Tony Gonzalez News: Pro Sports Daily

Cowboys minimize TE Tony Gonzalez's impact in win

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October 26

Dallas Morning News

"To defend Tony Gonzalez on Sunday, the Cowboys returned to the basics of the game. Hit him, hit him and hit him one more time. The Cowboys worked over Gonzalez, the perennial Pro Bowl tight end, throughout a 37-21 victory over Atlanta. It was a public mugging at Cowboys Stadium. A linebacker, usually Bobby Carpenter, pounded Gonzalez when he tried to release on a pass pattern from the normal tight-end alignment. "He's a Hall of Famer," Carpenter said. "You have to try to hold him up as much as you can. You can't let him run free.""

Atlanta Falcons' Tony Gonzalez still a headache for defenses

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October 18

Chicago Tribune

"Tony Gonzalez is a 13-year veteran and a 10-time Pro Bowl choice . He was acquired from the Chiefs for a second-round pick and is the Falcons' second leading receiver with 215 yards. At 33, Gonzalez still is a threat in the passing game. He has lost a bit of speed, but he still can get deep because he is so crafty. A former basketball player at Cal, Gonzalez creates separation by nudging defenders and using basketball moves. He has better hands than most wide receivers. Gonzalez doesn't wait for the ball to get to him -- he goes to the ball. As a blocker, Gonzalez is average. He never knocked defenders off the ball, and he can't sustain blocks as well as he once did. The Falcons deploy ..."

Gonzalez wants to help Falcons' running game

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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."

Gonzalez operated in tight quarters

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September 28

Boston Globe

"Tony Gonzalez will tell you he became acquainted with Bill Belichick at the Pro Bowl in Hawaii after the 2006 season. The Patriots coach told everyone last week how much respect he has for the Atlanta Falcons tight end, generally regarded as one of the best to play the position. So it wasn't surprising that after New England's 26-10 win yesterday, Gonzalez was one Falcon Belichick sought out to shake hands. "He came up to me after the game,'' said Gonzalez. "I'm not going to tell you exactly what he said, but it was something to the effect of, 'We had the double-team waiting for you.' ''"

Unheralded defense unit stifles Falcons offense

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September 28

Boston Herald

"Forget the fact that the Patriots [team stats] entered the game with the third-ranked defense in the NFL. We can all pretty much agree that rating was misleading. Let's face it: With Atlanta and its high-powered offense coming to Gillette Stadium yesterday, the matchup against the Patriots defense made you cringe, didn't it? Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, Tony Gonzalez, Roddy White, Michael Jenkins. This was easily the best offense the Patriots had faced in three games, and stopping it seemed like a tall order for the injury/trade/retirement-depleted defense. This had mismatch written all over it. For starters, it didn't look like the Pats had anyone with the right body type or credentials to ..."

Tony Gonzalez still a handful

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September 25

Boston Herald

"In one way, preparing for Tony Gonzalez is just like gearing up for any opponent. Patriots defenders will pop in a DVD and get to work. "Watch tape and try to find his weaknesses," safety Brandon McGowan said. They may be looking for a while. Flying in with the Falcons Sunday is Gonzalez, the industry standard for versatile, productive tight ends. As always, it's a matchup disaster. Those who have watched the former Chiefs star closely see little drop-off during his 13th season. "(Gonzalez) looks like he's always looked when we played him here in 2000," Pats coach Bill Belichick said. "They get him isolated on anybody and he goes to work on them. Corners are too small to cover him and the ..."

Containing Gonzalez Patriots' Tough Task

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September 23

Boston Globe

"There are numerous ways in which the Patriots miss the presence of Rodney Harrison - his locker room leadership and his trash talk riposte among them. But perhaps nowhere is Harrison's absence more apparent than in the Patriots' attempts to contain top-notch tight ends. Without him, the Patriots are in a tight spot when it comes to defending tight ends."

Tony Gonzalez presents problem

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September 23

Boston Herald

"Matt Ryan was given one of the best pass-catching tight ends in Tony Gonzalez to help make the Atlanta Falcons offense that much more explosive, and the Patriots [team stats] are well aware neutralizing the duo will go a long way toward winning Sunday. In the past, safety Rodney Harrison [stats] drew the assignment of shutting down big play tight ends such as Gonzalez, who was traded from the Kansas City Chiefs for a second-round pick in the 2010 draft."

