Antonio Gates Retiring, is he the best tight end we've ever seen?

**cincinnatikid513** · 01-14-20, 06:06 PM

tony g was better

**stevek173** · 01-14-20, 06:08 PM

Tough to argue against that.

On any one play though?

I say Gronk.

**cincinnatikid513** · 01-14-20, 06:09 PM

Originally posted by stevek173

Tough to argue against that.

On any one play though?

I say Gronk.

yah gronk is a freak of nature wonder if he will come back gotta think kraft will offer him a ton

**rm18** · 01-14-20, 06:11 PM

Kittle

**stevek173** · 01-14-20, 06:12 PM

I would think so

They definitely need him

**stevek173** · 01-14-20, 06:12 PM

Originally posted by rm18

Kittle

Off to a good start for sure

Sharpe was awesome but I didn't like all that ripping on Marino - at all

**RudyRuetigger** · 01-14-20, 06:14 PM

tight ends are never used enough in football

with the running quarterbacks these days, they should be used even more

so the greateast is yet to come once coaches become as smart as me

**stevek173** · 01-14-20, 06:15 PM

No one will be as good as Gronk for at least 50 years

He is a freak of nature, a freak of evolution

**jjgold** · 01-14-20, 06:41 PM

One of best
Hard to say who is best

**KVB** · 01-14-20, 06:47 PM

On paper it's Tony Gonzalez (most yards, most catches, most TDs) with numbers tough to beat.

Ditka wasn't bad either.

**DOM-Ganador** · 01-14-20, 08:33 PM

Gronk was an excellent blocker. A few of these guys were not that interested in the dirty work.
Not sure if any of his contemporaries were treated the same by the refs either.

I do love Kittles attitude.

**trevor123698** · 01-15-20, 06:38 AM

if Ditka had modern healing methods he would be the GOAT.

**Shute** · 01-15-20, 07:19 AM

So many great tight ends in the NFL
Seems like every team has a beast

**Hman** · 01-15-20, 07:30 AM

Gonzalez and Gronk neck & neck for greatest TE ever.

At some points it looked as if Gates or Graham would be but they fell off.

**MinnesotaFats** · 01-15-20, 07:46 AM

It's a position that's evolved so much it's impossible to state a 'BEST' of all time, only maybe best of decade, etc.

The game Ditka played was vastly different than Jay Novacheck, Mark Bavarro or Steve Jordan and that was different than the Sharpe or Whitten era then enter Tony G and Gronk which are basically primary targets versus what was a blocking position a generation ago and you cannot compare.

Gates good, nothing special. Had an offense and a game designed around him. Never won anything. Tony G, with better stats, Gronk with more meaningful career. Gates #3 or #4 in his own prime, in a position still evolving and underrepresented in the HOF.

Until Bavarro and Jordan get in, Gates no HOF for me.

**USCPHILLYGUY** · 01-15-20, 07:49 AM

**darrell74** · 01-15-20, 08:12 AM

Gates top 20, sure
GOAT, no way
He had good years
Maybe a HOF candidate
Nifty fantasy player 10 years ago

**Kermit** · 01-15-20, 09:45 AM

I figured since he didn't get singed and didn't play this year that he was retired.

**Kermit** · 01-15-20, 09:45 AM

He had some great seasons though.

**cincinnatikid513** · 01-15-20, 10:03 AM

larry fitz coming back next season

**JAKEPEAVY21** · 01-15-20, 10:28 AM

Originally posted by MinnesotaFats

It's a position that's evolved so much it's impossible to state a 'BEST' of all time, only maybe best of decade, etc.

The game Ditka played was vastly different than Jay Novacheck, Mark Bavarro or Steve Jordan and that was different than the Sharpe or Whitten era then enter Tony G and Gronk which are basically primary targets versus what was a blocking position a generation ago and you cannot compare.

