Bon Voyage, Tony Gonzalez
It’s ironic that Tony Gonzalez is now an ATLien, because part of me always felt like he was an alien in Kansas City.
Hollywood looks. Vegan shakes. Commitment ceremonies. Flirtations with the NBA. Infatuation with the Cali way. Not exactly your typical Midwestern good ol’ boy. From the start, the California Kid stuck out like a sore thumb in Kansas City. Tony G wasn’t like Larry Johnson, disliked from the start, or Jared Allen, beloved from the start. He was somewhere in between.
Despite all that, Tony Gonzalez strung together a decade’s worth of Pro Bowls in his 12 years with the Chiefs to become one of the most popular players in team history. Make no mistake about it; he will enter our Ring of Honor and the NFL Hall of Fame as a Chief. I, for one, will still rock my No. 88 jersey at Arrowhead, and do so proudly.
I met Gonzalez on several occasions and he was always a super nice guy. Seldom will you find a professional athlete who is such a pillar both on the field and off it in the community. Tony G was exactly that for 12 years, and if you ask me he earned every cent we paid him and more. You were as likely to see him at the Plaza as you were in the endzone, and he dunked on the goalposts quite often. Tony G became an unlikely football version of George Brett to Kansas Citians. Let’s not forget that because things didn’t work out after 12 years.
Now, the big question on everybody’s lips: why move the greatest tight end in NFL history for a second-round pick, and a 2010 one at that?
Why? Because it makes sense.
Tony didn’t want to be a Chief any longer. Sure, part of him did. The guy was the heart and soul of the Red and Gold for a decade plus. He played hurt and he played well, and he did so pretty much every single Sunday. He also loved the city and Chiefs fans, so he didn’t want to hurt them. That’s why he tried to handle this situation as delicately as possible. Just look at what he said following the trade:
“It’s somewhat bittersweet,” Gonzalez told FOXSports.com exclusively. “I love Kansas City. I grew up in Kansas City. The city means a lot to me. I got there when I turned 21. It will be sad to leave a city I love. But I’m looking forward to making a Super Bowl run in Atlanta every year for the next three or four years.”
But during his time in K.C., Tony only played with one quality quarterback (two if you can’t Rich Gannon’s limited tenure). For about 60-70% of his time in Kansas City Gonzalez was making hack quarterbacks look better than they were. I can’t imagine how frustrating that was for him.
Do you think Jerry Rice would have set every WR record without two Hall of Fame quarterbacks — Joe Montana and Steve Young? No, and keep in mind that I consider Rice, along with Jim Brown and Lawrence Taylor, the greatest football player ever. Gonzo broke nearly every TE record in the book with Brodie Croyle, Damon Huard, Elvis Grbac, Rich Gannon, Trent Green and Tyler Thigpen throwing to him. Not only is there not a HoFer in that group, but he didn’t have the continuity with his quarterbacks that Rice or other great tight ends like Kellen Winslow Sr. and Shannon Sharpe enjoyed.
The Chiefs added Matt Cassel about two-three years late into Tony’s career. That’s the biggest problem. The Chiefs really did Tony wrong by giving him Brodie Croyle and Damon Huard during the tail end of his prime. Giving Tony those two quarterbacks would be like giving Megan Fox lingerie from K-Mart.
The Chiefs also did Tony wrong by re-signing him to a multi-year contract and assuring him they weren’t rebuilding. From where I’m sitting, Carl Peterson and Herm Edwards lied to Tony. I think they knew that they were rebuilding. They also knew Tony was a loyal soldier, one who would likely bite the bullet as long as they could rebuild in three years time. They couldn’t. Considering that, can you blame Tony for wanting out when the new rebuilding effort will take at least two years?
From the perspective of Scott Pioli and Todd Haley, they have to clean up the ginormous mess King Carl and his jester Harm made. That mess includes Tony G. He made it clear he didn’t want to be a leader for the new Chiefs when he skipped minicamp. He also has made it clear that he wanted to play for a contender. So, in one fell swoop the Pioli Trinity granted Tony Gonzalez’s wishes and received more than adequate value for him in return.
