Falcons Acquire TE Tony Gonzalez For 2010 2nd Round Pick
Well, we're deferring the payment for a year, but the Chiefs are still getting their second round pick. Now that he's here, there's nothing to do but hope for another three-to-five great years out of Gonzo, and I am pretty thrilled to fill the last major position player hole on offense with one of the greatest of all time. We'll discuss what it cost at a later time.
Your thoughts?
6 months ago
Dave the Falconer
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I am pretty excited out it
This lets us focus on rebuilding our Defense this year, maybe pick up a TE late or draft one 3rd or 4th next year for the Gonz to tutor. Just some thoughts. Now here is a toast to his health! Cheers!
If my mother put on a helmet and shoulder pads and a uniform that wasn't the same as the one I was wearing, I'd run over her if she was in my way. And I love my mother.
-Bo Jackson
by Pregame with Pabst on Apr 23, 2009 2:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
OK, sure...
Hope he’s got something left in the tank, that’s all I can say! Even so, he’s a definite upgrade from last year.
by johnnybacardi on Apr 23, 2009 2:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Nice!!! I like it
Falcons Agree to Acquire 10-Time Pro Bowl Tight End
Birds send 2010 2nd Round Pick to Chiefs for Gonzalez
The Atlanta Falcons agreed to a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs Thursday afternoon to acquire Pro Bowl tight end Tony Gonzalez. The Falcons will send their second-round draft choice in 2010 to Kansas City in exchange for the 13-year veteran.
For complete coverage of this breaking news, visit AtlantaFalcons.com.
Life is a garden. Dig it!
by Hardcore Falcon on Apr 23, 2009 2:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
well, congratulations
Not really. This really turns the NFC South into a knife fight. Good move by the Falcons.
Check out all the wailing and blubbering over at Arrowhead Pride:
"The best hope for David to make the final roster is for the Saints to select players at other positions in the draft."- Jeff Duncan, T-Pic 4/8/09
by stujo4 on Apr 23, 2009 2:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I bet...
I f I were a KC fan I wouldnt be happy about it.
Life is a garden. Dig it!
by Hardcore Falcon on Apr 23, 2009 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
NO OFFENSE
But I wouldn’t call it a “knife fight” …
Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?
Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.
by FrankyWren on Apr 23, 2009 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Could be worse...
He could have said “dog fight”.
Too soon?
by BigManChili on Apr 23, 2009 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
LMAO
My comment was meant to be somewhat cocky … basically alluding to how we’ll demolish the NFC south. But I think dog fight works well. That is, if we’re a Mastiff and the Saints are a Chihuahua (no pit bulls involved).
Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?
Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.
by FrankyWren on Apr 23, 2009 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good to see you, stujo
Now when will you admit you love the Falcons?!
by Dave the Falconer on Apr 23, 2009 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES!
This is FREAKING awesome.
Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?
Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.
by FrankyWren on Apr 23, 2009 2:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
you forgot one thing
one more “YES!” would have been sufficient
by MentallyMIA on Apr 24, 2009 8:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm happier than I expected
I thought a second rounder was too much. However, the fact that it is in next year’s draft makes me much happier. This gives the Falcons, a team which is still rebuilding in some places, another year to groom a second rounder. That second rounder will hopefully be on the defensive side and will hopefully be ready to start by opening day 2010 at the latest. That part has me particularly excited. This also means the Falcons still have enough ammo to move up if need be (though I really don’t see that happening). Most importantly in terms of this draft, it means they aren’t taking Pettigrew at 24.
As far as Gonzalez goes, the bottom line is that it is highly unlikely that the Falcons would get a player of his proven caliber in the second round next year. It’s the same logic that got me on board with the Abraham trade-there was NO WAY the team was getting a player that good and that established at 14 or whatever. Even though I think there is a good chance they will have a higher pick in next year’s second round, odds are way against getting a player that could have the impact of Gonzalez. Hopefully he’s got some good years left on him. If you ask me, the Falcons are one offensive lineman away from being able to unleash the awesome power of a fully operational Death Star of an offense.
by SG Standard on Apr 23, 2009 2:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Death Star of an offense
and in this scenario the panthers are a thai fighter, the saints are a V-wing fighter and the bucs are a wookie
by MentallyMIA on Apr 23, 2009 5:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I just spit my water out on my desk
When you said thai fighter. I picture them firing beams of superheated Lap Kai at the rebels!
