Russell Gage received interesting phone call before signing with Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers inked former LSU Tigers wide receiver Russell Gage to a three-year deal, $30 million deal on Tuesday. A new report from Peter Schrager gives behind-the-scenes insight into how it all came about.
That’s a pretty telling tidbit from the FOX NFL reporter and Good Morning Football host.
As soon as Tom Brady shocked the sports world by announcing his return and knew he wouldn’t have Antonio Brown to lean on as a No. 3 receiver and safety blanket in case of injury, the greatest quarterback of all time personally called the former LSU star to sway him the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The former LSU standout struggled to produce in his rookie season and while his production picked up in 2019, the last two seasons have showcased his growth and comfortability as a slot or third receiver in the NFL.
After suffering an ankle injury in Week 2, Gage, 26, missed three games and, even when he returned, wasn’t fully healthy until the second half of the 2021 season. He emerged over the final two months, catching 11 passes for 130 yards against the Buccaneers on Dec. 5. He also had nine receptions for 126 yards and a touchdown in the season finale against the New Orleans Saints.
Gage set career bests in yards per reception (11.7), catch percentage (70.2%) and yards per target (8.2) last season.
The 6-foot, 184-pounder made 193 catches on 287 targets for 2,065 yards and nine touchdowns in his four seasons with the Falcons after being drafted in the sixth round in 2018.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers ink key cornerback to extension
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have had a couple of busy days, mainly because quarterback Tom Brady announced he would be returning for the 2022 season. Since the announcement, a few key free agency decisions have been made, attempting to hoist another Lombardi Trophy at the end of the year.
On Monday, another important player was signed to a long-term extension in cornerback Carlton Davis. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Davis will be re-signing with the Buccaneers on a three-year deal. The former Auburn Tigers star will be making $45 million throughout the contract.
Schefter said getting Davis to return was “one of the franchise’s primary off-season goals.” Davis has been a vital part of Tampa Bay’s defense over the past four seasons, starting in all but one game he has ever played in. Now, he will be staying with the franchise for at least another three years.
Davis was a second-round pick for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the 2018 NFL draft, selecting him after being a three-year starter for Auburn. Since then, the cornerback has appeared in 51 games and started in 50. Last season, Davis only played in 10 games, missing time thanks to an injury. He was still able to record an interception and recover a fumble.
In pass coverage throughout his career, Davis has 52 passes defended and six interceptions. Not many cornerbacks have been better than the Tampa Bay man, locking down some of the best wide receivers in the league.
Before free agency began, Davis was ranked as one of the top 25 defensive players to enter the open market. Coming in at No. 6, three other defensive backs ranked ahead of him, headlined by recently paid cornerback J.C. Jackson of the Los Angeles Chargers. Davis is now off the market with Tampa Bay securing one of the top players in the NFL.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will fully be trying to run this season and have done a good job keeping the core together. Alongside Brady, center Ryan Jansen recently signed a new contract as well, keeping one of the most important members of the offensive line in town. Most of the same pieces from the Super Bowl-winning team are back as well, hoping to take advantage of what is a weaker NFC this season.
Especially in the NFC South where the three other teams are going through a transitional period. The Carolina Panthers are reportedly interested in trading for Deshaun Watson but the New Orleans Saints are under a first-year head coach and the Atlanta Falcons are still trying to fully complete their mini rebuild.