Football Gonzalez Fever: Coming to an NFL Franchise Near You... - Page 4

T-post Tom · 10-12-2013, 01:05 PM

No playoffs, Atlanta? We can take Tony Gonzalez off your hands

Barring a calamity, the Seattle Seahawks are on their way to the playoffs, and figure to make waves when they get there. Those lofty expectations put on them before the season – homefield advantage for two unscheduled games in January, a Super Bowl berth in February – remain realistic.

In other words, the Seahawks are not obvious candidates to participate in a blockbuster trade.

But what if there’s a chance to acquire an all-time great player capable of turning a powerhouse team into something approaching unbeatable? Are Pete Carroll and John Schneider content with the status quo, or do they stand up on the tips of their toes and reach for the, uh, star?

Atlanta tight end Tony Gonzalez, a future first-ballot Hall of Famer whose final (we think) NFL season has been as productive as any of the 16 that preceded it, is not on the market. Not officially, anyway. Falcons coach Mike Smith on Wednesday said talk of dangling Gonzalez as trade bait was “preposterous.”

Preposterous? Here’s what’s preposterous: any notion of the Falcons regrouping as contenders after their surprisingly sluggish start. They are 1-4. Of the last 118 teams to begin 1-4, six have qualified for the playoffs.

Atlanta still has to face the Seahawks and Saints at home and the Packers and 49ers on the road, and it has to face them without Pro Bowl receiver Julio Jones, sidelined for the season with a broken foot.

Trading the popular Gonzalez would be seen as a white-flag move sure to peeve the Falcons’ already frustrated season-ticket base. Frustration is not a synonym for stupidity. Nine months after the Georgia Dome was home for the NFC Championship Game, Atlanta fans know the only way to salvage 2013 is to begin work on 2014.

Trading Gonzalez, who put off retirement plans last season to return for a long goodbye presumably capped by his first world championship, would give the Falcons a head start on next season. At issue is the exchange rate.

What’s a 37-year-old legend worth after he has made it clear (we think) his retirement is imminent? In the case of Jerry Rice, who had just turned 42 when the Seahawks acquired him from the Raiders midway through the 2004 season, the legend was worth a conditional seventh-round draft choice.

This just in: Tony Gonzalez is not Jerry Rice.

Rice had nothing much to contribute and absolutely nothing left to prove when the Seahawks allowed him to wear the retired No. 80 jersey associated with Steve Largent. Rice wasn’t the bust Terrell Owens turned out to be during an awkward 2012 preseason audition in Seattle, but the only similarity between the 49ers’ version of vintage Rice and the Seahawks’ version of refried Rice was that No. 80.

Gonzalez, who has caught 33 passes for 339 yards and three touchdowns this season, still is a reliable receiver demanding a defense’s attention on every snap. The versatile athlete, who once scrapped for rebounds on the University of California basketball team, hasn’t lost the soft-handed ability to snare a ball up for grabs.

Which brings us to the Seahawks and an offense whose quarterback, Russell Wilson, is consistently forced to scramble behind a patchwork offensive line more adept at clearing room on off-tackle bursts than protecting on pass plays. When Wilson is running for his life, nothing is more inviting than a 6-foot-5 target with soft hands.

It’s a role fit for Seahawks veteran Zach Miller, who finally emerged as a go-to target during last season’s playoff run. Miller’s only problem is durability, the one-thing-or-another consequences of playing a hard-knocks position in a brutal sport. A hamstring injury kept him out of action at Indianapolis, and he’s a game-day decision this week.

Aside from Miller’s uncertain availability for any given Sunday, there is this to consider: On the healthiest day of his life, Miller will never be confused with Tony Gonzalez.

Gonzalez in a nutshell: The Seahawks were a few seconds away from escaping Atlanta last season with a playoff comeback victory for the ages. The Seahawks didn’t go soft in a prevent defense. They pressured quarterback Matt Ryan with five pass rushers.

Ryan had little time, and yet he found Gonzalez down the middle for the 19-yard completion that set up the winning field goal, from 49 yards.

Some disconsolate Seahawks’ fans wept at the conclusion. So did Gonzalez, who had never experienced a playoff victory.

He came back for a 17th season with the idea of competing in a Super Bowl. That won’t happen. Gonzalez isn’t pushing for a trade, the Falcons aren’t discussing a trade, but it’s hard to believe the Oct. 29 trade deadline will expire without several teams in serious pursuit of him.

Yes, he’s a rental, a 37-year-old on the cusp (we think) of retirement. But if the Seahawks are aggressive, they can their give their scrambling quarterback an option who embodies the essence of a target in a pinch.

