Glazer: Gonzalez angered and baffled by non-trade
 

Gonzalez angered and baffled by non-tradeby Jay Glazer
Jay Glazer is a Senior NFL Writer for FOXSports.com on MSN and also appears every week on FOX NFL Sunday as the network's NFL Insider.



Updated: October 14, 2008, 11:46 PM EST

Tony Gonzalez figured there's no way I'd be writing a story today referring to him as Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez.

But after the NFL's trading deadline came and went and the future Hall Of Famer wasn't moved, he was wrought with a variety of emotions from disappointment to anger to trying to cope with damage caused by his trade request. But more than anything, there's confusion.

Tony Gonzalez: "Nobody is going to trade a second (-round pick) for a 32-year-old tight end." (Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images)

"I'm shocked," he said in an exclusive interview with FOXSports.com. "It didn't make sense not to do this deal. It's winding down for me and this team is rebuilding. If they said from the get-go, 'No, we're not going to trade you,' that would've been better than how this whole thing unfolded. But that's not what happened.

"Last night I talked to Carl (Peterson, Chiefs President and GM) and I point-blank asked him what it would take to get it done. I wanted to know if it could happen with a fourth (-round pick). He started talking about a second and a fifth like the Shockey deal. Nobody is going to trade a second for a 32-year-old tight end. All along Carl said he would do something that works for both parties. Then he talked about how he traded a third for Willie Roaf, and he made it pretty clear to me that's what was going to get it done. That was certainly fair.

"I know teams offered a third and in the end, Carl made the asking price a second. I'm very disappointed that he didn't go through with it after he told me he was going to try to make it happen. I've been around this league a long time, it's a business. There's nothing I can do about it. I was pissed off about it, but I'll get over it. I won't let it affect my play and my preparation."

So where does he go from here? Gonzalez insists he'll do whatever it takes to make the Chiefs a better team. But first he says he will clear the air with many of his teammates.

"I'm going to go in tomorrow and get up in front of the team, no coaches, just my teammates and let them know exactly where I was coming from," he said. "Like I said, they keep talking about the future here and trading me would've helped build for the future. I love Kansas City and will always be a Chief, always! But my road is coming to an end, and I didn't want it to end on a team that is rebuilding.


"When I signed my deal a few years ago, it was to end my career here. But I also felt we had real potential, I didn't see us ending up with a rebuilding effort. But once they cleaned house, and when they traded Jared (Allen), it was clearly to rebuild. They have a bright future here. Some of the players they've drafted are going to be great. They are on the right road, but by the time they travel it, I'll probably be done. That's why I asked for this, and I was certainly led to believe they understood this and would help accommodate it."

Gonzalez, after hanging up with Peterson last night, was pretty sure he'd soon pick up a new zip code. As the day progressed, several teams involved began increasing their offers. A few came up to a fourth while a pair came up to a third. The Chiefs, however, will remain steadfast with a second rounder.

"If I was 28-years-old, we wouldn't even be having this conversation," said the league's all-time receiving leader for tight ends. "We've been talking about it for three weeks now, so we've had plenty of time to get it done. In the end, they had their agenda, and I don't know if they were serious about trading me or whether they were just trying to appease me.

"But you know what? I can't cry about it. If anything, this has motivated me even more. I'm a Chief, will be happy to be a Chief and will bust my butt for the Chiefs. I was never not happy being a Chief. I just wanted the chance to spend my last couple of years winning a title, not rebuilding. But I'm here to help rebuild, I'll work with all our young guys and get after it like I always have."

I was never not happy about being a Chief, but I wanted to play somewhere else.

:spock:

:clap:

I've been critical of his attitude re: the 3 yards, but that's everything you could hope to hear.

Now he has to back it up.

Tony, you have our permission to blast Carl Peterson in the balls with a sledgehammer. Or stomp his nuts with your cleats.

Call him out in the media for every interview. Show the world what a scumbag he is.

Hmmm. Now Gonzo is pissed at Carl. Herm is pissed at Gonzo. Carl is pissed at Herm. Herm is pissed at Carl. Tank is pissed at Gonzo. And, Clark is trying to get another 9 holes in before flying back to Texas. This could get good.

FAX

Agree 100%

I think the world already knows Carl is a scumbag

Given the circumstances, this is about the best thing Gonzo could have said. If his actions follow, I'll be more impressed with him than ever. I understand why he wanted out, but now that he's here, play ball.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/8...40813162&ATT=5

Forgot the link.

They have a poll there, yes or no, if we should have taken a 3rd for him.

What's the link for this article?

So...why didn't we trade Tony?

Haven't you heard ... Croyle is back take'n us'ns to the promise-land ...

Where's the 'boog out'??

::yawn:: Never thought I'd say this but... Tony, stfu and retreat back to your beautiful wife and lush mansion.

Honestly... I'd rather have Tony for a year and a half than a 3rd or 4th round pick... I hate Carl's guts but I'd do the same in this instance.

Carl has tickets to sell. He would have even more tickets to sell if he traded him.

