Not everyone responds the same to being challenged. Some people shrink and shy away from it while others attack it head on. Pete Werner has taken the latter approach in his battle with Willie Gay Jr. during the offseason.
Werner has started next to Demario Davis for the last two years with the New Orleans Saints. Then, New Orleans brought Gay in from the Kansas City Chiefs for extra competition. From the outside looking in, Werner hasn’t had his confidence shaken through this process.
According to Saints head coach Dennis Allen, Werner has “responded exactly how I would’ve expected him to respond.” Allen specifically pointed out Werner’s quick reaction to a screen pass in the first couple days of training camp practice as an example of what he does best.
Werner’s actions date back to minicamp and organized team activities, which Allen described as tremendous for the returning linebacker.
The Saints still like Gay’s skillset, of course, but the pickup was not a two-week notice for Werner. It may have felt that way with how Gay’s arrival has controlled the conversation, but this is a true competition. Allen continued: “He’s taken to the challenge and I think he’s done a good job to this point.”
Gay was a standout on Day 1 and Werner has received praise from Allen. Gay versus Werner was one of our battles to watch entering camp, and it seems as if that will remain the case throughout the summer.
