If Antonio Gates is on his way back to the Los Angeles Chargers
Authentic Courtland Sutton Jersey , general manager Tom Telesco isn't talking about it.
Telesco has a whole lot more to say about the players already settled in Orange County as the Chargers attempt to build on their encouraging relocation season with the start of training camp Saturday.
Telesco repeatedly declined to confirm almost anything Thursday about a potential reunion with the 38-year-old Gates, the star tight end and top receiver in franchise history. The Chargers bade a public farewell to Gates in April, but those plans appear to be changing after tight end Hunter Henry's subsequent season-ending knee injury during offseason workouts in May.
Gates' agent, Tom Condon, told SiriusXM NFL Radio on Tuesday that he is "actively negotiating" with the Chargers for Gates' return for a 16th season with his only NFL franchise.
"I've got nothing new for you," Telesco said. "But if we ever do anything, I'll let you know."
Telesco praised the tight ends already on his roster, including new signee Vernon Green and young backups Braedon Bowman and Sean Culkin. The GM also acknowledged he is confident in Gates' ability to keep playing if he chooses.
Gates caught only 30 passes for 316 yards last season in his lowest totals since his rookie season, but much of that decline was attributable to the stellar play of Henry, who became a key target for Philip Rivers in the Bolts' high-powered offense.
Aside from Gates' future, Telesco and the Chargers are heading into training camp with far fewer variables and obstacles than they had last season. The franchise combined its complicated relocation from San Diego with the arrival of a new coaching staff led by Anthony Lynn, leading to a training camp and a September that was particularly draining to the players, coaches and front office.
"Going into training camp right now
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Indeed, the Chargers appear to be in their most stable position in several years. The front office and top coaches are all returning, and their roster underwent remarkably little turnover in the offseason after the Bolts just missed the playoffs at 9-7.
The contrast is stark with last July, when everyone associated with the Chargers was still moving 90 miles north to their new homes and settling in the area while trying to put together a football team. The Chargers started 0-4 before their 9-3 finish.
"Even though you have that football mentality that nothing is going to affect us 鈥?(and) it really didn't feel like it did 鈥?but when you look back, yeah
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Telesco expects a strong start to camp with coordinators Ken Whisenhunt and Gus Bradley both returning for Lynn.
The Chargers replaced starting safety Tre Boston with promising first-round pick Derwin James, but the rest of the defense returns with remarkable continuity 鈥?and promising cornerback Jason Verrett is back at full strength after losing most of the past two seasons to injury. The offense added veteran center Mike Pouncey, but Gates and Henry are the only significant losses from a unit that finished fourth in the league last season with 376.6 yards per game and led the league in yards passing.
Telesco is particularly interested in the progress of receiver Mike Williams. The seventh overall pick in the 2017 draft missed training camp with a back injury and played in only 10 games, catching 11 passes.
"We're looking for him to step up and contribute this year," Telesco said. "It's why we took him. He had, relatively, a full offseason program this summer, which is really important for every young player, but especially a receiver. It'll be a big training camp. It's his first. He's like a rookie."
Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano apologized to his teammates, the organization and the fans for his 80-game suspension for violating baseball’s drug agreement.
Cano tested positive for Furosemide, a diuretic that can be used to mask performance-enhancing drugs.
”I wanted to apologize genuinely to the city of Seattle and to all the fans and the young baseball players in the (United) States and the (Dominican Republic) and most importantly to my teammates
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”I wanted to do this earlier. But I don’t want to be a distraction for the team. So I was waiting for the right time.”
Cano said he couldn’t discuss details of the testing process but maintained the substance was prescribed to him in the Dominican Republic for the treatment of a medical issue.
”I’ve been getting tested for the last 12 seasons and I’ve never had an issue with MLB policy,” he said. ”I was treating for some medical ailments and I was being supervised by a doctor. But at the same time, I understand that everything that goes into my body, I’m responsible for that.”
He said the suspension was the most difficult thing he’s dealt with in his life outside of the death of his grandfather.
”I love this game so much,” Cano said. ”For me, baseball is everything. You know I hate to sit in the dugout and have a day off and being away from the game and not being able to sit in the dugout and cheer for my teammates, that makes it even harder.”
Mark Texeira, a former first baseman for the New York Yankees and Cano’s teammate, said on a New York radio show that he was ”not surprised” Cano was suspended for PED use. Yankees G.M. Brian Cashman made comments seemingly suggesting the same.
”Every time you hear a negative comment, it’s going to hurt anyone,” Cano said of his former colleagues. ”But I don’t really pay attention because what I really care about (is) those who come out and say positive things like C.C. (Sabathia) and Mariano (Rivera). Because if you focus on the negative then you’re always going to live in the past. I’m one who looks ahead. I don’t really care what they said. They can say whatever they want. I hope none of them or their family go through a situation like this because it’s easy to go out and judge anyone.”
Cano has remained close to the team and does workouts at Safeco Field before the team arrives each day. He leaves the stadium before his teammates get to work and watches all the games from home. He will head to his father’s academy in the Dominican Republic in the near future to begin ramping up his baseball work.
Cano was hitting .287 with a .385 on-base percentage, .441 slugging percentage, 10 doubles
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The Mariners would love to get Cano’s bat back in the lineup, but finding a spot for him in the field could be more troublesome. Dee Gordon has excelled defensively at second base in Cano’s absence after moving back to his old position from center field. With Cano ineligible for postseason play, Gordon will need to play second base in the playoffs as well should the Mariners qualify for the first time since 2001.
Cano said he was open to whatever role the team wants him to play upon his return.
”This is not about myself. This is about us as a team,” Cano said. ”We are playing for the city of Seattle. All of us, the city, my teammates, and myself. I’m focused on bringing a title to Seattle so I would do whatever it takes to help this team to win. At the same time I understand I’m not going to be able to play in the playoffs so you got to give a chance to Dee to go out and play because when we get to the playoffs he’s going to have to come back and play second base.”
Cano went on the disabled list on May 14 due to a fractured bone in his right hand with the suspension being handed down the following day. The Mariners have a 34-16 record in the 50 games Cano has missed. Barring any postponements, Cano is eligible to return to the Mariners on Aug. 14.
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