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

[royr17]

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.”

[chief52]

Originally Posted by H5N1

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

'Excuse' me...

[DeezNutz]

Originally Posted by Rausch

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...

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.

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

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?...

[DeezNutz]

Originally Posted by Rausch

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.

[Mecca]

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.

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

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.

That's exactly what I'm saying.

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

[Mecca]

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.

[Sure-Oz]

Originally Posted by Mecca

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.

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.

[Mecca]

Originally Posted by Sure-Oz

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.

[blueballs]

not a bad year stat wise
to retire
go out strong

[Rigodan]

Originally Posted by royr17

“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.”

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?

[|Zach|]

*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.

[Mecca]

Originally Posted by Rigodan

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?

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?

[|Zach|]

Originally Posted by Mecca

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.

[Mecca]

Originally Posted by |Zach|

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.