Antonio Gates to sign cheap contract.
Since this is a topic that's been buzzing in the last week or so, and we have a Chargers fan that is a regular reader to this blog *points to tagboard* I thought I'd discuss the Antonio Gates/Chargers dispute.
According to the AP,
Gates signed a one-year contract worth $380,000. Considering the guy led the Chargers' receiving corps with 81 catches for 964 years and catching a league-record 13 touchdowns - mindboggling stats for a tight end - he'll make little more than some kickers this season.
Kinda reminds me of a bar from Kanye West's "Golddigger": "Win the Super Bowl; drive off in a Hyundai".
And the Chargers have taken even more of a hardcore stance towards the Chargers than the Eagles have towards TO. Gates contract ran out, but he is a restricted free agent. The Chargers offered him a multi-year contract earlier, but he rejected it, wanting a contract similar to the Kansas City Chiefs' Tony Gonzalez, who is THE premier tight end in the NFL. The Chargers then threw him the one-year contract, in which they made sure they paid the BARE minimum if he was to become unrestricted next year. Last week, the Chargers gave Gates an ultimatum; sign one of the contracts, or be suspended for three games; the last two preseason ones and the first game of the regular season.
How can you suspend someone that isn't even under contract?
I understand the restrictive free agent clause helps franchises keep teams together, but it is sorely at a disadvantage to the players. I'm not saying Gates is worth Gonzalez money, but he is definitely worth more than the pocket change the Chargers are throwing at him. It is stories like Gates's and Brian Westbook's that I am starting to side more with the players over the owners.
