Russell Gage Focus: “Being A Favorite Target”
March 18th, 2022
New Bucs receiver Russell Gage
Joe’s been busy combing through interviews of the Bucs’ new additions.
Perhaps Joe’s favorite new signing (too hard to pick one yet) is receiver Russell Gage, the four-year Falcons speedster who lands in Tampa as a player on the rise.
First, Joe likes that Gage has proven himself under multiple offensive coordinators, and that he’s been around an elite quarterback and the expectations that come with that reality.
No, Joe’s not comparing Matt Ryan to Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers, but the four-time Pro Bowler has been a picture of professionalism through his 14 seasons in Atlanta. And he’s certainly known for his work ethic and consistency, like any top tier quarterback.
That tells Joe that playing for Tom Brady won’t be a shock to Gage’s system.
In a chat with 92.9 FM last year, Gage talked about his keys to the 2021 season. He wanted to improve on the top of his routes and in traffic, but he said the biggest thing is always honing timing with a quarterback knowing precisely what his role is on every snap.
“That’s always the No. 1 thing in being successful, you know, being a favorite target in a sense. If you’re always in the right spot at the right time, everything works out,” Gage said.
The more study Joe puts in on Gage, the more Joe thinks he’s going to hit the ground flying, and that he won’t throw furniture or quit on the Bucs.
March 18th, 2022 at 11:40 am
He won’t throw furniture…lol
March 18th, 2022 at 11:43 am
Something tells me this signing also helped along the Godwin signing.
March 18th, 2022 at 11:43 am
And we have our top 3 wideouts locked down for a few more years. Nice.
March 18th, 2022 at 11:44 am
Should be interesting to see where the furniture throwing quitter ends up. Thought they would have signed Gronk, Lenny, and Suh by now?
March 18th, 2022 at 11:45 am
Julio Jones has one more year left, hope we can sign him cheap.
March 18th, 2022 at 11:46 am
If you want the ball from Brady, simple, just make the catch consistently. Something the 4,5,6,7, receivers on the Bucs need to learn.
To me signing Gage was a big wake up call to the other receivers not named Mike E or Chris G
BTW Joe what kind of leash is Darden on this year, he totally crapped the bed last year. There was only the faintest glimpse of hope with him, that he could actually perform the way he was publicly talked about by the Coaches.
GO BUCS!!!!
March 18th, 2022 at 11:47 am
Exactly what Brady is looking for in his receivers. Hopefully, he’s unselfish like Evans and Godwin. Winning is the most important part of the game. Not padding your personal stats.
March 18th, 2022 at 11:49 am
Good signing! Productive depth that can produce when called upon. This signing would’ve been rendered unnecessary if Miller or Johnson stepped up.
As they say it’s the NFL, NOT FOR LONG if you don’t produce.
March 18th, 2022 at 12:00 pm
I have to admit I was very surprised by this signing…..just didn’t see it coming with all our needs….the entire focus on Godwin…..this has to be Brady inspired and….being in the right place sounds like what Brady liked about AB…..
Who am I to question the priorities….but it sure seems to me we still have some very important pieces to sign.
And, sooner or later we may just run out of restructures…..
Licht to Gage…”Hey Russell, I know we just signed you to a new contract….but can you do us a favor and agree to a restructure?”
March 18th, 2022 at 12:08 pm
Buc4evr Says … Suh signed March 24th last year. He was the last of the returning starters. If Suh resigns it will likely be next week.
March 18th, 2022 at 12:22 pm
Tbbucsfan
I disagree I think this signing was essential to keep our offense rolling. The Bucs needed someone to replace AB. A WR 3 is crucial for this offense and we’ll see if Gage can live up to expections.
I will say that Gage might still be a bit of an unknown the cause the Falcons system is known be very WR friendly so its unclear if Gage will thrive in BAs scheme or just be average
March 18th, 2022 at 12:24 pm
I Gage that Russell will not throw furniture. That’s my prognostication!
March 18th, 2022 at 12:27 pm
He is a true pro which AB was not. Arguably an upgrade.
March 18th, 2022 at 12:38 pm
Tbbucs3
I’m not saying it’s a bad signing….just a surprise we spent $10 mil on a #3 early-on,,,,,,
Thought we might draft a WR or bring in an inexpensive vet…
I’m happy with the signing as long as it doesn’t keep us from Gronk & Lenny
March 18th, 2022 at 1:02 pm
Brate can be a Gronk & we need to sign playoff Lenny n Suh
March 18th, 2022 at 1:14 pm
Oh to have been a fly on the wall wherever it was that AB first learned of Gage’s $10M per fully guaranteed contract to play 3rd receiver for the Buccaneers……
I envision furniture, bicycles and who knows what else flying against those walls…
March 18th, 2022 at 1:24 pm
If only AB could have kept his s##t together, who knows how last year ends, as well as moving forward. But asking him to keep it together is like asking the sun not to rise…
March 18th, 2022 at 1:25 pm
I predict that there’ll be many games this year in which Gage will lead the team in catches.
March 18th, 2022 at 1:27 pm
Great addition. Our offense when all 3WR were on the field last year along with Gronk was unstoppable. That 3RD WR is so important in todays NFL. Going to see the Bucs running a ton of 3WR 1TD sets this year while having a back come out of the backfield to catch passes too. With all of our signings we just need to get Gronk, Lenny, and then focus on ppl that can get to the QB. We get to the QB consistently next year and this team will be so hard to beat.
March 18th, 2022 at 1:45 pm
If Brate can be a Gronk, why hasn’t he been Gronk yet? It’s because he’s not and he can’t.
March 18th, 2022 at 2:02 pm
My favorite signing for sure… This dude is on the rise. Entering his prime and is hungry. Tom Brady is going to turn him into an absolute weapon and his addition should light a fire under the younger guys who didn’t really rise to the occasion last season.
March 18th, 2022 at 6:17 pm
I think our 1st priority should be finding a stud pass rusher not more receivers
March 18th, 2022 at 7:33 pm
I actually really like this guy..Russell Gage. I looked back at a couple of his past interviews and he seems to be very professional and has a good head on his shoulders. Something that is the complete opposite of Antonio Brown. These are just my first impressions and I hope they hold true. He talks a lot about the importance of the wide receiver and quarterback connection and he seems to want what his quarterback wants of him. I think Tom Brady is really gonna love this guy.
March 18th, 2022 at 7:35 pm
I actually really like this guy..Russell Gage. I looked back at a couple of his past interviews and he seems to be very professional and has a good head on his shoulders. Something that is the complete opposite of Antonio Brown. These are just my first impressions and I hope they hold true. He talks a lot about the importance of the wide receiver and quarterback connection and he seems to want what his quarterback wants of him. I think Tom Brady is really gonna love this guy.
March 18th, 2022 at 8:00 pm
Whike I like the signing , I was hoping for JuJu. He would of ben cheaper and just as good.
March 19th, 2022 at 7:05 pm
JuJu is a “DIVA” and a distraction ! Glad he signed with KC .. Wait until he’s not getting his 10 catches a game cuz he’s behind T. Hill and Kelce he’ll be a locker room poison for the Chiefs.. Happy to have RG , now we need Fornette and GRONK .. Also Suh , and if not Suh Fletcher Cox is a FA and would be a beast next to Vita .. Go Bucs .. LISTNFRMAFAR – YOUR A FAKE BUC FAN AND SHOULD GO ROOT FOR YOUR NINERS !!! BANDWAGON 🐂💩 FAN