January 21
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Surefire Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez has confirmed he will return to the Falcons in 2010. "I'll be around for sure next season," the 13-year veteran tight end said in an interview on the Falcons' website. Gonzalez told the AJC after the season's final game that he was undecided whether he'd continue playing."
January 4
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez is not used to disappointment, especially when it comes to personal goals. So, it was a little tough to take Sunday when the clock ran out on Atlanta's 20-10 victory against the Buccaneers and Gonzalez's career total for receptions was stuck on 999. One more hot read, one more quick-hitter across the middle - one fewer ineligible downfield penalty - and Gonzalez could put his 13th NFL season to bed the proud owner of a nice, round 1,000 career catches. "It's disappointing to come so close to it," Gonzalez said, "because tomorrow is never promised." Gonzalez came in needing four. He caught three. Officially, that is. He actually had a fourth catch ..."
December 21
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
It was looking rather bleak for the Atlanta Falcons. Again. They hadn't moved the ball all day against the league's top rated defense and, on a cold and wintery day, were down to their last opportunity in a season gone wrong.. Then suddenly, it was 2008 again. Dodging snow balls thrown from the stands, quarterback Matt Ryan rallied the offense in the final minutes to pull out a thrilling 10-7 victory over the New York Jets on Sunday at Giants Stadium. Ryan, sidelined the last two games due to a turf toe injury, found tight end Tony Gonzalez in the end zone for a 6-yard touchdown with 1:38 left to play, the kind of play Ryan and the Falcons lived by last season. The reminiscence was as ..."
November 12
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
The last time People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) had something to do with the Falcons, planes were flying over head and protesters were outside of the gates. But this latest ad with Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez and his wife, October, in which they were photographed in a way that made them appear to be nude, is in support of the organization's anti-fur campaign. The irony was not lost on Falcons wide receiver Roddy White, who was with the team during the Michael Vick federal dogfighting case that attracted a heavy protest from PETA. "We've got some good stuff around here," White said. "Not all of this negative stuff, flying helicopters all around the field. Get out of here ..."
November 11
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Falcons fans have already seen plenty of Tony Gonzalez on the football field. Now, they'll have the chance to see even more of the tight end. Gonzalez and his wife, October, will soon appear in a PETA ad, as part of the "Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur" campaign. No uniforms here: both of the Gonzalezes appear nude. "We should be protecting animals, not sacrificing their lives for the sake of fashion or luxury," says Tony Gonzalez. "October and I have changed many of our habits in light of the inhumane treatment of animals that occurs not only in the fur industry but also on factory farms." Now in his 13th season in the NFL, Gonzalez, 33, was traded to the Falcons in April. He appears ..."
November 10
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Falcons fans have already seen plenty of Tony Gonzalez on the football field. Now, they'll have the chance to see even more of the tight end. Gonzalez and his wife, October, will soon appear in a PETA ad, as part of the "Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur" campaign. No uniforms here: both of the Gonzalezes appear nude. "We should be protecting animals, not sacrificing their lives for the sake of fashion or luxury," says Tony Gonzalez. "October and I have changed many of our habits in light of the inhumane treatment of animals that occurs not only in the fur industry but also on factory farms.""
October 9
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez wants to improve his blocking and help get the running game on track. "It seems like everybody is blocking and maybe one person might not get to their guy, and I've been one of those guys that hasn't been getting to my guy," Gonzalez said. "We all have to be accountable for that." The 49ers are fourth in the league against the run, giving up just 73.8 yards per game. The Falcons are 25th in the league, averaging 92.3 yards rushing per game after finishing second in the league last season at 152.7 yards per game."
September 14
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
"
Just like when NBA officials allowed superstar Michael Jordan to draw just about every ticky-tacky foul, NFL officials apparently favor Tony Gonzalez. That's Gibril Wilson's story, and the Dolphins free safety is sticking to it. Get too physical with the Falcons star tight end and expect an interference call. Cover the 10-time Pro Bowl selection tight, and don't be surprised if he pushes off on his route breaks. And don't bother waiting on a whistle from the referees. "He's a possession receiver and a body type of guy, so even if you're right there you don't want to be too aggressive because they'll call [pass interference]," Wilson said. "He did what he's supposed to do, but he wasn't ..."