I’m both a dork and a jerk. I apologize.
by Dave the Falconer on Apr 23, 2009 5:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
ESPN is slobbering all over this
Trent Dilfer, whose analysis I have quickly come to respect, just said this is such a good deal for the Falcons, he can’t even articulate it.
They also brought up a very good point-due to all the losses in free agency, the Falcons are due some compensatory picks next year, which could very easily give them the ability to move back into the second round if need be. Awesome.
by SG Standard on Apr 23, 2009 3:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The fact that it's a 2010 pick is a bigger difference than one would think...
SG, you stole my thunder about the compensatories, I was just writing that.
We really needed every single one of our draft picks this year since we don’t have many, and now we get to use every last one of them on us while getting a pro bowler at TE in return. Next year, we have more flexibility.
Also, if Cushing, Jerry, or Malcolm Jenkins is not on the board at 24, but Pettigrew is, you can bet that A LOT of teams are going to be calling to trade, and that means that we could go back, take one of the Hood, English, Delmas group in the late first, early second AND fill in another player in the late second round. Think of all that flexibility.
by LetsGoFalcons on Apr 23, 2009 3:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
We should have up to 8 or 9 picks
In next year’s draft with compensatories added in.
by LetsGoFalcons on Apr 23, 2009 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And one of those is bound to be a third rounder
by SG Standard on Apr 23, 2009 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m banking on Boley having a good year in New York getting us a 3rd, with [hopefully] a 5th for Brooking and a 7th for Grady Jackson.
That is, unless Gravy…uh, I mean Grady’s knees explode.
by BigManChili on Apr 23, 2009 4:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Don't forget Foxworth
He is going to be an absolute beast on the Ravens D.
by SG Standard on Apr 23, 2009 5:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good job
At least you guys got a hell of a deal out of the trade. We got shafted.
Have fun watching defenses double-team TG on every play, he’s going to be a boon to your offense and Roddy White will be thanking him by October.
Bask in the glory that is Kwame Harris. Poor Alex...
by JHWK on Apr 23, 2009 3:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
VICTORY!
Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?
Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.
by FrankyWren on Apr 23, 2009 3:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Christmas comes early for Matt Ryan
It’s hard to argue against gaining a still-productive future Hall of Fame player for a second round pick even if he is on the wrong side of 30. TG should really help our offense in moving the chains on 3rd downs and in the redzone, which along with a strong running game should make life easier on our young defense.
This is only increasing my trust in the Comrade and Coach Smith. Can’t wait for Saturday.
by Leon07 on Apr 23, 2009 3:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Welcome to the site!
This certainly increases my anticipation for the draft.
by Dave the Falconer on Apr 23, 2009 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I like this move A LOT ... but we have to temper our expectations slightly
TG has said he only plans to play 1-2 more years. He’ll be a HUGE asset next year, but won’t be around for 3-5 more years.
Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?
Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.
by FrankyWren on Apr 23, 2009 3:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Oh for sure....
But the beauty of it is that with 8 or 9 picks next year, we’ll have some leverage to get back into the second round for a player we want. This year, we have near no leverage. But, at the same time, we have taken a large step for our offense. Even if Gonzalez is half as productive this year as he was last, he’s still worth that deal.
by LetsGoFalcons on Apr 23, 2009 3:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe being in Atlanta will change his mind
hopefull a change of scenery combined with being on a team with a real shot at making the post-season will get TG to rethink his career plans.
I would expect anyone who has played for Kansas City in the last few years to be looking for a way out, one way or the other.
by Leon07 on Apr 23, 2009 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And even if it doesn’t change his mind, the extra picks this year and next year give us a chance to draft someone to learn under his tutelage for a season or two (not that I expect them to be comparable to Tony Gonzalez after only a year or two), and give us a better than average performance when they become a starter once he retires.
by BigManChili on Apr 23, 2009 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think
a SB ring this year might make the man retire… unless he wants to go for two… and after two… the first SB hat trick in NFL history!!
