bearfan
12-09-2007, 10:01 AM
I was browsing through the Bears Message Board, and saw an interesting article/post
Bears castoff Gage thriving as go-to guy for Titans' Young
In four years with the Bears, Justin Gage played in 49 games and caught 64 balls for 908 yards. In one season with the Titans, Gage is on track to play 16 games and lead the team with 55 receptions for 721 yards.
This year, 78 percent of Gage's catches have resulted in first downs. Only seven players in the NFL have a higher percentage of first down catches
Is this the same player who caught four passes as a Bear last year, who was on the inactive list for the Super Bowl (and nine other games) and who was allowed to leave as a free agent? Clearly, Gage the Titan is different from Gage the Bear.
"The difference is I'm getting opportunities, the team has confidence in me, the staff has confidence in me and the quarterback has confidence in me," Gage says. "It's tough to say why it didn't happen with the Bears. We had some talented receivers in Chicago and the opportunities weren't always there. … I would get a chance here, or a chance there. But after a mistake it would be, OK, we'll go with somebody else. Here they have the confidence to stick with me. If I mess up, they'll come back at me and see if I can make a play."
The Bears chose Gage in the fifth round of the 2003 draft knowing it might take awhile for him to develop. He had been a quarterback and defensive back until his sophomore season at Missouri.
And once in Chicago, Gage never did much to distinguish himself from other receivers. But the point is he still is showing growth as a receiver. Titans coaches have been drilling him on getting off the press, running sharper routes and catching the ball consistently, and Gage has improved in those areas.
"I'm still developing as a receiver," Gage says. "The lack of playing time I had in previous years has set me back, but the more reps I'm getting, the better I'm feeling and the more confidence I'm getting."
At 6 feet 4 inches Gage, who also played basketball at Missouri, has learned to use his size and leaping ability against shorter defenders.
"With my basketball background, I have the ability to go get the ball and think of it as a rebound," Gage says. "It's something I use to my advantage. [Quarterback Vince Young]is realizing if he gives me those opportunities I can go up and get the ball and make big plays."
The Titans signed Gage to a one-year contract, so he is scheduled to be a free agent again in March. Based on his production in his breakout season, he says he would like to remain right where he is.
and then a later post was made
same for bobby wade, justin gage and chris harris.. and yet all the above have become starters and contributors for other teams...despite almost all glad when we rid the te team of them..after months of bashing them here..its irony at its best
I found that pretty interesting, which brings me to ask about our coaching.
All those players listed above, plus Alfonso Boone, have all been good for their new teams. So I ask, why cant we develop players like that? Is it the coaching that prevents our players from progressing a lot, and giving players opprotunities?
Bears castoff Gage thriving as go-to guy for Titans' Young
In four years with the Bears, Justin Gage played in 49 games and caught 64 balls for 908 yards. In one season with the Titans, Gage is on track to play 16 games and lead the team with 55 receptions for 721 yards.
This year, 78 percent of Gage's catches have resulted in first downs. Only seven players in the NFL have a higher percentage of first down catches
Is this the same player who caught four passes as a Bear last year, who was on the inactive list for the Super Bowl (and nine other games) and who was allowed to leave as a free agent? Clearly, Gage the Titan is different from Gage the Bear.
"The difference is I'm getting opportunities, the team has confidence in me, the staff has confidence in me and the quarterback has confidence in me," Gage says. "It's tough to say why it didn't happen with the Bears. We had some talented receivers in Chicago and the opportunities weren't always there. … I would get a chance here, or a chance there. But after a mistake it would be, OK, we'll go with somebody else. Here they have the confidence to stick with me. If I mess up, they'll come back at me and see if I can make a play."
The Bears chose Gage in the fifth round of the 2003 draft knowing it might take awhile for him to develop. He had been a quarterback and defensive back until his sophomore season at Missouri.
And once in Chicago, Gage never did much to distinguish himself from other receivers. But the point is he still is showing growth as a receiver. Titans coaches have been drilling him on getting off the press, running sharper routes and catching the ball consistently, and Gage has improved in those areas.
"I'm still developing as a receiver," Gage says. "The lack of playing time I had in previous years has set me back, but the more reps I'm getting, the better I'm feeling and the more confidence I'm getting."
At 6 feet 4 inches Gage, who also played basketball at Missouri, has learned to use his size and leaping ability against shorter defenders.
"With my basketball background, I have the ability to go get the ball and think of it as a rebound," Gage says. "It's something I use to my advantage. [Quarterback Vince Young]is realizing if he gives me those opportunities I can go up and get the ball and make big plays."
The Titans signed Gage to a one-year contract, so he is scheduled to be a free agent again in March. Based on his production in his breakout season, he says he would like to remain right where he is.
and then a later post was made
same for bobby wade, justin gage and chris harris.. and yet all the above have become starters and contributors for other teams...despite almost all glad when we rid the te team of them..after months of bashing them here..its irony at its best
I found that pretty interesting, which brings me to ask about our coaching.
All those players listed above, plus Alfonso Boone, have all been good for their new teams. So I ask, why cant we develop players like that? Is it the coaching that prevents our players from progressing a lot, and giving players opprotunities?