Can Gonzalez be obtained for a seventh-round draft choice? No way. A fourth-round draft choice? We’re getting warm, but not warm enough.

A first-round draft choice?

It’s an offer the Falcons won’t refuse, and an offer Seahawks fans might find outrageous.

Until it’s third-and-7, at midfield, and Wilson is scrambling to complete the pass that sets up the Seahawks for a winning kick in the Super Bowl.

Carroll and Schneider don’t need my advice, but what the heck, I’ll offer some anyway: Trade a first-round draft choice for Tony Gonzalez.

Go for it, and go for it all.

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2013/1...#storylink=cpy

**BossChief** · 10-13-2013, 09:23 PM

Alex Smith + Tony Gonzalez = match made in Chiefs heaven.

I think we would have a good chance to beat anyone with him added to this offense.

Discuss Thrower · 10-13-2013, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Shut the **** up.

The Chiefs can't run inside for the same reason they can't pass protect.

The interior sucks ass.

Jamaal was averaging 5.3 a carry in the Tennessee game when not going off the tackles.

**BossChief** · 10-13-2013, 09:26 PM

Tony, you want stats AND a good chance to win it all?

Come home.

Dallas Chief · 10-13-2013, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BossChief

Alex Smith + Tony Gonzalez = match made in Chiefs heaven.

I think we would have a good chance to beat anyone with him added to this offense.

Don't we already have a good chance to beat anyone already, without him? 6-0. Please don't get me wrong, he is one of my top 3 all time favorite Chiefs, but I don't think we need him to keep winning. Fasano will be back soon (hopefully) and can pick up some of the slack. Just don't see the need to upset the apple cart with a high profile move like this, even if was an option.

**DaneMcCloud** · 10-13-2013, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Discuss Thrower

Jamaal was averaging 5.3 a carry in the Tennessee game when not going off the tackles.

They cannot consistently run inside, which is why play-action is ineffective

a pp roach · 10-13-2013, 09:38 PM

i don't give a **** about whether it ends up being a good move or not. i just want to see it happen. bring back tg to kc

TEX · 10-13-2013, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BossChief

Alex Smith + Tony Gonzalez = match made in Chiefs heaven.

I think we would have a good chance to beat anyone with him added to this offense.

I think once we can count on a serious contribution from a TE, the Chiefs will have a good chance to beat anyone...

Chiefshrink · 10-13-2013, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

They cannot consistently run inside, which is why play-action is ineffective

I've said this from the very first pre-season game. Until our interior O-line gets better in all facets of the offense our offense will remain severely limited as our Defense burns out in due time because of their lack of time on the sideline always on the field.

Down4Chiefs · 10-14-2013, 12:04 AM

Good idea before seeing today but if we are going to spend a pick id rather spend it on a lineman. If Alex Smith thinks our other wr's are as bad as it looks,since he won't throw it to them. Other teams will just double Gonzalez. Were going to spend a draft pick just to get our other recievers a little more open?even then I don't trust their hands or that alex trust them enough to throw it to them for it to make sense. Unless its a very late draft pick which I doubt they'll take.

lcarus · 10-14-2013, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Down4Chiefs

Good idea before seeing today but if we are going to spend a pick id rather spend it on a lineman. If Alex Smith thinks our other wr's are as bad as it looks,since he won't throw it to them. Other teams will just double Gonzalez. Were going to spend a draft pick just to get our other recievers a little more open?even then I don't trust their hands or that alex trust them enough to throw it to them for it to make sense. Unless its a very late draft pick which I doubt they'll take.

Gonzalez became the best TE in NFL history as the best (and sometimes only) option for the Chiefs. But I do agree we need help on the o-line and at WR. I'd hate to use too high of a draft pick getting someone for 2 and a half months only. It'd be one thing if the Super Bowl window was about to slam shut and this was our swan song, but we have a lot of young great players in place. Let's just draft a new awesome TE and/or WR with that 3rd rounder (or whatever pick Atlanta would accept that we probably won't give up anyway).

Down4Chiefs · 10-14-2013, 12:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lcarus

Gonzalez became the best TE in NFL history as the best (and sometimes only) option for the Chiefs. But I do agree we need help on the o-line and at WR. I'd hate to use too high of a draft pick getting someone for 2 and a half months only. It'd be one thing if the Super Bowl window was about to slam shut and this was our swan song, but we have a lot of young great players in place. Let's just draft a new awesome TE and/or WR with that 3rd rounder (or whatever pick Atlanta would accept that we probably won't give up anyway).

