Chiefs Teicher: Gonzalez asks Chiefs to explore trade possibilities - Page 2

**Tribal Warfare** · 10-11-2008, 10:33 PM

Gonzalez asks Chiefs to explore trade possibilities
By ADAM TEICHR
The Kansas City Star

This year, the Chiefs prepared for the eventuality of replacing Tony Gonzalez by spending one of their three third-round draft picks on Tennessee tight end Brad Cottam.

That day could come sooner than they thought, as Gonzalez has asked the Chiefs to explore trade possibilities, and they have fielded calls about his availability.

Gonzalez, a nine-time Pro Bowler who has been with the Chiefs since he was drafted in 1997, would like a chance to contend for a championship before his Hall of Fame career comes to a close. The NFL trade deadline, which rarely sees much action, is Tuesday.

The Chiefs appeared pessimistic they could reach a deal for Gonzalez by then. The New York Giants have been the most interested in making a trade, but the sides were far apart on the compensation.

The Chiefs were asking for a third-round pick, and the Giants offered a sixth-rounder.

Green Bay and Buffalo are other teams that may have an interest in Gonzalez.

Gonzalez is 32 years old, and the sense of urgency to play for a contender has never been greater. If he stays with the rebuilding Chiefs, who will be a young team for several years, he may lose his chance.

“I’m winding down in my career and I’m thinking this is not what I signed on for last year when I redid my deal,” Gonzalez said in August, before the season started. “It is what it is. There’s nothing we can do about it.

“That’s another thing that weighs on my mind all the time, and that’s part of the frustration. … I haven’t even won a playoff game. That’s the reality of it. You can look back and say you had a pretty good career, but I want to be able to say I went to the playoffs, I won some playoff games and I went to the Super Bowl.”

When the Chiefs traded defensive end Jared Allen to Minnesota in April, they didn’t have a ready replacement for the reigning NFL sack leader. They moved Tamba Hali into Allen’s spot at right end, and he’s without a sack through five games.

They prepared to eventually replace Gonzalez by drafting Cottam, but he won’t provide what the veteran tight end has. Cottam has played more in the past couple of games in a two-tight end formation, a sign the Chiefs are getting more comfortable with him in their lineup. But Cottam hasn’t caught a pass and is used mostly as a blocker.

The Chiefs wouldn’t necessarily suffer without Gonzalez when they run. But they certainly would in the passing game. Gonzalez is the all-time leader among tight ends in receptions, yards and touchdowns. He has led the team in receptions in seven of his 12 seasons, including the last four.

Cottam doesn’t have Gonzalez’s ability to use his body to shield defenders or his skill in going up to snag a pass. He also doesn’t have Gonzalez’s knack for finding seams in zone coverage and wouldn’t be as difficult for defenses to cover when the Chiefs are near the opponent’s end zone.

He does run faster than Gonzalez, so Cottam brings the possibility of more big passing plays down the field.

The Chiefs this year drafted another tight end, Central Florida’s Mike Merritt, in the seventh round. Merritt has been on the injured list all season but could get activated in the coming weeks.

The Chiefs hope to develop Merritt into a blocking tight end, much like they used to havewith Jason Dunn.

Mecca · 10-11-2008, 11:14 PM

Right now the Chiefs are wanting a first and change....which is quite alot to ask for a player over 30.

TrickyNicky · 10-11-2008, 11:16 PM

If it has to happen, please send him to Buffalo. They deserve a good guy like Tony because they rebuilt their team the right way. Much more tolerable of a fan base than Philly or New Jersey.

chiefs1111 · 10-11-2008, 11:16 PM

So,how likely is it that Tony won't be a Chief come this time Tuesday night?

chiefs1111 · 10-11-2008, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrickyNicky

If it has to happen, please send him to Buffalo. They deserve a good guy like Tony because they rebuilt their team the right way. Much more tolerable of a fan base than Philly or New Jersey.

True...

TrickyNicky · 10-11-2008, 11:20 PM

Plus, we have Buffalo later this year, and he can come in and shove it down Herm's ****ing throat.

**Mr. Flopnuts** · 10-11-2008, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reerun_KC

Great, just ****ing great...

We run the risk of losing the face of this franchise, save Lenny Dawson, for what? For Herm ****ing Edwards?

Goddammit, this pisses me off to no extent... IF he is traded, then **** the Chiefs, Carl, espically that ****ing shit **** piece of ****ing ass faced shit bag Herm ****ing Edwards.... May sand fleas infest your crotch, you ****ing ass sucking ****tool!

TG leaves, we are left with nothing.....................

So are you saying you will abandon the Chiefs if this happens?

Mecca · 10-11-2008, 11:22 PM

I think this kinda shows a problem to an extent with the fan base.....people get way to attached to players. Smart teams generally move on from players getting older especially in the position the Chiefs are in.

Oh and you don't build your team around a TE.

TrickyNicky · 10-11-2008, 11:25 PM

I'm ready to rebuild around a new Front Office and a Coach worth a damn, that's for sure. Anything that can expedite or ensure that Carl is gone, I'm all for it.

**Tribal Warfare** · 10-11-2008, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiefs1111

So,how likely is it that Tony won't be a Chief come this time Tuesday night?

Theirs a great possibility, especially what he has meant to the organization. Plus, it would be doing Gonzo a disservice for not allowing him to go to a legitimate SB contender considering what a shit smeared state that KC is in currently.

