LBH
Footballguy
Chargers could get creative with TE Gates Written by: Casey Pierce ¦ 5/6/2007 Source: www.chargers.com How do you take a three-time Pro Bowler who has hauled in 32 touchdown passes over the last three years and make him even better? Apparently by finding more things for him to do.
That's what Chargers Head Coach Norv Turner has done with tight end Antonio Gates throughout this weekend's Mini Camp. On Friday, Gates worked exclusively with the wide receivers during the individual period.
"He runs the routes so well. He can run all the wide receiver routes," Turner said. "It's something that we want to incorporate. How much we do of it depends on who we're playing and how they're playing us."
During Saturday's team period, Gates lined up all over the field. He spent time on the line of scrimmage, in the slot and split out wide as the only receiver on his side of the formation.
"It's been challenging but it's been fun," Gates said. "That's what Norv is known best for. When he has weapons, he finds ways to use them and get them the ball. I can't help but be excited about what we're going to do."
Gates has continued to devote himself to getting stronger so that he can be an asset in the run game as well, but through Mini Camp, it's apparent that his role in the passing game could be even greater with Turner's new ideas.
"Every time you can add a wrinkle and do something different, it gives a defense a problem," Turner said. "He's a guy you can really create some mismatches with."
http://www.chargers.com/
That's what Chargers Head Coach Norv Turner has done with tight end Antonio Gates throughout this weekend's Mini Camp. On Friday, Gates worked exclusively with the wide receivers during the individual period.
"He runs the routes so well. He can run all the wide receiver routes," Turner said. "It's something that we want to incorporate. How much we do of it depends on who we're playing and how they're playing us."
During Saturday's team period, Gates lined up all over the field. He spent time on the line of scrimmage, in the slot and split out wide as the only receiver on his side of the formation.
"It's been challenging but it's been fun," Gates said. "That's what Norv is known best for. When he has weapons, he finds ways to use them and get them the ball. I can't help but be excited about what we're going to do."
Gates has continued to devote himself to getting stronger so that he can be an asset in the run game as well, but through Mini Camp, it's apparent that his role in the passing game could be even greater with Turner's new ideas.
"Every time you can add a wrinkle and do something different, it gives a defense a problem," Turner said. "He's a guy you can really create some mismatches with."
http://www.chargers.com/
Why? Tomlinson had the same # of touches he's had for the past few seasons, the big difference last year was McNeill's addition at left tackle.
