I always find it real interesting hearing from the big media outlets explain the Chargers personnel needs as we approach the draft. Obviously as readers of the site, you guys know where I stand on where the Chargers' roster needs help; adding a capable running back has long been on my priority list and so I'm glad the guys at ESPN also see that need. But something I have never felt strongly about was the need to draft a really good cornerback...at least not in the early rounds. There are people who will tell you that the Chargers have a huge hole to fill at nickel back with the departure of Drayton Florence but I feel the Chargers were already prepared to move on when they took Paul Oliver in the Supplemental Draft last year.
Although respected guys like Mel Kiper and Vic Carucci have in recent mocks given the Chargers cornerbacks like Justin King and Brandon Flowers, I will have to disagree with their projections and go out on a limb and guarentee the Chargers do not spend a first round pick on a cornerback. In my opinion, they would sooner add a rush linebacker with their first round pick than a cornerback.
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Antonio Gates is easily one of the best tight ends to have ever played NFL football, but I doubt he would get into the Hall of Fame now if his career were to mysteriously end now. Why? Because, despite eye-popping numbers and video-highlight reels to die for, careers like Gates' are a microcosm of what's wrong with the modern corporate game and inherent problems trying to rate individual players in a team sport.
If Antonio had had a stellar college career as a tight end and retired tomorrow, he might make it in; but as someone who was UNdrafted yet enormously successful, his career makes the prognosticator industry look less than the Grand Pooba's they purport to be. Ditto for Gates' quick ascent to lofty numbers. Naysayers will mention Brees' lack of success with the deep pass, or L.T.'s phenominal success will be used as a "qualifier" against Gates' induction merit as he was "only a part" of a great offensive team. It's ironic, even foolish, but Gates needs to escape the "shadow" of L.T.'s iconic career to solidly define his own. Nowadays Jackson, Sproles, and others are getting more balls thrown to them too. So it will be, by offensive design, probably difficult for Gates to continue on with the pace of his earlier success; and that's assuming he can stay healthy. But whatever accolades may come his way eventually, he has been just fantastic to watch as a Charger.
Personally, I'd even rate him slightly above the great Kellen Winslow here, and Winslow's in the HoF. Winslow's career here also reiterates my earlier point; he was pivotal to the NFL to a large degree because his position was pivotal to the passing attack introduced to the NFL by Don Coryell and his staff. Yet, AMAZINGLY, relatively few folks are clamoring so much for Coryell's overdue induction into the HoF!? Coryell deserves to be there as much as anyone, period! But Don loved football and football players first and foremost, and never did the Corporate or media dance. Truth is, none are so blind as those that refuse to see.
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What's your take? Registration is not required so feel free to post anonymously. But we encourage you guys to at least use some sort of screen name to help identify one another in discussions. Use Name/URL!