“Wakem Up Russ”
August 5th, 2023
Russell Gage
A lot of players have a mantra to stay motivated. Not everyone puts an official name on it.
Russell Gage is one of those guys. Every since he landed with the Falcons out of college during the 2018 NFL Draft, he’s lived by the slogan, “Wakem Up Russ.”
“I’ve had the brand since I’ve been in the NFL,” Gage told WDAE radio.
In fact, Gage is so serious about “Wakem Up Russ,” he spelled it out letter by letter for fans during the interview.
“It’s just something I kind of live by,” Gage said. “You know, I was supposed to be an undrafted guy; I got drafted in the sixth round. I was supposed to be just a special teams guy, became a starting receiver. Just kind of proving a lot of people wrong, beating odds. I know after last year I’ve got some waking up to do.”
A key to waking up Bucs fans to the greatness of Gage is health, which has avoided Gage since arrving in Tampa before last season.
Yesterday, Todd Bowles said Gage’s bad hamstring is 100 percent healthy but he needs to get into training camp shape. Gage said last year he couldn’t “create separation” and that’s what will bring a major difference this season … if he can stay healthy.
Wakem up, Russ!
August 5th, 2023 at 11:03 am
We’re going to have a great group of receivers. Unless we keep 8 I don’t think the Warner kid is going to make the team.
August 5th, 2023 at 11:31 am
Bucs got off this weekend. Since no practice do they get the whole weekend off or are there meetings and film review players must attend?
August 5th, 2023 at 11:32 am
I think Palmer ends up practice squad at best, going by Joe’s practice reporting, he seems to drop a bunch
August 5th, 2023 at 11:48 am
Mostly unprotected
August 5th, 2023 at 11:51 am
Key players on the offense this year…….Russell Gage, Cade Otton & Rachaad White.
….
On defense……Shaq Barrett, Devin White & Calajah Kancey
August 5th, 2023 at 12:17 pm
I think you can protect two players on the practice squad.
August 5th, 2023 at 12:18 pm
Oh, is it four?
August 5th, 2023 at 12:20 pm
I looked it up. It is four.
August 5th, 2023 at 12:24 pm
I think they’ve got to clear waivers, though.
August 5th, 2023 at 12:38 pm
Now this is the type of “Woke” I can get behind!
Wakem Up Russ!
August 5th, 2023 at 1:17 pm
Underachieving, or not available Gage sounds more appropriate. Anything we get from him is gravy. Moving On Gage may be better because he aint worth $10 million a year.
August 5th, 2023 at 1:19 pm
When Canales was asked what receivers he is excited about behind the top 3, he said Palmer for sure. As a drafted guy, I doubt it’s the practice squad “At Best” Beej.
Everyone has dropped balls and Palmer has “Real” speed according to Canales.
Guy was a 5 star recruit for LSU, but left because they had Chase and Jefferson, 2 Top 5 NFL talents.
Speed doesn’t necessarily mean good, just ask John Ross.
Palmer is way better than Ross though, and I’m not concerned over a few dropped passes that Joe saw from the sideline. Was it tipped? Was it a bad pass? WE DONT KNOW YET.
I am excited for preseason to make my own evaluation with my own eyes.
I have already seen several conflicting reports on play between this site and others. Just look at the TD pass from Trask to Evans. Its not a TD when JTS plants you on your arse.
August 5th, 2023 at 2:39 pm
Is that his new jersey number or the over/under on games missed this year.
August 5th, 2023 at 3:16 pm
Let’s hope Gage can finish training camp and preseason without another injury that would sideline him again. IMO he’s been a miserable dissapointment since day 1 last year. He had some garbage time stats late in the season. Good for him but he was virtually invisible when things really mattered. For him to have had another hamstring injury this year tells me he was on the couch playing video games this off-season when he should of been taking care of his body. Either way one more injury and no team will ever give him a hefty contract again.
August 5th, 2023 at 4:00 pm
I’ve been a Gage defender since we got him, but “Wakem Up Russ” is so lame, I might have to renounce that support.
Who thinks that’s a good idea? And why don’t any of his family or friends tell him he’s a cornball?
August 5th, 2023 at 7:01 pm
Gage is bust free agent signing, he will get injured again this season
August 5th, 2023 at 7:09 pm
Sounds like Palmer is another Kenny Bell. Oh well, at least there are some other promising youngsters.
August 6th, 2023 at 5:47 am
He has ha the brand?!?
WTF
Geez!
Go Bucs!