In his first year in the NFL, Antonio Gates was targeted 42 times and made 24 catches. The following year, 2004, the Chargers’ tight end (this is when the Chargers played in San Diego) began a run of eight consecutive Pro Bowls on his way to a Hall of Fame career.
What changed between his first and second seasons? He got a new quarterback. Philip Rivers joined the Chargers. The same Philip Rivers who may wind up quarterbacking the Indianapolis Colts when they play the Seattle Seahawks this Sunday.
Over Gates’ next ten years, all with Rivers as his QB, he was targeted on average seven times per game and made just under five catches.