Gonzalez plans return to Chiefs unless he hears the R word (rebuild)
 

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/chi...ry/961410.html

Gonzalez plans return to Chiefs unless he hears the R word (rebuild)

By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star

Tony Gonzalez will soon make his annual postseason trip to Hawaii to play in the Pro Bowl. Upon his return, he should have a better idea about which direction the Chiefs are headed.

By then, the Chiefs will likely have a new general manager and a decision on whether coach Herm Edwards will be retained.

At that point, Gonzalez will decide whether he will again ask for a trade.

“As far as I know, I’ll be a Chief next year,” Gonzalez said. “Depending on what Clark (Hunt) wants to do, if he wants to blow this whole thing up and bring in a new coaching staff and bring in a new coordinator with that and bring in a new quarterback in the draft, that all weighs into whether or not I want to be a Chief next year.

“As far as I’m concerned, as a veteran on this team going into my 13th year next year, the last thing I want to hear is ‘rebuild.’ I’m not into it. If they come in here and they want to blow it all up, I’ll be frustrated and I’ll be a little (ticked) off.

“There are some really good coaches on this staff. I want Herm back, I want (offensive coordinator Chan Gailey) back. I want my position coach, Jon Embree, back. These guys are going to take us in the direction we want to go.”

Gonzalez indicated he would play only one more season, at least if he stays with the Chiefs. In that case, it might benefit the Chiefs to at least listen to trade offers for Gonzalez, though those offers might not be overwhelming given that Gonzalez is nearing the end of his career.

“In reality, it’s just like this year,” he said. “If they don’t want to let me go, they don’t have to let me go and I’d have to deal with it. I’d still come back and play hard. But there’s only one year left in that. If they want to get something for me, that’s when I would say, ‘Why don’t you get something for me?’

“I’m just being honest. I’m just talking candidly here. No matter what happens, I’ll try to make it work for the best. Whatever team I’m on — hopefully it’s this team — we can build something special.”

Even at 32 and while playing for a 2-14 team, Gonzalez had one of his best seasons. That seemed improbable early in the year when the Chiefs continually shuffled their quarterbacks.

His season turned around when Tyler Thigpen took over for good at quarterback. That’s one reason Gonzalez would prefer to see the Chiefs stay with Thigpen, at least if they continue in the spread offensive formation.

“I think Tyler is the guy, especially for this offense,” Gonzalez said. “If they want to keep this offense in place, why would you need to go out there and get another quarterback? He’s perfect for this offense. If you want to go out there and get a dropback quarterback, then maybe you might want to get another quarterback.

“Tyler’s proven himself. He’s come out of nowhere and shown he can be an elite quarterback in this league. People need to keep in mind that it was his first year starting. He came into this season just hoping to be the third-string quarterback and now he’s pressed into the starting spotlight. I think he handled it well.

“If he gets a whole offseason and gets the (practices) and the whole camp and gets his confidence going that he’s going to be the guy, then I think he can be a pretty good quarterback in this league for a long time.”

Gonzalez and outgoing president/general manager Carl Peterson said their goodbyes after the Chiefs returned from Cincinnati Sunday night when they bumped into each other while having dinner at the Capital Grille on the Plaza.

Gonzalez was upset with Peterson for a time after the Chiefs failed to trade Gonzalez in October.

“Our relationship has healed,” Gonzalez said. “We were frustrated but I’m not going to hold a grudge forever. Whatever he does, I’m sure he’ll be successful. Twenty years as a general manager of an NFL team, that’s unheard of, especially nowadays. He should be proud of that. He had some real good football teams.”

You all suck his dick, but he is such a prima donna

I love Tony Gonzalez as a player, but he's right behind Gunther in the blowing smoke club.

Every year it's, "This team is going to surprise people." "This is the best Chiefs' team I've ever been on" nonsense.

Rebuilding is a word you use when you are losing. There is no rebuilding if you are winning football games. Hopefully Gonzalez realizes this with the new coaching staff as it appears he's been so brainwashed by Herm's way.

Count me on the list of people who want to see tony stay. If that means not drafting a QB then so be it. But if that means keeping Herm than Tony is stupider than I thought.

