| Antonio Gates |
Article Index for Antonio |
Website Links For Antonio |
Information About ™Antonio Gates |
|
Before his rookie season, Gates had not played organized football since his senior year in High School . Gates wanted to go to Michigan State under then (football) Coach Nick Saban and play both Sport s, but Saban wanted him to play only football, not Basketball . Basketball was his favorite sport, and he switched to Eastern Michigan University to play basketball. He played there part of a season, subsequently played at two junior colleges and eventually landed at Kent State University in Northeast Ohio . Gates spent two seasons as a Golden Flashes power forward, where he led the team to an elite eight spot in 2002 and to the MAC championship game his last season there. After being told by scouts that he was too much of a "tweener" (6'4") to make the NBA , Gates arranged a workout in front of NFL scouts. Although he had not played football in 4 years, San Diego recognized his potential and signed him to a contract. Upon the arrival of Antonio Gates in the NFL, the tight end position has evolved into something above and beyond what it used to be. A position once reserved for big, plodding types who focused on blocking while catching the occasional pass has become a spot for revolutionary athletes that run like wideouts and block like linemen. After finishing a solid 2003 rookie season, catching 24 passes for 389 yards and two scores, he was picked by many experts to have a breakout season in 2004 . That year, only his second season in the NFL, Gates became Quarterback Drew Brees ' favorite target, finishing the season with 81 receptions for 964 yards and 13 Touchdowns . On December 19 , Gates tied the NFL season record for touchdowns by a tight end (12) in a 21-0 win over the Cleveland Browns , and he went on to break that record in an overtime loss to the Indianapolis Colts on December 26 . Gates was selected to the 2005 Pro Bowl and caught a TD pass from Colts' quarterback Peyton Manning to help the AFC to a 38-27 victory. Additionally, Gates was on the receiving end of a 33 yard pass from teammate Drew Brees in a Flea-flicker Play selected by fans online. On August 23, 2005, after holding out for a contract extension, Gates inked a six-year deal (potentially) worth $24 million with the San Diego Chargers. Later that season, he was voted into the Pro Bowl as the best tight end in the NFL. EXTERNAL LINKS
|
|
|