thatguy
Footballguy
I've been wondering this for awhile now... How many years do you guys think Gates has left before he starts falling off? He's 30 right now (turns 31 next June).
Gonzo is still playing at a very high level--though I wouldn't say elite--at the age of 34 (turns 35 in February). He is two years removed from a 94-1058-10 season. So, at 32 (nearly 33, he put up elite numbers. I do believe that he still has elite ability, and could put up elite numbers with somewhere in the range of 150 targets.
Shannon Sharpe was still putting up solid numbers at the age of 35, when he retired. While the numbers wouldn't be considered elite in today's NFL, I think they were probably close to elite in his day.
I'm thinking that Gates has probably 2-3 more years after this season before we start seeing a real decline, and I expect, as has been the case with Gonzo, the decline will be gradual. His game is not predicated on speed but rather his great route running skills, his uncanny ability to seemingly always find the holes in the zone, his size, and his ability to box out defenders to make the catch. Because of that, I think he'll continue to be effective even as he advances in age--at least more so than a player whose game is predicated on speed and quicks.
Gonzo is still playing at a very high level--though I wouldn't say elite--at the age of 34 (turns 35 in February). He is two years removed from a 94-1058-10 season. So, at 32 (nearly 33, he put up elite numbers. I do believe that he still has elite ability, and could put up elite numbers with somewhere in the range of 150 targets.
Shannon Sharpe was still putting up solid numbers at the age of 35, when he retired. While the numbers wouldn't be considered elite in today's NFL, I think they were probably close to elite in his day.
I'm thinking that Gates has probably 2-3 more years after this season before we start seeing a real decline, and I expect, as has been the case with Gonzo, the decline will be gradual. His game is not predicated on speed but rather his great route running skills, his uncanny ability to seemingly always find the holes in the zone, his size, and his ability to box out defenders to make the catch. Because of that, I think he'll continue to be effective even as he advances in age--at least more so than a player whose game is predicated on speed and quicks.
He's on pace to be the most prolific tight end in NFL history and he looks just as good now as he did 5 years ago so guessing when he'll slow down is a complete shot in the dark but barring injury there's reason for him to not be dominating for 5 more years.