I got a better idea. He can shut up and play, we will pay him, and we will do whatever we want to that is best for the Chiefs. . . not just what is best for tony g

Yup.

He's a HOF player with no ring.

That said, he's going to want to pad stats and accomplish more.

You have two options: hold out or shut the **** up and play.

He ain't get'n traded...

Really tired of Tony's bullshit.

Maybe we can go 10-6 his last three years and lose in the first round all three years. He's used to that.

I am with him on the Thigpen thing, but i wont be upset if they draft Stafford thats for damned sure.

Whats he supposed to say? Oh, my team sucks. We will be lucky to win a few games? Professionals dont do that. He's careful with what words he uses imo.

You'd forgo the chance to get a franchise QB who could play for 12 to 15 years in order to keep Gonzo for one or two more? Seriously?

TG would rather play for a coach whose only won 2 games out of his last 25? The defense is one of the worst in the NFL and has been for the last several years. I know it was a little better last year but it wasn't all that. He's going to bat for these guys? Really?

Nein.

He's opportunistic...

This is just delusional BS, because he doesn't want to mentor another QB.

He'd rather the Chiefs continue to suck for the rest of eternity?

Tony G loves Thigpen cause Thigpen gives him the ball every other play. If we get Stafford or some other QB that can stretch the field, we won't look at Tony's 3 yard curl routes as much.

Especially when we already may have our TEOTF

Gonzo is a true fan.

I've got a feeling that Stafford is gonna be a bust.

Ive come to the conclusion that winning just really isnt all that important to Tony.

Not that he doesnt want to win, but its secondary to his personal stats.

Hes basically T.O without the mouth.

No, Tony knows he has 2 or 3 more years at the most and Thiggy's pass-first offense pads his stats.

He has no hope for a SB in KC and no hope of getting out.

So what do you think motivates him?...

BINGO...

Yeah, thats why he stayed with the helpless Chiefs his whole career. 39 years, 39 years

Or could be a 'Matt Ryan':shrug:

He says the same shit every single year.

How about he keeps his mouth shut? He wants to dictate things, but this team was 2-14. Tony loves the offense because this offense padded his stats.

He's not even 39 years old.

:spock:

As much as it pains me to say it, I'm beginning to think that Tony is part of the problem, not the solution.

You don't need a great tight end on a championship team. It's a crutch for teams that are weak in other, more important areas.

Not possible.

That was last year's sure bust QB...

I don't think he's a part of either one...

He stayed with the Chiefs for 2 reasons:

1) They paid him handsomely
2) He was ALWAYS the focal point of the passing game.

"I have nothing new to add, and Clark isn't telling me shit, so I'll rehash the same old bullshit." /Teicher/

I believe that was pretty much implied

Hey Tony, you're a great player and a lot of fun to watch.

Now shut the **** up and call Oprah and see if there's anything she wants you to do.

How many great TEs are in the playoffs right now?

The top 4 teams in the NFL don't have a TE worth much. Scaife is probably the best one out of the group.

Gates is the best TE in the playoffs on an 8-8 team.
Anthony Fasano, Todd Heap, Vishante Schiancoe are the best of the rest.

You can easily win without a TE.

I love Tony, but if he wants to be the GM, he should hang up his pads and get in line.

:clap:

Don't get me wrong, I love Gonzo, but right now the one thing that makes him different than Rickey Watters is that he knows when to S.T.F.U. and play...

The Chiefs do not exactly use Tony like a "normal" tight end.

They use him like a pass catching TE. You don't need one of those to dominate in the NFL like you did in the early 90s when the 49ers had Brent Jones, and the Cowboys had Novechek.

He still isn't used like a true wide receiver if that's what you're trying to say.

His longest catch this year was only 35 yards.

It's also probably not a coincidence that Tony's best years have come when the Chiefs were at their worst.

whale's vagina doesn't use gates like a "normal" tight end.

If Tony had been traded midseason, it would have been interesting to have seen the effect on Thigpen. My guess is that his play would have been much more similar to what it looked like in the Atl. game.

This would have killed all the bullshit uber-Thigpen love on the board.

Yet another reason Carl (still) needs to be kicked in the man sack.

The above is exactly what I was trying to say.

