Tag: Russell Gage

NFL Network names Russell Gage a breakout candidate for 2021

After three years of steady improvement, the former sixth-round pick out of LSU is set to start at wide receiver in 2021.

The first name that comes to mind when you think of the Atlanta Falcons probably isn’t Russell Gage. After three years of steady improvement, the former sixth-round pick out of LSU is set to start at wide receiver in 2021. The Falcons traded All-Pro Julio Jones and drafted Kyle Pitts in the first round of the draft.

And while Pitts may eventually match Jones’ elite level of production, it’s unlikely the rookie will make a major impact right away. Instead, many around the NFL believe it will be Gage reaping the benefits of Jones’ departure this season. 

That’s what NFL Network analyst Peter Schrager declared on today’s episode of Good Morning Football. Schrager ranked Gage at No. 8 on his list of breakout players for 2021. Check out the segment below, as shared by GMFB’s Twitter account.

In 2020, Gage posted a career-high 72 catches for 786 yards and four touchdowns. Look for him to make his preseason debut along with the rest of the Falcons’ starters in Saturday’s game against the Miami Dolphins.

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Falcons 2021 fantasy football preview: WR Russell Gage

Continuing with our 2021 Atlanta Falcons fantasy preview series, today we round out the wide receiver position with Russell Gage.

Continuing with our 2021 Atlanta Falcons fantasy preview series, today we round out the wide receiver position with Russell Gage. Over the past few weeks, we’ve looked at quarterback Matt Ryan, running back Mike Davis and fellow wideout Calvin Ridley.

While many are predicting Gage to be the main beneficiary of the Julio Jones trade, the situation isn’t as cut and dry with rookie tight end Kyle Pitts in the fold and the team transitioning to a more balanced offense under Arthur Smith.

In 2020, Gage posted career highs in targets (108), receptions (72), yards (786) and touchdowns (4). With an extra game starting in 2021, these numbers could obviously be eclipsed, but in large part, remain the same on a per game basis. Gage may be the Falcons’ No. 2 receiver behind Ridley, but will still have to fight for targets with Pitts, Hayden Hurst and Olamide Zaccheaus.

What to expect from Gage in 2021

Usually, there is a significant difference between ESPN and Pro Football Focus. However, on the instance of Gage, the projections are more or less the same. Both outlets predict less targets, receptions and yards for the fourth-year receiver this season.

Gage’s most favorable matchups

  • Week 1: Philadelphia Eagles
  • Week 2 / 13: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
  • Week 5: New York jets
  • Week 10: Dallas Cowboys
  • Week 12: Jacksonville Jaguars
  • Week 16: Detroit Lions

Gage’s least favorable matchups

  • Week 4: Washington Football team
  • Week 8 / 14: Carolina Panthers
  • Week 11: New England Patriots
  • Week 17: Buffalo Bills

Final Verdict

Gage is undraftable. Sure, he’s the No. 2 receiver on a team that has steadily produced quality depth at the receiver position, but the presumptive makeup of the Falcons’ offense in 2021 doesn’t bend to that standard anymore.

The average draft position for Gage has increased over the past month, but he’s still more valuable getting picked up as a free agent. Considering that the later rounds should be more focused on defense and kickers, drafting Gage could result in getting minimum value for your pick.

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Falcons camp highlights: WR Russell Gage makes one-handed grab

Throughout the early stages of training camp, Gage has solidified himself as the team’s No. 2 receiving option behind Calvin Ridley.

Many are anticipating Falcons wide receiver Russell Gage to have a breakout season in 2021 now that Julio Jones is gone. Throughout the early stages of training camp, Gage has solidified himself as the team’s No. 2 receiving option behind Calvin Ridley.

At Thursday’s camp practice, Gage hauled in a beautiful one-handed catch. Watch below as he contorts his body while adjusting to the ball and brings it down with just his right hand, as shared by the Falcons’ Twitter account.

Making plays like these will only increase Gage’s stock as he fights for targets with Kyle Pitts and Olamide Zaccheaus.

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WR Russell Gage named Falcons’ biggest offseason standout

Those around the league will be watching to see how Atlanta’s offensive dynamic changes with Jones out of the picture.

