ESPN NFL

Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson

SAN DIEGO -- Antonio Gates tried to tell everyone it wasn't Tony Gonzalez who he'd directly face every time the San Diego Chargers met the Kansas City Chiefs the past six years.

Still, that was the matchup people wanted to see.

"That tight end matchup between Tony and myself seemed to give those two games a year a little extra something," Gates said this weekend during the Chargers' minicamp. "I would always face the defensive players and so would Tony, but it would always be mine and Tony's stats that were compared."

Gates admits even he found himself getting sucked into the Gates-Gonzalez hoopla.

"Tony would make a big play and I couldn't wait to get out there. I would say, "it's our turn now, ' " Gates said. "There were some great battles."

And now they are history.

Gonzalez, one of the most decorated tight ends in NFL history, was traded to Atlanta by Kansas City last month.

Gonzalez and Gates have long been considered the two best tight ends in the game. Now, instead of meeting each other twice a season, they'll have to settle for Pro Bowl matchups.

"It was fun," Gates said. "But to tell the truth, I am happy he is gone because we don't have to face him anymore. "