Chiefs Teicher: Gonzalez asks Chiefs to explore trade possibilities

**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.

10-11-2008, 10:33 PM	Topic Starter
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.
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