A second-rounder, no matter the year, is great compensation for the aging TE. Seriously, we gave up the same thing for a 26-year-old potential franchise QB and an aging Pro Bowl linebacker. This is a great deal for the Chiefs that might allow them to be more aggresive in this draft’s trade market. Also, the Pioli Trinity has to create a locker room full of Chiefs who are completely on board with the new direction of the franchise. Tony G. wasn’t on board at all, and after suffering through the Harm era can you blame him?
I’m sad to see Tony Gonzalez go, and it will hurt like hell to see him in another shade of Red. But he’s earned the chance to play for a championship. Also, the colors on our jerseys are more important than the name and number on the back. If this makes Tony happy and accelerates our rebuilding process, then I am totally on board with it. Sounds like a win-win situation to me. Still, we will never forget No. 88, the greatest tight end to strap on his chinstrap and play the game. We wish you well in Atlanta with the Falcons, Tony!
P.S. – Those of you who are upset, give the Pioli Trinity the entire weekend before you pass judgment. That’s all I ask. This is just the first of what I’m guessing will be many moves over the course of this draft weekend.
P.S.S. – We really need Michael Crabtree now. Maybe even Chase Coffman. Don’t prematurely ejaculate, Tigers fans.
P.S.S.S. – Check out my new NFL Draft Positional Ranking Score (PRS) System over on NFL Mocks. Yet another case for why we should pass on Curry — his position simply doesn’t hold top-ten value. The last decade of drafts proves that.
We have bigger needs than TE with Haley’s offense.
April 23rd, 2009 at 3:11 pmSo what I’m hearing is that Tony plans to play for another 3-4 years and as far as he or anyone involved in running or coaching the Chiefs are concerned, the chances of the Chiefs making it to the Superbowl during that period are slim to none? Really? Is there really any other way to read this?
Unless…maybe…Todd Haley doesn’t have the kind of people skills it takes to work with…yeah. What? Maybe? Possibly??
April 23rd, 2009 at 3:18 pmSaid it before, Tony will be missed tremendously; we got wondeful value for him (12 years of use and in return a pick just one round lower than where we originally selected him); but I am a little angry at him for not wanting to stick around.
Great summation Adam!
April 23rd, 2009 at 3:19 pmIf we can’t use a TE of Tony G’s caliber, then perhaps we have bigger needs than “Haley’s offense?” Just sayin’ yo.
April 23rd, 2009 at 3:20 pmThere are no bigger needs than Haley’s offense and giving Cassel weapons. We’ve made our bed, now we’ve gotta lay in it. And just because Haley isn’t coddling players like Vermeil or Edwards doesn’t mean he’s doing things the wrong way.
There are also no guarantees that Tony will actually play for that long. None at all.
April 23rd, 2009 at 3:25 pmWhat about Gailey’s offense?? Is he there just for decoration?
April 23rd, 2009 at 3:27 pmGood read Adam. Don’t always agree with all of your discussions, but I agree on this one. I even agree on Crabtree, who I don’t care for I think he is too much of a diva.
That 2010 2nd might still be used this year, I’m sure Pioli has a plan.
April 23rd, 2009 at 3:28 pmI certainly did not make this bed nor do I plan on sharing it with anybody that from this distance looks a lot like the enemy.
April 23rd, 2009 at 3:30 pmI think the enemy has left the building. That would be Herm Edwards.
April 23rd, 2009 at 3:32 pmkcdan – thank you! Strange how our OC Gailey was able to figure out ways to make Tony highly productive but for some reason has now lost the ability to do so. Oh yeah, now I remember, he’s running the “Haley offense.” Achtung!
April 23rd, 2009 at 3:34 pmI’m gonna miss seeing T-Gon catch damn near anything thrown even remotely close to him.
BTW- Megan Fox would still be smokin in K-Mart diggs, just like Tony still makes the Hall with an array of crap QBs! Plus I think the Falcons come back to earth next year.
April 23rd, 2009 at 3:37 pmAh Herm – the Devil we knew . . .
April 23rd, 2009 at 3:38 pmI agree that we desperately need WR talent NOW…but D Bowe and TG were a way better tandum than two 23 yr oldish diva WRs for our young QB. This weekend will not recoup our losses.
