Unlike other TEs, Gates hurt Seahawks
Antonio Gates belongs in the Super Bowl. Cue the violins if it ever happens. The tight end has made eight Pro Bowls yet never reached the ultimate game. He was a victory shy once, in January 2008. Then a toe injury hobbled him, while knee damage sidelined LaDanian Tomlinson and a torn knee ligament limited Philip Rivers as the Patriots won.
Gates, 34, keeps pushing the rock up the hill.
It’d be a sentimental journey, but he belongs in a Super Bowl not as career affirmation. He belongs because there is still no other tight end -- not Jimmy Graham, not Vernon Davis, not Julius Thomas -- who is more valuable than Gates when he’s fairly fresh.
As you shake your head no, Seahawks defenders are nodding.
What prompted these Super Bowl musings, which ordinarily are silly in September, was Gates’ performance versus the Super Bowl champs on Sunday. If not surprising, Gates’ dominance was telling in light of the opponent.
Turbo-charging their playoff run last winter, Seahawks defenders identified and nullified a Pro Bowl tight end in each contest.
When the Saints went to rowdy Seattle for the Divisional Playoff, Graham managed just one catch for eight yards and looked intimidated. His blocking supported his contention months later that he should be classified as a receiver for salary purposes.
In the NFC Championship Game, also in Seattle, Davis caught two passes for 16 yards.
The Super Bowl was next. Thomas had four inconsequential catches worth 27 yards. He also played a role in a tone-setting interception.
All told, the three 2013 Pro Bowlers had seven catches for 50 yards with no touchdowns.
Old Man Gates? Dueling a Seattle defense Sunday that was at full strength and had extra rest, he put up three touchdowns within a seven-catch, 96-yard day and caused a holding flag that erased a third-down sack.
He beat each starting linebacker for important gains, two yielding points, and got behind Pro Bowl safety and enforcer Kam Chancellor to gather six more points.
“He made catches that regular tight ends don’t make,” Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner said.
Gates and Rivers were like old dudes at the YMCA who school the young studs at basketball.
Except these youngsters own Super Bowl diamonds.
“He’s definitely a very crafty tight end,” said Chancellor, 26, who as a former Virginia Tech teammate to Brandon Flowers and Eddie Royal held no mysteries for the Chargers. “He is very smart, and he has a great quarterback that knows him and what moves he makes and puts it only where he can get it.”
Gates deserved Pro Bowl recognition last year, but voters acted like Fantasy League owners. His impact was great, if not always easy to spot.
Playing all 18 games and blocking twice as often as Graham, though, seemed to wear him down.
If the Chargers need any extra motivation to reach the Super Bowl, not in some distant year but this very winter, Gates dangled a triple-scoop ice cream cone Sunday. They’ve not reached consecutive postseasons since 2008-09. Should they return with a spry Gates, there’d be more reason to like their chances.
