SAN DIEGO – 
He didn’t make any bold proclamations about what he or the Chargers will accomplish. He didn’t gloat. Just answered the questions with a professional and pragmatic tone.
“I have always tried to do everything in a first-class manner and hard work pays off,” Gates said. “I was fortunate enough to get a contract that I was happy with, I wanted to be here long-term and the Chargers wanted me, so it ended up working out.”
| "I couldn't see myself being anywhere else at this particular point in my career and I wanted to be a San Diego Charger." - Antonio Gates |  |
One thing he did get passionate about was the relationship he’s built with the organization, which ensured he chose not to try his luck as a free agent.
“You have a lot of different things floating in your head, but the biggest thing for me was I want to be here,” Gates said. “I couldn’t see myself being anywhere else at this particular point in my career and I wanted to be a San Diego Charger.”
He called the contract “flattering,” especially with the other talented players on San Diego’s roster in mind. Gates said he focused on what he could control and worked hard every day, and now feels rewarded for his patience.
The sign of appreciation didn’t come without merit. Gates could become the sixth tight end in NFL history to reach 500 catches before the halfway point of this season. But if he has any statistical goals, you’d never know.
“I’m a living-in-the-moment type of guy. I’m not a guy that’ll get on the computer and try to decide where I am in catches, where I am in touchdowns,” he said. “But obviously I want to make a mark in my career and I want to leave a legacy for myself, my family and for my kids.”
He won’t buy anything special with the money. Rather, he’ll use it to better provide for his family and children, he said.
Gates doesn’t know if this will be his last contract and said his long-term health will dictate a lot of things. He hopes it lasts long enough to win a championship in San Diego, but took a moment to reflect on the first seven years of his career.
“It’s been a wonderful journey and I can’t be more grateful and more thankful for the things that God has blessed me to see playing in the NFL,” he said. “I never in a million years imagined situations occurring in the game of football, and it happened. I embrace it every single step of the way, and now I’m just thankful to be here long-term with the San Diego Chargers.”
EXTRA CARRIES: The running back position likely is set to start the season.
No. 12 overall pick
Beyond that are three others competing for what’s likely to be the final roster spot at running back:
McNeal and Brinkley, along with fullback
Brinkley, signed as an undrafted free agent out of Syracuse in 2009, missed last season after multiple gunshot wounds placed him on Reserve-Non-Football Injury. He rushed for 1,164 yards as a college senior in 2008.
McNeal, also an undrafted rookie, declared for the NFL a year early after playing for Miami and Southern Methodist University. He got plenty of carries ahead of Friday’s first two-practice day.
“Any chance I have to get better, I seize the moment. We’re coming in early, but Philip (Rivers) is here. Some of the vets are still here, so you get the comfort of being around them,” said McNeal, who hoped to gain the trust of the coaches and players. “They don’t have to think about, ‘OK, he might not be in the right spot,’ or ‘He might not be in the right protection.’ Second-guessing the next man, it makes the whole team bad.”
The shifty back, at 5-foot-9, 190 pounds, has compared his style to Darren Sproles. McNeal gained 1,471 all-purpose yards in his final college season. But his first NFL practices were a blur, classic information overload. The time between OTAs and training camp allowed him to make progress, he said.
“When I was at home I studied my notes. I replayed the plays in my mind so it became a reaction instead of a lot of thinking and trying to figure out what I’ve got to do when I’m doing it,” McNeal said. “When I first came I was blind to the situation. Leaving and coming back, you know what to expect. You know what you’re accountable for and what’s in store for you.”
QUIET DAY: The Chargers did not hold practice Thursday.
Veterans are expected to report Friday with at least one practice scheduled for each of the next nine days.
There are 32 scheduled practices remaining, including four sessions only for special teams and 16 in pads.
The first full-pads practice is scheduled for Sunday, which is also the first date that the public are invited to watch.