April 23rd, 2009 at 3:49 pmStop with the diva stuff about Crabtree. You saw one stupid report about his trip to Cleveland and decided to take it as gospel.
Tony was great, but let’s be honest. Having a passing offense that revolves around the TE hasn’t won any championships here. The TE hasn’t been a big part of Haley’s offense. I’m sure he’ll find a way to move the ball and I’m guessing a solid wr corp will be much more productive than an All-Pro TE.
We were lucky to get a 2nd for a 33 year old TE. Good trade. I’d rather it be for this year, but oh well.
April 23rd, 2009 at 3:58 pmAdam,
You can take your PRS and flush it down the porcelain filing cabinet. Over the last 10 years, 5 LBs have ended up as the DPOY – more than any other defensive position. Over the last ten years, 8 LBs have ended up as DROY, more than any other position, offense or defense.
What this clearly indicates is that LBs have been grossly undervalued in the draft for quite some time. Aaron Curry is regarded by most respected observers as the best LB to come along in, oh, I think, the last 10 years.
Is there really anything else that needs to be said on this subject? Is it really necessary for you to keep making the same beggar-thy-neighbor arguments against LBs in an effort to make the positions you like better somehow look more attractive? You are bordering on absurbity, my friend.
April 23rd, 2009 at 4:01 pmI just used statistical evidence to show which positions NFL front offices value the most. Argue with the stats, my friend, and no need to go all Keith Olbermann on me.
April 23rd, 2009 at 4:12 pmAdam, You are nuts if you think this is a good deal. I honestly think the only reason you like this move is because it increases our chances of taking Crabtree.
A 2010 2nd round pick? Really? Its not like if we kept him, he wasn’t going to give it 100%, as we saw last year. We could use his talent, and maybe even more so, his experience.
It is really disappointing to me. Tony says he loves the city and blah blah blah, but he was willing to give up the city and the fans to compete for a SB in Atl?? His chances increase obviously by moving, but in my opinion, not much. The Falcons won 4, count em, 4 games in ‘07, and went on to a great season last year. Who says the Chiefs won’t have a great turn around or be contenders over the next 3-4 years?
I’m sorry but I just think it would’ve been cool to seem him retire with the same team who drafted him, which is so rare these days. I know I’ll get over it, but dammit, a 2010 2nd round pick is NOT gonna make it easy for me.
I’m bitter, and I hope the Falcons don’t win a fuckin game.
Oh and one other thing, I don’t care where Megan Fox gets her lingerie, I’d still beat that shit up.
April 23rd, 2009 at 4:15 pmAnd I’m just saying that the “average” track record of front offices is a poor one. Yet another reason why exactly 31 out of 32 teams fail to win the Superbowl. Year in. Year out. Kind of like saying the “average” lawyer only wins 50% of the time, ya think?
April 23rd, 2009 at 4:19 pmIt’s not about right or wrong, it’s about which positions NFL front offices value the most. LB is a position where players come in and enjoy a seamless transition, but it is obviously not as important as some of the impact positions. That’s what this proves. And I’m pretty sure DRoY awards don’t win Super Bowls, which is why GMs continue not to draft LBs in the top ten.
April 23rd, 2009 at 4:24 pmAre you seriously still trying to argue this with me? OMG. Please, somebody, call for help.
April 23rd, 2009 at 4:26 pmYou are just dead wrong on this one, DD. I also think you’re just pissed off. I’ve said all I have to say, and know I have correctly evaluated the positions NFL execs value most. Put in a call for yourself, bub, you’re the on trying to make the case for a coverage linebacker to go in the top three. That’s only happened like thrice since 1990 or something. Kevin Hardy, Lavar Arrington and Quentin Corryatt. All those picks worked out masterfully, huh?
Additionally, my old man and I were just talking about how happy we are with the Pioli Trinity. They are doing this the right way, folks. We also don’t think there is any way they pick Curry=. Just doesn’t make sense.
April 23rd, 2009 at 4:38 pm[...] Bon Voyage, Tony Gonzalez – [ArrowheadAddict] [...]
April 23rd, 2009 at 4:40 pm[...] Bon Voyage, Tony Gonzalez [Arrowhead Addict] [...]
