Stealing From Your Rival
March 15th, 2022
Bucs sign an accomplished receiver!
UPDATED 2:23 p.m. – In one stroke of the pen, Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht weakened a division foe and bolstered his own roster today.
The Bucs landed Dixie Chicks receiver Russell Gage, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Gage has averaged over 10 yards a catch since entering the league in 2018, including 66 catches for 770 yards and four touchdowns last season. He was a sixth-round pick of Atlanta in 2018, a year in which the Bucs drafted a wide receiver in the fifth round, Justin Watson. So Joe suspects the Bucs did a ton of homework on Gage and have realized he outperformed their expectations.
Gage, 26, sure smells like a classic guy chasing a ring on a one-year deal looking to raise his profile next offseason, except he got a three-year contract for $30 million. Wow! Gage is a great dude to fill-in temporarily for Chris Godwin as the Bucs’ No. 2 receiver while Godwin recovers from his knee surgery.
Certainly, Gage comes Tom Brady approved.
— Russell Gage Jr. (@GageRussell) March 15, 2022
March 15th, 2022 at 2:12 pm
i really like him as a third or 4th for sure good pickup
March 15th, 2022 at 2:14 pm
Nice pickup!
March 15th, 2022 at 2:16 pm
Very nice, he’ll be a solid #3 behind Mike and Chris!
March 15th, 2022 at 2:16 pm
Resign gronk!!!!!
March 15th, 2022 at 2:16 pm
Russell Gage is only 26. Great signing!
March 15th, 2022 at 2:17 pm
4.42 speed.
The new AB?
March 15th, 2022 at 2:17 pm
Nice… This proves what most of us have already known.
Miller
Johnson
Darden
Are not ready for prime time…
Scotty Miller is probably the best of the three.
I still want the Bucs to draft a WR in rounds 1-3.
March 15th, 2022 at 2:20 pm
I really like the fit.
March 15th, 2022 at 2:21 pm
Nice signing. Can focus on getting back Gronk, Lenny, Whitehead and shoring up the lines
March 15th, 2022 at 2:22 pm
I like this signing – can he return kicks/punts (I do not remember in all our games with the dirty birds)
March 15th, 2022 at 2:23 pm
Hopefully he can play all three WR positions. I know Godwin comes inside and plays the slot in three receiver formations, but if there’s one thing I’ve noticed about Evans and CG, they always miss a few games a year.
Can Gage return punts?
March 15th, 2022 at 2:25 pm
Go, Jason, go!!
March 15th, 2022 at 2:26 pm
WR is set, assuming Godwin comes back strong. It also helps the draft strategery.
Decent pick-up. Falcon fans are trashing Gage as a “ring chaser.” As if that’s a bad thing.
Solid signing.
March 15th, 2022 at 2:26 pm
Sweet.
March 15th, 2022 at 2:29 pm
Another big position in the draft filled.
March 15th, 2022 at 2:30 pm
I mean he’s no Kenny Bell but I’ll take him!
March 15th, 2022 at 2:31 pm
I can see Darden getting cut this offseason
March 15th, 2022 at 2:32 pm
Good move… That guy is a speedy receiver..
Still need a monster Back for all this to work out smoothly!
March 15th, 2022 at 2:32 pm
This will affect the last WR on the totem pole…..perhaps Darden or Grayson…
The move is most certainly Brady approved…..
March 15th, 2022 at 2:33 pm
Marine Buc- You stole my thunder! When it was time for those three to shine, they pooped themselves. Especially surprising was Scotty’s fall.
Next man up!
March 15th, 2022 at 2:33 pm
Bro thats massively awesome and good for us
March 15th, 2022 at 2:33 pm
Miller, Grayson, Gage….maybe Breshad Perriman? none of them are capable of what AB was, but all approach their job with no ego and all have torched mismatches as the #4/#5 option in the passing game. I think many of AB’s targets will go to a highly accomplished receiving RB instead of just rolling over to the next best WR
March 15th, 2022 at 2:35 pm
First pick…Zion Johnson or Devonte Wyatt I both are available?
My vote’s Zion…but it’s close!
March 15th, 2022 at 2:36 pm
This needs to be a trenches draft for the 1st 2 rounds.
DT and Guard.