Hehe, perhaps a little farfetched. However, I am really stoked about this trade. I can’t wait for the Falcons/Patriots game. I called it, the score is going to be in the post 40s for both teams.
by MentallyMIA on Apr 23, 2009 5:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
DAMN YOU!!!
Solid get and not a bad pick to give up to get him.
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by The Bull Gator on Apr 23, 2009 3:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Chiefs Fan Here
Hey guys, and gals I wanted to jump over here and say a little something about the player you all are getting. Most of you know him because of ESPN highlights and what not but you all are getting a great player who, trust me, has plenty left in the tank. The one thing that was impressive about Tony was his professionalism. We have won 6 games in the last two years and a lot of players would have just folded up the tent and quit on their team, NOT TONY. I am sad to see him leave KC but at the same time I hope that he gets a chance to do in ATL what he never did in KC and that’s win a playoff game and a championship. With the weapons you all have I like your chances. I mean this with the most respect but I will never be a falcons fan but will be pulling for you all because you have one of our Chiefs legends. Good luck to all of you and bring a championship home for Tony because he deserves it. Well unless it’s between KC and ATL then you know what side I am on. I will be cheering for you all. Once again good luck! Tony thanks for the memories!!!!
by Mostate44 on Apr 23, 2009 3:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Thank you for the post!
We’re all certainly very hopeful, and there’s no denying Tony’s talent. Good luck to the Chiefs this year, as well.
by Dave the Falconer on Apr 23, 2009 3:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good move by KC
This could well be win-win. KC has a big rebuilding job, and part of it is shedding veteran talent (like the Falcons did last year) and moving toward youth. ATL got themselves a few years of primo TE talent and veteran leadership. Good luck to youse guys.
by tom slick on Apr 23, 2009 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
A llittle bit expensive for an old vet.
but welcome to our new Falcons
sorry english is not my native language
by afalcons on Apr 23, 2009 3:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I disagree ...
We sent them what amounts to a third round pick … it was a GREAT deal IMO.
Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?
Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.
by FrankyWren on Apr 23, 2009 3:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agree with you on that...
…the fact that it wasn’t a pick in this year’s draft is a great thing for you guys. Basically gives you a year with Gonzalez without giving anything up. You are building up a pretty good team and getting a player of his caliber while holding on to all of your 2009 picks is a good thing heading into the season. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Falcons go pretty far this year.
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by The Bull Gator on Apr 23, 2009 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Mark Bradley is Going to Have to Rewrite His Blog
Because all 8 of the mocks that had us picking Pettigrew will be diffferent tomorrow A.M.
by LetsGoFalcons on Apr 23, 2009 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You know what?
I’m peeling off my typically calm veneer and just going for it. I didn’t want them to make this trade for a second round pick, but our pick could be even closer to the 30’s next year and we are going to be hands-down one of the most enjoyable offenses to watch in the NFL. I’m friggin’ psyched!
by Dave the Falconer on Apr 23, 2009 3:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Or you could regress
Most likely, the 2nd round pick will be in the 10-15 range hoefully for you not in the top 10. If you look at NFL history, a team that makes a huge leap (like the 2008 Falcons) will take a step back in year 2 of a new regime, with a new quarterback. Most teams will have plenty of film and gameplan much better for the falcons next year. It will be 2010 before you really know what you have in a team. There are exceptions to every rule, but look at teams like 2008 Jaguars, and you will see what i am talking about.
Don't Let The Smooth Taste Fool You
by teabaggingexper on Apr 23, 2009 9:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Point well taken
But there are exceptions. It’s obviously going to take a defensive overhaul to make it so the team can keep a winning record next season, but I’m optimistic right now.
by Dave the Falconer on Apr 23, 2009 9:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hmm ...
I don’t see the Birds regressing. Garrard isn’t the QB Ryan is, not by any stretch of the imagination. What “teams like [the] 2008 Jaguars” are you referring to?