Falcons' Gonzalez still a tough matchup

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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 ..."

Miami Dolphins safety Yeremiah Bell relishes the challenge of going up against future Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez

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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 ..."

Who will get most catches for Falcons?

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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 ..."

Healthy diet has Gonzalez in shape, ready to shine in Atlanta

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August 26

Green Bay Press Gazette

"Tony Gonzalez swears he has found a personal fountain of youth, and that it explains how he has so majestically defied pro football's hourglass.It's on the menu. Gonzalez, 33, enters his 13th season as the NFL's longest-tenured starting tight end, with no apparent signs of disintegration. Nearing the 200-game milestone, he still has soft hands. His feet remain quick enough to pivot free in the red zone. And as demonstrated during a congested-traffic, 11-on-11 goal-line drill in the Atlanta Falcons camp, he has not lost the knack for making the paydirt catch while two defenders cling tight like parasites. He's working on a streak of 10 consecutive Pro Bowl selections and last season was ..."

Tony Gonzalez: A high motor chugs on alternative fuel

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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 ..."

Gonzalez eager for new start with Falcons

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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) ..."

Will the decision to go for a championship cost Gonzalez some fans?

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May 3

Kansas City Star

columnist Kent Babb

"Tony Gonzalez tried to be delicate. It was an ending, and those conversations are never easy. So Gonzalez slipped on a dark blazer, a pair of dress shoes and a smile. "The right way," he said, and that's how began his goodbye. It was Tuesday morning on the top floor of a midtown hotel. The conversation lasted 30 minutes or so, Gonzalez saying that he "grew up" in Kansas City and became an NFL legend with the Chiefs. Some good memories made, some bad ones temporarily forgotten. But he left no doubt: Those turbulent times, the losing seasons and the spats with management had made this divorce necessary. "I really wish I could've been a part of something more special," Gonzalez said. "This ..."

Gonzalez got $17.5 million in guaranteed money

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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."

Falcons trade for Tony Gonzalez

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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 ..."

Kansas City Chiefs trade Tony Gonzalez to Atlanta Falcons

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April 23

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"The Atlanta Falcons have obtained tight end Tony Gonzalez from the Kansas City Chiefs for a draft pick next year. The Falcons will send a second-round pick in 2010 to Kansas City in exchange for Gonzalez, the only tight end in NFL history selected to 10 Pro Bowls, the Chiefs announced Thursday. Gonzalez caught 96 passes for 1,058 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2008. He owns NFL career records for tight ends with 916 receptions, 10,940 yards receiving, 76 TDs receiving and 26 100-yard receiving games."

All-draft edition with T. Gonzalez!

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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 ..."

Sources: Chiefs Agree to Deal Gonzalez to Falcons

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April 23

Foxsports.com

"Tony Gonzalez is finally getting his wish. The Chiefs have agreed to trade the perennial Pro Bowl tight end to the Atlanta Falcons for a second-round pick in the 2010 draft, FOXSports.com has learned. Gonzalez has been the symbol of the Chiefs offense for the past 12 seasons, making 10 consecutive Pro Bowls and six All-Pro teams. Kansas City drafted him with the 13th overall pick in 1997."

Eagles May Yet Land Gonzalez

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April 22

Camden Courier-Post

"The Eagles "might have nosed ahead" of the Falcons in the Tony Gonzalez trade talks, according to SI.com's Don Banks. The report says that the Eagles have offered Kansas City a third round pick for the future Hall of Fame tight end. Kansas City still wants a second round pick and SI.com says that lowering their demands may be "upsetting their fan base". I love the attempt by the Eagles to pick up Gonzo. There aren't any elite pass catching, game-impacting tight ends this year."

Pioli says Gonzalez did not request a trade

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March 26

Kansas City Star

"General manager Scott Pioli said Pro Bowl tight end Tony Gonzalez did not request a trade during recent conversations. "He has not indicated to me that he wants to be traded," Pioli said. "I don't want to get into any other specifics of the conversations because those are conversations that will stay between players and (coach Todd Haley) and players and myself. They were good conversations, positive conversations, healthy conversations." Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt said this week the Chiefs would not attempt to trade Gonzalez. Pioli said the Chiefs have made no effort to determine what they could get for Gonzalez. "I've not made or fielded any call regarding Tony Gonzalez," he said. Pioli ..."

