Hurst2112
08-23-2005, 03:16 PM
I find this quite humorous.
Terms of Gates' new deal not disclosed
SAN DIEGO -- Pro Bowl tight end Antonio Gates will play for much more than $380,000 this season. And he will be with the San Diego Chargers for a long time as well.
Gates agreed to terms on a six-year contract with the Chargers on Tuesday.
Antonio Gates
Tight End
San Diego Chargers
Profile
2004 SEASON STATISTICS
Rec Yds TD Avg Long YAC
81 964 13 11.9 72 338
"I'm ecstatic that this was resolved," Gates said. "I love playing for the San Diego Chargers and I never wanted to leave."
The agreement ends a bizarre series of events in which Gates was placed on the roster exempt list for not reporting to training camp before a team-imposed deadline. As a result, Gates will not be allowed to play in the Chargers' next three games, including their season opener against Dallas on Sept. 11.
San Diego had said Gates would be suspended for three games if he did not agree to a new deal or accept their one-year tender offer of $380,000 -- the minimum for a third-year player -- by Saturday.
Instead, Gates reported on Sunday and signed his tender on Monday.
The two sides started negotiations on a multiyear deal after Gates signed his tender.
A former basketball player at Kent State, the 25-year-old Gates set an NFL record for most touchdown catches by a tight end with 13 last season. He recorded 81 catches for 964 yards after having 24 receptions for 389 yards and two scores in his rookie campaign.
The emergence of quarterback Drew Brees and Gates helped the Chargers win the AFC West with a 12-4 record in 2004.
Terms of Gates' new deal not disclosed
SAN DIEGO -- Pro Bowl tight end Antonio Gates will play for much more than $380,000 this season. And he will be with the San Diego Chargers for a long time as well.
Gates agreed to terms on a six-year contract with the Chargers on Tuesday.
Antonio Gates
Tight End
San Diego Chargers
Profile
2004 SEASON STATISTICS
Rec Yds TD Avg Long YAC
81 964 13 11.9 72 338
"I'm ecstatic that this was resolved," Gates said. "I love playing for the San Diego Chargers and I never wanted to leave."
The agreement ends a bizarre series of events in which Gates was placed on the roster exempt list for not reporting to training camp before a team-imposed deadline. As a result, Gates will not be allowed to play in the Chargers' next three games, including their season opener against Dallas on Sept. 11.
San Diego had said Gates would be suspended for three games if he did not agree to a new deal or accept their one-year tender offer of $380,000 -- the minimum for a third-year player -- by Saturday.
Instead, Gates reported on Sunday and signed his tender on Monday.
The two sides started negotiations on a multiyear deal after Gates signed his tender.
A former basketball player at Kent State, the 25-year-old Gates set an NFL record for most touchdown catches by a tight end with 13 last season. He recorded 81 catches for 964 yards after having 24 receptions for 389 yards and two scores in his rookie campaign.
The emergence of quarterback Drew Brees and Gates helped the Chargers win the AFC West with a 12-4 record in 2004.