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.