Starting Gates Despite Tough Match-up (1 Viewer)

[Harry Beanbag]

From the Chargers official website

When Giants tight end Jeremy Shockey came to San Diego last fall, tight end Antonio Gates caught six passes for 92 yards and a touchdown. Playing against Atlanta’s Algee Crumpler two years ago, Gates caught six passes for 80 yards. In his last four games against Tony Gonzales and the Kansas City Chiefs, Gates has caught 21 balls for 289 yards and six touchdowns.

LinkGates faces Baltimore's tough Defense but with this logic, he is also opposing Todd Heap. I think we would all agree that Heap is considered an elite TE in the league and if this trend continues, Gates is a good start vs. a bad match-up on paper.

I think I was inspired by Wheelhouse's Interesting Tidbits thread and thought I would share.

Take it with a grain of salt and possibly chalk it up to San Diego homerism, optimism and hype to a game of two unbeaten teams. But if you are on the fence and thinking about benching Gates because of the D he faces, this might sway your decision.

 

[Gr00vus]

Gates also has some motivation to make up for a few drops and misplays he had against the Titans. You could see he was visibly upset with himself after a few of them, particulary the one where he went down around the 1 and dropped the ball attempting to stretch out for the TD, costing him and the team a nice reception and at least a 1st and goal on the 1 instead of settling for a field goal. There's plenty of motivation for him to deliver this week.

Also with Reed questionable the deep middle where Gates makes a living may be a bit softer than it normally would be against the Ravens.

But Gates is a must start every week he's not injured - maybe this thread will make you feel a bit better about "having" to.

 

[Bad_Mo]

Last I heard, Gates doesn't go "up against" any other TE. I see the point though.

Gates is a guy you start each and every week.....unless, of course, they're going against the vaunted Baltimore defense.

 

[CrossEyed]

In leagues where you have to start a TE, if Gates is on your roster he starts. End of discussion.

 

[j3r3m3y]

I have no stats to bear this out, just going on gut feeling here, but it seems to me that against strong defenses, particularly ones with a good pass rush, good tight ends will have better opportunity as there is often not enough time for the plays downfield to develop.

Just my observation over the years but I could be completely wrong.

 

[SSOG]

The only defense I would even for a SECOND consider sitting Gates against wouldn't be Bal, it would be Bye.

 

[j3r3m3y]

Gates has been targeted 10 times this season. I count 10 other TE who have more than 5 targets per game average (including one who, like Gates, has only played two games).

Just thinking out loud here, but is Rivers/Gates as good as Brees/Gates? Could it be that part of Gates "studlieness" was chemistry between him and Brees?

 

[CrossEyed]

Gates has been targeted 10 times this season. I count 10 other TE who have more than 5 targets per game average (including one who, like Gates, has only played two games).Just thinking out loud here, but is Rivers/Gates as good as Brees/Gates? Could it be that part of Gates "studlieness" was chemistry between him and Brees?

Could it be that SD didn't have to pass the ball to win their first 2 games against terrible opponents?

 

[Floyd The Barber]

Given that the previously mediocre Cleveland passing offense (and Winslow) lit 'em up last week, I have no qualms starting Gates against Baltimore.

Maybe the Ravens achilles heel is passing defense.

 

[H.K.]

Gates has been targeted 10 times this season. I count 10 other TE who have more than 5 targets per game average (including one who, like Gates, has only played two games).Just thinking out loud here, but is Rivers/Gates as good as Brees/Gates? Could it be that part of Gates "studlieness" was chemistry between him and Brees?

I am still amazed at the amount of people on this board who can not handle the concept that Gates is no longer a top tier TE. It took folks a few seasons to realize Moss was no longer a WR1, eventually everyone will catch up to the realization that Brees' departure destroys Gates value I guess....

 

[lions327]

In leagues where you have to start a TE, if Gates is on your roster he starts. End of discussion.

 

[CrossEyed]

Gates has been targeted 10 times this season. I count 10 other TE who have more than 5 targets per game average (including one who, like Gates, has only played two games).Just thinking out loud here, but is Rivers/Gates as good as Brees/Gates? Could it be that part of Gates "studlieness" was chemistry between him and Brees?

