Saints Prepared for P.J. Williams Suspension

Saints were prepared to handle P.J. Williams' substance-abuse violation and two-game suspension by the NFL early in 2019.

Would you agree the New Orleans Saints were already prepared for P.J. Williams to be suspended by the NFL?  The team's preparation begun on or before January 23, 2019.  

On that day, P.J. Williams was arrested in New Orleans for DUI by New Orleans Police.  Williams and his girlfriend were preparing to drive across the Crescent City Connection in his vehicle.  A police officer noticed William's car was being driven in an erratic manner.  The officer stopped Williams, questioned his sobriety, and the ability to drive safely, and decided to arrest him.  He was released after posting bail.  The Saints had to prepare for his pending suspension.

On October 3, 2019, TMZ's tabloid website posted P.J. Williams' arrest video. Today, October 15, 2019, the National Football league suspended Williams for violating the league's substance-abuse policy.  The news of a player's suspension would have jolted most front-offices of NFL teams, but not the New Orleans Saints.  The Saints were prepared.

Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

The preparation began last season when the Saints' scouting department had their eyes on a young and confident cornerback from the University of Florida.  His name.  Chauncey Gardner-Johnson.  Before being drafted by the Saints in the 4th round of the 2019 NFL Draft, Gardner-Johnson made a name for himself in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) as a defensive star for the University of Florida Gators.  He had the mental and physical tools to graduate and play on Sunday afternoons in the National Football League.   

Saints defensive backfield coach Aaron Glenn at Saints Rookie 2019 Mini-Camp in May said of Gardner-Johnson, "he's exciting and limitless on what this player can do."  Glenn told reporters he met Chauncey years ago at a camp while he was in high school, they butted heads then, but it was good to have a player to hold his own.  On the Saints' decision to draft Gardner-Johnson, "We saw speed. We saw smarts.  We saw a body, ...not afraid to take on a lineman and being able to take on these big backs we have now (in the league)".

Chauncey Gardner-Johnson - Florida Gators - Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

New Orleans drafted well selecting Gardner-Johnson.  In March of 2018, the team brought back the services of their former 2010 first-round draft choice, Patrick Robinson, after he recently won a Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles.  The team signed Patrick Robinson because of P.J. Williams' inconsistent play in the 2016 and 2017 seasons.  Unfortunately, after playing only a few games, Robinson injured and tore ligaments in his ankle against the Atlanta Falcons.  New Orleans was forced to place him on the Injured Reserve list for the remainder of the season.  Enter again, P.J. Williams.  Williams had an opportunity to regain major playing time as the Saints' nickel cornerback due to Robinson's injury after his subpar seasons in New Orleans.  Williams' grew as a defensive back in 2018 and help the Saints get to the NFC Championship game against the Rams.

The Saints had a plan.  Gardner-Johnson has increased his playing time in the defensive backfield.  Against the Jaguars, he had an open field tackle on Leonard Fournette and brought down the 228-pound running back to create a fourth down and punt. Proof Gardner-Johnson is not afraid to "mix it up" and "get physical" with the NFL's best. 

Credit goes to Mickey Loomis and Sean Payton when they prepared to bring in defensive talent from free agency and through the draft.  After Williams' arrest, they had knowledge a void would exist in the New Orleans Saints defense.  P.J. Williams suspension means Chauncey Gardner-Johnson and Patrick Robinson will be ready the next two-games for Dennis Allen's defensive unit.   A seasoned veteran and a bright young player are more than ready to handle the void left by Williams' suspension.