Being a Charger fan, I'm biased but I'm also curious. Is Antonio Gates really the best TE in the NFL (he claims to be, I think)? Tony Gonzales is pretty good, too.
2006-08-18 06:35:47 · 15 answers · asked by chrstnwrtr 7 in Sports ➔ Football (American)
Antonio Gates is the best fantasy TE in the NFL (see 1st link below). This generally means that he is expected to have more receiving yards and score more touchdowns than any other TE in the league. Tight end is one of those positions on the field that demands some versatility, however. In addtion to being able to catch the ball and run with it, a TE has to be able to block. From this perspective, considering Gates as part of the Chargers blocking unit, he comes out looking pretty good, since LT is one of the top running backs in the league.
To simplify this, if you look at the number of TD's scored in total by the TE and the RB's on a team, it could give you a simple comparison that includes both receiving and run blocking. Comparing 4 teams (SD, KC, Pittsburgh & Seattle) for 2005, you get:
KC - 26
Pitt - 27
SD - 32
Seattle - 34
By this measure, Jerramy Stevens should be included with Gates, Gonzalez & Miller as being among the top tight ends in the league. If you catch less TD passes, but you blocking helps put the ball into the end zone on the ground, my opinion is that you are just as valuable to your team as a more "aerial" TE.
(I realize this was a simplified review, and there are issues I ignored. I just wanted to illustrate my point, not write a thesis.)
2006-08-18 07:19:49 · answer #1 · answered by redwolf7782 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Actually, he’s not really that good of a TE. He caught so many passes because Brees needed a safety valve. He can’t really run or pass block that well. If you notice most TE are good for a couple of years when the QB is young and then once he get confidence he’ll throw the long ball to the receivers and the TE becomes a 4th option. Look at Chad Lewis, he was an all-pro for 2 years with McNabb throwing the ball but once McNabb got confidence and started to throw the long ball Chad went became a 3rd or 4th option. I think Tony Gonzales is the best all-around TE in football
2006-08-18 08:27:29 · answer #2 · answered by hair_of_a_dog 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
He's the best receiving tight end right now. While kellen winslow and vernon davis will be trying to claim that title this coming year, Gates has the experience and the soft hands that neither winslow nor davis has; not to take away from either of them b/c they both have very good hands as well, but Gates simply plucks the ball out of the air every time like you see the great receivers do. I think that the most complete tight end would be either Gonzalez or Heap. Both have great hands, run great routes and are both capable blockers. Gonzalez has had the luxury of playing with a fantastic offensive line, so he hasn't needed to block all that much. But with the retirement of Roaf, Gonzalez will be counted on a lot more for blocking and you'll see his receiving numbers go down.
2006-08-18 08:13:32 · answer #3 · answered by bored_at_work 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Depends on the meaning of "best." As a fantasy football player, Gates is great because the Chargers have a balanced offense, so he can get lots of short passes and easy TDs. There may be better TEs than Gates and Gonzo, but they're in offenses that keep them from generating big numbers.
I picked Gates for my fantasy team. :)
2006-08-18 06:49:39 · answer #4 · answered by Matt May 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think at this point yes (Props to Kent State Golden Flashes), if you're a fan of Gates you'll know what that means. But, watch out for Kellen Winslow to be the new breed of tight end. The guy is a physical specimen and I think if he stays healthy in time he will be right up there if not better than Gates, but yes right now Gates is.
2006-08-18 06:42:13 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
He is the best receiver that the Charger have. If you put him on a team that have better receiver he would be an average player. And if you don't think so take a look at how many time he is thrown to. More then the wide receiver. Which tell me that SD don't have any good wide receiver.
2006-08-18 06:58:34 · answer #6 · answered by actionsinglemale 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't know if I'm quite ready to give him that award...don't get me wrong he is one heck of a TE...but what about Jeremy Shockey...or Algae Crumpler....Bubba Franks is going to have his best year ever....You can't talk about TE's without mentioning Tony Gonzalez...whom I think is the bet TE in th NFL at the moment...When judging the recieving postion you have to keep in mind the talent of the QB's as well.
2006-08-18 06:56:06 · answer #7 · answered by LiedlIsOurKing! 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yeah he is athletic and scores or makes his team do well every time he gets the ball. Gates is the best TE and if people where smart enough they should draft him in the 1st round. He's like a WR and draws atention.
2006-08-18 07:00:43 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
right now, yes, but still he is not on the same level as tony Gonzalez, tony has been putting great numbers for several years and gates just a couple
2006-08-18 07:07:28 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Nope, That honor goes to Heath Miller of the Pittsburgh Steelers!
2006-08-18 06:58:08 · answer #10 · answered by Joe_Hurdle 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