Tennessee Titans: Team Cuts Ties with Veteran Receiver Justin Gage

The Tennessee Titans officially cut ties with eight-year veteran Justin Gage Saturday afternoon.

Gage was often injured throughout his NFL career, only appearing in all 16 regular season games twice.

As the offense got older by adding Matt Hasselbeck as the starting quarterback, head coach Mike Munchak wants to get younger at the receiver position.

The Titans are finally looking to get younger at the position they have overlooked for years under the Jeff Fisher regime.

The last time Tennessee had a 1,000-yard receiver was 2004 with Drew Bennett at the helm. Possibly the most balanced team under head coach Jeff Fisher, Chris Brown rushed for over 1,000 yards and the Titans had a duo of 1,000-yard play makers.

With Munchak heading the team, they have a rejuvenated focus on integrating the passing game, while focusing the run game on 2,000-yard runner Chris Johnson.

As Gage exits after four declining years in Tennessee, room has opened at the wideout spot for the third receiver behind Kenny Britt and Nate Washington.

Damian Williams is the consensus choice to take over the position at third receiver on the depth chart.

Williams started one game last year, grabbing 16 passes for 219 yards in 16 appearances. Those are solid numbers for the rookie, but his 13.7 yards per reception average and long catch of 39 yards are what really jump off the page. Extended time on the field will do wonders for the second-year receiver.

Lavelle Hawkins is another name that has been tossed around as potential replacement in the spot of Gage. Hawkins has seen his production decrease over three years in the league appearing in 13, 10 and finally six games last season. 

Hawkins seemed to have a breakthrough during a 2009 game against the Arizona Cardinals, known for Vince Young's 99-yard drive to score the winning touchdown as time expired. "Hawk" caught four passes for 44 yards on that drive and solidified himself as a possession receiver with a bit of the "clutch gene." Hawkins appeared in the next two games, then was transparent for the final five games.

The fourth-year receiver will look to take advantage of one less person ahead of him on the depth chart.

Marc Mariani is another pass catcher who should benefit greatly from Gage's departure. The 6'1" 190-pound receiver from Montana did not register one catch last season, but made his impact in the return game, logging two return touchdowns.

Mariani's ability to break tackles, combined with his speed and size, should make him another target for Hasselbeck.

As Justin Gage departs from Tennessee, he will leave behind a young group of receivers who should be ready and willing to take his place.

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