 |
| |
|
 |
 |
|
|
|||||||||||
|
Posted: Wednesday February 12, 2003 1:04 PM
Justin Gage, who owns virtually all of Missouri's major receiving records, decided to skip basketball to prepare for the 2003 NFL Draft. He went to Missouri as a quarterback and made the switch to receiver in his sophomore season. He played forward on the Tigers' basketball team the past three seasons, meaning he couldn't devote the offseason to honing his football skills. As he prepares for April's draft, CNNSI.com users will have a chance to interact with Gage by submitting questions.
You don't think you could find any time to help out the Tigers basketball team? You really bring a lot to the table as far as leadership and heart. They could really use another solid player at the Nos. 3 and 4 spots. Good luck in the draft! I do miss basketball, and after you do something for a long time and then stop, like playing basketball, you're going to miss it. I really miss the guys and competing at such a high level, but at this point in my life, I have a better opportunity to play football. I've always wanted to go to the NFL and play against the best football players in the world.
How much would it mean for you to be drafted by a team from Missouri, having played your whole career here? It would be really special, but just to get drafdted would be special, too. If I were to stay in Missouri, that would be great. I grew up in Missouri, went to college here, so being able to play in the NFL for either Missouti team would be special; I have had small conversations with the Rams and Chiefs. But to play for any team is my goal.
The Redskins need a quality reciever so badly. What do you think you would bring to the table, if drafted by them? I can bring a lot -- size, athleticism, the ability to the catch ball and bring strength to the receiving corps. There's a lot I still need to learn; I've only been a receiver for 2 1/2 seasons. With the right coaching, and learning the techniques, I believe I can excell and reach my full potential.
Which team do you want to be drafted by, and do you think you'll have a big impact in the NFL throughout your career? I really don't have any particular choice -- just as long as I get a shot at playing, that's enough. I just want the opportunity to reach my potential and have success. I'm not really a picky person. I didn't have a favorite team growing up. I followed players more than teams, guys like Jerry Rice; I love Rice. I also watched Joe Montana, Randall Cunningham, Warren Moon, Barry Sanders, Emmitt Smith, Walter Payton, Lawrence Taylor and Ronnie Lott.
What was it like playing for [current MU head coach] Gary Pinkel vs. Larry Smith, and how did both coaches influence your development? My first two years, under coach Smith, were a good experience, but we were not as disciplined. I thought everything was good, but I couldn't see why our seasons were going they way they were. Not winning hurt a lot. Then coach Pinkel came in and taught us discipline and changed a lot of people and the way the looked at the game -- working in the offseason, being in the weight room, studying film. We still didn't have the winning seasons we were looking for, but we made strides and had chances to win late in ballgames. The program is on the right track. |
|
|||||||||
| |||||||||||