The Chiefs once again asked for more than a player was worth and then wondered why they got nothin.....even Tony Gonzalez knows he isn't worth a 2nd round pick.

It's just another example of why Peterson is an absolute idiot. We'll get no better offers and now we have a player that no matter what he says does not want to be here.

Carl didn't set the bar too high out of ignorance. Come on. The guy knows Gonzo and LJ are all he has left.

Ok lets put it this way to talk about the brilliance of our organization....we trade a 4th round pick for Herm Edwards but we won't take a 3rd rounder for a 32 year old TE who wants out of here.

All this does is making the rebuild last longer because frankly, Tony Gonzalez will be retired when this team is remotely good.

Carl is worried about his legacy and his players, not the rebuild. He always takes care of his people. Just like all the yes men in the front office on down to Blob.

LOL he has no legacy, unless it's the legacy of a loser.

Pretty much, but I bet he sees all the 58 and 88 jerseys in the crowd and feels like he's accomplished everything he needs to.

I still think people in this market are way to attached to players, 3rd round is Gonzalez value, and once again the Chiefs come out asking for something stupid, this isn't Madden.

Glazer was on Fox Sports Radio and said Buffalo offered a 3rd but Tony turned down going there with the cold and being too far away from California. So I wouldnt put it all on Carl.

So Tony Gonzalez runs the Chiefs now?

That's when you say you asked to be traded take it buddy.

Heh. You're something else, dude. Isn't Madden. Heh. Hilarious.

You are probably right about this.

It might have something to do with George Brett retiring as a Royal.

JMO

The Chiefs are becoming a pretty good soap opera.

Depends on if he has a no trade clause in his contract. If he has one, then he can reject it and there is nothing CP can do about it.

Who was the "other" team that offered a 3rd? Nice to speculate that everybody hates Carl. As if we didn't know that already.

I'm glad he's still here. I can't help it. He's always been a class act, and I think this interview was great. We'll see, but I can't believe he won't be the same old Tony.

...maybe this will fire up some of the younger guys...kinda like, "Win one for the Gonzo" so to speak. In any case, I don't think TG is gonna play like shit. He'll get over it, he even said so. Within 3 years, this team might be in contention, that's doable for TG. I don't blame the guy for being frustrated, if you are watching this team and sick to your stomach, imagine being a guy like TG and having to play on Sundays.

...meh. I'm a homer. I'm glad he's still here. Long live Gonzo in the Red and Gold.

Tony should STFU
I want.... I don't want.... big ass baby.

The organization is supposed to take in the arse because he wants.
:shake:

Did you not read the article?

As mecca pointed out, even Tony knows that no one is going to give up more than a third for a 32 year old TE, and a third was on the table.

They weren't going to take it in the "arse".

They were offered fair market value.

I understand both sides of this argument but if the Bills offered the Chiefs a 3rd and Tony rejected it that is on Tony. We know the Giants only offered a 4th so I am wondering what the mystery team offered and who that was.

So several reports say that Buffalo offered a 3rd, and Tony refused to go there.

Tony mentions in this interview that a 3rd should have gotten the deal done.

I'd love to know what REALLY happened.

Yep me too but we know that the Bills offered a 3rd because Tony's friend Jay Glazer reported that and he said Tony turned it down.

mortenson, on espn, just said 2 teams offered 3rds and Carl said no to both.....


can't believe we passed on a 3rd....**** this clown school...

Gonzo will retire, or play one more year at most for the chiefs....

we're "rebuilding" and we said no to a 4th for wesley and a 3rd for Gonzo

there is a reason we are a farce of a franchise...

So it seems BRC's source may have come through again.

Buffalo offered a 3rd, but Tony declined to go there.

The Giants enter the fray late with a 3rd, and Carl backs off, pissing off Tony.

Wonder if Carl backed off to PURPOSELY piss Tony off, after Tony refused to go to Buffalo?

I have to ask.

Is anyone TRULY surprised that this thing was fugged up? I mean, it dealt with Carl Peterson, a trade and Draft Picks. Come on!

Nope.

Not one bit.

Carl's at blame, no doubt.

But it sounds like he was willing to send TG to Buffalo for a 3rd, and Tony said no.

Not exactly Carl's fault there.

However, it doesn't surprise me in the least that Carl would resort to these shenanigans and change the terms once the Giants got involved.

Sounds like a big "**** you" to Tony from Carl for trying to dictate where he was going to be dealt.

At the end of the year Tony can ask to be traded and likely will before draft day. He can't pull a Favre though, retire, then around TC time decide to return.

Carl won't trade him, he'll just keep him and expect him to play...

did anybody ever think Carl was going to deal with him honestly?

would Carl trade away the only marquee player on this team? no.

Carl blew smoke up his ass. he didn't think anyone would offer a third, then he got caught bluffing.

Should of shipped him off to buffalo....like it or not :eek:

He doesn't need a no trade clause to refuse a trade if he's willing to retire rather than play there. I don't know if that's what happened or not, but that possibility shouldn't be ignored.

how funny would it be if Gonzalez came out today and said he was retiring after this season.