DT58HOF · 10-11-2008, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiefs1111

I still think that come Tuesday night Tony will still be with the Chiefs

and if they trade him, The Owner is telling All Chiefs fans that we have no intention of ever trying to win!
He signed the contract,tell him play in the red and gold or retire

blueballs · 10-11-2008, 11:33 PM

all that extra money
and no damn FA worth a damn
will entertain the thought of being a Chief this off season

10-11-2008, 10:33 PM
Tribal Warfare Man of Culture Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-3007187	Teicher: Gonzalez asks Chiefs to explore trade possibilities Gonzalez asks Chiefs to explore trade possibilities By ADAM TEICHR The Kansas City Star This year, the Chiefs prepared for the eventuality of replacing Tony Gonzalez by spending one of their three third-round draft picks on Tennessee tight end Brad Cottam. That day could come sooner than they thought, as Gonzalez has asked the Chiefs to explore trade possibilities, and they have fielded calls about his availability. Gonzalez, a nine-time Pro Bowler who has been with the Chiefs since he was drafted in 1997, would like a chance to contend for a championship before his Hall of Fame career comes to a close. The NFL trade deadline, which rarely sees much action, is Tuesday. The Chiefs appeared pessimistic they could reach a deal for Gonzalez by then. The New York Giants have been the most interested in making a trade, but the sides were far apart on the compensation. The Chiefs were asking for a third-round pick, and the Giants offered a sixth-rounder. Green Bay and Buffalo are other teams that may have an interest in Gonzalez. Gonzalez is 32 years old, and the sense of urgency to play for a contender has never been greater. If he stays with the rebuilding Chiefs, who will be a young team for several years, he may lose his chance. “I’m winding down in my career and I’m thinking this is not what I signed on for last year when I redid my deal,” Gonzalez said in August, before the season started. “It is what it is. There’s nothing we can do about it. “That’s another thing that weighs on my mind all the time, and that’s part of the frustration. … I haven’t even won a playoff game. That’s the reality of it. You can look back and say you had a pretty good career, but I want to be able to say I went to the playoffs, I won some playoff games and I went to the Super Bowl.” When the Chiefs traded defensive end Jared Allen to Minnesota in April, they didn’t have a ready replacement for the reigning NFL sack leader. They moved Tamba Hali into Allen’s spot at right end, and he’s without a sack through five games. They prepared to eventually replace Gonzalez by drafting Cottam, but he won’t provide what the veteran tight end has. Cottam has played more in the past couple of games in a two-tight end formation, a sign the Chiefs are getting more comfortable with him in their lineup. But Cottam hasn’t caught a pass and is used mostly as a blocker. The Chiefs wouldn’t necessarily suffer without Gonzalez when they run. But they certainly would in the passing game. Gonzalez is the all-time leader among tight ends in receptions, yards and touchdowns. He has led the team in receptions in seven of his 12 seasons, including the last four. Cottam doesn’t have Gonzalez’s ability to use his body to shield defenders or his skill in going up to snag a pass. He also doesn’t have Gonzalez’s knack for finding seams in zone coverage and wouldn’t be as difficult for defenses to cover when the Chiefs are near the opponent’s end zone. He does run faster than Gonzalez, so Cottam brings the possibility of more big passing plays down the field. The Chiefs this year drafted another tight end, Central Florida’s Mike Merritt, in the seventh round. Merritt has been on the injured list all season but could get activated in the coming weeks. The Chiefs hope to develop Merritt into a blocking tight end, much like they used to havewith Jason Dunn.
Posts: 43,454

10-11-2008, 11:14 PM	#16
Mecca Hockey Town Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Casino cash: $-722950	Right now the Chiefs are wanting a first and change....which is quite alot to ask for a player over 30.
Posts: 115,380

10-11-2008, 11:16 PM	#17
TrickyNicky My Black Friend, Alan Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Manhattan Casino cash: $10007047	If it has to happen, please send him to Buffalo. They deserve a good guy like Tony because they rebuilt their team the right way. Much more tolerable of a fan base than Philly or New Jersey.
Posts: 3,648

10-11-2008, 11:16 PM	#18
chiefs1111 In Search of a Life Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Parts Unknown Casino cash: $-2356834	So,how likely is it that Tony won't be a Chief come this time Tuesday night?
Posts: 21,099

10-11-2008, 11:20 PM	#20
TrickyNicky My Black Friend, Alan Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Manhattan Casino cash: $10007047	Plus, we have Buffalo later this year, and he can come in and shove it down Herm's ****ing throat.
Posts: 3,648

10-11-2008, 11:22 PM	#22
Mecca Hockey Town Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Casino cash: $-722950	I think this kinda shows a problem to an extent with the fan base.....people get way to attached to players. Smart teams generally move on from players getting older especially in the position the Chiefs are in. Oh and you don't build your team around a TE.
Posts: 115,380

10-11-2008, 11:25 PM	#23
TrickyNicky My Black Friend, Alan Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Manhattan Casino cash: $10007047	I'm ready to rebuild around a new Front Office and a Coach worth a damn, that's for sure. Anything that can expedite or ensure that Carl is gone, I'm all for it.
Posts: 3,648

10-11-2008, 11:33 PM	#26
blueballs Banned Join Date: Feb 2006 Casino cash: $10004900	all that extra money and no damn FA worth a damn will entertain the thought of being a Chief this off season
Posts: 14,233