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EXCLUSIVE Diner chat with TE Antonio Gates
by Michael E Lawrence
24/10/2008
 Diner:
Antonio this is a must-win game for you guys did that result in an intensive practice today?
Antonio:
Yeah, it’s always intensive when you put yourselves in a position like we’re in and you have to climb out of a hole. And we very much created this problem for ourselves.
Diner:
What do you think has gone wrong to get you guys into that hole? It’s a similar slow start to 2007
Antonio:
 It’s true and it’s a combination of things. The number one thing is just executing in the game this is a tough league and it comes down to who makes the most plays and who protects the football. The last few games we’ve kind of been up and down; the games we won we managed to protect the football and in the games we lost we turned it over.
Diner:
And if it rains on Sunday as it did in 2007, what will you do differently?
Antonio:
Nothing major because it’s all part of football. If the ball is a bit slippery you have to really focus on catching it and certainly cutting becomes more of an issue, but for the most part you still have to play the game as you always do.
 Diner:
You’ve worked hard to evolve from being a street free agent out of Kent State into the premier pass catching tight end in this league does that still motivate you?
Antonio:
Yeah every day. This is the number one American sport and there are new guys coming in every year looking to challenge you for that top spot and who want to be a complete player in this league. Every year you bring in new faces and it makes it a challenge for the veterans who have produced before. The tough thing is to maintain it and that’s what I try and do.
Diner:
 Have the Brits you’ve met been as you expected they would be?
Antonio:
I’ve met some wonderful people man and they’ve all been so kind and generous. They often compare American Football to rugby here, which is interesting because obviously I’m not the typical size of a rugby player! They all go ‘you’re big!’ I think most rugby players are something like 200 lbs and I’m more like 260.
Diner:
So you could take them?
Antonio:
Oh yeah! But I don’t know if I could run with them though, they run all day.
Diner:
A noble answer. Thanks Antonio and good luck against New Orleans.
Antonio:
Appreciate it.
Further Diner Coverage of Wembley 2008:
Legedu Naanee Interview
Antonio Cromartie Interview
Notes and titbits from Chargers Practice
Chargers Practise Gallery
Drew Brees Press Conference
Sean Payton Press Conference
Notes and titbits from Saints Practice
Saints Practise Gallery
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