Antonio Gates Unhappy With Ranking on NFL Network’s Top 100 Players
By Josh Sanchez
Honestly, I completely forgot that the NFL Network was ranking the Top 100 Players in the league, but it looks like the players are paying attention. San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates came in at No. 73 on the list and he wasn’t very happy. Gates went as far as to say the players who filled out their ballots and voted for the Top 100 list did not watch football last season.
In reality, it is probably an accurate ranking for a player who had his worst season since his rookie year, but he appears to think he is still among the league’s elite.
“Apparently they don’t watch football,” Gates said on the NFL Network. “I understand everyone’s opinion. Some people are stat guys, some people are into who catches the touchdowns, who has 100-something catches.
“A lot of people are not interested into what the game plan is about, what guys demand the game plan every single week, week in and week out, [and] what guys demand double teams. I can go on down the list. It is funny to me because it is a joke, in a sense, so it is kind of funny. It is a voice of an opinion. I go out and do what I can do and try to help us win football games. It is always frustrating to see you placed so low. At the same time, it gives me a little chip on my shoulder to come back next year and prove I am one of the better tight ends in the league.”
This is just a case of a very good players ego getting the best of him.
If Gates really believes that he is still among the league’s best, then he should use these pointless rankings as some added motivation heading in to next season. Perhaps he can then get a ranking that is more to his liking.