Football Outsiders: Watch Russell Gage Blow Up
July 5th, 2022
Explosive season ahead?
It is always tricky for a Bucs fan like Joe to use the phrase “blow up” on and around the Fourth of July. But in this case, it’s a good thing.
Bryan Knowles of Football Outsiders, typing for BSPN, took part in a Football Outsiders project that chose the most underrated player on each team.
For the Bucs, Knowles seems to think the choice was easy: newcomer wide receiver Russell Gage. Knowles is of the mind in a high-powered offense like the Bucs’, where defenses have to be somewhat honest against the run, Gage will, yes, blow up.
Gage is more than just your run-of-the-mill slot receiver. He is a phenomenal route runner with the ability to consistently work himself open at the short and intermediate areas of the field. He has seen his [advanced stats] increase every year he’s been in the league, and his [advanced stats] over the past two seasons has him in the top 50 wideouts. Now, he gets to move from one of the worst offenses in the league to the finely tuned unit in Tampa Bay. Look out.
Joe cannot go there for one simple reason: Joe has yet to see Gage on a practice field.
Gage suffered a mysterious injury this spring and it kept him off the practice fields of One Buc Palace for organized practices and minicamp (though Gage was photographed catching passes while working out on his own).
Joe is fond of Football Outsiders and will bow to their analysis. It would be a whole lot more comforting if Joe could have at least seen Gage catch passes from Tom Brady and fan favorite Blaine Gabbert.
July 5th, 2022 at 8:27 am
We NEED for him to Blow Up!
God knows we paid enough money for him, and we need him to lessen the pain of being w/o Chris Godwin.
Hey, off topic a little, I heard we are going to send Perriman on his way ?
July 5th, 2022 at 8:31 am
He doesn’t need to blow up…..simply be consistent and shore up our receiving corps until Godwin returns……
July 5th, 2022 at 8:54 am
Top 50! Is that supposed to be impressive? I hope he’s better than that. Maybe it will change in Tampa. Let’s get him in the top twenty at least. GOBUCS!
July 5th, 2022 at 9:25 am
For the #3 on your team to be top 50 that is impressive.
July 5th, 2022 at 9:26 am
TBBF, right on! No need to be a star. Just be a competent receiver in the absence of Godwin. If he should blow up (in a good way), it’s icing on the cake.
July 5th, 2022 at 9:42 am
Not a fan of this signing, outside of two 100 yard games he average a pitiful 40 yards receiving a game.
July 5th, 2022 at 10:10 am
I can easily imagine him blowing up! Sometimes when a guy gets on the right team with the right set of WR’s he becomes a star.
Sadly that also works in reverse. Remember Alvin Harper? He looked great in Dallas because he had Michael Irvin as the #1 on the other side. He came here and the move from #2 to #1 exposed him.
Gage will be paired with ME13! He’ll have the GOAT passing, and a top offensive line to make that pass game click. I think the “Outsiders” are spot on!
As with EVERY player on the Bucs…health is the major concern. It only takes one missed block for TB12 to go down. Nobody is immune.
July 5th, 2022 at 10:32 am
He could be an excellent signing if he can get healthy by training camp and help us keep the chains moving while Godwin heals up.
July 5th, 2022 at 10:42 am
@Eddie Marz: a “Top 50” as a #3 in the slot is a big dealio, especially since the #1 & #2 are “Top 10” guys…
I expect the word “Gage” to be on the lips of Buc fans often this season.
July 5th, 2022 at 11:00 am
Gage has gone from an offense that ranked in the bottom third of the league with the Falcons in 2021, to getting signed to an offense that will probably be top 10 or 5 in terms of offensive production in 2022. Plenty of opportunities for a guy like Gage, hopefully keeping him inactive during OTAs was just precautionary and not some conspiracy level ailment that’ll drag on throughout the year, but I kind of get what his peers and the staff see in him.
July 5th, 2022 at 11:04 am
Brady will throw him open.
July 5th, 2022 at 11:33 am
If he is 80 to 90% of AB but with great attitude he’s a winner winner chicken dinner!
July 5th, 2022 at 11:34 am
let’s see if he straps up in training camp, not too worried about a vet in mini camp. my only concern is seeing #17 on a Benn’d around. LFG, remember TB12 recruited this guy and he respects CG14 & ME 13…
July 5th, 2022 at 12:37 pm
In order for him to blow up, Evans, CG, and Lenny will all have to have issues. I do not and cannot see that happening. We just need him to get open and catch the ball. This is the third season of the GOAT for a lot of our younger receivers. They will be getting those AB snaps and looks during training camp as well. Besides availability, the best talent Gage brings to this team is the ability to complement and fit in with this roster.
July 5th, 2022 at 12:37 pm
If he is truly what they say he is Brady will insure he blows up, if he doesn’t he was a bust.
July 5th, 2022 at 3:49 pm
I feel that Russel Gage’s hands are better than any other wide receiver not named Chris Godwin. Mike Evans is a great playmaker, but Gage is the type of guy who gets open in soft zones and finds wholes to make catches. He was the type of receiver we were missing against the Rams and Saints, one who gets open quickly and can tear up zone coverage. That is exactly what he did in Atlanta versus us
July 5th, 2022 at 4:16 pm
IF he can get over this Mysterious injury by the time training camp begins & work with Brady –he should be good , capable receiver while Evans draws double coverage…
BUT , if he can’t work with Brady due to injury ; we could be in trouble ,given Sept schedule .
July 6th, 2022 at 8:49 am
I think Gage coming into TB with TB is going to help him find his place since he was doing a good job in one of the lowest ranked offenses in the league. I’d also like to know who the F ever said Blaine Gabbert was a fan favorite?? Cause I know for damn sure he’s not even close to a favorite for me..
July 9th, 2022 at 11:43 am
32 teams with at least 5/6 WRs on each team, Gage being “IN THE TOP 50” is very good ! Just cuz he said the number 50 doesn’t mean anything except he’s a good if not great WR. Simple math