San Diego Chargers’ head coach Norv Turner: Antonio Gates ‘looks great’ – NFL News
San Diego Chargers’ head coach, Norv Turner, confirmed on Thursday, May 17, 2012, that tight end, Antonio Gates, is in proper shape and that the player is working out well in the offseason conditioning programme.
Gates, who will turn 32 next month, has been playing for Chargers since starting his professional National Football League (NFL) career in 2003.
He is one of the team’s greatest players but his performance has been hampered consistently during the past few years owing to a foot injury.
He holds plenty of records for the team. Gates has been named to the Pro Bowl squad for eight times in his nine-year career. He was also a member of NFL 2000s All-Decade Team.
In the 2010 season, Gates could only play and start 10 games as the injury forced him out of rest of the season.
Overall, he registered 782 receiving yards in that season on 50 receptions while scoring 10 touchdowns.
Before the start of the 2011 season, he was unable to train properly as the injury continued bothering him.
He was able to play and start only 13 games last year in which he managed a total of 778 receiving yards on 64 receptions. He also scored seven touchdowns.
By the looks of the things, it seems that Gates might not face the same problem now as his perfect health condition has also received endorsement from the head coach. However, nothing is finalised at the moment.
Turner told the U-T San Diego, about Gates:
"Gates looks great — he's back. Physically, he's back to where we want him to be. I think, like anybody, going through this offseason program helps you get better. (It's) the combination of conditioning, the combination of getting better in the areas you
can improve, and being out there with your teammates."
Gates has been named for the Pro Bowl for eight consecutive times. It is still unknown if he will be able to perform well in the upcoming season, but if he stays fit throughout the season and plays all games he might be able to get the Pro Bowl selection
for the ninth straight time, if the Pro Bowl matchup takes place.
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