http://thefinsiders.com/podcasts/2011/grant-boone-abilene-christian-play-by-play/ Here is an interesting interview on Gates. I'm really excited we have this guy!!
The only thing that bothers me after listening to this interview is that this kid has limited experience running back kicks and punts, and not much experience as a wide receiver which equals into him not knowing how to run routes. It is nice to have speed, but I hate to see just a newer version of Ted Ginn Jr on the team. Don't get me wrong guys I am pulling for this kid and I want to see him light it up, but I think he is going to be a gimmick or project for years to come.
Four years of obliterating the competition and he has no experience. Only one year of returning duties because it dawned on them that he was too valuable to risk losing on special teams. Why the hate? Johnny Knox is a draft gem and people are saying he's better...
2 major differences between this kid and Ginn...Gates does not show a tendancy to run out of bounds or shy away from contact and also, Gates is a 4th round pick, not the number 9 overall pick. If he doesn't pan out it does not have nearly as much of an impact as ginn did, if he does pan out, we struck gold.
Lesser competition. Jayson Foster obliterated his competation. I do not see hate, there is just caution. There was a reason he was a 4th round pick.
Gates does have a lot less pressure on him. If he just turns out to be a kick returner then it isn't like Miami blew first round money on a kick returner. I do think he looks pretty good once he gets his hands on the ball. Which should mean he can provide the speed that Carroll brought to the kick return without the getting killed at the end.