April 23rd, 2009 at 5:48 pmThis trade made me very happy, a 2nd round pick, I dont care if people say they value it as a 3rd this year, this is a weak draft class…and its a 2nd round pick, Pioli always stacks picks, the year they got fined a first rounder, they still had another one. Plus they have no had time to evaluate who they have, maybe they prefer to take a year then nab a player.
I still think they will be active, but tony wanted out, all of a sudden he will play for 3-4 years, so be it…this is a win win for both sides, and that is the signature of a good trade.
April 23rd, 2009 at 6:46 pmHere is a post I like. Tony was angry that Carl held on to him because he wanted a second round pick for Tony.
http://www.profootballtalk.com/2009/04/23/chiefs-did-well-for-themselves/
April 23rd, 2009 at 7:29 pmit makes stupid since…..
we now have a sub par o-line, one reciever… and a RB who wants out and hopefully gets cut…lol
we dont have a pass rusher we need another wideout… we need no less than two o-linemen…
i see that we are going backwards…
MAN…arg!!!
April 23rd, 2009 at 7:54 pmwe can trade all we want but if we dont replace these guys with equal talent it was worthless to do so in the first place…
a younger guy without talent doesnt make sence…lol
April 23rd, 2009 at 7:55 pmplease people show me that the last two years trading stars have given us personell to replace that talent…
as of now I dont see it…
trading is as american as apple pie, but why in the f… do we always come out on the bottom of the trades…lol
last year we got a corner who is short and has trouble in man coverage…cover two he has what it takes…
we have a DEF.TACKLE that we may not be able to use
we have a left tackle who should be on the right side
and I keep hearing you guys want to get rid of watters…lmfao
after last years line work…if thiggy couldnt run he would be hurt …lol
who comes in now to replace tonygs’ performance
ok draft your wideout.prey his foot is ok…lol
April 23rd, 2009 at 8:01 pmdbk: Liked your take. Probably can do more to actually win games with Tony’s money spent on the O-Line.
Others: I’m put in mind of Jason Taylor’s defection from Miami, who parlayed their offseason choices into one of the all-time best turnarounds. Could be that Tony will be home in Atlanta, watching the Chiefs in the playoffs this year!
April 23rd, 2009 at 8:19 pmHeh. I like Tony, but, quite frankly, the year his rookie contract expired, and he made a fight of it, and the Chiefs laid the franchise tag on him, I wanted to Chiefs to lift the tag, and make a reasonable trade for draft picks for the kid. During those same years, a LOT of my favorite players weren’t getting THEIR fair share of the pie.
Don’t know if my thinking is better, necessarily, just that the Chiefs definitely didn’t progress in the playoffs. So I find Pioli’s moves refreshing. I’m pretty much in line with Adam, except when he starts lusting after Crabtree.
I don’t see Crabtree as necessarily being a dominant WR. I think it’s too much of a roll of the dice. I’d keep going after more draft picks, on the theory that one 80% pick has a 20% chance of failing, whereas 3 picks, each one a 50% chance of failing, would give you an 87.5% probability of striking it rich on one of them. And probably for less money.
April 23rd, 2009 at 8:29 pm[...] News Sources wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptIt’s ironic that Tony Gonzalez is now an ATLien, because part of me always felt like he was an alien in Kansas City. Hollywood looks. Vegan shakes. Commitment ceremonies. Flirtations with the NBA. Infatuation with the Cali way. Not exactly your typical Midwestern good ol’ boy. From the start, the California Kid stuck out like a sore thumb in Kansas City. Tony G wasn’t like Larry Johnson, disliked from the start, or Jared Allen, beloved from the start. He was somewhere in between. Despite all [...]
April 23rd, 2009 at 8:31 pmAnd that’s been part of Pioli’s genius in NE. Garner picks, don’t reach. More picks means greater likelihood of getting successful starters.
I agree with redbeard, too. Get Cassel a franchise tackle. Move Albert to LG or RT. Bulk up inside with draft picks. Draft is deep in C’s and G’s, but you guys need to be a little less blase about the true value of a franchise left tackle, and there are two true franchise left tackles likely to fall within reach.