Then BPA next 2 rounds that fills a need we didn’t fill with free agency ( tight end if no Gronk, safety if no white head, RB if no Fournette ) and maybe a wideout
March 15th, 2022 at 2:37 pm
The guy I’d love to see them steal from ATL is Cordalle Patterson
March 15th, 2022 at 2:39 pm
Alaskan Abdominal Snowman Says:
I mean he’s no Kenny Bell but I’ll take him!
_____________________________________
Alaska wins the internet today. LOL!
March 15th, 2022 at 2:41 pm
@ BFM
I’m still hopeful Miller can contribute like he did in 2020. He had a nasty toe injury last year and it limited his abilities…
If Miller, Johnson and Darden don’t pan out it’s not the end of the world. A 4th, 5th and 6th round picks – not too much invested in those three.
March 15th, 2022 at 2:42 pm
Scotty Miller was dealing with a toe injury most of last season. Can’t blame the guy for that. Would like to see him return punts and kickoffs.
I wasn’t the biggest Scotty too Hotty fan early on, but that magical SB season changed my mind in the sense that he can make a defense honest real quick.
March 15th, 2022 at 2:47 pm
“Matt Ryan takes the snap, first read is Pitts, he goes to his second read…which is Pitts, now onto his third read which is Pitts. Matt Ryan, SACKED by Vita Vea for the 8th time this half!”
March 15th, 2022 at 2:47 pm
So the birds lose, Julio, Ridley and Gage in successive years, but they have Pitts, take a way Pitts and Falcons are back in the cellar
March 15th, 2022 at 2:48 pm
Guy has amazing footwork and from what I have seen great route running, high points the ball, and makes moves with the ball in his hands. I predict he will be a top target for Brady looking to get the ball out fast. Great pick up.
March 15th, 2022 at 2:50 pm
This dude is a solid pick-up. Thumbs up!
March 15th, 2022 at 2:51 pm
Bucs 2021 WR depth chart:
1 – Mike Evans
2 – C. Godwin
3 – 1st round pick
4 – R. Gage
5 – S. Miller
6 – T. Johnson
7 – J. Darden
March 15th, 2022 at 2:51 pm
Nice pick-up!! he had some strong games against us last couple years…..
March 15th, 2022 at 2:52 pm
Gage ran half his plays from the slot……
I’m still amazed at Licht……needs Gronk, Lenny, Whitehead, and a bunch of others & still spends money on a FA……cant’ find the deal, but I bet we got him cheap.
My bet is we have 2 new kickers this year.
March 15th, 2022 at 2:53 pm
Gage, Perriman, and Grayson can FLY!!! Look out!! Maybe no need to draft WR this year? Focus on the trenches, LB, RB.
March 15th, 2022 at 2:57 pm
Ok now Jason ask Brady who do want me to sign next.
March 15th, 2022 at 2:57 pm
Love the pick up. Would also love to see Cordarrelle Patterson be recruited by Brady. Not sure what is going on behind closed doors with restructures or cutting players but if we can keep Gronk, Whitehead and add some youth in the front 7 on defense we can be the team to beat in the NFC.
March 15th, 2022 at 2:59 pm
Still need to draft a WR as Godwin has only played a full season twice. Gronk is older, and the rest of the receivers are up and down
March 15th, 2022 at 3:02 pm
Love this pick, good stuff all around!
March 15th, 2022 at 3:06 pm
Gage is a lot better than most of you are giving him credit. He will be the#3 and we wit look at another wr in draft unless a can’t pass Poughkeepsie left up there
March 15th, 2022 at 3:06 pm
Really want us to sign Chandler Jones, extend our players and make more cap space to sign him.
March 15th, 2022 at 3:08 pm
Where is our D-line? What about gronk? He’s very important in this offense.
March 15th, 2022 at 3:09 pm
I don’t see Darden or Johnson making the roster. Grayson and Miller probably make the roster. Still need a return man like Patterson from Falcons.
March 15th, 2022 at 3:09 pm
Bucs need help in the DL. Hopefully, that is their first draft pick. Plus Licht will suss out UDFAs. Cappa is a loss but the DL needs more help than the OL.
March 15th, 2022 at 3:10 pm
I’d like to see what Scotty Miller could do on kick returns
March 15th, 2022 at 3:10 pm
Jalen Darden doesn’t make the team next year.
March 15th, 2022 at 3:12 pm
MarineBuc,
I think I’d replace Darden with Grayson in your list.
March 15th, 2022 at 3:15 pm
MarineBuc
Grayson?
March 15th, 2022 at 3:37 pm
EXCELLENT pickup by Lichit. Gage is exactly the kind of WR needed. Fast, good routes, absolutely solid, can play multiple.
Godwin may need some time to recover.
Gage and Cyril…goodbye, gone TD. I want to see if Scotty can be better in short routes.
I would love to see James White reunited with Brady on a bargain deal.
March 15th, 2022 at 3:38 pm
Think I remember we passed on dline last year because we thought it was a weak draft for it. Looking to me like we are preparing for a draft where we load up on the trenches (maybe an edge rusher and tight end as well.. sorta fit that narrative in a way)
March 15th, 2022 at 3:39 pm
Interesting Atlanta couldn’t hold on to Gage after knowing that Calvin Ridley is suspended indefinitely.
March 15th, 2022 at 3:39 pm
I have a feeling that Gronk is not a priority… they know if he is signing here. If he is, spend your time taking care of other business and get to him next week. They don’t need to pitch him.
March 15th, 2022 at 3:39 pm
Steele James White we resigned for cheap by oats. Too bad we did t nab him
March 15th, 2022 at 3:41 pm
Whitehead to the jets
March 15th, 2022 at 3:43 pm
Whitehead is gone. Is safety now a need?
March 15th, 2022 at 3:44 pm
jets announcing signing of jordan whitehead
March 15th, 2022 at 3:45 pm
SC Bucs Fan gronk will be back. I don’t have any doubts about that.
March 15th, 2022 at 3:46 pm
Good work J. Licht !
March 15th, 2022 at 3:49 pm
Perriman is a FA.
But i wouldn’t mind adding him for cheap.
March 15th, 2022 at 4:20 pm
Licht playing chess, all other GMs are playing checkers
March 15th, 2022 at 4:52 pm
Tyler Johnson is on a prove it in camp contract as a rookie.
Grayson is Brady’s project.
Gage just walked into the AB role and will do it without the theatrics.
March 15th, 2022 at 4:56 pm
@ Dooosh/Jmark
If Grayson can stay healthy for more than 10 catches I might agree with you guys.
Remember – he is a track guy who transitioned into football. He looked good in limited action then got hurt…
Darden is a 4th round pick – JL doesn’t usually give up on his guys. It happens (MJ Stewart, J. Evans) but its rare.
March 15th, 2022 at 5:02 pm
and 5 years ago y’all were hanging Jason in effigy.
March 15th, 2022 at 5:28 pm
Love the Gage signing. Learned last year you can’t count on Tyler Johnson and Darden doesn’t belong.
March 15th, 2022 at 5:36 pm
Wooooah, 3 years 30 mil for Gage???
March 15th, 2022 at 6:22 pm
Another fantastic signing and I almost feel bad for ripping Licht for franchising Godwin and rewarding Carlton for missing games. I guess I’m the idiot for not realizing that we are totally all in for this year. Lol, f the future, I am stoked man!
March 15th, 2022 at 6:22 pm
Obviously this is a good move. Gage is joining the Biskit Offense with Tom throwing him the ball. He will put up numbers.
But he is not the #3 WR. Chris will be on the shelf. Gage is our #2. By the time Chis gets back we have no idea how our WR room will look. Gage will be a big part of this offense.
I like Grayson but we need more competition for him, Johnson and Miller aint cutting it for me. I hear theres lots of option in the draft.
March 15th, 2022 at 6:35 pm
Great move.
Do we agree that Cyril Grayson is #4 right now? Tom really likes the kid and I do too.
Jason, you are Killin it man.
Props and thank you.
March 15th, 2022 at 6:39 pm
He was my second choice after Juju. His advanced metrics are in elite company, and he actually plays better on the outside than the slot where Godwin will be. Fantastic signing! I’m still on board for Bucs drafting a receiver in first 2 rounds because we saw how stagnant the offense becomes when one of our top 3 guys go down. I would prefer to not see Tyler Johnson need to take the field! LFG
March 15th, 2022 at 7:51 pm
amazing he killed us when we played the dirty birds. we’re loaded now we need #7 to sign need a back
March 15th, 2022 at 8:15 pm
I like stealing Pitch.
go steal honey badger next