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I expect the major difference between Rivers and Brees to be that Rivers will throw downfield more than Brees did.I don't think that affects Gates all that much, however. Gates gets downfield just fine.
I think that's fair, but you could also say that Rivers won't have to thread the needle as often as Brees because Rivers has a better arm and allows the defense less time to close.
I know I can always rely on someone to make a wiseguy comment, and in doing so save me the trouble of doing a search.Thanks!
Rivers is going to utilize his WRs more then Brees did. He will also use LT more as WR out of the backfield then Brees has done in the past 2 years. I don't expect LT to get near his 100 receptions of 3 years ago, but I expect his numbers to go up. Conversely I expect Gates numbers are going to suffer a dropoff, although I can't see him falling out of the top 3, he should still score plenty of TDs.
Zach Hilton, NO, TE has shown promise. He is a big target. He is listed at 6'8", 268 lbs. He had 35 catches last year. Here is the link to NFL.com: http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/396820
Oh, I like him chances to be sure and agree he played well at the end of last season. We'll just have to see how cranked up the hype machine gets though by the summer.There may be plenty of guys calling him "the NEXT Gates!" by then, which will mean he offers very little value imo. Gates season was an anomaly from a proven player. Expecting that type of season from Hilton would be setting yourself up for a huge disappointment.
In redrafts, probably. The hype will negate any possibility of him being a sleeper. OTOH, in a dynasty
But yes, Gates is the perfect example of top RB, little or no WR, talent = top performance.A TE doesnt neccessarily have to block to protect his QB from a heavy blitz. I'm just saying that much more frequent blitzing indicates a little more blocking on his part until Rivers learns to deal with it. The way team's hurt blitzing defenses is with screen plays and quick reads. A screen could be to or away from the TE's side as well as to the TE himself.I've watched a fair share, although not nearly all or enough, of the Chargers games, and it occurs to me I don't think I've ever seen Gates block.
One thing that was evident from the Bronco game, IMO, is that Rivers is more adept than Brees at reading the blitz and getting the ball to his hot receiver quickly. That was one of Brees' few weaknesses (possibly because he lacked the height to see over the line on a three-step drop), but Rivers came in and did well with that right away.
