Gates: Cardale Jones has “special ability”

The quarterback who will succeed Philip Rivers, 35 and under contract through 2019, is in college or high school right now.

Or, perhaps he’s not.

Just maybe, Rivers is grooming his own replacement.

Cardale Jones is a Los Angeles Chargers* quarterback behind Rivers and second-stringer Kellen Clemens, a veteran journeyman.

Jones, 24, has rare tools. But he has a lot to learn.

Rivers has a Ph.D. in NFL quarterbacking, and he’s willing to share his know-how with Jones, who’s eager to learn.

“I ask him questions all the time,” Jones said.

The young passer has halted team meetings to ask Rivers to explain a film clip. Also, he texts Rivers questions.

“Some of his answers are beyond my knowledge at this point,” Jones said. “But, just the simple fact that he has an answer for everything is where I want to be by the end of this year.”

Antonio Gates is another NFL sage who’s familiar to San Diegans.

Citing “special ability,” Gates said Jones has a chance to be an NFL standout.

Gates was impressed three winters ago, watching Jones lead Ohio State to and through the national playoffs.

But the tight end was even more excited by Jones’ performance at practice Tuesday.

These were passes beyond the arm talent of many NFL starters -- comeback throws downfield. “And,” Gates said, laughing, “he has it on a rope.”

A fast sprinter, too, especially for someone 6-foot-5 and 250 pounds, Jones outran two Chargers* backups on a scoring run of 60 yards.

“The ceiling is unlimited for him,” Gates said. “Whether or not he gets there all depends on the ability to process things – on the ability to work hard and to make these sacrifices that he needs to make in the classroom and on the field. And, he’s been doing a great job at that so far.”

At Ohio State, Jones had to run the ball several times a game. He said he’s a much better passer now because all of his focus is on passing.

He said his previous NFL team, the Buffalo Bills, who traded him last month for a conditional pick, asked far less of their quarterbacks in terms of adjusting the blocking and other aspects of the offense.

“Here, it’s such a quarterback-driven offense,” Jones said. “I love it because it gives me total control of everything and there should be no miscommunications.”

Jones came back Wednesday to make a gorgeous long throw in a joint practice with the Rams at UC Irvine. Minutes later, he threw an ugly pass that was picked off.

“It’s going to be interesting,” Gates said.

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Tom.Krasovic@SDUnionTribune.com; Twitter: SDUTKrasovic