Especially since we have TE's already. I don't know if our Superbowl window is closing but when you have a defense as good as i think this one is you do wanna go for the superbowl when your momentum is taking you there. Teams great on paper falter from season to season. So far things are just lining up perfectly and we'll know more after that Broncos game.Having TE's that can hopefully make it back and make their own impact the price is gonna be too high I think for tony.

whoman69 · 10-14-2013, 07:43 AM

The longer Atlanta waits, the less they can expect for him. Every team knows this is a one year party. Tony G will retire regardless.

Brooklyn · 10-14-2013, 08:31 AM

Its not very likely, but if the Falcons lose at home against the winless Bucs this week then you can believe real talks will materialize.

Carlota69 · 10-14-2013, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Down4Chiefs

Especially since we have TE's already. I don't know if our Superbowl window is closing but when you have a defense as good as i think this one is you do wanna go for the superbowl when your momentum is taking you there. Teams great on paper falter from season to season. So far things are just lining up perfectly and we'll know more after that Broncos game.Having TE's that can hopefully make it back and make their own impact the price is gonna be too high I think for tony.

And who are these TEs you speak of?????? Some dude off the waiver wire with a big ass beard and another dude off of our practice squad???? Or is the dude that has been injured all season??? or are you talking about the one we drafted and now is more than likely looking at a career ending injury? All of them?

scho63 · 10-14-2013, 10:00 AM

So Tony G bailed on us when we started losing to go to a team he thought was Super Bowl bound. Now his team sucks and we are on the rise and some of you fans want to welcome him back?

F**K HIM AND THE HORSE HE RODE IN ON! I know he is great but let him suffer out the last year of his career as we go into the playoffs!

Plus, why the hell would we waste a high round draft pick for a player for little more than half a season.

John Dorsey ain't that stupid.......

10-12-2013, 01:05 PM
T-post Tom Threepeat! Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Milk/Honey/Gazland Casino cash: $4287293	Gonzalez Fever: Coming to an NFL Franchise Near You... No playoffs, Atlanta? We can take Tony Gonzalez off your hands Barring a calamity, the Seattle Seahawks are on their way to the playoffs, and figure to make waves when they get there. Those lofty expectations put on them before the season – homefield advantage for two unscheduled games in January, a Super Bowl berth in February – remain realistic. In other words, the Seahawks are not obvious candidates to participate in a blockbuster trade. But what if there’s a chance to acquire an all-time great player capable of turning a powerhouse team into something approaching unbeatable? Are Pete Carroll and John Schneider content with the status quo, or do they stand up on the tips of their toes and reach for the, uh, star? Atlanta tight end Tony Gonzalez, a future first-ballot Hall of Famer whose final (we think) NFL season has been as productive as any of the 16 that preceded it, is not on the market. Not officially, anyway. Falcons coach Mike Smith on Wednesday said talk of dangling Gonzalez as trade bait was “preposterous.” Preposterous? Here’s what’s preposterous: any notion of the Falcons regrouping as contenders after their surprisingly sluggish start. They are 1-4. Of the last 118 teams to begin 1-4, six have qualified for the playoffs. Atlanta still has to face the Seahawks and Saints at home and the Packers and 49ers on the road, and it has to face them without Pro Bowl receiver Julio Jones, sidelined for the season with a broken foot. Trading the popular Gonzalez would be seen as a white-flag move sure to peeve the Falcons’ already frustrated season-ticket base. Frustration is not a synonym for stupidity. Nine months after the Georgia Dome was home for the NFC Championship Game, Atlanta fans know the only way to salvage 2013 is to begin work on 2014. Trading Gonzalez, who put off retirement plans last season to return for a long goodbye presumably capped by his first world championship, would give the Falcons a head start on next season. At issue is the exchange rate. What’s a 37-year-old legend worth after he has made it clear (we think) his retirement is imminent? In the case of Jerry Rice, who had just turned 42 when the Seahawks acquired him from the Raiders midway through the 2004 season, the legend was worth a conditional seventh-round draft choice. This just in: Tony Gonzalez is not Jerry Rice. Rice had nothing much to contribute and absolutely nothing left to prove when the Seahawks allowed him to wear the retired No. 80 jersey associated with Steve Largent. Rice wasn’t the bust Terrell Owens turned out to be during an awkward 2012 preseason audition in Seattle, but the only similarity between the 49ers’ version of vintage Rice and the Seahawks’ version of refried Rice was that No. 80. Gonzalez, who has caught 33 passes for 339 yards and three touchdowns this season, still is a reliable receiver demanding a defense’s attention on every snap. The versatile athlete, who once scrapped for rebounds on the University of California basketball team, hasn’t lost the soft-handed ability to snare a ball up for grabs. Which brings us to the Seahawks and an offense whose quarterback, Russell Wilson, is consistently forced to scramble behind a patchwork offensive line more adept at clearing room on off-tackle bursts than protecting on pass plays. When Wilson is running for his life, nothing is more inviting than a 6-foot-5 target with soft hands. It’s a role fit for Seahawks veteran Zach Miller, who finally emerged as a go-to target during last season’s playoff run. Miller’s only problem is durability, the one-thing-or-another consequences of playing a hard-knocks position in a brutal sport. A hamstring injury kept him out of action at Indianapolis, and he’s a game-day decision this week. Aside from Miller’s uncertain availability for any given Sunday, there is this to consider: On the healthiest day of his life, Miller will never be confused with Tony Gonzalez. Gonzalez in a nutshell: The Seahawks were a few seconds away from escaping Atlanta last season with a playoff comeback victory for the ages. The Seahawks didn’t go soft in a prevent defense. They pressured quarterback Matt Ryan with five pass rushers. Ryan had little time, and yet he found Gonzalez down the middle for the 19-yard completion that set up the winning field goal, from 49 yards. Some disconsolate Seahawks’ fans wept at the conclusion. So did Gonzalez, who had never experienced a playoff victory. He came back for a 17th season with the idea of competing in a Super Bowl. That won’t happen. Gonzalez isn’t pushing for a trade, the Falcons aren’t discussing a trade, but it’s hard to believe the Oct. 29 trade deadline will expire without several teams in serious pursuit of him. Yes, he’s a rental, a 37-year-old on the cusp (we think) of retirement. But if the Seahawks are aggressive, they can their give their scrambling quarterback an option who embodies the essence of a target in a pinch. Can Gonzalez be obtained for a seventh-round draft choice? No way. A fourth-round draft choice? We’re getting warm, but not warm enough. A first-round draft choice? It’s an offer the Falcons won’t refuse, and an offer Seahawks fans might find outrageous. Until it’s third-and-7, at midfield, and Wilson is scrambling to complete the pass that sets up the Seahawks for a winning kick in the Super Bowl. Carroll and Schneider don’t need my advice, but what the heck, I’ll offer some anyway: Trade a first-round draft choice for Tony Gonzalez. Go for it, and go for it all. http://www.thenewstribune.com/2013/1...#storylink=cpy
Posts: 20,370

