Antonio Gates was ninth on the Chargers in catches the preseason he broke into the NFL again in 2003 — nonetheless an influence ahead in cleats looking for his means between the white strains that summer season, when Cleo Lemon was the first exhibition-game passer for the then–San Diego–primarily based crew.
Gates got here to the Chargers as an undrafted free agent, and the {hardware} in his trophy case was largely a mirrored image of his school hoops profession at Kent State.
He confirmed up and really rapidly grew to become a reputation quarterbacks Drew Brees and Doug Flutie received to know.
Gates will likely be enshrined within the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame this weekend as a residing testomony to why the preseason opener that includes the Chargers and Detroit Lions genuinely issues to a big proportion of the roster. You won’t know the names or faces after they take the sphere on Thursday, however there’s doubtless a participant on the sphere in Canton who will quickly show to be way more canine than underdog.
There’s a brand new tight finish within the image for the Chargers making waves in coaching camp — Oronde Gadsden II — able to being the participant followers are speaking about Friday morning. A fifth-round decide and the son of former Dolphins large receiver Oronde Gadsden, Gadsden II was a large receiver at Syracuse and has the mixture of measurement and ball abilities to thrive within the Jim Harbaugh, tight finish–pleasant offense.
Listed here are 4 different gamers to look at because the NFL returns Thursday evening:
Lions QB Hendon Hooker
Hooker is 27, and solely the Lions know for certain the place he’s in his improvement towards changing into a professional quarterback. Hooker entered the NFL whereas recovering from a season-ending knee harm suffered at Tennessee, and Jared Goff has been placing up MVP-type numbers ever since. If he goes deep, watch for large rookie Isaac TeSlaa to go make a play for Hooker.
Chargers CB Nikko Reed
Undrafted after taking part in school ball at Colorado and Oregon — two groups with polished receivers operating a refined route tree — Reed is an early favourite of defensive coordinator Jesse Minter. A competitor who has been across the ball incessantly.
Chargers RB Omario Hampton
A reputation most will know due to his pedigree as a first-round decide and All-ACC again at North Carolina, Hampton has all of the potential to be the featured star on Thursday evening. He’s more likely to get sufficient work as a runner and outlet receiver for Trey Lance — sure, that Trey Lance — to place up some numbers, too.
Lions RB Jacob Saylors
We belief for those who’re keen to sacrifice your Thursday night to scout third-stringers within the Corridor of Fame Recreation, you would possibly’ve occurred upon some UFL motion, too. An East Tennessee State product who performed for St. Louis the previous two seasons, Saylors was a scintillating watch on the UFL stage due to his versatility. A weapon as a receiver, he compiled a complete of 1,357 yards from scrimmage and 13 TDs in 18 UFL video games.