The biggest storyline of the Falcons’ offseason has been the departure of All-Pro wide receiver Julio Jones. Those around the league will be watching to see how Atlanta’s offensive dynamic changes with Jones out of the picture.

Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski took a deep dive into all 32 NFL teams and named one player as the biggest offseason standout for each. For the Falcons, Sobleski highlighted fourth-year wide receiver Russell Gage:

No one will ever truly replace Julio Jones in the Atlanta Falcons’ lineup. Still, the franchise’s greatest player does leave a void that someone must try to replace. After all, the 32-year-old wide receiver, whom the Falcons traded to the Tennessee Titans, leaves behind a significant role.

Calvin Ridley will pick up some of the slack. Russell Gage is the obvious candidate to flourish without Jones. Gage finished last season with 72 receptions for 786 yards. His usage should dramatically increase under new head coach Arthur Smith.

“Russ has done a nice job in the slot, but we’ll move Russ all over the place and then we got to make a decision as we get closer to the season, all right, we’re giving him a shot here,” Smith told reporters. “He’s done well. He’s grown his game. Done this with a lot of players, and everybody’s on a different timeline.”

The initial reaction to the Falcons trading away Jones was to elevate Gage because he’s next up on the depth chart. However, the 2020 season doesn’t necessarily support this case.

Over the seven games that Gage played without Jones in the lineup, his production remained relatively unchanged, and even saw a slight decrease in a per game average. With Jones playing, Gage averaged 49.56 yards per game. Without him, his yardage dropped to 48.57 per game. He even saw one less target on average in the seven games without Jones.

While we don’t want to overreact to these numbers, they don’t allow for the working narrative that Gage’s production will increase. Even Pro Football Focus’ early 2021 season projections have Gage below his total posted in 2020.

The addition of Kyle Pitts will no doubt cut into the targets for Gage. The rookie tight end is projected to have a better season in terms of receptions, yards and touchdowns than Gage. The real standout for the Falcons this offseason may end up being Olamide Zaccheaus. PFF projects the speedy wide receiver to be the immediate benefactor without Jones and to post a career-high 514 yards this season.

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NFC South WR Rankings: Who takes Julio Jones’ crown at the top of the division?

In a division filled with top-end talent at wideout, where do the Panthers’ DJ Moore and Robby Anderson stack up?

For the first time in a long time, the Carolina Panthers have not one, but two good and well-proven wide receivers. All praise to the duo of DJ Moore and Robby Anderson!

But what if we split them up? Like, what if we looked at them not as a pair, but as separate entities in comparison to, say, the rest of the wideouts in the division.

And if so, where do they rank? Let’s see…

 

Falcons WR Russell Gage changes number to 14

Gage looks to build upon his formidable 2020 season and hopes to see a bigger role in Atlanta’s offense under first-year head coach Arthur Smith.

On Monday afternoon, the Atlanta Falcons announced that wide receiver Russell Gage will be wearing the No. 14 this season. Since being drafted in the sixth round back in 2018, Gage has worn the No. 83 — his college number at LSU.

The No. 14 was previously made popular among fans by former Falcons receiver Justin Hardy from 2015 to 2019. This number was then occupied by Chris Rowland, who saw no snaps at receiver in 2020 but 16 in total on special teams. Rowland, who is still with the team, has opted to wear the No. 12 instead this year

Gage looks to build upon his formidable 2020 campaign and hopes to see a bigger role in Atlanta’s offense under first-year head coach Arthur Smith. Gage posted 72 catches for 786 receiving yards (11 yards per reception) and four touchdowns last season.

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Raheem Morris postgame: ‘I love this football team, I love this city’

Atlanta has fought hard in every game and although it seems unlikely, Morris does have a chance to stay on as the full-time head coach.

The Atlanta Falcons ended the 2020 season the same way they began it, losing to an NFC playoff team. Sunday’s 44-27 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers put the Falcons’ final record at 4-12.

On the bright side, the new general manager will have a top-five pick to use on a talented 2021 draft class. For the front office, the big question now becomes what happens with interim head coach Raheem Morris, whose presence definitely gave this previously 0-5 team life.

Atlanta has fought hard in every game and although it seems unlikely, Morris does have a chance to stay on as the full-time head coach. After the team’s Week 17 loss in Tampa Bay — where Morris’ first head-coaching opportunity came — he was asked about his interview for the Falcons full-time job.