Gates good, nothing special. Had an offense and a game designed around him. Never won anything. Tony G, with better stats, Gronk with more meaningful career. Gates #3 or #4 in his own prime, in a position still evolving and underrepresented in the HOF.

Until Bavarro and Jordan get in, Gates no HOF for me.

Steve Jordan is not a HOFer.

Neither is your boy Kirk Cousins.

**Chi_archie** · 01-15-20, 10:49 AM

easy Hall of fame. I"m not sure how many 3 time first team all pros at skill positions are not in.

even if he was a wide receiver his stats stack up VERY well. But basically the trendsetter for the new era in tight ends.

Jerry Rice+	197	1985-2004	3TM
Randy Moss+	156	1998-2012	5TM
Terrell Owens+	153	1996-2010	5TM
Cris Carter+	130	1987-2002	3TM
Marvin Harrison+	128	1996-2008	clt
Larry Fitzgerald	120	2004-2019	crd
Antonio Gates	116	2003-2018	sdg
Tony Gonzalez+	111	1997-2013	2TM
Tim Brown+	100	1988-2004	2TM
Steve Largent+	100	1976-1989	sea
Don Hutson+	99	1935-1945	gnb
Isaac Bruce	91	1994-2009	2TM
Don Maynard+	88	1958-1973	3TM
Andre Reed+	87	1985-2000	2TM
Lance Alworth+	85	1962-1972	2TM
Hines Ward	85	1998-2011	pit

Jerry Rice+	22,895	1985-2004	3TM
Larry Fitzgerald	17,083	2004-2019	crd
Terrell Owens+	15,934	1996-2010	5TM
Randy Moss+	15,292	1998-2012	5TM
Isaac Bruce	15,208	1994-2009	2TM
Tony Gonzalez+	15,127	1997-2013	2TM
Tim Brown+	14,934	1988-2004	2TM
Steve Smith	14,731	2001-2016	2TM
Marvin Harrison+	14,580	1996-2008	clt
Reggie Wayne	14,345	2001-2014	clt
Andre Johnson	14,185	2003-2016	3TM
James Lofton+	14,004	1978-1993	5TM
Cris Carter+	13,899	1987-2002	3TM
Anquan Boldin	13,779	2003-2016	4TM
Henry Ellard	13,777	1983-1998	3TM
Torry Holt	13,382	1999-2009	2TM
Andre Reed+	13,198	1985-2000	2TM
Steve Largent+	13,089	1976-1989	sea
Jason Witten	12,977	2003-2019	dal
Irving Fryar	12,785	1984-2000	4TM
Art Monk+	12,721	1980-1995	3TM
Brandon Marshall	12,351	2006-2018	6TM
Jimmy Smith	12,287	1992-2005	2TM
Charlie Joiner+	12,146	1969-1986	3TM
Julio Jones	12,125	2011-2019	atl
Hines Ward	12,083	1998-2011	pit
Derrick Mason	12,061	1997-2011	4TM
Michael Irvin+	11,904	1988-1999	dal
Antonio Gates	11,841	2003-2018	sdg
Don Maynard+	11,834	1958-1973	3TM
Calvin Johnson	11,619	2007-2015	det

Jerry Rice+	1,549	1985-2004	3TM
Larry Fitzgerald	1,378	2004-2019	crd
Tony Gonzalez+	1,325	1997-2013	2TM
Jason Witten	1,215	2003-2019	dal
Marvin Harrison+	1,102	1996-2008	clt
Cris Carter+	1,101	1987-2002	3TM
Tim Brown+	1,094	1988-2004	2TM
Terrell Owens+	1,078	1996-2010	5TM
Anquan Boldin	1,076	2003-2016	4TM
Reggie Wayne	1,070	2001-2014	clt
Andre Johnson	1,062	2003-2016	3TM
Steve Smith	1,031	2001-2016	2TM
Isaac Bruce	1,024	1994-2009	2TM
Hines Ward	1,000	1998-2011	pit
Randy Moss+	982	1998-2012	5TM
Brandon Marshall	970	2006-2018	6TM
Antonio Gates	955	2003-2018	sdg
Andre Reed+	951	1985-2000	2TM
Derrick Mason	943	1997-2011	4TM
Art Monk+	940	1980-1995	3TM

**seaborneq** · 01-15-20, 11:43 AM

Tony Gonzalez was durable and a go to guy. Gronk was a mismatch nightmare and great blocker. Give me Tony Gonzalez as best TE ever, and Gronk as the most dominating ever.

