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Antonio Gates Suspension Puts Ladarius Green In Driver Seat

By Erik Lambert

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Oct 23, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; San Diego Chargers tight end Ladarius Green (89) before the game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

A lot of NFL players over the years know all about having to play behind a legend.  Steve Young became the poster child of that when he lived in the shadow of Joe Montana.  Aaron Rodgers did the same in Green Bay with Brett Favre.  For every success story like them, there is an unfortunately large list of promising players who never could find the opportunity to forge their own way in pro football.

For tight end Ladarius Green, his golden chance may have finally arrived.

Antonio Gates has been one of the most consistently great players at his position in the NFL for years.  The 35-year old San Diego Chargers veteran has reached eight Pro Bowls, caught 788 passes for 10,014 yards and 99 touchdowns.  He’s knocking on the door of the Hall of Fame.  However even stalwarts like him aren’t immune to mistakes as this four-game suspension makes clear.

What nobody is really talking about is how big of a chance this gives to Green.  For three years the young tight end has sat back on the depth chart, getting little action in the offense as Gates continued to work his magic with the full confidence of quarterback Philip Rivers.  Now, ever so suddenly, the 25-year old has a huge month-long window to build his case for finally becoming the heir apparent in that Chargers offense at tight end.

It’s not hard to see the young man has considerable talent.  He’s big and strong but still quick and fast enough to get himself open and has shown in spots that he can make the tough catches like Gates has for so many years.  Nobody is saying he should be the next Gates, but Chargers’ fans have been anxious to see if Green can be a worthy successor.

Perhaps this suspension will be the best chance he’ll ever get to prove it.

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