“We Just Gotta Use Him More And More”
January 11th, 2023
Receiver Russell Gage got quite an endorsement from head coach Todd Bowles.
Gage has 51 catches and 5 touchdowns in 13 games this season, and it has not been a good season for him, despite catching a career high 73 percent of the balls thrown his way. Hey, that’s the same percentage as surehanded Chris Godwin!
Gage, 27, the Bucs’ big-money free agent signing, has battled injuries since training camp and hasn’t flashed the yards-after-catch skills and dynamic play he was known for in Atlanta. Still he’s a valuable asset and by all accounts is getting a lot healthier.
Bowles lauded Gage yesterday on the Buccaneers Radio Network and said the Bucs need to get him the rock.
“He’s comin’ on. I mean, he’s really comin’ on,” Bowles said. “His worth ethic and his toughness on the field goes unmatched. Obviously, his blocking and his catching skills — we just gotta use him more and more.”
Bowles added that Gage did not sustain a significant injury against the Falcons on Sunday and he’ll be ready for Monday night’s playoff game.
Joe was surprised to hear Bowles drop that kind of love on Gage. Unmatched work ethic and toughness? That’s a guy who plays alongside Godwin and Mike Evans!
Whatever this season was about for Gage, it’s in the rearview mirror. Monday would be a great time to see the electric guy the Bucs signed in March, presumably with a strong recommendation from Tom Brady.
January 11th, 2023 at 9:07 am
Good news. Great WR corps when healthy.
January 11th, 2023 at 9:10 am
&
#83
January 11th, 2023 at 9:20 am
I’d like to see 83 get involved on every drive
Gage is great for a 3rd down catch here and there
January 11th, 2023 at 9:22 am
So, Toad, who is the head coach? Oh that’s right. You are. Have you ever heard about the concept of adjusting your game plans to better favor certain matchups? You know that you could tell your offense to adjust so that Evans gets more deep balls AND Gage gets more targets? Yes! You can do that as head coach.
I know, crazy notion.
Why don’t you lock yourself and your moron who calls the offense in a closet with some cartoon videos for a couple weeks and let the professionals figure it out for themselves. I mean nothing more needs to be said, right?
January 11th, 2023 at 9:37 am
His back hurts every time he gets hit…….
January 11th, 2023 at 9:41 am
Gage is a gamer….takes some beatings for the team
January 11th, 2023 at 9:46 am
Gage was a good sign! If he can get healthy for the playoffs he is a strong 3rd receiver. JJ doesn’t look to be too healthy. Maybe JJ makes 5 snaps if that.
January 11th, 2023 at 10:46 am
Ive always said if a receiver hits the 60 catch mark in a 16 game season, thats considered good. He caught 51 in just 13 games while basically playing hurt most of the season. Id say im satisfied with him as a player. I would love his numbers in a full 17 game season fully healthy.
January 11th, 2023 at 11:03 am
Use him as much as you can, we need all the help we can get. Just don’t let Gabbert throw it, he tends to get receivers killed.
January 11th, 2023 at 11:28 am
The only way to use #17 more is to quit running up the middle on first and second downs. Does Bowles even talk to Leftwurst? Dysfunctional coaching is killing this team. I hope something happens this week to change the gameplan against Dallas….
January 11th, 2023 at 11:51 am
He can use his toughness to block for Mike Evans.
January 11th, 2023 at 12:00 pm
Why did the Bucs offense suck this season????
Because they could only ByRUN to the LEFTwich
LOL
January 11th, 2023 at 12:25 pm
Agree with those calling for more pass attempts to #83. Thompkins may be smallish in stature but plays like he is 6′ 3 and 220. Love the heart and determination he has shown. The Bucs have not had a lot of that this season. Come on Lefty, recognize this and call more plays to the guy.
January 11th, 2023 at 12:49 pm
WR situation should be better next year if we can start the year with our top 3 healthy. Add an early round burner, use Thompkins situationally, and the offense should be able to rock if Bowles makes a smart choice on O-coordinator.
January 11th, 2023 at 1:15 pm
Gronk would have been a far more effective use of the money, or perhaps a LG to replace Marpet
He has done better lately, but at 10 mil to be the 3rd WR I would not say this has been a good value
January 11th, 2023 at 2:14 pm
There’s lots of places money was wasted if you wanna go there. Has VV, Davis, Shaq, or Donnie earned their money? That’s a lot of chedda right there.
January 11th, 2023 at 2:28 pm
Would like to see more of Scotty Miller
January 11th, 2023 at 2:29 pm
The aging of the Bucs, Shaq and Donovan Smith are on the decline.
Davis is still of age to play at a good level for a few more years.
Vea has really been disappointing. He started out the year like he was going to have 10 sacks and just kind of coasted through the back half of the season.
I only can hope he remembers being on the Super Bowl boat and plays like he wants it again. He was vicious in the ’20 playoffs.
The other character that needs to forget his hype and make some game changing plays is Mr Devin White. Some games I zero in on JTS and also on White and they both are being pushed around in the running game. Neither of them are playing with physicality. White deserves some better coaching.
An aging Lavonte David is a much more impactful player in the games the Bucs have won than White.
January 11th, 2023 at 6:28 pm
Gage is the key! He’s a legitimate WR3 when healthy. He always finds a way to get open. His release off the line is so great. He was the star of training camp until he got injured. There’s a reason why Brady called him up and sold him on the team. I remember during the offseason, Brady was vocal about him stepping up and saying the team paid him and he’s needs to produce. I was shocked Brady said that publicly. I’ve never seen him be so blunt about one player. Brady trusts him and has targeted him in key situations. He needs more targets. I know fans want Evans to get every single target a game, but the ball needs to be spread out. To me, that’s the key to really unlocking this offense.
January 11th, 2023 at 6:59 pm
Goatfarmer is T-max. Moron full of hate. Go Bucs!
January 11th, 2023 at 9:08 pm
Reacharound87, hey girl! I love the Bucs! Todd Blowes is a great coach, only surpassed by Bmoron Leftardwich. They coached our Bucs to a great season! Yay! Even though the Bucs lost more games than they won, I know my team is doing great and trying their hardest! It takes special skill to get 8 wins out of a 13 win team! I’m with you, girl! My coaches and team right or wrong, except they’re always right because they’re our team! Yay!
Pom poms!