**stevenash** · 01-15-20, 07:34 PM

Originally posted by trevor123698

if Ditka had modern healing methods he would be the GOAT.

This

**MinnesotaFats** · 01-15-20, 08:11 PM

Originally posted by JAKEPEAVY21

Steve Jordan is not a HOFer.

Neither is your boy Kirk Cousins.

Steve Jordan is a 6 time pro bowler 86-92. No other TE played in 6 straight in that era.

**Chi_archie** · 01-15-20, 08:16 PM

do Pro Bowls matter?

if they do, Gates has 8 Pro Bowls

**19th Hole** · 01-15-20, 08:32 PM

SteveK grading adult tight ends.

**JIBBBY** · 01-15-20, 08:36 PM

He looked old this year and he retire..

Jason Witten showed up better coming back at his advanced age IMO..

Gates was a player though just like Witten..

**Mr KLC** · 01-19-20, 05:51 PM

Jason Witten surprisingly returned to the Dallas Cowboys after a stint on "Monday Night Football" in 2018, becoming a mentor toward the younger Dallas Cowboys players while chasing that elusive Super Bowl title. While Witten's dream of winning a Super Bowl with the Cowboys may have been dashed, his NFL career may not be over just yet.

Per ESPN's Chris Mortensen, Witten hasn't ruled out playing a 17th season in the NFL and could reunite with Jason Garrett with the New York Giants. Garrett was named the offensive coordinator in New York after spending the past nine seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, which could entice Witten to join him.

**pimike** · 01-19-20, 05:53 PM

No

Top 10

**USCPHILLYGUY** · 01-19-20, 05:57 PM

Originally posted by MinnesotaFats

Steve Jordan is a 6 time pro bowler 86-92. No other TE played in 6 straight in that era.

Pro Bowler

**Brock Landers** · 01-19-20, 06:05 PM

Ever heard of JOHN MACKEY?

**JAKEPEAVY21** · 11-28-23, 10:35 AM

Originally posted by MinnesotaFats

It's a position that's evolved so much it's impossible to state a 'BEST' of all time, only maybe best of decade, etc.

The game Ditka played was vastly different than Jay Novacheck, Mark Bavarro or Steve Jordan and that was different than the Sharpe or Whitten era then enter Tony G and Gronk which are basically primary targets versus what was a blocking position a generation ago and you cannot compare.

Gates good, nothing special. Had an offense and a game designed around him. Never won anything. Tony G, with better stats, Gronk with more meaningful career. Gates #3 or #4 in his own prime, in a position still evolving and underrepresented in the HOF.

Until Bavarro and Jordan get in, Gates no HOF for me.

Originally posted by JAKEPEAVY21

Steve Jordan is not a HOFer.

Neither is your boy Kirk Cousins.

Originally posted by MinnesotaFats

Steve Jordan is a 6 time pro bowler 86-92. No other TE played in 6 straight in that era.

Newly eligible Peppers, Gates HOF semifinalists

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/38997777/julius-peppers-antonio-gates-football-hall-fame-semifinalists

In their first year of eligibility, Julius Peppers and Antonio Gates are semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's class of 2024.

Steve Jordan nowhere to be found in the HOF voting

Fatty made many ridiculous posts but this had to be way up there...

**JIBBBY** · 11-28-23, 11:21 AM

Hall of Famer for sure. He was tough!