I am still amazed at the amount of people on this board who can not handle the concept that Gates is no longer a top tier TE. It took folks a few seasons to realize Moss was no longer a WR1, eventually everyone will catch up to the realization that Brees' departure destroys Gates value I guess....

I'm amazed that anyone would come to that conclusion after 2 games against absurdly inferior opponents.

 

[H.K.]

Gates has been targeted 10 times this season. I count 10 other TE who have more than 5 targets per game average (including one who, like Gates, has only played two games).Just thinking out loud here, but is Rivers/Gates as good as Brees/Gates? Could it be that part of Gates "studlieness" was chemistry between him and Brees?

I am still amazed at the amount of people on this board who can not handle the concept that Gates is no longer a top tier TE. It took folks a few seasons to realize Moss was no longer a WR1, eventually everyone will catch up to the realization that Brees' departure destroys Gates value I guess....

I'm amazed that anyone would come to that conclusion after 2 games against absurdly inferior opponents.

Pretty simple really. TE's can't catch balls that are NOT THROWN TO THEM. If he catches 100% of his targets, he should be OK, so keep on keeping your head in the sand...

 

[Interception_Irwin]

Gates has been targeted 10 times this season. I count 10 other TE who have more than 5 targets per game average (including one who, like Gates, has only played two games).Just thinking out loud here, but is Rivers/Gates as good as Brees/Gates? Could it be that part of Gates "studlieness" was chemistry between him and Brees?

I am still amazed at the amount of people on this board who can not handle the concept that Gates is no longer a top tier TE. It took folks a few seasons to realize Moss was no longer a WR1, eventually everyone will catch up to the realization that Brees' departure destroys Gates value I guess....

I'm amazed that anyone would come to that conclusion after 2 games against absurdly inferior opponents.

Pretty simple really. TE's can't catch balls that are NOT THROWN TO THEM. If he catches 100% of his targets, he should be OK, so keep on keeping your head in the sand...

Why is it that you only seem to talk about Gates? I never see you comment on any other players. Do you have a personal vendetta against him or something?

 

[CrossEyed]

Gates has been targeted 10 times this season. I count 10 other TE who have more than 5 targets per game average (including one who, like Gates, has only played two games).Just thinking out loud here, but is Rivers/Gates as good as Brees/Gates? Could it be that part of Gates "studlieness" was chemistry between him and Brees?

I am still amazed at the amount of people on this board who can not handle the concept that Gates is no longer a top tier TE. It took folks a few seasons to realize Moss was no longer a WR1, eventually everyone will catch up to the realization that Brees' departure destroys Gates value I guess....

I'm amazed that anyone would come to that conclusion after 2 games against absurdly inferior opponents.

Pretty simple really. TE's can't catch balls that are NOT THROWN TO THEM. If he catches 100% of his targets, he should be OK, so keep on keeping your head in the sand...

And, once again, when you play 2 of the worst teams in the league and win by a combined score of 67-7 it doesn't exactly give you a true indication of how the offense will play under normal conditions. Rivers only threw 11 passes in week one. How many more times this year do you think that will happen?I don't know that Gates will put up the type of numbers that he has in the past. But to draw the conclusion that he won't based solely on the number of targets he had in these 2 games is foolish.

 

[gman8343]

Gates has been targeted 10 times this season. I count 10 other TE who have more than 5 targets per game average (including one who, like Gates, has only played two games).Just thinking out loud here, but is Rivers/Gates as good as Brees/Gates? Could it be that part of Gates "studlieness" was chemistry between him and Brees?

I am still amazed at the amount of people on this board who can not handle the concept that Gates is no longer a top tier TE. It took folks a few seasons to realize Moss was no longer a WR1, eventually everyone will catch up to the realization that Brees' departure destroys Gates value I guess....

I'm amazed that anyone would come to that conclusion after 2 games against absurdly inferior opponents.

Pretty simple really. TE's can't catch balls that are NOT THROWN TO THEM. If he catches 100% of his targets, he should be OK, so keep on keeping your head in the sand...

Aren't you the guy who ribbed on Tiki all season last year but secretly loved him? Is this like that kind of shtick?

