First of all, Tony could care less about KC so **** him. Even if really did love KC, then... well bye. My loyalty lies to the team and the insignia that represents it, not to any particular player.

Secondly, it does not matter if he wants to go to Atlanta or not. Pioli will ship Tony's ass off to Atlanta, whether Tony likes it or not.

Finally, I have no sympathy for millionaires.

I respect him as a player, but my emotional attachment to him is as strong as his emotional attachment to me.

As I said, I'm a fan of the franchise and the city more generally.

Furthermore, I don't give a **** what he wants to do. We should be making moves that benefit the long-term viability of the franchise, as it relates to Gonzo and everyone else.

I'm sure the $$$ had nothing to do with why he didn't leave earlier in his career. Gonzo isn't an idiot; he's had both eyes open every time he's re-signed with this team, so I have no sympathy for his "plight."

I think that if you subtract Herm and Carl and plug in a decent QB, they could have won 4 games last year.

I'm guessing they win 6 or 7 in 2009, with the improvements, the new coaching, hopefully removing distractions, and playing in a weak division.

Obviously making the playoffs is a pipe dream, but they could improve 4 or 5 games. That's the team's ceiling in Pioli: Year 1, but they could do it.

This makes me nervous not for sentimental reasons but because we'd be taking away Cassel's best weapon. But of course a lot of people want Cassel to fail... but as much as people tout this guy and that guy as the next great TE over and over... Gates is really been the only one to come close. Gonzalez would be very difficult to replace.

Yep. I don't like the idea of trading Tony G right now. We don't have enough weapons for Cassel if he is gone.

I don't think anyone wants Cassel to fail. I've stated that it's not the move I wanted, and I don't think it will ultimately prove successful, but I hope to be wrong. I think the perceived "Cassel opponents" largely fall into this category.

And I agree that you're almost certainly not going to replace Gonzo, now or in the foreseeable future. But a competent TE and a stronger group of WR's would work, too.

Other than we have a coach and GM who come from teams that stress the WRs as weapons and the TE's as blockers...

It's a deep WR draft on top of that. This is probably dirty to Chiefs fans but you're better off with your weapons being outside and your TE just being a complimentary piece.

I don't want Cassel to fail. However, if the Falcons are willing to give up a 2nd Round pick for an aging TE, who has stated that he would only play for 1-2 more years, then you make that trade.

I don't get this... Cassel probably has more than one year left in the tank.

No other team in the league has a Tony Gonzalez. They all groom young QBs anyway. We've got Bowe, we brought in Engram, we spent a first day pick on a (supposed)pass-catching tight end last year. And there are plenty of WRs and TEs in the draft.

Is that the best skill position lineup in the league? No. But you know what, Cassel is a veteran player now. He can deal with it. This isn't tecmo bowl where you only have one year. What, are we going to cost ourselves a playoff appearance...?

What is the risk? What is the worst case scenario? The offense sucks again?

If you have a chance to trade a player who only has one or two seasons left for a second round pick, do it.

You just answered your own question.

That's the thing, you really don't NEED to replace him, as Haley doesn't utilize the TE as a weapon in his offense.

Most teams don't - people here just think that the offense should run through the TE, because it has for the last 10 years.

What are we risking by trading him though?

Good point.

Don't handcuff Pioli. Let him run it.

BLASPHEMY!

The Messiah requires no crutches.