“Run. That’s a receiver’s biggest asset is his speed. So whatever it is, you need to display it.”
For three seasons, Gage watched Jones sometimes from the sideline, sometimes on the field playing with him. Then, on Sunday, Jones was traded to Tennessee. Calvin Ridley became the team’s likely No. 1 receiver.
As for Gage, 25, his role just became a whole lot bigger. He’s not being asked to replace a future Hall of Famer the Falcons have Ridley and drafted tight end Kyle Pitts in the first round but he’ll be looked at as a player who can do more than primarily play in the slot, where he was when the Falcons had a fully healthy receiving group a year ago.