If Tony G's numbers are going down , why sign him to a big contract ???

[Chieficus]

Originally Posted by Chiefnj

I understand where Chief2000 is coming from.

Tony's skills haven't dropped much yet, but they will. Every player declines in his 30's - it's a fact of football life.

You know Tony is going to want to be the highest paid TE. He's been a great TE, he can still put up excellent numbers. The question is, is spending all that money on him the best idea since: (a) he's a TE, (b) his skills will be declining, and (c) Herms' ball control offense may downplay the pass attempts and balls going to TG or any TE.

Would the money spent on TE be better spent on other positions - revamping the OL, DT, WR with younger players.

Since 1998 (won't count '97, since Marty didn't really use him as a go-to guy over that superstar Popson), Tony has basically been the sole reason why we haven't needed to go out and get a "true #1" receiver and why the offense has survived failed experiments with Brock Middl...er... Andre Rison, Johnnie Morton, etc.

Yes, every player eventually declines in his 30's, but the rate of decline depends on the invidual player. Tony has yet to show any true signs of decline (78 for 905 last year, just after a 102 for 1258 season).

He's a TE, but he's not just a TE--he's an important cog in the offensive machine. He's worth the money...