April 23rd, 2009 at 8:38 pmI think Curry and Crabtree are both great prospects, but the table hasn’t been set for them, yet. Let’s not get the cart before the horse, and not set ourselves up for hard feelings from a WR who can’t get the ball, because the protections are poor. I’m less interested in bragging about Curry’s stats next year than in seeing the KC linebackers playing behind a SOLID d-line.
o-line and d-line first, and, as many say (in the same breat they lament the loss of Tony G), line play is the #1 category (on both sides of the ball) that needs addressing on this team. Those high-profile LBs, QBs, WRs, and RBs need the other pieces in place to thrive. A lot of very good players at these positions have never made the big dance, or worse, been injured, because the guys next to or in front of them weren’t protecting them.
April 23rd, 2009 at 8:43 pmredbeard: Nothing much to show for the Tony G. trade. Just money in the bank for the longer term. Nothing immediate, 4 sure.
Like your take on Flowers. Did you notice Pitt playing the inverted cover-2 against Arizona? Last few years, heck, ever since Mighty Mouse played for the Chiefs, I’ve been interested in using a bigger man to smack ANY eligible receiver at the line, with a smaller, quicker guy with ball skills playing safety behind him.
But my pet theories fly in the face of everyone else’s wisdom, so I’ll share ‘em, but I won’t be offended if folks think I’m nuts.
)
Inversions in general might start making more sense in the NFL. I’ve liked the “smack ‘em” philosophy ever since Wayne Simmons shut Shannon Sharpe down for an entire half. (Pissed me off that Sharpe’s tantrum was rewarded with the penalty on Simmons).
April 23rd, 2009 at 8:54 pmredbeard: I think Engram is going to be a solid contributor. An irritant to defenses on 3rd down.
The Chiefs need speed opposite Bowe. Crabtree will come down with a lot of tough catches, I expect, but I think he’s likely to struggle to get separation at the next level. Not a #3 pick. Not by a mile. Not when the Chiefs need a real speed guy to stretch the field vertically, and draw a safety away from Bowe’s side of the field.
Anyway, redbeard, if I were you, I’d look at the interior line talent in the draft (and likely to emerge later on in FA?). I think you can see it there, already. Whine about their not doing anything on the o-line (other than Goff) if/when the day after the draft sees them in the same situation up front.
But guys. Seriously. You don’t spend the #3 pick on a WR who gets caught from behind in college! Jerry Rice fell to the 5th round with HIS 40 time, but in EVERY piece of film on him, he was the fastest and quickest man on the field. Crabtree doesn’t strike me that way at all. A little slow-footed, from what I saw today.
April 23rd, 2009 at 9:05 pmBittersweet, yeah.
To expound on what Redbeard said, we have also got the AFC North and NFC East this year. We open against the Ravens, and will see several recent Lombardi Trophy winners. Jared got mad, had a drink and split. Larry got mad, had a drink and slapped some gal and wants out. Tony’s tired of futzing around getting nowhere and is gone. Our two perenial Pro Bowl Linemen retired one behind the other. What do we have to show for it?
A 6-28 record for the last 2 years and a bakers dozen defensive sacks last year? Bittersweet?
I am tired of the “Ooh we need Crabtree, or Curry is the man!” F that. If you can’t run or stop the run, if your QB has no time to make a 3 step drop or the other QB can hangout and chill all day, fancy pants glitter picks will get you an 0-16 record. Just ask the Lions how many “sexy” top 10 picks they’ve had over the last decade and where it’s gotten them.
My only hope is that Pioli can live up to the hype. I mean I’m in, all in. But I want to see us use our heads. Didn’t Pioli say he wanted tough, smart, fast players? I’m holding my breathe.
April 23rd, 2009 at 10:26 pmits funny how most ppl think this is a good trade… name me one person that we can use that second round pick on that has the potential to be a hall of famer.. you cant! Haley said that they all thought this would be the best way to win in 2009 haha you know king carl may not have been the GM but he wouldnt trade away the best offensive player/best TE ever for a 2nd round pick that we cant even use this year…thank you Pioli for trading one of the top three greatest chiefs of all time. Hell why dont you trade away anyone else on our team with talent, maybe we can get a fifth round pick for Bowe in 2011
April 23rd, 2009 at 11:58 pmDitto, Sarge.