10-13-2013, 09:23 PM	#46
BossChief SuperBowl or bust Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: BF Iowa Casino cash: $1414088	Alex Smith + Tony Gonzalez = match made in Chiefs heaven. I think we would have a good chance to beat anyone with him added to this offense. __________________ Dreams do come true... http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showp...postcount=1407
Posts: 47,190

10-13-2013, 09:26 PM	#48
BossChief SuperBowl or bust Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: BF Iowa Casino cash: $1414088	Tony, you want stats AND a good chance to win it all? Come home. __________________ Dreams do come true... http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showp...postcount=1407
Posts: 47,190

10-13-2013, 09:38 PM	#51
a pp roach Veteran Join Date: Dec 2012 Casino cash: $10010545	i don't give a **** about whether it ends up being a good move or not. i just want to see it happen. bring back tg to kc
Posts: 2,047

10-14-2013, 12:04 AM	#54
Down4Chiefs Starter Join Date: Sep 2013 Casino cash: $10005110	Good idea before seeing today but if we are going to spend a pick id rather spend it on a lineman. If Alex Smith thinks our other wr's are as bad as it looks,since he won't throw it to them. Other teams will just double Gonzalez. Were going to spend a draft pick just to get our other recievers a little more open?even then I don't trust their hands or that alex trust them enough to throw it to them for it to make sense. Unless its a very late draft pick which I doubt they'll take.
Posts: 429

10-14-2013, 08:31 AM	#58
Brooklyn Starter Join Date: Sep 2011 Casino cash: $3249730	Its not very likely, but if the Falcons lose at home against the winless Bucs this week then you can believe real talks will materialize.
Posts: 452

10-14-2013, 10:00 AM	#60
scho63 Politically Incorrect Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Casino cash: $2281110	So Tony G bailed on us when we started losing to go to a team he thought was Super Bowl bound. Now his team sucks and we are on the rise and some of you fans want to welcome him back? FK HIM AND THE HORSE HE RODE IN ON! I know he is great but let him suffer out the last year of his career as we go into the playoffs! Plus, why the hell would we waste a high round draft pick for a player for little more than half a season. John Dorsey ain't that stupid....... __________________ "The only difference between sex for free and sex for money is that sex for free costs you a WHOLE LOT more!" ~Redd Foxx~** ~~2018 2019 2020 20212022 2023~~ 2024 Adopt a Chief - Clark Hunt and Brett Veach "The men who drafted Patrick Mahomes"
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