Marino, Young, and Montana … they all improved in their second year as a starter (Marino was the only one of those three to start more than 10 games as a rookie).
It isn’t like the Birds were living and dying on trick plays in ‘08. Smitty pushes a basic philosophy: pound the rock to open up the passing game. Moreover, the Birds didn’t acquire all their offensive and defensive weapons last year. Mughelli, the entire O-Line (at least the starters), the entire D-Line, our receiving corps … they’ve all been around for 2 or more seasons.
I realize you may be a little upset about only getting a 2nd round pick for Gonzo, but sipping haterade isn’t going to make that pick any more valuable.
Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?
Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.
by FrankyWren on Apr 23, 2009 10:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Regression
The only real way I see us regressing to a pick in the early teens is either injury or ineptitude.
If we lose an essential cog like Matt Ryan or Michael Turner (He hit the Curse of 370 last year, so beware), we’ll struggle a bit.
If our defense if completely inept next year (which I don’t see happening), we’ll struggle a bit.
However, I have enough faith in our coaching staff that we’ll make the adjustments necessary to prevent such a catastrophe…..because, rest assured, everyone involved with this team knows to NOT have a winning record next year would be a catastrophe.
by BigManChili on Apr 24, 2009 7:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Solid Pts All Around
If any of “those things” (I can’t even write it for fear it’ll come to fruition) happen, we might struggle.
But any regression won’t be talent-related.
Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?
Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.
by FrankyWren on Apr 24, 2009 8:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
those are valid points
but unlike last year, we have the keys to help prevent those kind of catastrophes. With a healthy Norwood, a starter quality running back, it lightens the load on Turner. With an elite TE, which we now have, that lightens the load on our WRs and RBs. I think that not only has our offense gotten a lot more powerful with this one key element, but their work load just got a lot easier. Teams won’t be able to stack the box against Turner anymore, so he won’t need 370 carries to pile on the yardage he did last season.
You are right though… this is the NFL and stuff does happen. It is just a lot less likely to happen this year than last. We survived last season, hopefully we are uncharacteristically healthy this season too.
Where is some wood, I need to do a lot of knocking.
by MentallyMIA on Apr 25, 2009 9:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Kapow!!!
Great wespon for Ryan to have. I love it!
by Mike Kerns on Apr 23, 2009 3:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Once again
I said it before, but I wouldn’t be surprised if this trade doesn’t end up helping our defense almost as much as it will help our offense. TG owns 3rd down conversions and is a real threat in the redzone.
by Leon07 on Apr 23, 2009 3:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Nothing against Pettigrew
But I think this is awesome from that perspective also that we can focus on defense with our draft this year and we don’t have to toss and turn on whether we should take Pettigrew. Sure maybe he will end up being awesome but this seems like an awesome stop-gap for that issue and allows us to fix our swiss cheese (at times) defense so that Matty Ice doesn’t have to hang 40 on everyone to win.
Also, Gonzo seems to be a solid locker room/character guy who will help everyone on the team just generally get better, and you can’t ever have too many of those kinds of guys. And if we are threatening to make a playoff run he will be even more psyched after being stuck in KC the last few years.
by BVaz on Apr 23, 2009 3:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
From the ESPN article:
A person with knowledge of the negotiations said the Falcons have reached agreement with Gonzalez on a new contract. The person requested anonymity because the agreement has not been announced.
" No, I think I'll sit in the balcony " - Abe Lincoln
by tapate50 on Apr 23, 2009 3:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Waiting with baited breath
C’mon Comrade, make this day even better!
by SG Standard on Apr 23, 2009 3:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
TG's new contract
Its going to be really sad that Gonzalez is going to be making less than Kellen Winslow.
by Leon07 on Apr 23, 2009 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good to see you, BVaz
Where you been?
by Dave the Falconer on Apr 23, 2009 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’ve been busy working on my voodoo magic to try and put a curse on Dwayne Wade, but apparently it didn’t work last night.