But you never have anything to show for a retired player – just memories. Tony’s departure is the give that can keep on giving long after HE retires.
Agree that o- and d-line are the keys, now. I’d most prefer Monroe or Smith. Wouldn’t MIND seeing Dorsey go, if he scouts as poor fit for 3-4.
With a franchise left tackle, I think this draft looks really good for shoring up interior line on O and staffing a stout, blue-collar front 3 on D.
April 24th, 2009 at 12:00 amPossibly a dumb question here:
Does this move affect our salary cap for this year in any way?
Just curious, I know Tony was one of our highest paid guys…..
April 24th, 2009 at 2:35 am[...] Sports 2009 NBA Mock Draft * Sports2Debate Jeremy Tyler: The Next Logical Step * A Stern Warning Bon Voyage, Tony Gonzalez * Arrowhead Addict Atlanta Hawks Game Delayed By Real Hawk * Sports Rubbish Steroid Use In Boxing [...]
April 24th, 2009 at 10:05 amIf it’s a dumb question, then I’m in the dumb club, right with you, redbeard. Been years since I organized my sources for that stuff. Certainly he’s not under contract, any more. The issue would be any signing bonuses that were spread out over the life of the previous contract.
But his regular salary for 2009 should, it seems to me, be freed up. Seems like KC will be in a good position to go after the people they really want in FA. Who here understands this stuff? 102win? Adam? Merlin?
April 24th, 2009 at 2:52 pmredneck90: Try this on for size:
http://www.ajc.com/services/content/sports/falcons/stories/2009/04/24/gonzalez_falcons_contract.html
Seems that Chiefs will save $4 million in base salary for ‘09.
April 24th, 2009 at 3:28 pmTaken from that article is the following:
Gonzalez just completed the second year of a five-year, $35 million contract extension he signed with the Chiefs in January 2007.
He received $17.5 million in guaranteed money in the deal. He has base salaries – which are not guaranteed — of $4 million in 2009, $4.5 million in 2010 and $5.75 million in 2011.
His salary cap numbers are $6.5 million in 2009, $7 million in 2010 and $8.25 million in 2011.
Gonzalez, the all-time NFL leader in receptions, yardage and touchdowns for a tight end, will be at a Arthur Blank Foundation event this evening.
My 2nd reading has me thinking that Atlanta’s liable for the entire $6.5 million, and if Tony never plays a down, they’d still owe him the amount above the $14.25 million in base salary.
Any salary experts, here?
April 24th, 2009 at 5:37 pmThanks hmills110! I didnt think we were liable for his contract this year, but with $4 mil off the cap….wow, opens the door there a bit!
April 25th, 2009 at 3:36 am6.5 – 4 = 2.5 – 2009
7 – 4.5 = 2.5 – 2010
8.25 – 5.75 = 2.5 – 2011
It may be better news than that, Redneck90. The way I’m reading this now is that KC is actually off the hook for an additional 2.5 million for 2009. If Atlanta takes over his contract, that should mean they continue the commitment to Tony for guaranteed money, which is the $2.5 million a year for each of 09-11.
With regard to my “…if Tony never plays a down…” comment, above, I think Atlanta has to come up with the $2.5 million a year for 3 years if Tony now decides to retire a Falcon!
So, until an expert explains it to this dummy (meaning me), I’m thinking it’s $6.5 million for 2009. By 2010, we won’t even be talking about it. It’ll just be a bit of trivia buried in the cap number (oh yeah – no cap in 2010).
I think the upshot is that the Chiefs can be as aggressive as they want to be, later on. I hated all the reaching and poor man’s choices the Chiefs made, because of penny-wise pound-foolishness of Peterson.
April 25th, 2009 at 3:50 amBut I have to give Peterson credit for putting Pioli in this position. Bonus is that Peterson won’t be the one deciding how to translate that into a contender.
April 25th, 2009 at 3:52 amSarge: “fancy pants glitter picks will get you an 0-16 record”
That’s priceless!
Last-minute speculation on the O-Line front is “Is Andre Smith undervalued?”
Can’t wait!
April 25th, 2009 at 3:57 am