Chiefs tight end Gonzalez wants more than records - Page 2

Hammock Parties · 10-07-2007, 01:01 AM

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/chi...ry/306486.html

The ball Tony Gonzalez caught last week that tied the NFL record for career touchdowns by a tight end sits atop his locker. It will go to his mother, Judy.

The ball that will give him the record will go to his older brother Chris.

“He’s the one who got me started in football,” said Gonzalez, whose 62 career touchdown catches is tied with Shannon Sharpe for the most by a tight end.

“I hated football at the beginning. I honestly don’t think I would have played if it wasn’t for him.”

If Gonzalez, an eight-time Pro Bowler, breaks the mark in today’s game against Jacksonville, it will give him immense satisfaction — but he’ll be far from content.

“You’re talking about the history of the NFL, so, of course, you have to take satisfaction in it,” said Gonzalez, also the Chiefs’ all-time touchdown receptions leader. “So, wow, it’s something I never, ever, ever thought at the beginning of my career that I’d be able to accomplish.

“But to me, it’s another chapter that’s turning. I’ve got a lot more in me, and a lot more to go, hopefully.”

When his career began, Gonzalez studied the game’s best tight ends.

“Keith Jackson, Brent Jones were the first guys in the league I was watching,” Gonzalez said. “Shannon Sharpe, Ben Coates … I continue to watch guys. I watch Antonio Gates, when I go to the Pro Bowl and see what he’s doing. My old-school favorites … John Mackey, Mike Ditka, Kellen Winslow … I’ve I learned a lot.”

Gonzalez, 31, is not only tied with Sharpe for the most career touchdowns, but he needs 74 receptions and 1,113 yards to overtake him for the all-time lead for tight ends in those categories. That most likely would punch his ticket to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

“All that stuff will take care of itself,” Gonzalez said. “I’d be lying if I said I never thought about Hall of Fame implications. But as far as I’m concerned, if I keep going out there and stay healthy, that will take care of itself.”

The only thing missing on Gonzalez’s resume is postseason success. The Chiefs are 0-3 in the playoffs during his career.

“I know what he wants to do,” Chiefs coach Herm Edwards said. “He wants to play in the big game. That he hasn’t won a playoff game is remarkable. He’s achieved a lot of individual stats, but Tony’s not that type of guy. He wants to get that one stat it takes the whole team to do. That’s playing in the (Super Bowl).”

If Gonzalez doesn’t reach the Super Bowl, he will still go down in history as a player who helped redefine the tight-end position.

“If there is any legacy I would like to leave, it’s being a complete tight end,” Gonzalez said. “It’s not just about catching balls. Nowadays, a lot of these young tight ends are catching a lot of passes. But that’s not the position. That’s where Shannon and I disagree. They don’t pay you just to catch balls. If you’re a tight end, you’d better be a blocker, too.”

**BigMeatballDave** · 10-07-2007, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garcia Bronco

As good as he's been, he'll never be better than Sharpe. Or even Winslow.

He will obliterate their career numbers.

CoMoChief · 10-07-2007, 08:31 AM

It really doesn't matter anyways because Antonio Gates is going to shatter all of the TE records barring injury.

Hammock Parties · 10-07-2007, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoMoChief

It really doesn't matter anyways because Antonio Gates is going to shatter all of the TE records barring injury.

That's a big deal though. Staying healthy for 12-13 years isn't easy. Gates could be done in four or five years. You just never know.

milkman · 10-07-2007, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigChiefDave

He will obliterate their career numbers.

Yeah so?

In baseball, Hank Aaron became the home run king while playing in the same era as Willie Mays, still, IMO, the greatest player of all time.

HypnotizedMonkey · 10-07-2007, 08:46 AM

F Shannon Sharp and all the other :

:

dtebbe · 10-07-2007, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoMoChief

It really doesn't matter anyways because Antonio Gates is going to shatter all of the TE records barring injury.

He already holds the "widest ass" category.

DT

Reerun_KC · 10-07-2007, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lj4mvp

He didn't translate dick. He played on better teams, with a better QB.

Rod Smith has more rings than Randy Moss. Your point?

Rod Smith is a First Ballot HOFer.... Undrafted Free Agent that put up staggering numbers...

Moss is a first round pick.. HOFer? Who knows...

But that was a pretty weak comparison...

Hammock Parties · 10-07-2007, 10:12 AM

Rod Smith is NOT a first ballot HOF'er. He's very questionable as to getting in right now.

Reerun_KC · 10-07-2007, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GOATSE

Rod Smith is NOT a first ballot HOF'er. He's very questionable as to getting in right now.

Says?

**BigMeatballDave** · 10-07-2007, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoMoChief

It really doesn't matter anyways because Antonio Gates is going to shatter all of the TE records barring injury.

I don't know about that. Gates is only 4 yrs younger than TG and currently has 298 catches. TDs, yes he will own that. Not sure about the total receptions. TG could break 1000 before he is done.

Adept Havelock · 10-07-2007, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garcia Bronco

As good as he's been, he'll never be better than Sharpe. Or even Winslow.

