Antonio Gates and not Witten????

[Derinyar]

Gates is a better reciever, and has been the main target on his team for most of his career. Gates numbers might not be as big as they are if he had been one of a group of useful recievers more often, hard to tell.

 

[joseephuss]

Whoopie de doo. So what? Gates has also been playing more years. except for this year, the gap is not usually that wide.

No, he hasn't. Both Gates and Witten started playing in the NFL in 2003. That gap in TDs is very wide. Gates will more than likely be the record holder for TDs scored by a tight end by the time his career is over. Gates is not the blocker that Witten is, but Witten is not the scoring machine that Gates is. Every players has their strengths and weaknesses. The same holds true for Gates and Witten. It is a close choice no matter what. No way either guy is clearly better than the other. They both bring substance to the table and could always play for my team.

 

[Vintage]

Whoopie de doo. So what? Gates has also been playing more years. except for this year, the gap is not usually that wide.

Now, you're just inventing things.

Both came into the league in 2003.

Witten had 1 touchdown in 03, Gates had 2. That really isn't that big of a deal considering both were rookies.

Then in 04, Gates had 13 touchdowns. Witten had 6. That's a big difference.
Then in 05, Gates had 10 TD, Witten had 6. That's significant.
Then in 06, Gates had 9 TD, Witten had 1. That's a big difference.
Then in 07, Gates had 9 TD, Witten had 7. That's closing the gap.
Then in 08, Gates had 8 TD, Witten had 4. Doubled up.
Then in 09, Gates had 8 TD, Witten had 2. That's a big difference.

Witten may be a better "all around" TE.... but to state that there isn't usually a big difference in TDs is a lie. There almost always is.

 

[mldardy]

I think the argument should be what competition Gates had compared to Witten. Since Witten has been with the Cowboys he has played with some good wide receivers: as much as I can't stand him Keyshawn, Glenn, T.O., Miles and those receivers took away a lot of TD's from Witten. Gates has been THE go to guy among receivers on the Chargers. The Chargers didn't have a true number one until this year with Vincent Jackson. Not saying that Witten would have more TD's than Gates but Gates wouldn't be ahead by 32 Witten were in the situation Gates has been in.