“Crushing It”
March 24th, 2022
One former Pro Bowler and Super Bowl winner in the national media pays a tremendous amount of attention to the NFC South, perhaps more than any of his colleagues.
Joe’s referring to retired receiver Ed McCaffrey. Hey, when your son is the Panthers’ best player, it’s no surprise that you’re dialed into all things in the division.
Joe enjoys listening to McCaffrey on SiriusXM NFL Radio because the Stanford grad is smart, reasoned, and never peddles in hot takes. (He’s also a huge Mike Evans fan, so that’s a bonus, too.)
Today McCaffrey was talking about underrated moves in free agency across the NFL and put his spotlight on new Bucs receiver Russell Gage, the versatile former Falcons receiver that just bagged $10 million per year from Tampa Bay. McCaffrey is very impressed with Gage, who he said was “crushing it” and developing in Atlanta.
McCaffrey viewed Tom Brady as a quarterback worn down mentally late last season by the loss of Chris Godwin and Antonio Brown, among other injuries to Bucs receivers. The situation may have even jolted Brady into retirement, McCaffrey believes, before he realized he wasn’t ready.
In McCaffrey’s mind, adding Gage was critical to Brady’s I’m-coming-back-so-how-will-we-upgrade mindset.
The Bucs sure are fortunate to have added an explosive 26-year-old receiver who has averaged 62 catches a year over the past three seasons. And now he’s going to get a lot less attention from defenses.
March 24th, 2022 at 1:46 pm
With Evans and Godwin at #1 and #2, can you imagine the mismatches Gage will see against the #3 corner? I envision a productive year for all 3.
Geez, I didn’t even mention what it will look like if Gronk comes back. And now, we have Lenny back for those all-so-important wheel routes out of the backfield.
Wow this offense is shaping up to look like a potential powerhouse or juggernaut. If most can stay healthy, look for a dominant Offense this year.
GO BUCS!!
March 24th, 2022 at 1:54 pm
McCaffrey is a great pleasure to listen to–thoughtful, astute, and measured. His takes are really worthwhile.
March 24th, 2022 at 2:04 pm
Loaded at receiver right now…and once GRONK gets back…look out! But Godwin might take awhile till he is fully ready to get back on the field
March 24th, 2022 at 2:28 pm
Gage got out just in time, with Matty Ice leaving. Who is going to throw the ball in ATL next year.
Great move by him.
March 24th, 2022 at 2:40 pm
Sounds like they’d draft another WR early just in case. We have to keep TB12 wanting to play in tampa. Give him all the weapons and more.
March 24th, 2022 at 2:46 pm
Looking at Atlanta’s salary CAP, they probably had no choice but to let Russell Gage go. Their salary CAP position is an absolute mess, even AFTER trading Matt Ryan. They now sit at MINUS $1.2 mil salary CAP with 61 players signed, but some very large holes in their roster.
Their Dead CAP tells most of the story: MINUS $62 mil right now. Of that, over $60 mil can be attributed to Matt Ryan ($40.5 mil), Julio Jones ($15.5 mil) and Dante Fowler ($4.7 mil). Hard to compete when you have no bonafide starting QB & have had to sell off large chunks of your roster just to stay within the salary CAP confines. Bummer for them (yeah for us).
March 24th, 2022 at 2:53 pm
D-Rok … ‘If most can stay healthy, look for a dominant Offense this year’.
I agree with you D-Rok, but our offense was dominant last year too. Even though we’ve got a tougher schedule this year, we SHOULD be able to win the division & make it into the playoffs. The whole NFC looks like it could be weaker this year than last year, but you never know until the games are played.
AFC on the other hand looks to me like they’ll be much tougher overall, especially the Bills, Chargers, Colts, Raiders & Bengals. They’ve all made some pretty good improvements this off-season.
March 24th, 2022 at 3:00 pm
@DR,
I agree they were dominant (at times) last year. I should have re-phrased it to say, “More consistently dominant offense this year vs. last.” There were some games last year where the offense just couldn’t consistently play up to their talent level – the Saints game comes to mind.
I always enjoy your thoughtful analysis and you always come with stats to add credence to your argument – I appreciate that!!
March 24th, 2022 at 3:17 pm
I thought the Russell Gage acquisition would cost us an important player or two….so far, that’s not the case…..I never cease to be amazed at Licht & crew…..
We have a very solid corps of receivers (top 4) …..and you can never have enough WRs.
If we can get more development from Johnson, Grayson, Miller & Darden….that would be icing on the cake.
March 24th, 2022 at 3:28 pm
Licht has transform the Bucs and retired El Realisto.
LFG!!!!!!!!!
March 24th, 2022 at 3:39 pm
Russell Gage is the insurance that Brady will have an open target when a heavy pass rush is expected. Instead of holding it a half-second longer than he should, or throwing the ball away, expect Brady to get the ball quickly out to an open Gage for a first down.
March 24th, 2022 at 3:40 pm
Didn’t think I’d say this a few years ago but Licht is reaching ring of honor status, 1 more championship and he might get HOF status
March 24th, 2022 at 4:14 pm
We don’t have to imagine what this offense will look like. It will be just like when AB was playing, except the baggage. TB12 expects his WR to win 1v1 and Gage brings that. When CG12 and AB left, our offense stalled bc we had no true depth like we thought we did.
March 24th, 2022 at 4:37 pm
Christian Mc is available for trade while as a full time runner and Las catcher he will get hurt in Tampa with Brady he could be an amazing addition.
March 24th, 2022 at 10:06 pm
I know they don’t speak the king’s English up there in Mass, but those 3 sentences that NE Pats fan just tried to cram into one are incoherent.
March 24th, 2022 at 10:44 pm
D-Rok… all important wheel routes? Last time we completed a wheel route to a RB I think it was to Charles Sims… they’re so darn important though, right? 🤡
March 25th, 2022 at 4:20 pm
Sign Edelman for some loose change, a few rides on Brady’s yacht, and free beer at the Super Bowl parade.
March 27th, 2022 at 5:34 pm
How can Gronk NOT come back? He and Brady could legitimately be called “Butch and Sundance of the NFL. With the team they have, they are already top five in the league.
Gronk has a choice, a great opportunity for another ring, or a big paycheck with a potentially obscure team.
Prediction : he’ll be back with Tom. Yea !