If Sharpe excelled at both parts of playing TE (Receiving and Blocking), you might have a point.

As he was an excellent receiver who couldn't block worth a damn, you don't.

Terrell Davis has more rings than Jim Brown, but that doesn't even come close to putting him in the same league as JB.

If they all stay healthy, I think it'll read like this in a few years:

Kellen Winslow Sr.
Tony G.
Antonio Gates
Shannon Sharpe

CupidStunt · 10-07-2007, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reerun_KC

Rod Smith is a First Ballot HOFer.... Undrafted Free Agent that put up staggering numbers...

Moss is a first round pick.. HOFer? Who knows...

But that was a pretty weak comparison...

Rod Smith isn't a first ballot HOFer, and Randy Moss questionable? Don't f**king kid yourself.

Smith isn't in the same galaxy as Moss, rings or not.

"Comparison?"

Word you're lookin' for is "analogy", sparky.

**DaFace** · 10-07-2007, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reerun_KC

Rod Smith is a First Ballot HOFer.... Undrafted Free Agent that put up staggering numbers...

Moss is a first round pick.. HOFer? Who knows...

But that was a pretty weak comparison...

Since when does getting into the HOF depend on when a player was drafted?

Deberg_1990 · 10-07-2007, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reerun_KC

Rod Smith is a First Ballot HOFer.... Undrafted Free Agent that put up staggering numbers...

Highly questionable. He played in a pass happy era. Art Monk cant even get in.

**BigMeatballDave** · 10-07-2007, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

Art Monk cant even get in.

This, IMO, is a travesty.

10-07-2007, 01:01 AM
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $780478	Chiefs tight end Gonzalez wants more than records http://www.kansascity.com/sports/chi...ry/306486.html The ball Tony Gonzalez caught last week that tied the NFL record for career touchdowns by a tight end sits atop his locker. It will go to his mother, Judy. The ball that will give him the record will go to his older brother Chris. “He’s the one who got me started in football,” said Gonzalez, whose 62 career touchdown catches is tied with Shannon Sharpe for the most by a tight end. “I hated football at the beginning. I honestly don’t think I would have played if it wasn’t for him.” If Gonzalez, an eight-time Pro Bowler, breaks the mark in today’s game against Jacksonville, it will give him immense satisfaction — but he’ll be far from content. “You’re talking about the history of the NFL, so, of course, you have to take satisfaction in it,” said Gonzalez, also the Chiefs’ all-time touchdown receptions leader. “So, wow, it’s something I never, ever, ever thought at the beginning of my career that I’d be able to accomplish. “But to me, it’s another chapter that’s turning. I’ve got a lot more in me, and a lot more to go, hopefully.” When his career began, Gonzalez studied the game’s best tight ends. “Keith Jackson, Brent Jones were the first guys in the league I was watching,” Gonzalez said. “Shannon Sharpe, Ben Coates … I continue to watch guys. I watch Antonio Gates, when I go to the Pro Bowl and see what he’s doing. My old-school favorites … John Mackey, Mike Ditka, Kellen Winslow … I’ve I learned a lot.” Gonzalez, 31, is not only tied with Sharpe for the most career touchdowns, but he needs 74 receptions and 1,113 yards to overtake him for the all-time lead for tight ends in those categories. That most likely would punch his ticket to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. “All that stuff will take care of itself,” Gonzalez said. “I’d be lying if I said I never thought about Hall of Fame implications. But as far as I’m concerned, if I keep going out there and stay healthy, that will take care of itself.” The only thing missing on Gonzalez’s resume is postseason success. The Chiefs are 0-3 in the playoffs during his career. “I know what he wants to do,” Chiefs coach Herm Edwards said. “He wants to play in the big game. That he hasn’t won a playoff game is remarkable. He’s achieved a lot of individual stats, but Tony’s not that type of guy. He wants to get that one stat it takes the whole team to do. That’s playing in the (Super Bowl).” If Gonzalez doesn’t reach the Super Bowl, he will still go down in history as a player who helped redefine the tight-end position. “If there is any legacy I would like to leave, it’s being a complete tight end,” Gonzalez said. “It’s not just about catching balls. Nowadays, a lot of these young tight ends are catching a lot of passes. But that’s not the position. That’s where Shannon and I disagree. They don’t pay you just to catch balls. If you’re a tight end, you’d better be a blocker, too.”
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10-07-2007, 08:31 AM	#17
CoMoChief Mahomes Dynasty Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Parts Unknown Casino cash: $7672254	It really doesn't matter anyways because Antonio Gates is going to shatter all of the TE records barring injury. __________________
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10-07-2007, 08:46 AM	#20
HypnotizedMonkey usually hooplah is involved Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Corpus Christi, TX Casino cash: $10004925	F Shannon Sharp and all the other ::
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10-07-2007, 10:12 AM	#23
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $780478	Rod Smith is NOT a first ballot HOF'er. He's very questionable as to getting in right now. __________________ Chiefs game films
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