Antoine Winfield Offers A Scouting Report On Russell Gage

May 17th, 2022

Who better to ask about new Bucs free agent receiver Russell Gage than a guy who had to cover him and gameplan for him.

The Bucs paid the former Falcons receiver big money, $10 million per year, to be their No. 3 receiver. But more important, Gage will be the Bucs’ No. 2 until Chris Godwin returns from knee surgery recovery.

Gage served as a No. 1 and No. 2 receiver in Atlanta, and the No. 3.

Bucs Pro Bowl safety Antoine Winfield, Jr., was very enthusiastic today about Gage when asked about him by The Sage of Tampa Bay Sports, Ira Kaufman.

“I think he’s a perfect slot for our system, being in that slot receiver position,” Winfield said of Gage. “Playing against him, he’s tough in there. So I think we’re going to utilize him just fine in that area. He’s smart. He has good routes. He’s shifty. He’s crafty. I like his game a lot. Very versatile.”

The Packers, Cowboys, Chiefs and Saints — the Bucs’ first four opponents — all have new big-name receivers on their rosters, replacing other big names like Amari Cooper, Tyreek Hill and Davante Adams.

If Gage can adjust and fit in faster than all of them, the Bucs will be in very good shape.


Miss it yesterday? Enjoy it today. It’s another can’t-miss Ira Kaufman Podcast!

Ira Argues A 3-1 Start Versus A 2-2 Prediction, Talks Reality Check On Tom Brady’s Future, A Mike Evans Question, Luke Goedeke Fit & Much More

12 Responses to “Antoine Winfield Offers A Scouting Report On Russell Gage”

  1. Chris Tucker@Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa Says:

    The Saints have 2 new receivers, so we are not alone in the new receiver department.
    We are depending on Gage to step up until Chris Godwin gets back, and those are big shoes to fill.

  2. BillyBucco Says:

    I’m not too worried about Gage missing OTAs.
    He needs to get in rhythm with Brady anyway who wasn’t there.

    Really excited to see what he brings to this team and Brady should find chemistry with him rather quickly.

    Tom is used to having no name receivers and still win Championships.
    I’m not talking Randy Moss or the few he HAS had.

    I’m saying he has never really needed a ME, CG and AB on the same team.
    Also really hoping Darden turns a corner and maybe we found something with Sterns and Geiger.

    Hoping for the best but preparing like not having CG will take it’s toll.

  3. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    Gage was a good acquisition…..at first I thought it was too expensive…..now I believe it was absolutely necessary.

  4. PSL Bob Says:

    I don’t think the brain trust at One Buc Place would have brought him in and paid him the big bucks if they didn’t think he was going to be a good (temporary) replacement for Godwin. It will be interesting to see how Gage is used once Godwin is back in the lineup.

  5. EEK Says:

    I suspect the TB12 may be a pied piper for at least 1 more big time unsigned free agent on offense….
    Gage wrecked our D last year so at least can’t do that now

  6. DaBux Says:

    IF Gage performs as expected, we are going to have one of the most dangerous offenses in the NFC. Poor AR12 only has, um, er, yeah.

  7. Brandon Says:

    If he isn’t a blocker, he’s no slot for the Bucs.

  8. ClwJB Says:

    Great fit early and often, he will catch 70+ balls and be a key cog at 4 first downs per game – we are set on O – it’s the D missing pieces still

  9. Craig Says:

    Gage doesn’t have to get great fast, he just needs to be patient. Run Perriman and Grayson on go routes with a Gage delay on a slant.

    First down six or eight times a game, especially early.

    Bucs should be fine, because those other teams are trying to get it rolling with a new #1; that takes a lot more than a simple slant.

  10. Bucsfan13 Says:

    Our defense is being neglected. We need a big splash free agent. Melvin Ingram signed with the Dolphins for a reasonable price. We need to go after Bradberry. I’m not sold on Dean, and his availability is always a concern. If we’re not gonna address our pass rush, we need a top notch secondary. We face some pretty high octane offenses this year. Let go of the purse strings, Licht! We are not all-in this year. Empty the damn chamber

  11. bucfan34 Says:

    Sign # 93!

  12. Eric b Says:

    I agree sign bradberry!!!!! We need to sign suh!!! also!!!!..were pretty good on offense, we have perriman, ME13, grayson, gage, and CG when he returns(hopefully soon)..we need to keep our run defense like we had it and bolster up our cbs!!!