Antonio Gates is down for the first four games of the season due to a league suspension. The heir apparent, Ladarius Green, stands to benefit. Based on other games when the Chargers have been without Gates in recent years, what should be expected from Green?
Over the last five seasons, Gates has missed a total of 10 games, although none the last two years. Green, who has plenty of athletic talent but has limited opportunities to show it, will get a chance to replace him.
In those previous 10 Gates-less games, there have been just two occasions where San Diego's starting tight end has put up big numbers. Eight times, the tight end didn't score. In most of the other games, it's been a wide receiver who put up very strong numbers. So maybe instead of focusing on Green, we should all have more interest in Keenan Allen, Malcom Floyd and Stevie Johnson.
Randy McMichael was the replacement in most of those games, and he's not as dynamic an athlete as Green. Still, it looks risky to count on Green being a fantasy starter based on the history.
| CHARGERS WITHOUT GATES, 2010-PRESENT | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Opp | Tight End | Rec | Yards | TD | Top WR | |
| 2010 | Hou. | R.McMichael | 2 | 23 | 2 | S.Ajirotutu: 4-111-2 | |
| 2010 | Den. | K.Sperry | 2 | 21 | 0 | P.Crayton: 3-105-1 | |
| 2010 | K.C. | R.McMichael | 2 | 26 | 0 | M.Floyd: 4-51-2 | |
| 2010 | S.F. | R.McMichael | 5 | 55 | 0 | V.Jackson: 5-112-3 | |
| 2010 | Cin. | R.McMichael | 2 | 13 | 0 | L.Naanee: 4-59-0 | |
| 2010 | Den. | R.McMichael | 2 | 22 | 0 | L.Naanee: 4-79-0 | |
| 2011 | K.C. | R.McMichael | 4 | 51 | 0 | V.Jackson: 5-63-0 | |
| 2011 | Mia. | R.McMichael | 3 | 25 | 0 | V.Jackson: 3-108-1 | |
| 2011 | Den. | R.McMichael | 4 | 29 | 0 | M.Floyd: 3-100-1 | |
| 2012 | Tenn. | D.Rosario | 4 | 48 | 3 | M.Floyd: 6-109-0 | |
--Andy Richardson
