Story From NFL.com SAN DIEGO (Aug. 18, 2005) -- The San Diego Chargers told Antonio Gates that he will be suspended for three games, including the season opener against Dallas, if he doesn't end his holdout by Aug. 20. In an attempt to break an impasse in negotiations for a multi-year deal, the Chargers sent Gates' agent, Andre Colona, a letter on Aug. 12 informing him of the ultimatum. If Gates isn't at camp by 12:30 p.m. on Aug. 20, he will be suspended for the Chargers' final two exhibition games and the Sept. 11 home game against Dallas. In order to avoid a suspension, the team told the All-Pro tight end that he will need to either sign a new multi-year deal or the $380,000, one-year contract he was tendered as an exclusive-rights free agent. The two sides have been negotiating for a long-term deal since the middle of last season. "We just can't agree on money and years," general manager A.J. Smith said. "We want to know where we're going." Smith said the team is still open to negotiate, but it also needs to know if Gates is going to be part of the team." Colona has not returned repeated calls seeking comment. In just his second season, Gates had 13 touchdown catches to set the NFL single-season record for tight ends. He led the team with 81 catches for 964 yards. "My philosophy is to pay our own players," Smith said. "We stepped out of the box midway through last season. We didn't want him to play for $380,000. We recognized his ability, but we didn't get anywhere. That's fine. Both parties have to agree. Unfortunately, we can't seem to get it going. Hopefully we will. Now, we all know exactly what we're up against." If Gates' holdout lingers another week, he would then be suspended for the final exhibition game and two regular-season games. Once a suspension begins, it's irrevocable, Smith said. "It's disappointing, but it's business," Smith said. Smith refused to discuss specifics, but did say the team won't give Gates a deal equal to that of Kansas City tight end Tony Gonzalez. "That's the position we've taken on that, and we're very comfortable with that," Smith said. "Gonzalez is an eight-year guy, a six-time Pro Bowler -- a darn good player, where our guy is caught in the system of exclusive-rights free agency, $380,000, which we've stepped out of the box on. He's had one year of production, he's a one-year Pro Bowler, and he's an extremely important part of our team. "We're comfortable with what we're offering and we're willing to go more. It's not acceptable on the other side," Smith said. The Chargers know Gates will at least report for the final six regular-season games in order to gain credit for this season and become a restricted free agent. He can then receive offers from other teams, which the Chargers would have the right to match
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>We just can't agree on money and years</div> Um...gee...what else is there to agree on? He'd better play. I just drafted him. Screw the 3 game suspension!
It's official... Gates has been suspended for the final two pre-season games AND the first week of the season! http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=fanb...nball&type=lgns Damn... Time to comb the waiver wire.
Gates is going to report on Sunday: http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/charg...1444-gates.html And it looks like he might not miss the first game of the year...if they call the commish and ask for an exception.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (panthersare#1)</div><div class='quotemain'>damn, cuz now im screwed at TE, because Bubba Franks isnt in camp yet either</div> Thats your own fault for drafting two TE's with questions written all over them. Especially since neither was in camp.
I think hes gonna hit the free agency next year unless they try to tag him with the franchise tag. Because if he hits the free agent market he can make killer money
actually i think hes a restricted free agent, so he can go out and get a lot of high offers but he can stay in San Diego if they match it.
It's looking more and more like the suspension is going to stick. The whole thing about the commissioner being able to overturn the suspension was just uninformed garbage from Gates's agent.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (J-E-T-S 1083)</div><div class='quotemain'>actually i think hes a restricted free agent, so he can go out and get a lot of high offers but he can stay in San Diego if they match it.</div> I thought that was this year because he signed his restricted free agent tender on sunday, so i think next year he will be unrestricted. But i might be wrong
In my opinion, TE's are a dime a dozen. You can get any bug guy in there and he could catch 70 balls. Just look at Jermaine Wiggins last year, 71 catches in 14 games.
Gates just signed a six year deal... http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-c...ov=ap&type=lgns He still has to sit out week 1...
