Tony Gonzalez loves Chiefs, Travis Kelce in 2015
Dec 7, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles (25) runs for a touchdown in the first quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Gonzalez and Charles did overlap in Kansas City as the future Hall of Famer mentioned. Gonzalez gushed about Charles, discussing a multitude of reasons for the All-Pro’s greatness.
“The first thing that stands out is his speed,” Gonzalez said. “That is what really popped when he first got to camp, and he had to because he wasn’t that big. But he has put on a little weight. He’s a lot stronger than he was his rookie year. He can catch the ball and he’s really good at picking the hole. He has great vision and that’s an underrated thing. We all talk like that is what should happen at that position, you should be able to pick a hole and run through it, but there are guys who can really see it develop and he hits it, and he hits it fast. He gets through that hole and makes huge plays, and that’s why he averages five yards per carry.”
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Gonzalez is extremely high on Kelce, a third-year tight end who after being out with a knee injury throughout 2013, came of age in 2014 to lead the team with 862 receiving yards and five touchdowns. Kelce brings an athletic dynamic to the position, something the Chiefs have been lacking since Gonzalez’s departure.
“This is when you are going to start to see the best of him, year three, four, five,” Gonzalez said. “I always say it takes players three years to really, really get comfortable and understand the game. I think you are going to get that out of him this year. But I do know this, and speaking from experience, you can not have your best receiving threat be a tight end. Just can’t. You have to have someone take that pressure off because you need that deep threat. That’s why I am saying Jeremy Maclin is really going to help Travis Kelce. They are going to work off each other beautifully this year. I think Alex Smith is going to have a pretty good season.”
There has been plenty of talk that Smith won’t be able to utilize Maclin to his full potential. I asked Gonzalez about that specifically, and he started smirking before I could finish the question. Gonzalez expounded on the reason for his smirk, showcasing his confidence in this year’s attack.
“Don’t get me wrong, he is a manager,” Gonzalez said. “He’s not a risky, gun-slinger type quarterback like Brett Favre, and a lot of people would argue that is a little bit better approach. If you look at his efficiency he is a good quarterback. I think you are definitely going to see some passes down the field. Andy Reid is not going to sit there and not use Jeremy Maclin. He knows him better than anybody on that team, he’s had him before. You are definitely going to see him going down the field. It would be silly for them not to do that, and I think Alex Smith is a smart guy. He’s going to throw him the ball down the field.”
Next: What makes Charles so great? And more...