Not one to speculate, Morris just said the interview went well. Later, when asked whether or not he wants to remain as the team’s head coach in 2021, Morris chuckled at the question before emphatically saying he did.

“There’s no doubt, man. I love this football team, I love this city, I love this organization, I love the owner, I love these players. These guys are not far away. They’ve got a chance, they’re battle-tested.”

Watch Morris’ full postgame press conference below, as shared by the Falcons’ Twitter account.

6 waiver wire targets in fantasy football for Week 16

Waiver wire targets for championship weekend.

Here we are. Championship Week. If you are blessed to be playing for a title this weekend, good luck! If you’re trying to avoid whatever shameful punishment your league has for last place, then you need all the help you can get.

Luckily, there are still many quality players out there on the waiver wire that are available to give your team an extra boost.

Here are six waiver wire targets for Week 16 as the fantasy season comes to a close:

 

Fantasy football waiver wire targets after Week 15: Ezekiel Elliott’s replacement has monster day

Tony Pollard and Jalen Hurts could help in finals week.

It’s finals week. Whether you’ve made the finals or you’re simply interested in finishing in the best place possible, there are actually excellent options on the waiver wire this week. Depending upon how stacked your team is and how deep your league is, you could absolutely find yourself playing some of the top players at each position on the waiver wire.

We’ve included players who are owned in 50% or fewer of ESPN fantasy leagues. Keep an eye out for players beyond this list that are in that above-50%-bracket. But let’s dive into the final installment of the waiver wire for 2020. Here are your Week 16 targets.

Instant analysis of Chargers’ 20-17 victory over Falcons

Chargers Wire’s Gavino Borquez recaps Los Angeles’ Week 14 victory over Atlanta.

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The Chargers finally found a way to close one out, defeating the Falcons in the final seconds by the score of 20-17.

Here is my instant analysis from Los Angeles’ Week 14 victory:

Injury Report

Offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga left the game early on in the first quarter and did not return. The diagnostic was a concussion. Later on, guard Trai Turner left with what appeared to be a concussion, too.

Play of the Game: Michael Badgley’s game-winning field goal

After Justin Herbert drove the offense down the field, Badgley executed when it mattered the most to win the game.

Notable Number

25: Justin Herbert is the fourth rookie QB in history with 25 or more touchdown passes, joining Peyton Manning, Russell Wilson and Baker Mayfield.

Quick Takes

Statistically, Justin Herbert put together a decent performance, completing 36 of his 44 passes for 243 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. However, the majority of Herbert’s production came from throws underneath until late as he averaged 5.5 yards per pass, showing the inability to open up the playbook. Nonetheless, it was Herbert’s first career game winning drive.

What more can you say about running back Austin Ekeler? There hasn’t been one bad outing from the former Western Colorado product this season. Ekeler put on a show today, both on the ground and through the air, combining for 146 yards from scrimmage. While Ekeler flourished, credit goes to the guys up front, who had a handful of key blocks.

Wide receiver Keenan Allen caught nearly everything thrown his way, as per usual, recording nine catches for 52 yards and a touchdown. But his teammate, WR Tyron Johnson stepped up today for Mike Williams after he left early in the game with an injury, posting six catches for 55 yards and a score.

After getting gashed on the ground in recent weeks, the Chargers turned things around this weekend, only allowing 70 yards on 20 carries. However, the pass defense was suspect outside of the three interceptions, particularly cornerbacks Casey Hayward, Chris Harris Jr. and free safety Nasir Adderley.

Hayward and Harris Jr. allowed wide receivers Calvin Ridley and Russell Gage to combine for 13 receptions, 206 yards and a touchdown. Meanwhile, Adderley dealt with tackling woes. As a result, he was benched in favor of Rayshawn Jenkins, who had an interception shortly after.

After Anthony Lynn took over the special teams department, they saw some positive results . Adderley returned a kick for 76 yards. The coverage unit looked sharp. Most notably, kicker Michael Badgley made all of his kicks, including the 43-yard game-winning field goal.

Up Next

The Chargers travel to Las Vegas to take on the Raiders on Thursday, Dec. 17 at 5:20 p.m. PT.