Atlanta Falcons: Gage is part of the solution after late season surge

When the Atlanta Falcons lost Calvin Ridley for the season Atlanta depth receivers all were given a chance to start and prove whether or not they were capable of starting. Without question, the answer was a resounding no, as Atlanta’s receivers were last in the league and struggled to produce with any consistency.

I don’t think there is any question in the front office or among the fanbase when it comes to two receivers in particular. Tajae Sharpe and Christian Blake both failed to capitalize on opportunities they wouldn’t have received on any other roster in the league.

Blake in particular should be an early roster cut and Sharpe should be a player Atlanta opts to replace with a more capable veteran. The one player who may have changed a lot of minds down the stretch this season was Russell Gage.

Russell Gage proved that he can be a playmaker, one the Atlanta Falcons use ideally out of the slot at their third option

Gage was put under an unfair amount of pressure this season after Calvin Ridley left the team. A player who is a very capable three on any roster suddenly was the number one guy and the only receiver who put even a bit of fear into opposing defenses.

The moment was too big for Gage and he struggled with drops and only managed 208-receiving yards and a single touchdown through the first six games of the season. Averaging a mere 34.6-yards per game through the first six weeks.

It looked as if Gage would be joining Blake and Sharpe as players Atlanta needed to replace in the off-season. Instead of folding under the pressure and disappointment Gage continued to show effort and put together a second-half surge.

More than doubling his production from the first six games Gage would average 80.2-receiving yards the rest of the season and find the endzone three more times.

Gage isn’t a number one option or a number two on an elite offense. What he has proven, however, is he is an impact player more than capable of catching a jump ball or fighting for a tough possession catch over the middle.

Gage is going to be part of the solution for Atlanta at the receiver position next season. If Atlanta gets Ridley back and can find another starting receiver to pair with him Gage will continue to thrive as he did this season as the lone bright spot in the Falcons receiver group.