Bill Belichick knows excellent special teams players when he sees them. The New England Patriots head coach helped develop Matthew Slater into a fan-favorite and ten-time Pro Bowler for his efforts covering punts and kickoffs. And he sees many of the same qualities in New Orleans Saints ace J.T. Gray.
Few things have gone well for the Saints to start their season, but the special teams coverage has been excellent. New Orleans is one of five teams to limit opponents to a single kick return through four games (which was returned for just 24 yards). They’re also one of five teams to face 10 punt returns so far, but the Saints have held returners to just 63 yards. The other four teams in that crowd have given up 99 to 138 return yards. Gray leads the team with 3 special teams tackles in 3 games, having missed the season-opener with a shoulder injury.
“Real solid group led by Gray,” Belichick told reporters Wednesday. Speaking of Gray individually, Belichick said, “One of the top players in the league. Absolutely have to block him and account for him to have any chance of returns on punts and kickoffs.”
Belichick added, “He’s as good as anyone we play.”
Gray was an afterthought when the Saints signed him as an undrafted free agent out of Mississippi State, back in 2018. His first contract with New Orleans carried just $5,000 in guarantees. But he impressed the team throughout his rookie training camp covering kicks, and he’s been a fixture ever since. He’s earned All-Pro and Pro Bowl recognition and signed another extension this spring guaranteeing him $3.5 million. This summer he was selected as a team captain for the third year in a row.
The Saints will be counting on Gray and his squad in the kicking game on Sunday. Points will come at a premium between New Orleans’ struggling offense and Belichick’s stifling defense. If Gray’s unit can help the Saints win the field position battle, maybe their teammates on offense or defense can capitalize on it and get New Orleans back in the win column.
