Chiefs Gonzalez plans return to Chiefs unless he hears the R word (rebuild) - Page 6

royr17 · 01-01-2009, 11:51 PM

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.”

**MahiMike** · 01-02-2009, 09:10 AM

New GM speaking: "Well thanks Tony. And thanks so much for having a break out year. It'll really help us to get a 3rd round selection for a younger guy during our rebuilding phase."

|Zach| · 01-02-2009, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigChiefDave

Now, this is just dumb. I love Tony, but how many championships has he brought us?

Great logic.

R&GHomer · 01-02-2009, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArrowheadHawk

Count me on the list of people who want to see tony stay. If that means not drafting a QB then so be it. But if that means keeping Herm than Tony is stupider than I thought.

I love Tony as a chief, but screw him. If the QB we want is there, you take him. Period! Let him and Thiggy battle it out in camp. If he doesn't want to play for a different coach, then hit the bricks.

I don't get Tony, I guess he's just standing up for his guys, but he really doesn't have all that much leverage anymore. Does he honestly think he's going to a SB contender and they're going to adjust there offense around him like the Chiefs have? Please!

Gailey can stay, and I suppose most of the offensive staff can as well. But Herm and every single coach on Special Teams and Deffense needs to be shown the door and if doesn't like it, he should just retire.

NEWS FLASH TONY..... This isn't about you. You are not bigger than this franchise and should have little or NO say in how it's going to be built for the future.

RINGLEADER · 01-02-2009, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArrowheadHawk

Count me on the list of people who want to see tony stay. If that means not drafting a QB then so be it. But if that means keeping Herm than Tony is stupider than I thought.

I want to see Gonzo stay as well but seriously, WTF...

|Zach| · 01-02-2009, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R&GHomer

I love Tony as a chief, but screw him. If the QB we want is there, you take him. Period! Let him and Thiggy battle it out in camp. If he doesn't want to play for a different coach, then hit the bricks.

I don't get Tony, I guess he's just standing up for his guys, but he really doesn't have all that much leverage anymore. Does he honestly think he's going to a SB contender and they're going to adjust there offense around him like the Chiefs have? Please!

Gailey can stay, and I suppose most of the offensive staff can as well. But Herm and every single coach on Special Teams and Deffense needs to be shown the door and if doesn't like it, he should just retire.

NEWS FLASH TONY..... This isn't about you. You are not bigger than this franchise and should have little or NO say in how it's going to be built for the future.

People are being really dramatic about this.

It still seems much ado about nothing for me.

Meanwhile this guy has been the face of our franchise and the best thing to come out of the Carl Peterson era. So he has some stuff to say about what he thinks about the team that won't actually matter that much. The drama.

Sure-Oz · 01-02-2009, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArrowheadHawk

Count me on the list of people who want to see tony stay. If that means not drafting a QB then so be it.

C'mon

BigChiefFan · 01-02-2009, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by |Zach|

People are being really dramatic about this.

It still seems much ado about nothing for me.

Meanwhile this guy has been the face of our franchise and the best thing to come out of the Carl Peterson era. So he has some stuff to say about what he thinks about the team that won't actually matter that much. The drama.

No. He's basically drawing a line in the sand and being a self-centered prick, who isn't honoring his contract that HE SIGNED, with the CHIEFS.

|Zach| · 01-02-2009, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigChiefFan

No. He's basically drawing a line in the sand and being a self-centered prick, who isn't honoring his contract that HE SIGNED, with the CHIEFS.

Again...unjustified drama...Chiefs Planet loves it...they wouldn't know what to do with themselves if they were not mad over stupid shit.

He is has done nothing to not honor his contract.

R&GHomer · 01-02-2009, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by |Zach|

People are being really dramatic about this.

It still seems much ado about nothing for me.

Meanwhile this guy has been the face of our franchise and the best thing to come out of the Carl Peterson era. So he has some stuff to say about what he thinks about the team that won't actually matter that much. The drama.

You're right this is a big to do about nothing. Tony has been the face of this franchise for a very long time and after the way he conducted himself on the field this last season he will go down as one of my all time favorites. Sadly his time has come and gone. Basing any long term personnel decisions on what Tony wants would be stupid

BigChiefFan · 01-02-2009, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by |Zach|

He is has done nothing to not honor his contract.

