Charges give Gates ultimatum

Wile_E_Coyote · 08-17-2005, 07:45 PM

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/3...40813162&ATT=5

The San Diego Chargers have made their move in the contract stalemate with All-Pro tight end Antonio Gates.

FOXSports.com has learned that the Chargers sent Gates a letter informing him that if he does not sign his tender (reported to be $380,000) by Saturday, he will be held out of both the season opener against Dallas in addition to the last two preseason games.

The letter also states that for every preseason and regular season game he misses after Saturday's game, he will be sat for an extra game. In other words, if Gates does not sign his tender until after the preseason, he will miss the first three games of the season, as the contract impasse between the two sides now hits another level. He will also not receive a game check for those games he is forced to sit.

For the games Gates is forced to miss, he will be held off the team's 53-man roster.

Gates last year was named an All Pro and wants to be paid along the lines of Chiefs' perennial Pro Bowl tight end Tony Gonzalez. The Chargers have negotiated with Gates for a while, but when they could not get a deal done prior to camp, Gates boycotted training camp.

Gates, who did not play college football, had a breakout year in 2004, making 81 catches for 964 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Hammock Parties · 08-17-2005, 07:47 PM

Hahaha! Without Gates the Chargers are an 8-8 team.

NaptownChief · 08-17-2005, 07:49 PM

What a bunch of BS...If he is available they will play him the moment the games start counting.

HolmeZz · 08-17-2005, 07:58 PM

Pony up and give him a new contract, you cheap bastards. $380,000?

milkman · 08-17-2005, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HolmeZz

Pony up and give him a new contract, you cheap bastards. $380,000?

He has had one outstanding season.

380 grand might be a little on the low side, but let's make sure he can continue to play at that level before we open the vault.

Ultra Peanut · 08-17-2005, 08:05 PM

Cheap-ass bitches.

Quote:

He has had one outstanding season.

380 grand might be a little on the low side, but let's make sure he can continue to play at that level before we open the vault.

He's a converted basketball player who has shown he has everything it takes to be a FORCE for a long time to come.

If a draft pick can get assloads of money without stepping onto a field, Gates is well within his rights to say, "Pay me."

**Mr. Flopnuts** · 08-17-2005, 08:06 PM

380k? That might be less than Tony G's backup. Pathetic.

Nightfyre · 08-17-2005, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiefman420

380k? That might be less than Tony G's backup. Pathetic.

Maybe he should reneg to the Chiefs for 500K....

**cdcox** · 08-17-2005, 08:08 PM

I think there are two options that would be fair to both sides:

Give him a one year contract at about the level of Gonzo.

Or give him a multi-year deal with a signing bonus at a level significantly better than he is now, but around the #3 slot in the league.

Either option would balance the reward/risk on for the player and team. The current contract makes Gates bear all the risk. A huge multi-year contract is not warranted based on one good year because it puts too much risk on the Chargers.

Why everyone can't see this and get a deal done is beyond me, but I sure am happy about it.

HolmeZz · 08-17-2005, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SideWinder

He has had one outstanding season.

380 grand might be a little on the low side, but let's make sure he can continue to play at that level before we open the vault.

Alex Smith gets 24 million guaranteed and hasn't shown a thing. Gates puts up record-breaking numbers in his first year and has to stick with making $380,000 a year?

milkman · 08-17-2005, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Psicosis

If a draft pick can get assloads of money without stepping onto a field, Gates is well within his rights to say, "Pay me."

Good point.

Bastards.

chagrin · 08-17-2005, 08:11 PM

Akili Smith played 12 games in college and got a huge contract too, why shouldn't antonio get paid...

Red Dawg · 08-17-2005, 08:12 PM

I gotta go with Gates on this one.

**cdcox** · 08-17-2005, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HolmeZz

Alex Smith gets 24 million guaranteed and hasn't shown a thing. Gates puts up record-breaking numbers in his first year and has to stick with making $380,000 a year?

No TE is going to get $24M in guaranteed money. TE are not drafted first overall. They are like a guard, center or a FB. Gonzo has changed the equation somewhat, but it remains a position where you can geet good production without investing a super high pick.

HolmeZz · 08-17-2005, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdcox

No TE is going to get $28M in guaranteed money. TE are not drafted first overall. They are like a guard, center or a FB. Gonzo has changed the equation somewhat, but it remains a position where you can geet good production without investing a super high pick.

I didn't say he should get paid like that. I was just trying to disprove SideWinder's claim that he doesn't deserve a big contract because he's only played one year.

08-17-2005, 07:45 PM
Wile_E_Coyote avatar down for remodel Join Date: Jul 2001 Casino cash: $10004900	Charges give Gates ultimatum http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/3...40813162&ATT=5 The San Diego Chargers have made their move in the contract stalemate with All-Pro tight end Antonio Gates. FOXSports.com has learned that the Chargers sent Gates a letter informing him that if he does not sign his tender (reported to be $380,000) by Saturday, he will be held out of both the season opener against Dallas in addition to the last two preseason games. The letter also states that for every preseason and regular season game he misses after Saturday's game, he will be sat for an extra game. In other words, if Gates does not sign his tender until after the preseason, he will miss the first three games of the season, as the contract impasse between the two sides now hits another level. He will also not receive a game check for those games he is forced to sit. For the games Gates is forced to miss, he will be held off the team's 53-man roster. Gates last year was named an All Pro and wants to be paid along the lines of Chiefs' perennial Pro Bowl tight end Tony Gonzalez. The Chargers have negotiated with Gates for a while, but when they could not get a deal done prior to camp, Gates boycotted training camp. Gates, who did not play college football, had a breakout year in 2004, making 81 catches for 964 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Posts: 6,009

08-17-2005, 07:47 PM	#2
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $790478	Hahaha! Without Gates the Chargers are an 8-8 team. __________________ Chiefs game films
Posts: 297,469

08-17-2005, 07:49 PM	#3
NaptownChief Football Pimp Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Indianapolis,IN Casino cash: $9974900	What a bunch of BS...If he is available they will play him the moment the games start counting. __________________ "We weren't worth a damn," the Kansas City Chiefs head coach said, shaking his head. "I'm not worth a damn. No one's worth a damn..." Former President of the Eric Downing Fan Club and Current President of the Kris"Secret Weapon"Wilson Fan Club
Posts: 4,357

08-17-2005, 07:58 PM	#4
HolmeZz i guess its bittersweet poetry Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: NeW HaVeN, CT Casino cash: $10004900	Pony up and give him a new contract, you cheap bastards. $380,000?
Posts: 16,520

08-17-2005, 08:08 PM	#9
cdcox www.nfl-forecast.com Join Date: Sep 2000 Casino cash: $-588231	I think there are two options that would be fair to both sides: Give him a one year contract at about the level of Gonzo. Or give him a multi-year deal with a signing bonus at a level significantly better than he is now, but around the #3 slot in the league. Either option would balance the reward/risk on for the player and team. The current contract makes Gates bear all the risk. A huge multi-year contract is not warranted based on one good year because it puts too much risk on the Chargers. Why everyone can't see this and get a deal done is beyond me, but I sure am happy about it.
Posts: 46,032

08-17-2005, 08:11 PM	#12
chagrin Giggitty! Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Missoula, Mt Casino cash: $9804905	Akili Smith played 12 games in college and got a huge contract too, why shouldn't antonio get paid... __________________ Times have changed, so have I, things are better now.
Posts: 13,414

08-17-2005, 08:12 PM	#13
Red Dawg Going home eventually Join Date: Dec 2002 Casino cash: $1222858	I gotta go with Gates on this one. __________________ If you're not first you're last!
Posts: 33,173