September 12
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
"
Yeremiah Bell isn't one to shrink from a challenge. So when someone raised the subject of Tony Gonzalez, the future Hall of Fame tight end the Falcons acquired in an offseason trade from Kansas City, a broad smile spread across the face of the Dolphins' starting strong safety. "I get jacked up regardless, but when you play somebody who's going to the Hall of Fame, it's a challenge," Bell said. "That's the thing you want in this league is a challenge. You've got to look forward to those. Just to see how you fare." Last Dec. 21 in icy Kansas City, Gonzalez piled up seven receptions for 64 yards and scored a touchdown against the Dolphins' defense. That increased his career average against ..."
September 8
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Over the past two seasons, Roddy White has blossomed into a Pro Bowl wide receiver. Toss in perhaps the best pass-catching tight end of the modern era and the Falcons offense has a dilemma. Second-year quarterback Matt Ryan might not have enough passes to spread around to the two stars and the rest of the unit. "I think there will be," White said. "Every week, the game plan is going to change. The defensive coordinators are going to try different things to try and cover all of us." With Tony Gonzalez working the middle of the field, White and Michael Jenkins are hoping to see less coverage outside. "He's a space eater," White said. "He's big. He catches everything and makes a lot of ..."
August 20
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Regardless of the occupation, it's always a treat to watch a pro at work. Tony Gonzalez is a pro's pro. A tiny example: After practice Tuesday morning, the Falcons' tight ends gathered around Chris Scelfo, their position coach, for extra work. Taking turns, each slipped on a harness tethered by one of those heavy-duty resistance bands and ran with the ball while being tugged the other way. (Think of this as the John Mackey drill. The greatest-ever tight end would routinely lug defenders for 10-yard ride-alongs.) It was tough going, and all four were chugging hard. Chugging hardest without seeming to chug at all was Gonzalez, who's in the discussion when the subject is greatest-ever tight ..."
August 2
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Think Tony Gonzalez knows it all? Think there is nothing for the 10-time Pro Bowl player and almost-certain future Hall of Famer to learn. Think again. "Anything in life you have to keep working on," Gonzalez said Saturday after his first training-camp practice with the Falcons. "I don't care how good you are, there is always more to learn and always things to know. I want to make sure I know that playbook back and forward and side to side." Gonzalez, who played 13 seasons with Kansas City before joining the Falcons in the offseason, doesn't sound like the player who holds the NFL records for tight ends in career touchdowns (76), career receptions (916), career receiving yards (10,940) ..."
April 24
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
The price tag for Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez wasn't cheap. In addition to the second-round draft pick the Falcons sent the Kansas City Chief, they accepted his contract, which gives him a chance to earn $14.25 million over the next three seasons. 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."
April 24
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Two days before the start of the 2009 NFL Draft, the Falcons traded for perennial Pro Bowl tight end Tony Gonzalez on Thursday, general manager Thomas Dimitroff announced. The Falcons sent their second-round pick in the 2010 draft to the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for Gonzalez, who's a 10-time Pro Bowler and a five-time All-Pro selection. The trade changes the focus of the draft for the Falcons. Several projections had them selecting Oklahoma State tight end Brandon Pettigrew with the 24th pick. After acquiring Gonzalez, the Falcons will draft heavily for defense after allowing five starters to leave via free agency. "The tight end position was in consideration," Dimitroff said. "It's ..."
April 23
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
columnist Mark Bradley
"
Late-breaking update: The Falcons have a tight end!And, according to Jay Glazer of FoxSports.com, he isn't Brandon Pettigrew. He's Tony Gonzalez, the 10-time Pro Bowler. The Falcons have acquired him from Kansas City for a second-round draft pick in 2010. This does two things: First, it enables the Falcons to go hog-wild in the pursuit of defense over the weekend, and second, it pretty well cements the bond between Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff and his Kansas City counterpart Scott Pioli, who used to be Dimitroff's boss in New England. Me, I'd call it a win-win for everybody. But maybe that's just me. "In Round 4, the Atlanta Falcons…"I said I wasn't going to do it, but I did it ..."