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8/20/2005 6:34:52 PM
SAN DIEGO (AP) - The agent for San Diego Chargers' tight end Antonio Gates told ESPN radio Saturday that his client will report to camp on Sunday and play for the team's tendered one-year offer of $380,000.
In an extreme move to break an impasse in negotiations, the Chargers ordered Gates to report to camp and sign a contract or face a three-game suspension. Gates' agent Andre Colona and the Chargers continued to negotiate up to the 12:30 p.m. deadline, but again failed to agree on a multiyear deal.
Gates had refused to sign the $380,000 US, one-year contract the team tendered him as an exclusive-rights free agent.
"Obviously if Gates turns out missing the first game because of this, that's disappointing for everyone in this locker-room because he is big part of our team and we don't want to see that happen," quarterback Drew Brees said after practice Saturday, but before the deadline passed.
"He's someone we need on the team, but business is business," said running back LaDainian Tomlinson, who missed most of his rookie training camp in 2001 in a contract holdout.
Tomlinson said he spoke with Gates by phone Friday night.
"He was hoping things got worked out. Hopefully things still get worked out," Tomlinson said. "We obviously need him, but it is a business first and if Antonio is not here we are going to have to hold the fort down until he gets back."
Gates accounted for nearly 20 per cent of the offence last year. He became a star in just his second NFL season, helping the Chargers go 12-4 and reach the playoffs for the first time in nine seasons.
Gates caught 13 touchdown passes - a league record for tight ends - and led the Chargers with 81 catches for 964 yards. Defences had a tough time trying to cover the six-foot-four, 260-pound former college basketball standout, who last year said he often used his hoops skills on the football field since he was used to boxing out bigger players. He was a power forward at Kent State, and didn't play college football.
Tomlinson was the team's second-leading receiver with 53 catches for 441 yards and one score, as well as rushing for 1,335 yards and 17 TDs. The Chargers didn't have a wide receiver catch as many as 50 balls.
The Chargers normally have trouble getting their top draft picks into camp, but this situation developed because Gates wanted a deal similar to other top tight ends. The sides have been negotiating a long-term deal since the middle of last season but still can't agree on length or money.
Since Gates has had just one big year, the Chargers didn't want to pay him equal to Kansas City's Tony Gonzalez.
The Chargers host the St. Louis Rams on Sunday.
SAN DIEGO (AP) - The agent for San Diego Chargers' tight end Antonio Gates told ESPN radio Saturday that his client will report to camp on Sunday and play for the team's tendered one-year offer of $380,000.
In an extreme move to break an impasse in negotiations, the Chargers ordered Gates to report to camp and sign a contract or face a three-game suspension. Gates' agent Andre Colona and the Chargers continued to negotiate up to the 12:30 p.m. deadline, but again failed to agree on a multiyear deal.
Gates had refused to sign the $380,000 US, one-year contract the team tendered him as an exclusive-rights free agent.
"Obviously if Gates turns out missing the first game because of this, that's disappointing for everyone in this locker-room because he is big part of our team and we don't want to see that happen," quarterback Drew Brees said after practice Saturday, but before the deadline passed.
"He's someone we need on the team, but business is business," said running back LaDainian Tomlinson, who missed most of his rookie training camp in 2001 in a contract holdout.
Tomlinson said he spoke with Gates by phone Friday night.
"He was hoping things got worked out. Hopefully things still get worked out," Tomlinson said. "We obviously need him, but it is a business first and if Antonio is not here we are going to have to hold the fort down until he gets back."
Gates accounted for nearly 20 per cent of the offence last year. He became a star in just his second NFL season, helping the Chargers go 12-4 and reach the playoffs for the first time in nine seasons.
Gates caught 13 touchdown passes - a league record for tight ends - and led the Chargers with 81 catches for 964 yards. Defences had a tough time trying to cover the six-foot-four, 260-pound former college basketball standout, who last year said he often used his hoops skills on the football field since he was used to boxing out bigger players. He was a power forward at Kent State, and didn't play college football.
Tomlinson was the team's second-leading receiver with 53 catches for 441 yards and one score, as well as rushing for 1,335 yards and 17 TDs. The Chargers didn't have a wide receiver catch as many as 50 balls.
The Chargers normally have trouble getting their top draft picks into camp, but this situation developed because Gates wanted a deal similar to other top tight ends. The sides have been negotiating a long-term deal since the middle of last season but still can't agree on length or money.
Since Gates has had just one big year, the Chargers didn't want to pay him equal to Kansas City's Tony Gonzalez.
The Chargers host the St. Louis Rams on Sunday.