by BVaz on Apr 23, 2009 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Trade
Great, great move. TG said he wanted to compete for the Super Bowl over the next three or four years. That is more than worth it. The trade is so good for the Falcons that ESPN is hinting at some sort of collusion through the New England connection. I agree with previous comments, helps running game and passing game, helps D by keeping them off the field. A win, win, win.
by Whopper Dawg on Apr 23, 2009 4:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I guess
I’m not quite as overjoyed as most everybody else here – maybe I’m still digesting it… It is completely shocking how fast the team shifted from complete disaster re-building mode to win now mode… And this after I had just wrapped my head around the idea that this is a strong draft for TE’s and/or Pettigrew possibly ending up a Falcon – maybe we’ll still draft a TE late… I don’t mind the price tag for him, especially if he can play at a high level for at least 2 more years… Sorry, I’m in a bit of a fog…
by orang3b on Apr 23, 2009 5:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Get this guy a chair and a shot of whiskey!
I think the important thing here is that in a relatively deep draft for defense, we’ve managed to keep all our picks and might even be able to get more by trading back from 24. If we re-load the defense and have it gel to some degree, I see no reason why the Falcons shouldn’t start thinking about winning in 2009 or 2010.
by Dave the Falconer on Apr 23, 2009 5:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ok, I'm back
I guess the news just knocked me a little loopy (I didn’t expect it to really happen). And I’m almost exclusively a “glass half-empty” kind of guy, so I was looking for the worst possible outcome. But now I’ve slept on it, and I am excited about the possiblities. If we overpayed, it wasn’t by much. It’s not like a 2nd round pick next year is going to cripple our draft (especially considering the comp picks that should be coming our way). As has been said before many times, this should be the final piece to solidify our offense for a couple years.
But here’s the main point – why not try to win now? The NFC is pretty much wide open. Heck, the Cardinals made the Super Bowl last year!! This is definitely an agressive, “go-for-it” move – but doesn’t mortgage the future.
It’s a bright sun shiny day!
by orang3b on Apr 24, 2009 8:21 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
in the words of our team's head coach
“Why not us?”
by MentallyMIA on Apr 24, 2009 8:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I had to hit myself to make sure i wasnt dreaming!!
Our TE issue was just resolved in the best possible way thought of. We just picked up a 1000+ yard pass catching, hall of fame, blocking, animal for almost nothing. This is the deal of the 2009 free agency. O my lord, I am crossing my fingers.
by andrew783 on Apr 23, 2009 11:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
not only that
but I bet this guy helps us develop our TEs of the future. I would love to see next years draft produce our TG replacement of the future.
Hehe, and here’s a side note – Madden 10 is going to be really fun to play. I’ve always been a Falcons faithful on that game and I have to admit, this previous year was tough.
by MentallyMIA on Apr 24, 2009 1:21 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I like this move.
Obviously it has win now written all over it. Gonzalez is 33. He could still be a league elite tight end for a couple years, and could still be an above average stopgap for a year or two after that. Gonzalez should defy the typical age curve for several reasons:
1) He just had a monster year (67 first downs, 10 TD’s, on a crappy offense). Even factoring in decline over each of the next two years he looks to be at the top. A lot of times an old vet is coming off an injured/down year and people are counting on him to bounce back to an earlier form for a year or two, as opposed to decline from the previous year (which is never unlikely).
2) He hasn’t had the sort of accumulating injury history that tends to shorten a career.
3) His position emphasizes route running, hands, and strength more than flat out speed or acceleration.
Anyhow, I like this move because it makes the Falcons a LOT better for the next couple years. When you look at the effort Tony gave to dismal KC teams the last couple years, your mouth sort of waters. In a potent offense with White, Jenkins, Turner, and Norwood, Gonzalez is a good addition because he is such an efficient player.
So what is the #1 need now?
by michaelfox99 on Apr 24, 2009 10:56 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
#1 need
offensively: another tackle. I would still like to see one maybe in the 4th round.
defensively: a lot. This should be addressed. Hopefully TD finds the gems this team needs to take the defense form their sub-par form to at least decent. I know our offense will be able to compensate if our new DT, LB and CB (just predicting here) at least boost our defense to a functioning level.
by MentallyMIA on Apr 24, 2009 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
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