‘Big Play’ Clay Cashes In
The New England Patriots defensive backs have a little game going: Get an interception and the other safeties and cornerbacks on the field at the time have to pay you. Free safety Willie ‘Big Play’ Clay is cleaning up.
The veteran leader of a young, aggressive secondary is second in the AFC with four interceptions (at $50 per man) and returned one for a touchdown (at $100 per man). The dollars really add up in nickel and dime formations when teams use extra defensive backs.
Clay had two interceptions Oct. 6 at Denver and another last Sunday against Buffalo. When he reported for practice Monday, there was some money waiting in his locker.
“I made sure he had it first thing in the morning,” cornerback Jimmy Hitchcock said.
It’s a small price to pay for the lessons Clay, a six-year veteran, has taught the young defensive backs.
“Willie’s just a very intelligent football player,” said Hitchcock, who is in his third NFL season.
“I’ve learned a lot from Willie,” said strong safety Lawyer Milloy, a former Washington Husky and a starter in his two pro seasons. “I couldn’t have done the things I accomplished by playing with someone other than Willie. They call him ‘Big-Play’ for a reason. He always seems to be around the ball.”
Johnston’s career could be over
Dallas Cowboys fullback Daryl Johnston, who’s never missed a game in his nine-year NFL career, will undergo surgery to repair a bulging disc in his neck and miss the rest of the season, according to a broadcast report.
CNN-SI reported Thursday night that Johnston is being advised by doctors to not play again and he would be risking paralysis if he plays after the surgery.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones told CNN-SI that nothing was definitive.
Oilers hope to end drought
The Tennessee Oilers’ interception drought has become the talk of the locker room.
The Oilers (2-4) have the only defense in the NFL without an interception. Nothing. Zip. Despite 218 pass attempts in six games.
“I think it’s playing on our minds being that everybody’s talking about it, not just the DBs, but everyone on the team,” said right cornerback Darryll Lewis.
The Carolina Panthers have intercepted just two passes, while Dallas, Philadelphia and Cincinnati have only three.
Comings and goings
Offensive lineman Chris Naeole, the Saints’ first-round draft pick is out for the rest of the year following surgery to his left ankle.
The Carolina Panthers re-signed Shane Matthews giving them another quarterback while Steve Beuerlein recovers from a knee injury.
Miami Dolphins rookie starting defensive end Jason Taylor broke a bone in his right forearm during practice and is out indefinitely.