When it comes to shutting down some of the best tight ends, few defenses are better than the Ravens. But there has been one blemish on the Ravens' recent track record - the San Diego Chargers' Antonio Gates.
In 2007, Gates made the Ravens' defense look vulnerable, running free over the middle for touchdown catches of 35 and 25 yards. He finished with six catches for 105 yards, a performance that Ravens defenders chalked up to "miscommunication."
The Ravens get another shot at Gates on Sunday and can only hope their success against tight ends will continue.
Since struggling against Gates, the Ravens have not allowed a tight end to catch more than three passes in 19 of their past 22 games. In fact, only three (the Tennessee Titans' Alge Crumpler, Dallas Cowboys' Jason Witten and Kansas City Chiefs' Sean Ryan) have touchdowns in that span.
This stretch is even more impressive considering the tight ends that the Ravens have faced. The Indianapolis Colts' Dallas Clark had two catches for 17 yards against the Ravens last season. The Houston Texans' Owen Daniels and Washington Redskins' Chris Cooley were held to one catch each.
Ravens secondary coach Chuck Pagano explained last year that this good run was the result of the work of cornerback Frank Walker, whom he called "the tight end killer."
But Walker - or any one player, for that matter - can't handle Gates, who is often considered in a class by himself. He causes so many mismatch problems because linebackers aren't fast enough to cover him and safeties aren't big enough to bring down the 6-foot-4, 263-pound tight end.
That's why he has caught 51 touchdowns in the previous five seasons.
"Antonio has great confidence he can beat a guy," Chargers coach Norv Turner said, "and Philip [Rivers, San Diego quarterback] doesn't need him to get too wide open."
Last season, it was injuries more than any defense that slowed down Gates. His numbers (60 catches for 704 yards and eight touchdowns) were his worst since his rookie season.
Now healthy, Gates is determined to prove that he is still the best tight end in the NFL. On Sunday, the Ravens are equally motivated to stop him.
Tightening up
San Diego's Antonio Gates had six catches for 105 yards and two touchdowns against the Ravens on Nov. 25, 2007. Over the Ravens' next 22 games, only three other tight ends have caught more than three passes against them in a single game:
Date Tight end, Team Rec. Yds TDs
10-5-08 Bo Scaife, Ten. 7 72 0
11-2-08 Kellen Winslow, Cle. 5 64 0
12-20-08 Jason Witten, Dal. 5 87 1
