Winslow vs Gates: Gates slams Winslow gives hat tip to Gonzo

|Zach| · 11-02-2006, 11:38 PM

SAN DIEGO – Chargers star tight end Antonio Gates doesn't care much for Kellen Winslow's boasting, which could make Sunday's home game with the Cleveland Browns much more interesting.

On Wednesday, Winslow hyped his matchup with Gates as “a heavyweight match. It's me versus Gates. I want to be the best tight end out there.”

Winslow, whose 40 catches lead all tight ends, mentioned that Kansas City's Tony Gonzalez is behind him on the receptions list, followed by Gates.

“So I've got to stay on top,” said Winslow, whose Hall of Fame father of the same name played for the Chargers from 1979-87.

Winslow was asked to clarify. Did he mean keep his lead in receptions?

“The best overall. I'm trying to be the best. I said I was the best. I am the best, and I'm going to prove it on Sunday,” Winslow said.

Gates, who started in the last two Pro Bowls, wasn't amused.

“I just have a problem with a guy who disrespects guys who've done it over a decade like a Tony Gonzalez and those guys,” Gates said after practice Thursday. “To put yourself in a situation where you feel like you're better than a guy who has basically been doing it since you were in high school, I just have a problem with him not embracing the game enough and respecting the guys who've proven themselves in the league.”

Winslow is in his first full season. He broke his right leg in the second game of his rookie season of 2004, then missed all of last season after tearing up a knee in a motorcycle accident.

“For you to play in seven straight games and decide you're the best tight end in the league, I don't think that's appropriate to say,” said Gates, a former basketball star at Kent State who joined the Chargers as an undrafted rookie in 2003.

“There are certain things that I will never let get to me. Obviously he's not a person I would be worried about. He hasn't played long enough.”

Winslow has 40 receptions for 393 yards and three touchdowns. Gonzalez has 33 catches for 441 yards and a score, while Gates has 32 receptions, 384 yards and four touchdowns.

Gates' 89 catches last year tied Kellen Winslow's San Diego record for receptions by a tight end, and his 1,101 yards were the most for a Chargers tight end since Winslow had 1,172 in 1983. Gates led all tight ends last year in catches, yards and touchdowns (10).

In four seasons, Gates has 226 catches for 2,838 yards and 29 touchdowns.

11-02-2006, 11:38 PM	Topic Starter
\|Zach\| For The Glory Of The City Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $5276768	Winslow vs Gates: Gates slams Winslow gives hat tip to Gonzo SAN DIEGO – Chargers star tight end Antonio Gates doesn't care much for Kellen Winslow's boasting, which could make Sunday's home game with the Cleveland Browns much more interesting. On Wednesday, Winslow hyped his matchup with Gates as “a heavyweight match. It's me versus Gates. I want to be the best tight end out there.” Winslow, whose 40 catches lead all tight ends, mentioned that Kansas City's Tony Gonzalez is behind him on the receptions list, followed by Gates. “So I've got to stay on top,” said Winslow, whose Hall of Fame father of the same name played for the Chargers from 1979-87. Winslow was asked to clarify. Did he mean keep his lead in receptions? “The best overall. I'm trying to be the best. I said I was the best. I am the best, and I'm going to prove it on Sunday,” Winslow said. Gates, who started in the last two Pro Bowls, wasn't amused. “I just have a problem with a guy who disrespects guys who've done it over a decade like a Tony Gonzalez and those guys,” Gates said after practice Thursday. “To put yourself in a situation where you feel like you're better than a guy who has basically been doing it since you were in high school, I just have a problem with him not embracing the game enough and respecting the guys who've proven themselves in the league.” Winslow is in his first full season. He broke his right leg in the second game of his rookie season of 2004, then missed all of last season after tearing up a knee in a motorcycle accident. “For you to play in seven straight games and decide you're the best tight end in the league, I don't think that's appropriate to say,” said Gates, a former basketball star at Kent State who joined the Chargers as an undrafted rookie in 2003. “There are certain things that I will never let get to me. Obviously he's not a person I would be worried about. He hasn't played long enough.” Winslow has 40 receptions for 393 yards and three touchdowns. Gonzalez has 33 catches for 441 yards and a score, while Gates has 32 receptions, 384 yards and four touchdowns. Gates' 89 catches last year tied Kellen Winslow's San Diego record for receptions by a tight end, and his 1,101 yards were the most for a Chargers tight end since Winslow had 1,172 in 1983. Gates led all tight ends last year in catches, yards and touchdowns (10). In four seasons, Gates has 226 catches for 2,838 yards and 29 touchdowns.
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