Sorry, Gates Not over the hill

[BoltBacker]

I still stand by LG as the long term solution. Gates is a awesome vet but he is not what he used to be. He will have his moments but he is just slow and immobile. Thanks to his great route running and telekinesis with Rivers he is still a weapon. We have two good tight ends.

[richpjr]

From the UT:

Chargers' TEs providing an edge
By Tom Krasovic4:56 P.M.SEPT. 22, 2014

Antonio Gates was right to spell it out last month. Discussing his positional unit, he said the quartet sought to become the NFL's best cadre of tight ends.

Gates was on to something. Chargers tight ends are making plays and creating matchup headaches for defensive coordinators. They are helping playcaller Frank Reich and Philip Rivers adjust to the loss of running backs Ryan Mathews and Danny Woodhead.

Eric Weddle said Monday that San Diego's defense, in the three games, hasn't encountered a tight end group as capable as the tandem of Gates-Ladarius Green.

It still starts with Gates, who destroyed the Seahawks in Game 2. Ladarius Green's blocking lagged in the Week 1 loss, but four catches for 64 yards contributed to Sunday's 22-10 win at Buffalo. Block-first tight ends John Phillips and David Johnson have deepened the rotation from last year.

Numbers tell only part of the story, but Gates and Green have combined for twice as many yards receiving as opponents' tight ends. They've caught 20 of 26 targets for 269 yards, including Gates' three touchdowns against Seattle, whereas opponents are 8 for 10 for 132 yards and no TDs.

More than catches

Gates has also earned first downs by causing two holding penalties on third down. Coming off his success against the Super Bowl champs, Gates cleared space for teammates Sunday, such as on Eddie Royal's second TD.

"They double- and triple-teamed him," Green said.

Green understood why. "He's still got it," he said of Gates, 34. "It's not surprising for us. We see it in practice every day."

Green showed a special dimension, too. As a fast running back would, he turned a dump pass on third-and-11 into a first down. He picked up another 26 yards by running diagonally across Buffalo's zone defense. The catches aided a touchdown drive that put the game in the freezer to open the second half. The third-year player also made a one-handed catch off an errant pass and drew a defensive flag.

"PeeWee is coming into his own," Weddle said.

Green found his performance lacking, saying he "messed up things, blocking and special teams."

Better days should await not only Green, 24, but Phillips, who had reconstructive knee surgery in January, and Johnson, who is acclimating to the system after four years with the Steelers. Any tight end unit that includes Gates would be special. If his understudies and Reich can buy him more rest than he got last season, the 13-year veteran figures to be better down the stretch.