Patrick Crayton and Antonio Gates are ruled OUT for the game. We will have to attack the Raider defense without our All-World Tight End.

Vincent Jackson is listed as doubtful and should not be available for the game either. Malcom Floyd was able to fully practice on Friday and should be the starting receiver opposite of Legedu Naanee.

Louis Vazquez did not practice the whole week and he most likely will be a game time decision.

Mike Tolbert was finally able to make it out on the field to get some practice in, but he says that he will be ready to run over some Raiders!

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Brandon Manumaleuna did a terrific job with our blocking schemes, and even caught some passes, but he is long since gone to Chicago. This left a bigger hole than a lot of people realize, as we entered the draft with only Gates and the recently retained Kris Wilson listed on our roster for that particular position. Wilson, don’t get me wrong, is quality veteran depth, but he only has four total receptions as a charger. All four came from last season. He is a great blocker, but wasn’t much of a pass catcher in his previous seasons with the Chiefs either.

We do have some promising rookie tight end prospects, but you just can’t put a rookie opposite Antonio Gates in a two tight end set. Even my one year old niece would know who would be more likely to get the ball.

You have to, HAVE TO, pick up a seasoned veteran to take some of the heat off of our superstar tight end. Though the Chargers have never really used free agency for much of anything before, Randy McMichael was just too good to pass up.

McMichael not only has good size, but is also a well groomed route runner. I’m sure that with a passer like Philip Rivers around, I doubt production will ever be a problem for him. It’s not like it ever was anyways.

As a rookie in Miami, McMichael started producing almost immediately. Out of every game played in his previous eight years with the Rams and Dolphins, he only missed one start. The only season in which he had less than 34 receptions was 2008. A broken leg limited him to four games, eleven catches, and 139 receiving yards. What I love the most about him is his ability to get that first down. He has a 10.9 yards per reception average, which is fantastic considering he has spend the past three seasons with a very feeble offense in St. Louis. Though, in Miami, he proved that he can help elevate a productive offense even further by catching at least 60 passes in three consecutive seasons. Also with the Dolphins, McMichael worked under then offensive-coordinator, Norv Turner, for his first two years in the league. Both of which were good seasons.

One more thing he has is timing. I’m not talking about football timing, but timing in conjunction with the flow of the universe. I’m talking about the fact that Gates has a nagging right-foot injury that will keep him from running for another two or three weeks. If that’s not a sign that we need a proven veteran back up at the very least, then I don’t know what is. It may only be a one-year contract, but if he fits well, then I’m sure he would love to stay and that we would love to have him. He will be a quality backup and a monstrous duo when paired with a healthy Gates. Throw in our plethora of proven wide receivers and we’ve got ourselves a party. It could even end up being a Super Bowl party. In which case I am fully prepared to see it happen.

Antonio Gates continues to be one of the top players at his position and one of the better athletes in the league. In 2008, Gates amassed 704 yards on 60 catches (11.7 avg.) and finished with eight touchdowns. These were all Gates’s lowest totals since his rookie season in 2003. Gates, who signed as an undrafted free agent, finished the year with 389 yards on 24 catches.

Gates remains bothered by injuries sustained in 2007 and 2008 seasons. Gates big toe is not to par, an injury that hindered him in the 2007 playoff run. Gates sprained his ankle in 2008 and this, coupled with quarterback Philip Rivers’s ever-improving ability to spread the field brought Gates’s numbers down. However, Gates’s recovery seems eminent and Rivers will be more than happy to have his favorite target back at 100 percent. Expect these two to find a rhythm in 2009.

Gates’s success in 2009 will depend on his ability to get healthy, but also, the play of his supporting cast. Yes, the talent of the wide receiver and running back corps will loosen up coverage on Gates. However, consider the players playing behind Gates in the tight end position. They will provide Gates with relief and contribute to the Chargers offense in more ways than one.

Kris Wilson is currently listed as a fullback on the Chargers roster. At 6-2 and 251 pounds, Wilson has played fullback for much of his career. However, as Chargers Head Coach Norv Turner says, “He’s a tight end.”

Wilson has not generated much offense in his career, totaling just 13 yards on four rushes and 345 yards on 42 receptions with four touchdowns in five seasons. Still, Wilson remains tenacious and hard working. He has proven himself an effective blocker and has begun to better understand the Chargers offense.

Wilson will continue to line up as a tight end in double tight end formations and will block off of the end in many running packages. He may also line up as a fullback in some packages, namely in goalline situations. Wilson will continue to contribute on special teams. He may also be called on to make a catch or two. Essentially, save kicking, Wilson could be asked to do just about anything on offense. And that’s alright with Wilson, who understands the need to remain open for anything.

“When you’re playing on a talented football team, you just have to earn your way out there,” Wilson said.

Fellow tight end Brandon Manumaleuna can appreciate the playing styles of both Gates and Wilson. Manumaleuna has a quiet demeanor, but at 6-2, 288 pounds, he makes plenty of noise on the field. Brandon (many have found it easier to call Manumaleuna by his first name) can provide for the much-needed reception and lay a block to spring the long run.

Manumaleuna ended 2008 with 15 receptions for 127 yards and two touchdowns. These numbers are not very impressive. However, several of these receptions were for first downs in critical situations. Moreover, like Wilson, Manumalenua takes on a range of responsibilities. He too knows what it means to be a team player and more importantly, what it takes for the Chargers offense to be successful.