Be Careful What You Wish For

[...] Tony Gonzo is having a little trouble in Falcons camp. (Arrowhead Addict) [...]

DD,

Pioli 'held all the cards' from an administrative standpoint, but he also had the responsibility to make a decision that was in the best interests of the franchise, taking into account not only the on-the-field production, but the potential locker room impact a disgruntled veteran might bring.

To assert that Tony's trade was all Pioli's move without acknowledging the fact that Tony was, in all likelihood, doing everything possible to 'incentivize' the trade by making public comments about his desire to leave, is not, in my opinion, a fair or accurate representation of the position Pioli was in.

I want the Falcon's to tank. I'd love to see the Eagles take it all with Vick in the folds. Partly because I hate PETA and love watching a bunch of fat cows scream about injustice. Partly because I want a high 2nd rounder in 2010.

Stallworth kills a kid drunk driving and its no big deal? But dog fighting and animal cruelty, tho inhumane and tragic, takes precident over any human life and lables the accused the proverbially Son of Sam? Listening to them rant its like he's a menacing threat to society who's out to kill your kids and eat your pets. Lock your doors, shut your curtains, and pray you didn't leave Benji tied up outside because Vick's free! It blows my mind how stupid people are.

Tony's leaving was (IMO) a joint venture. As in he wanted out and Pioli knew that this team would be a longer term project than TG wanted to stick around for, so he cut the best deal he could find and gave a tremendous athlete a chance to go all the way. I'd love to see Tony get a ring, just not this season as it is in our best intrests if he doesn't. I hated seeing Jared go and I have a mind to hold a grudge against Carl Peterson for probably the rest of my life because of it. I think I'm going to celebrate every anniversary of his "resigning" and make it a tradition.

Randy,

Stick to the facts and look at what I wrote. What part of "Pioli held all the cards on that deal" is not true? Regardless of what Gonzalez may have said, he ultimately had no power in deciding whether he stayed with the Chiefs or was traded the Falcons (or any other team for that matter). Tony ended up where he did because that's where Pioli sent him. End.of.story.

As for Jared Allen, he was in a contract year with the franchise tag slapped on him. Completely different scenario with much different stakes. Not that I defend the Allen move, but I do also recognize that in his particular case there were some off-the-field concerns that needed to be taken into consideration.

Its funny when I watched the Chiefs lose their first preseason I told my self it meant nothing but when I saw that Atlanta lost to the Lions I found that amusing.

Jeremy I want the Falcons to suck this year. I also want the Vikings to suck . No coincidence that those are the teams that Tony G and Jared bailed on us for.

I dont understand how someone can be proud of a Superbowl ring when they look for a team with the potential to reach it and then demand to be traded to that team. They had nothing to do with helping the team to get to the point they are at before they arrived. Just never got that.

I still don't understand why so many people want to hate on Tony G for being traded to Atlanta. Pioli held all the cards on that deal. If Pioli felt that the Chiefs had a realistic chance to vie for a championship before Tony retired, then I have little doubt that Pioli would have kept Tony around to be a part of that equation. Whatever one thinks of things Tony may or may not have said or felt of late, there is simply no denying that, when it came to performance, there was no other player who gave more of themselves towards the success of the Chiefs.

As far as him fitting in with Atlanta's system, you might also want to reflect on the situation that Cassel is currently experiencing. Coach Haley's comments of late have been anything but what you want to hear from a HC when talking about his $63 million franchise QB. In the end though it doesn't really matter what you're hearing at this point - in both instances I have to believe that things will eventually work out more favorably than not for all concerned. These things just take time.

I really like Tony, but don't we all want the Falcons to suck this year. If our second round pick is near the top of the second round then we are golden. We will get a great player at a good price.

If the Falcons go to the superbowl, ahem.... then we would end up with a third rounder in all likelihood.

Go Chiefs!!! Boo Falcons!

I hope Tony continues to dominate from an individual standpoint, but I hope the Falcons suck it up all year. I'll always appreciate what Tony did for the Chiefs, but I have lost some respect for him because of his selfishness. He wanted out of KC so bad, but who's to say the Falcons will even reach the Super Bowl, let alone win it? With the parody in the NFL these days, K.C. could easily turn this thing around in a couple years a la Miami, Baltimore. He could have retired with the same team who drafted him, but instead he gave it up for a slim chance at winning a Super Bowl.

If he is frustrated now, how frustrated will he be if we end up in the playoffs this year or next year and the Falcons don't? I know wishful thinking!

I think he'll be fine. Of course there is going to be an adjustment period. I'm rooting for Tony G to succeed in the ATL. If he doesn't deserve a shot at a ring, then I'm not sure who does.

He was a featured option here in Kansas City.
He's a complementary piece in Atlanta.
He'll have a better shot at competing (sooner), but his numbers will tail off considerably I think.

How good would this passing offense be with Gonzalez, Bowe, Lelie, Bradley, Toomer and Engram?

He will be a piece of the puzzle where as in KC he was the whole puzzle. He will have to face the fact that he will not be "THE STAR" in Atlanta. Sorry TG we will miss you and you will miss the Chiefs.