FYP...

:spock:

you mean, like you typed it? wow. I thought you meant that we use him as a 'normal' tight end.

True, but this assumes the team has above average receivers, which the Chiefs have not had and still do not have.

Indeed.

I'd argue that.

Of course I'd also argue that making said spot your primary playmaker on offense is a $#it idea.

I'd argue for QB/WR/TE/HB in that order...

'Excuse' me... :)

TE before RB b/c of the need for blocking and max protect? Similar to the way that the Giants use Boss, who is a capable receiver across the middle?

I wouldn't rank him as a great TE by any means, but I'm not sure if their RBBC approach is as successful without him. In this sense, I can understand your argument.

A probowl TE is as hard to come by as a probowl QB.

HB's are a dime a dozen unless Peterson is drafting for you.

Honestly, there is a constant change in the probowl/all pro HB's from year to year. It's likely the most replacable position on offense after FB.

How sad is it that Peterson only found two of both in 20 years?...

I understand this line of thought, and there is some truth to it. But I think we're getting to the point where RB is almost becoming an undervalued position in the league, if that makes sense.

Of the teams still in the playoffs, almost all have "a guy" and he's a stud. LT, AP, Westbrook, Williams, Turner, etc.

Part of it is the shelf life, so the turnover happens quickly, but LT's (the San Diego kind) don't fall off trees. He's kind of a bad example b/c he's getting long in the tooth, but you know what I mean.

I agree that TE is more difficult to find, however, simply b/c it is asking a lot to find a giant of a man 6'5'' 250+ that's athletic and can run. It's the same principle as trying to find a premier left tackle.

Tony Gonzalez is a great player and all but he really needs to stop acting like he calls the shots, no team that is by a GM with even half a brain would pass on a franchise QB to appease an aging TE.

That's exactly what I'm saying.

It's a rarity. Don't waste it...

A TE still at the base is a complimentary position, for how great Gonzalez has been if he refuses to play for this team unless they make Thigpen the starter and don't draft a QB all I have to say is well bye.

Gonzalez is basically whats left of this franchise and he knows it....im sick of his talking to, he signed the contract and knew wtf this team was, quit bitching.

i said this the other day and I believe it, I think this is all saving face posturing type stuff. Peterson is out, the GM that hitched his wagon to Tony as his franchise player...Tony Gonzalez isn't stupid he knows a new GM likely won't attach himself to a 33 year old TE or a spread QB for that matter.

He's trying to make it look like if a new GM decides to move on from him that it was Tonys call and not the teams.

not a bad year stat wise
to retire
go out strong

Why the hell is everyone bitching at Tony? It's not like he held a press conference or something. Teicher is just looking for a damn story and Tony's telling him what he thinks. Holy shit, it's amazing that a guaranteed future HOFer doesnt want to spend the twilight of his career on a team that has won 2 out of it's last 25 games. Especially when that player hasn't one the big one yet. I can't blame him for wanting one more shot at a title before he calls it quits. He's won 6 games in the last two years, for ****s sake

Bottom line though is Tony's probably not going anywhere this off season. He'll come into training camp and work his ass off for a 6 win team with a shitty quarterback throwing to him. He'll be professional about it like he was after the deadline this year and he'll be a great asset in bringing along whatever young qb we have. What the hell more do you want from him?

*shrug*

He can say what he wants...whatever...the franchise doesn't even deserve the guy. Business will get settled one way or the other. Nobody in the organization will be held hostage by his comments. What will happen will happen...he will go out and do his thing for this team or another.

He is still the best thing to come from the Carl Peterson era. Represented the team well on and off the field.

Why is this player acting like change is bad? The coaching staff and QB that was part of that are people he wants back, how's that make sense?

Why are people acting like Clark will actually sit around and make decisions that have these huge affects on the franchise based on his comments?

Not a chance.

I'm not doing that I'm just curious how his stance makes any sense at all, does he think the Chiefs are gonna be good with Herm Edwards and Tyler Thigpen?

Honestly I can't rationally understand his point of view.

Sports are not rational. You have always come from this standpoint that the sporting universe is so straight forward and the outcomes are so empirical.

I don't really agree with Tony but then again it is sports.