Bullshit, His contract is with the CHIEFS, nobody else. His saying he won't be back if we change coaches, isn't honoring what he signed. Poor 'lil Tony thinking he's bigger than the team.

Zouk · 01-02-2009, 09:33 AM

Yeah - no way Herm could get a team to the Super Bowl.

He only won in the playoffs against Brees, LT, Merriman in SD on the road and was a field goal away from beating the 15-1 Roethlisberger-led Steelers on the road to go to the AFC championship game while playing with a QB with a torn rotator cuff, and with a team who's only Hall of Fame player was a running back over the age of 30.

Peoples' memories are so short. Dungy could never win a SB in Tampa, Belichick could never win a SB in Cleveland. And 2 or 3 years from now people will be calling for Tony Sparano, John Harbaugh, and/or Mike Smith's heads.

I'll keep tilting at windmills for a couple of days more until the execution notice is officially signed. But there is just an amazing amount of wrong conventional wisdom among NFL fans.

|Zach| · 01-02-2009, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigChiefFan

Bullshit, His contract is with the CHIEFS, nobody else. His saying he won't be back if we change coaches, isn't honoring what he signed. Poor 'lil Tony thinking he's bigger than the team.

I think you have a misunderstanding of what not honoring a contract means.

As well as a misunderstanding of the business side of this game.

Talking does not equal doing. There is a reason for everything.

|Zach| · 01-02-2009, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R&GHomer

. Basing any long term personnel decisions on what Tony wants would be stupid

Thats the thing. NOBODY is going to do that. Nobody in this organization will be doing that no matter how many people cry about the idea of this.

A player with some opinions about the team voiced his opinions. CP cries. News at 11. *shrug*

ArrowheadHawk · 01-02-2009, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sure-Oz

C'mon

I'm clinging to the last of the greats.

I've seen too many QB's not pan out. It is very rare that rookie QB's lead their team to the playoffs, this year is an exception not a rule.

BigChiefFan · 01-02-2009, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by |Zach|

I think you have a misunderstanding of what not honoring a contract means.

As well as a misunderstanding of the business side of this game.

Talking does not equal doing. There is a reason for everything.

I have NO MISUNDERSTANDING. It's very clear, if Herm is gone, Tony wants to become a distraction. He has NO say-that we agree on. Since he has no say, the only thing he can do, is become very vocal about it, which is what he is doing. He's becoming a distraction and made it VERY CLEAR, he doesn't want to be here, unless our shitty coached is retained. We'll we should accomodate both Tony and the coach and get rid of both of them. I like Tony, I thought it was stupid to want to trade him, but he believes he's above the team. When that starts taking place, it's time to move on and get what we can.

01-01-2009, 11:51 PM
royr17 MVP Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Lovin my kids Casino cash: $-1671324	Gonzalez plans return to Chiefs unless he hears the R word (rebuild) 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.”
Posts: 6,244

01-02-2009, 09:10 AM	#76
MahiMike He's Mahomie! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Jax, FL Casino cash: $10023443	New GM speaking: "Well thanks Tony. And thanks so much for having a break out year. It'll really help us to get a 3rd round selection for a younger guy during our rebuilding phase."
Posts: 17,387

01-02-2009, 09:33 AM	#86
Zouk Veteran Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: DC Casino cash: $10004900	Yeah - no way Herm could get a team to the Super Bowl. He only won in the playoffs against Brees, LT, Merriman in SD on the road and was a field goal away from beating the 15-1 Roethlisberger-led Steelers on the road to go to the AFC championship game while playing with a QB with a torn rotator cuff, and with a team who's only Hall of Fame player was a running back over the age of 30. Peoples' memories are so short. Dungy could never win a SB in Tampa, Belichick could never win a SB in Cleveland. And 2 or 3 years from now people will be calling for Tony Sparano, John Harbaugh, and/or Mike Smith's heads. I'll keep tilting at windmills for a couple of days more until the execution notice is officially signed. But there is just an amazing amount of wrong conventional wisdom among NFL fans. Last edited by Zouk; 01-02-2009 at 09:42 AM..
Posts: 1,454