 

[bonesman]

Gates has been targeted 10 times this season. I count 10 other TE who have more than 5 targets per game average (including one who, like Gates, has only played two games).Just thinking out loud here, but is Rivers/Gates as good as Brees/Gates? Could it be that part of Gates "studlieness" was chemistry between him and Brees?

I am still amazed at the amount of people on this board who can not handle the concept that Gates is no longer a top tier TE. It took folks a few seasons to realize Moss was no longer a WR1, eventually everyone will catch up to the realization that Brees' departure destroys Gates value I guess....

I'm amazed that anyone would come to that conclusion after 2 games against absurdly inferior opponents.

Pretty simple really. TE's can't catch balls that are NOT THROWN TO THEM. If he catches 100% of his targets, he should be OK, so keep on keeping your head in the sand...

Aren't you the guy who ribbed on Tiki all season last year but secretly loved him? Is this like that kind of shtick?

He is... and it must be.He's got pending offers for Gates in all his leagues i bet

 

[Super King]

The only defense I would even for a SECOND consider sitting Gates against wouldn't be Bal, it would be Bye.

He just played them, didnt do so hot. 0 rec, 0 yards

 

[The Kansas Comet]

Are there any Gates owners even on the fence about starting him? If so, I wonder what their other options are.

 

[thecardiackid]

Are there any Gates owners even on the fence about starting him? If so, I wonder what their other options are.

I'd consider it, if I had LJ Smith, Gonzo (pending matchup), and maybe Crumpler. Not that I'd have the cajones to actually do it. I'm guessing most Gates owners (myself included) and in TE REQ'd leagues, don't have a decent enough option to sit him - it's just not mathematically possible. Probably since re-drafters spent a 3rd rounder on him and had to wait till very late for a backup TE (if they have one at all). I will admit that I'm concerned about Gates, but that's saying a lot more about Rivers and the play calling (to date) vs. Gates himself. Targets are down, the new qb is being "groomed" and the team just doesn't need to pass to win (thus far). This is one of those "good for the NFL team and bad for FF'ers" situations.Hate to say it, but IMO Gates' value plays (weekly matchup wise) this year will likely come in games like this one vs. BAL, when SD is facing a tough defense that has the ability to slow LT down. I adopted Gates in a keeper league and have had him "on the block" all year, mainly b/c I was worried about this. @ this point I'd rather have a nice upgrade @ WR and someone like Crumpler/LJ/etc. In my Yahoo league, I'm sneaking Colston in and would play him over gates every day and twice on Sundays till Rivers gets cut loose.Here's to hoping I'm completely wrong and Gates re-asserts himself as THE MAN among other TE boyz.

 

[SSOG]

The only defense I would even for a SECOND consider sitting Gates against wouldn't be Bal, it would be Bye.

He just played them, didnt do so hot. 0 rec, 0 yards

They're traditionally very tough against TEs.

 

[Shiver44]

If there is any portion of the Ravens defense that has a *****, it's Tight End. Winslow and Anderson had big games against the Ravens this season. Gates is a must start, period.

 

[jonessed]

If there is any portion of the Ravens defense that has a *****, it's Tight End. Winslow and Anderson had big games against the Ravens this season. Gates is a must start, period.

They blitz their LBs a lot which leaves the middle open. I also expect LT to have a decent amount or receiving yards as their LBs have a tendency to over-pursue, making them susceptible to swing passes.

 

[Footballhead]

Its Marty who decides how Gates will perform this year, not Rivers vs Brees. Marty loves a talent like Gates and he'll consider this weapon is the Ravens target to shut down Tomlinson. Just 3 years ago (or was it 4?) Seattle came into Baltimore and everybody including FBG projected a low scoring game, and it turned out to be the highest scoring game total for the season. Anything can happen. Gates is a stud, start your stud, hence start Gates.

 

[ceo3west]

If there is any portion of the Ravens defense that has a *****, it's Tight End. Winslow and Anderson had big games against the Ravens this season. Gates is a must start, period.

Exactly. I think Gates has a good week this week. BAL will be ***used on shutting down LT, forcing Rivers to beat them. He may not, but Gates should get his numbers.

 

[walkwithme]

I am not expecting a great game out of Gates. Marty will probably throw 17-19 times say he completes 10-12 of those passes. I say 5 are to Gates for about 50 yards and no TD's.