Does anyone think Carl and Herm might call plays to throw as little as possible (not that he's being throw to a lot now...) to Tony and make him block, instead, for spite?

But he wanted to play for the Giants? WTF is the difference

LIke when he was close to setting the record at home against Denver?

Carl is a dipshit, but Tony had atleast 1 ticket out of town and should've taken it. There is really not much of a distance difference between buffalo and NY

This just sounds very odd he wouldn't take it...

The rats are always the first to jump off a sinking ship

All that means is Tony has more value to the Chiefs than what was offered. Not hard to understand that he means more to KC than to other NFL cities.

To the fans he's great...but he doesn't want to be here and probably will retire soon and we won't get shit for him. He isn't going to help us get in the playoffs, we are a long way from that.

My understanding is veteran players can veto a trade according to the current CBA.

Bingo. Oh, and it was another chance to show Herm ****ing Edwards, who is really the boss.

I think it has more to do with this than tickets to sell. What a tool.

We are only in position to speculate on when he will retire. I think he will play at least 3 more years, which is enough time to get him to the playoffs again.

Typically 3rd round picks take 2+ years to develop and equivalent talent is available through free agency every off season so I see more value in keeping Gonzo. We are not talking about just any player we are talking about a HOF who is part of the very fabric of the organization and is a great mentor and leader to the young guys. The team needs a few veterans on the team to lead by example, thus I think the Chiefs need Gonzo more than another 3rd round pick.

I don't disagree.

I fully understand that Tony is worth more to the Chiefs,

But the point remains that the Chiefs were offered fair market value.

Maybe it's just me, but I would have a difficult time following the lead of a teammate that made it pretty clear that he didn't want to be here to lead.

Ahem...

http://weblogs.newsday.com/sports/wa...di_trophy3.jpg

Yes, it seems they were offered fair market value. He is just worth more to the Chiefs than market value so I'm glad he was not traded.

Oh, if I only knew how to help fan those flames.

The thought of desention at the top, at 1 Arrowhead Drive is music to my ears.

I'd disagree.

Shockey was a whiney, often injured, average blocking, wide-body-diva.
Gono is easily TWICE the TE shockey was.

Value is getting twice as much in a trade.

I wonder if you'll get barbecued over that comment the way I was last night.

The rest of the league wasn't going to be as stupid as the Saints were in that trade.

Gonzo has demonstrated much more pride and character throughout his career for me to believe he will not give it 110%. He is not Randy Moss or Terrell Owens who will throw temper tantrums.

The rest of the team also realize the business of the NFL and will not let this episode distrupt.

Herm Edwards has set the piss poor leadership example, Tony shouldn't be held to a higher standard than the HC.

But I do agree with your point.

It's really too bad the Saints were that stupid cause Gonzo may have been traded there and we would've gotten a 2nd and they gotten a better player, even if older.

Gonzo, IMO, handled this very well. Only his team mates can judge his sincerity. WTF Carl doesn't let him go for a third is remarkably stupid. Everyday he remains a Chief he is worth less to a rebuilding franchise. Hopefully his class and talent will rub off on the younger guys.

Tony is doing the right thing, off season may offer an opportunity.....

Shockey can't hold TG's jock. he won't be in the league in 10 years. or have anywhere near the numbers.

this sounds alot like Trent Green

It was beyond stupid to give that for Shockey.

To throw his compensation out just to open trade talks sounds fair.

When you're trading for the best at your position (save K/P) top dollar/compensation is expected.

I'm ecstatic he's here.

There's always the outside chance we win the lottery and a new HC/GM reignite his fire after this season.

Sure, it's like buying a lottery ticket but...

And the majority here don't seem to get that.

It does, doesn't it? I was thinking the same thing earlier today, Mr. Laz.

Almost to a T.

FAX

The majority do get it. I think the majority would have taken the 3rd rounder.

I would be willing to bet mondy that TG is gone in the offseason. He will go play a year or two for some other team.

Really?

I think it's close, but it seems to me that majority are letting emotions get in the way, and are overvaluing him.

JMO.

If you can make it in New York, you can make it anywhere. The big difference is that New York is a high profile town for high profile people. In addition to bad weather and less recent success on the field, Buffalo is backwater.

It sounds to me like Buffalo set the price, Tony nixed the deal, then the Giants tried to come in late with a somewhat discounted offer. :shrug:

I understand Tony's point, and I cant say a bad thing about the guy. He's one of the better guys left in the league....we wont see him getting his 3rd assualt charge anytime soon. Carl is a douchebag as always, that needs to be fired today. While Herm needs to be downgraded back to scouting director because thats the only thing hes good at...Carl once again finds a way to screw over his best players

After reading that article and getting emotionally uninvolved from it, I have to say that Tony is still the same class act he's always been. I have no doubt in my mind he's a Chief through and through. I'm glad he's still here for personal reasons, but am torn and wish he had an opportunity to compete for a Super Bowl. Sorry it didn't work out Tony, but I'm glad you're still with us.