CHARGERS: Best in the biz: Enjoy possibly the last meeting between Gates and Gonzalez, two of the premier tight ends in NFL history

By MIKE SULLIVAN - Staff Writer | Friday, November 7, 2008 6:26 PM PST ∞

SAN DIEGO ---- Two of the NFL's top tight ends will once again share the same football field on Sunday, and it could mark the last time that Tony Gonzalez and Antonio Gates compete against each other at Qualcomm Stadium.

With the Kansas City Chiefs wallowing through the early stages of a major rebuilding plan, there's no guarantee that Gonzalez will be with the team next season. The most productive tight end in NFL history was nearly traded to Green Bay last month and reiterated Wednesday that he intends to retire after the 2009 season.

The thought of the 32-year-old Gonzalez wearing another team's uniform seems odd to Gates, the Chargers' star who has joined Gonzalez as a perennial AFC Pro Bowl selection.

"Any time you have a guy that has played his whole career in a city, and he has tremendous respect in that town, and that town loves Tony, to be putting him on the trade block, it has to be some type of business decision," Gates said. "I can't imagine it being personal. I had to really think it was about that football team, about that football team winning football games, and that's why the discussions came up at that point."

Gonzalez thought he was a goner 15 minutes before the trading deadline, and he was initially devastated that a deal fell through.

He then held a clubhouse meeting with himself, attempting to find the right mind-set to go about completing his 12th season with the Chiefs. He later assured his teammates in a players-only meeting that he was at peace with what happened.

"I said to myself I can either be pissed off about it ---- and I was that night ---- but by the next morning I was rejuvenated," Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez, a nine-time Pro Bowl selection, holds NFL records for receptions (860), receiving yardage (10,313) and touchdowns (69) by a tight end and hardly appears to be slowing down. He caught 99 passes just last season and has 40 catches at the midway point of the season.

Gates could eventually surpass Gonzalez's touchdown record. He enters Sunday's game with 48 career touchdown receptions ---- he broke the Chargers' record for touchdowns by a tight end (45 by Kellen Winslow) just last month ---- and is just four scores away from tying Dave Casper for fifth place in NFL history.

Despite being hindered by foot and hip injuries during the first half of this season, Gates is tied for the team lead in both receptions (30) and touchdowns (five).

And the four-time Pro Bowl pick thinks he's just now hitting his stride.

"Now I can practice a full week, and practice is significant to how you play," Gates said. "There's no magic to how you play, there's no magic to having longevity and playing at a high level; you have to be able to practice."

A strong work ethic is certainly something that Gonzalez and Gates have in common. Chargers backup tight end Kris Wilson spent the last four seasons with the Chiefs and was impressed by Gonzalez's tireless efforts to fine-tune his craft. He has seen the same thing with Gates.

"They're both professionals and they both take the game very seriously," Wilson said. "I think what people don't realize is the amount of work both guys put in.

"Obviously, there's a different playing style between the two, but they're both out there behind the scenes before and after practice, when nobody is out there, working on their crafts.

"They are the two best tight ends in the game ---- great work ethic and great natural ability. Obviously, Antonio is a little younger, but both of them are respected for playing the position at its highest level."

Wilson said he always figured Gonzalez would "retire as a Chief." Even Kansas City coach Herman Edwards sounds relieved that the October proposal fell through.

"He's been a staple here for all these years and a Hall of Fame tight end," Edwards said. "I'm glad that it didn't really transpire. It didn't work out, and that's good for us and for him, too, because he gets to end his career here, hopefully."

Once Gonzalez leaves the game, Gates will likely be viewed as the NFL's top tight end ---- Dallas' Jason Witten, a four-time NFC Pro Bowler, certainly deserves mention ---- and Gonzalez will enjoy watching the latter stages of Gates' career.

"I have unbelievable respect for him," Gonzalez said. "Just watching him grow as a player and seeing the things that he's done and trying to copy him. As a person, I really like Gates because he's tough. He plays hurt and he works hard. Seeing his demeanor at the Pro Bowl, he's not one of those 'I, my, me' guys. But obviously, he wants the ball in certain situations because he's a great player."

Chargers notes

WR Chris Chambers (ankle) and CB Antonio Cromartie (hip) were limited practice participants and appear to be in line to start. Chambers said he doesn't foresee being completely healthy for another 3-to-4 weeks. ... Backup C Jeremy Newberry (illness) missed practice. ... The local television blackout for Sunday's game was lifted on Thursday. The game will be televised by Channel 8.

Contact staff writer Mike Sullivan at (760) 739-6645 or msullivan@nctimes.com.