 

[j3r3m3y]

Gates has been targeted 10 times this season. I count 10 other TE who have more than 5 targets per game average (including one who, like Gates, has only played two games).Just thinking out loud here, but is Rivers/Gates as good as Brees/Gates? Could it be that part of Gates "studlieness" was chemistry between him and Brees?

I am still amazed at the amount of people on this board who can not handle the concept that Gates is no longer a top tier TE. It took folks a few seasons to realize Moss was no longer a WR1, eventually everyone will catch up to the realization that Brees' departure destroys Gates value I guess....

I'm amazed that anyone would come to that conclusion after 2 games against absurdly inferior opponents.

Pretty simple really. TE's can't catch balls that are NOT THROWN TO THEM. If he catches 100% of his targets, he should be OK, so keep on keeping your head in the sand...

And, once again, when you play 2 of the worst teams in the league and win by a combined score of 67-7 it doesn't exactly give you a true indication of how the offense will play under normal conditions. Rivers only threw 11 passes in week one. How many more times this year do you think that will happen?I don't know that Gates will put up the type of numbers that he has in the past. But to draw the conclusion that he won't based solely on the number of targets he had in these 2 games is foolish.

I never drew any conclusions, I was merely making an observation. I think it deserves to be looked at. At the end of the season everyone knows who the top 10 are. The winners are those who are the first to pick-up on trends that are unexpected.Don't get me wrong, I just traded for Gates, this is why I am so interested.

 

[snapperhead]

I am starting Gates.

I wish that Marty would let Rivers go a little bit.

I also think that this will be the week that Marty has to let Rivers go.

The first two weeks are NOT an indication as they hardly had to throw the ball at all.

That being said.....so far Rivers < Brees

 

[j3r3m3y]

And, once again, when you play 2 of the worst teams in the league and win by a combined score of 67-7 it doesn't exactly give you a true indication of how the offense will play under normal conditions. Rivers only threw 11 passes in week one. How many more times this year do you think that will happen?I don't know that Gates will put up the type of numbers that he has in the past. But to draw the conclusion that he won't based solely on the number of targets he had in these 2 games is foolish.

So you are saying in games they dominate they dont need to throw, therefore Gates gets fewer points. Lets look at last year:Week 2 they dominated the Giants 45-23Gates: 6 for 92 and a TDWeek 3 they dominated the Pats 41-17Gates: 6 catches for 108 yardsWeek 9 they dominated the Bills 48-10Gates: 5 for 77 and a TDLast year even when they didn't need to throw, they still did. I still contend that it could be a Brees vs. Rivers issue. Who knows, maybe they will end up with the same chemistry, but it is at least worth keeping an eye on.To be clear, I am NOT saying Gates sucks now. I am not saying trade him. I am saying something might be different, and stay tuned.

 

[LordHusker]

Last I heard, Gates doesn't go "up against" any other TE. I see the point though.Gates is a guy you start each and every week.....unless, of course, they're going against the vaunted Baltimore defense.

Or unless your league allows Colston as a TE.

 

[j3r3m3y]

And, once again, when you play 2 of the worst teams in the league and win by a combined score of 67-7 it doesn't exactly give you a true indication of how the offense will play under normal conditions. Rivers only threw 11 passes in week one. How many more times this year do you think that will happen?I don't know that Gates will put up the type of numbers that he has in the past. But to draw the conclusion that he won't based solely on the number of targets he had in these 2 games is foolish.

So you are saying in games they dominate they dont need to throw, therefore Gates gets fewer points. Lets look at last year:Week 2 they dominated the Giants 45-23Gates: 6 for 92 and a TDWeek 3 they dominated the Pats 41-17Gates: 6 catches for 108 yardsWeek 9 they dominated the Bills 48-10Gates: 5 for 77 and a TDLast year even when they didn't need to throw, they still did. I still contend that it could be a Brees vs. Rivers issue. Who knows, maybe they will end up with the same chemistry, but it is at least worth keeping an eye on.To be clear, I am NOT saying Gates sucks now. I am not saying trade him. I am saying something might be different, and stay tuned.

Bumping based on todays results...