I don't think the idea of the Giants becoming SB champions going into the playoffs last year was a rational pick and I don't think the Pats missing the playoffs with 11 wins is rational.

I have seen many stranger things happen than the idea that a lot of the good young players on this team can be made into something decent...even by Herm Edwards.

I think after all he's done with this franchise he's entitled to his opinion. I disagree with it too but in the end it doesn't matter. It won't have any impact of the direction this franchise goes in the off-season and it won't change the fact that if he's back he'll be a class act and play his ass off. It's not really worth getting mad at him for. I don't agree with what he's saying but i'm not going to think anything less of him as a chief for something as inconsequential as this. He's Tony ****ing Gonzalez man, we were lucky to have him as long as we have.

I think this is EXACTLY what he's doing. The second they can Herm, he'll start screaming for a trade.

I'm with him on Thigpen. I'm with him on Chan.

Not so much on Herm.

bye tony

should have traded you the first time you demanded it, hopefully we will now...

ROFL


quality

Now, this is just dumb. I love Tony, but how many championships has he brought us?

If I have to choose between loosing TG or getting a new coaching staff.....bye Tony.

:spock:

Are you the love child of Carl Peterson with his blood flowing through your body? I would have to rank that as one of the top ten dumbest posts in Planet history if you are serious. Gee, lets let one temperamental player dictate our future for the next ten years by not drafting a QBOTF if we have the chance. :shake:

As far as Tony goes, he has been one of the greatest players in the history of this team, but every once in awhile, he comes up with a little gem like this and tries to lay out "his demands." I love what he has done for this team and respect his valiant effort through the years as much as the next guy. All that being said, he does not own the team and to follow his wisdom in this case, would knock the team even further back into the stone age than it already is. To cut through the BS, if Tony isn't happy with the choice of bringing in a new QB if that happens, he can pack his bags and GTFO.

Keep the same staff? FUG THAT!

Thanks for the memories Tony! SEE YA!

Come on Tony. Believe it or not as great as you are it's not all about you. How dare the organization want to blow things up after a 2-14 season and hire new coaches and maybe get another QB. We should just stick with what failed miserably so you can stay in your comfort zone for one more year. I'd think at this point in his career he'd be demanding a turn around of momunmental proportions rather than sticking with the status quo. I'd think he'd want a shot at a ring rather than continuing to wallow in suckage.

If this is really you want Tony then goodbye. You were great. Maybe the greatest Chiefs player ever. Too bad you now seem to be putting yourself ahead of the improvement of the team.

loyalty doesn't exist in the NFL anymore..it's one of the qualities that bit Lamar in the ass in the end.

not from players, or fans.

it is what it is.

But it seems he wants to be loyal to coaches that haven't gotten us anywhere.

Most players are more naturally optimistic. Playing the game on any level, but especially at the NFL level takes a comittment beyond just getting a paycheck.

Tony's being a self-centered prick. His act is wearing thin. Great player, but enough of his bullshit. You signed the ****ing contract now ****ing honor it, you douche.

New GM speaking: "Well thanks Tony. And thanks so much for having a break out year. It'll really help us to get a 3rd round selection for a younger guy during our rebuilding phase."

Great logic.

I love Tony as a chief, but screw him. If the QB we want is there, you take him. Period! Let him and Thiggy battle it out in camp. If he doesn't want to play for a different coach, then hit the bricks.

I don't get Tony, I guess he's just standing up for his guys, but he really doesn't have all that much leverage anymore. Does he honestly think he's going to a SB contender and they're going to adjust there offense around him like the Chiefs have? Please!

Gailey can stay, and I suppose most of the offensive staff can as well. But Herm and every single coach on Special Teams and Deffense needs to be shown the door and if doesn't like it, he should just retire.

NEWS FLASH TONY..... This isn't about you. You are not bigger than this franchise and should have little or NO say in how it's going to be built for the future.

I want to see Gonzo stay as well but seriously, WTF...

People are being really dramatic about this.

It still seems much ado about nothing for me.

Meanwhile this guy has been the face of our franchise and the best thing to come out of the Carl Peterson era. So he has some stuff to say about what he thinks about the team that won't actually matter that much. The drama.