Russell Gage, Julio Jones And Gamblers
July 28th, 2022
Fewer targets now?
Now this is very interesting to Joe, and not even on a gambling angle.
Yesterday Bucs coach Todd Bowles spoke of the need to replace foot-rubbing Rob Gronkowski’s targets. The Bucs think they made headway there by signing two veteran Pro Bowlers, receiver Julio Jones and tight end Kyle Rudolph.
So this issue for Joe and for gamblers is, who will have less catches with the addition of Jones and Rudolph (yes, Joe knows Rudolph is a tight end but Bowles mentioned how Julio will also get passes that otherwise would have been targeted to Gronk).
The guys who regularly deal with short-term investments, gamblers, are laying cash that Russell Gage will be the receiver who gets fewer balls.
Matt Severance of Sportsline details how already the under for Gage’s season totals are being hit.
Maybe no player is more affected by the Jones addition than new Bucs wideout and former Falcon Russell Gage, and there has been some unusually heavy betting action on Gage over the past 24 hours or so.
Since the Jones news broke, a total of seven bets worth at least $1,000 have been placed at Caesars on Gage going Under his season receiving yardage total, which has dropped precipitously from Over/Under 750.5 yards to 575.5, or Under his receiving touchdowns, which has fallen from 4.5 to 3.5.
Just a week ago, it appeared as if Gage would be Tom Brady’s No. 2 receiving target when the season started, but then the Bucs added Jones and former Pro Bowl tight end Kyle Rudolph. Additionally, Chris Godwin — who is recovering from a torn ACL — is tracking to be ready for Week 1. Tampa Bay opted not to put Godwin on the PUP list to start training camp, but the team is expected to be cautious before letting him practice and is optimistic he will be ready Week 1 at Dallas.
This make sense. Surely Tom Brady won’t target Mike Evans less. And when Chris Godwin gets healthy he will see his share of targets.
Joe heard something last night from Hall of Fame general manager Bill Polian as he co-hosted “Late Hits” with Lance Medow, heard exclusively on SiriusXM NFL Radio, Medow brought up how the addition of Jones and Rudolph means less targets for other pass catchers.
Polian quickly added that this shouldn’t even be a factor. Polian said whenever you get a chance to add a talented player in the passing game, how the targets are split up should never be a consideration. You always add a talented player. The targets will all work themselves out organically, Polian said.
And with the Bucs having Brady and several other level-headed receivers and tight ends, so long as the team is winning, Polian doesn’t believe there will be any whining.
As Joe always says, winning is the greatest perfume.
July 28th, 2022 at 9:03 am
None of that matters, the chance to roll with the Goat and chase a Lombardi are the real goals. These guys get that.
Gage is a team player and so is Julio, they understand the chance to play with Brady and will
Relish it.
Go Bucs!
July 28th, 2022 at 9:05 am
I’m sure Gage would rather win his ass off than get a plethora of targets for a loser.
Brady is going to hit the open man, and that is incentive enough for these guys to break off crisp routes. The general is always going to read the play and execute. That has to be motivating, kind of
Like having a Cy Young-level ace leading your rotation.
July 28th, 2022 at 9:08 am
Don’t forget Bucs are trying to replace Gronk catches and yards…so maybe there is more than enough opportunities for everyone. Also, if the Bucs increase time of possession it will like mean a bigger pie and more for all.
July 28th, 2022 at 9:11 am
Spread the wealth! Multiple competitive receivers rotating on fresh legs will have opposition dbs with dead legs in the 4th quarter.
July 28th, 2022 at 9:12 am
Some may think there’s to many weapons n there’s only one pigskin to go around. I’m not one of those people. The more the merrier. It’s a long season n injuries do happen, ME13 will draw most of the double teams n that’s fine between CG, gage , Rudolph, Jones and you thro in Brate n the other Bucs receivers n most of those guys will win there 1 on 1 battle. Once this team starts hitting on all cylinders there’s not a defense that’s going to stop us. Has Brady EVER had so many weapons ?
July 28th, 2022 at 9:24 am
Just as a thought, I think the Bucs should lean on Julio a bit early in the season, at least until Godwin is safely back. At that point I’d like the coaching staff to throttle back on Julio, and give him less snaps. I’m far from confident that Julio can play through the regular season without injury. By managing his workload, Julio’s chances of being part of a postseason run increase.
I’m not sure how that will translate into absolute numbers, but I think it’s safe to say that if I’d bet, I’d go with the over 575.5 yards.
July 28th, 2022 at 9:32 am
Oh how sweet the aroma of a fresh W
July 28th, 2022 at 9:59 am
The more good receivers on the field, the more 1 on 1’s for all of them
July 28th, 2022 at 10:02 am
After training camp and 3 PS games followed by 17 real games just for a chance in the Playoffs the NFL season is a punishing gauntlet of pain and lingering injuries. In a NFL game with bigger and faster players playing in a collusion sport.
Delicate balance between stats and playing with and never allowing a injury to heal .
I just hope Brady comes out earlier if and when the game is in the bag, but that is often the stat padding time
July 28th, 2022 at 10:57 am
SBLV say what? Brady doesn’t pad his numbers or he would have 800 touchdown passes by now. LMAO he’s the one guy who puts winning over everything else. GOBUCS!
July 28th, 2022 at 12:26 pm
Brady does not force the ball to anyone. He throws to whomever is open. When he knew Gronk was going a certain way, and the person covering was either in a bad position or turned wrong, it may have looked when he threw like he forced it but when it got there, Gronk was wide open. That’s just experience and skill.
Evans gets yards because he gets open. He’s tall, well built and does not run a 4.29 40 but he has body control and leaping ability that is second to none. Julio Jones was the best in the league. He has not lost one iota of that. He’s Jerry Rice-like in his athletic ability and condition.
Where does that leave Gage? Hey, that’s his challenge. He rises or he does not. They’ve had that guy before. Harper. Emanuel. Anthony. Maybe this time it will work.
July 28th, 2022 at 1:21 pm
Gage will have a lot of targets more than the combined of the 2 new acquired players. You don’t expaect them playing full time.
July 28th, 2022 at 6:54 pm
Lenny, don’t forget him Good hands out of the backfield. Should be fun.
July 29th, 2022 at 3:01 pm
K2 for the win.