Though he will shortly surpass Charlie Joiner as the Chargers’ career receptions leader, Antonio Gates is also closing in on Antonio Gates. For the first time in a long time, the archetypal tight end looks like a reasonable facsimile of his former self. “I’m not 100 percent, but I feel great,” Gates said Friday afternoon. “It’s an ongoing process and it will continue to be treated that way. But for the most part, I’ve been surprised at the things I’ve been able to do and I’ve been surprised at the way I’ve been feeling over the last couple of weeks.” In nine mostly splendid seasons in the National Football League, Gates has had more difficulty shaking plantar fasciitis than any defender who has dared to cover him. The painful foot condition has reduced Gates from a one-of-a-kind player to a willing spirit of weakened flesh. It cost him some of his burst, some of his ability to abruptly change directions and much of the separation that has enabled an erstwhile basketball forward to catch 582 passes in the National Football League. “At one point, I was worried because it lingered so long,” Gates said. “Now, it’s encouraging to know that all of the things I was doing are eventually starting to pay off in some form. I’m starting to see the results. I’m able to make some cuts. I’m able to make some moves. To me, it was all about the pain tolerance. I’m starting to get used to dealing with the pain for the most part and it’s easing up, if you will.”
Source: San Diego Union Tribune
Attached Thumbnails
Source: San Diego Union Tribune
Attached Thumbnails
Original Story:
