The Facts: Following up on a previous item. ... Gates would like to clear something up. The TE took heat this week after suggesting that he would like to dial back his snaps in 2015. On Friday, Gates went out of his way to clarify that he wasn't complaining about a campaign that saw him score 12 touchdowns -- the second most of his career. "For me, to put in all this work in all these years and have the opportunity to play and say I don't want to play, I don't know where people got that from. It was probably a misquote or a misunderstanding," Gates said. "I ain't asking to play less. Every time I'm in a game, I feel like I have the opportunity to make a play. Why would I want to be on the sideline?"

Diehards Line: Gates actually saw a lesser role last season, playing 787 snaps after logging 996 the previous campaign. Still, only 16 tight ends saw more playing time in 2014, something the Chargers to manage come September. Embarking on his 13th NFL season, Gates is in the final year of his contract, but he doesn't think his mileage is the same as other players his age. Having never played college football, Gates argued that his body has taken less of a toll than his peers. ... Whatever the case, expect Gates to continue playing a prominent role in the team's passing attack.