exist. Gase isn’t concerned. “We’re here to win,” Gase said. “That’s what we’re here to do. I don’t go into this thinking, ‘I’m worried about this.’ I’m not worried about anything. I’m worried about how are we going to win football games. How are we going to get our guys ready? How are we going to put together the best team possible? How are we going to put the best coaching staff together? That’s why Gregg is really the first guy that we’re getting on board right now. He’s going to be involved with doing that. When he gets here, then we’re going to hammer this defensive staff out. Get that together. Then eventually the offensive staff is going to come together ... and then we’re going to be ready to roll.”
Gase believes that Williams’ competitiveness will lift the entire unit on weekdays, which will better prepare everyone for Sundays.
“I’m excited. I just keep picturing practice,” Gase said. “This is what’s going to be the difference maker for us . ... It’s going to be like a game every day. The competition and competitiveness between Gregg, myself, the staffs. That’s what you want. That’s how you get that energy you want. The players feel that. They’re practicing like that. They’re creating that attitude. Now all of a sudden it becomes the fourth quarter in a close game ... (and) our guys have been there before.”
No matter what happens, it certainly won’t be boring.