Gates Making Strides; Young CB's Shine

Mamba · Aug 18, 2008

ST. LOUIS – The best news for the Chargers last night came before their preseason game against the Rams.

With Philip Rivers throwing passes, Antonio Gates ran about 20 routes of varying types about an hour before the Chargers commenced their 7-6 loss.

“He looked really good,” Rivers said. “That's encouraging for us, and for him.”

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Gates ran short and deep, full speed, cutting across the field and came in and out of breaks extremely strong. He walked off the field without a limp and less-than-usual discomfort afterward.

“I'll tell you what, it's starting to feel close to normal,” Gates said later. “It still gets sore, but the difference is I can go out and do some things . . . I haven't hit a wall. I feel more comfortable every time I go.”

This was the third time Gates has run routes this hard. He skipped doing so Thursday because of soreness. But he said last night was encouraging and he actually looked forward to seeing how he felt when he woke up in the morning.

He said, “I really feel more than ever I'll be ready” for the Sept. 7 season opener.

Young corners shine

Cletis Gordon and Antoine Cason could not have done much better in their debut as NFL starters last night.

Gordon, in his third season, is having a fantastic camp. The fruit of that was manifest last night when he jumped a Marc Bulger pass to Drew Bennett at the Rams' 45-yard line and returned it 16 yards.

The rookie Cason, who won the nickel spot at the beginning of camp with his fantastic ball awareness, great hands and discipline, had an interception on Bulger's previous pass.

“I thought both held up well,” Turner said. “I was impressed . . . Antoine Cason, I couldn't be more excited about.”

Cason's interception came as he was trailing Randy McMichael, who had the pass go off his hands.

“I didn't know where the ball was,” Cason said. “I go, 'Oh! Here it is.' ”

And on his across-the-field, 53-yard return, he said, “It felt like I was running for about 300 yards because my legs got heavy.”
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huevonkiller · Aug 18, 2008

Gates still has a shot at playing in Week one. Hope he's ok actually.

Mamba · Aug 18, 2008

He'll be there in week 1. I don't think there is a doubt about it. He's determined to get back, he'll be back.

I'm excited for Cason this year.

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Gates Making Strides; Young CB's Shine

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Gates Making Strides; Young CB's Shine

Mamba The King is Back Staff Member Global Moderator

huevonkiller Change (Deftones)

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