Gonzalez says he'd 'have no problems' staying with Chiefs

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February 9

Kansas City Star

"After he finished rewriting the Pro Bowl record book Sunday in Honolulu, Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez said he'd "have no problems staying with the Chiefs," depending on what moves the club makes in the offseason. Gonzalez told NBC in a sideline interview that he spoke with new general manager Scott Pioli to dispel some reports from Hawaii concerning his future. "I spoke to Pioli last week because there were some trade rumors out there saying I wanted to have a trade, and that wasn't the case," Gonzalez said. "I said, 'This is the reason I would want a trade.' It was taken out of context. "There is no doubt in my mind that Scott Pioli is going to come in there and do an amazing job and so ..."

Johnson, Gonzalez reiterate their unhappiness with the Chiefs

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February 5

Kansas City Star

"The Chiefs couldn't expect to move toward a new chapter without a few old habits sticking around. Tight end Tony Gonzalez and running back Larry Johnson spent time this week campaigning to be put out of their Kansas City misery, whether that's by trade, release or team officials just changing the locks - anything that gets them out of a Chiefs uniform. "You just feel trapped," Johnson said Wednesday morning during a 23-minute appearance on radio station KCSP 610-AM. "Ever since I came to Kansas City, they've been trying to push me out the door. "We can do it the easy way." Hours earlier, a national sports Web site posted a story about Gonzalez's unhappiness and his desire to be traded if ..."

Gonzalez still wants to be traded

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February 4

Yahoo! Sports

"Tony Gonzalez has gone from one tropical paradise to another over the past week. With apologies to Jimmy Buffett, no matter how much Gonzalez changes his longitude or latitude, it’s not really changing his attitude. Barring a serious change in direction, Gonzalez still wants out of Kansas City – even more so if the Chiefs bring in a college coach, such as Kirk Ferentz of Iowa. Aside from Ferentz, the Chiefs are expected to interview Arizona offensive coordinator Todd Haley, Minnesota defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier and Chiefs offensive coordinator Chan Gailey. Speaking in the dressing room of the players’ hotel Tuesday, Gonzalez said he expects to hear of a decision about Kansas ..."

Chiefs notebook: Gonzalez credits Thigpen

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December 18

Kansas City Star

"Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez said Wednesday that part of the credit for his 10th consecutive appearance in the Pro Bowl goes to second-year quarterback Tyler Thigpen. Gonzalez, Thigpen's favorite and most dependable target, has had three 100-yard receiving games since Thigpen became Kansas City's starter in late October. "When he came in this year, a lot of people were a little nervous, including myself," Gonzalez said. "I think he came out there and proved he's one of the best quarterbacks in the league. It might sound a little bit silly saying something like that, but I honestly believe he can develop into that. "He allowed me to go make plays." Gonzalez and left guard Brian Waters ..."

Gonzalez says he's not relieved that Peterson is leaving

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December 16

Kansas City Star

"Two men sat at a restaurant table Monday night in Olathe, one of them representing the Chiefs' past and the other representing the team's present. They had glasses of water between them, and they spent an hour discussing the Chiefs' future. Tony Gonzalez and Len Dawson discussed a Kansas City without Carl Peterson, the team president who resigned Monday after 20 seasons. They were guests on the Chiefs' weekly radio show, and Gonzalez took stock of his surroundings. "It seems a little bit anti-Carl in here," Gonzalez said, with more than a hundred Chiefs fans surrounding him. Gonzalez spent part of that hour insisting he was not relieved that Peterson was leaving his perch. It was Peterson ..."

K.C.'s Gonzalez has peer in Miller

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December 2

Contra Costa Times

"Raiders tight end Zach Miller said all last week that he was looking forward to matching skills against Kansas City Chiefs standout tight end Tony Gonzalez on Sunday. The performance matched the hype. Gonzalez led all players in receptions (eight) and yards (110), including two catches against Raiders standout cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha. Miller had a team-high five catches for 79 yards in the Chiefs' 20-13 victory. "I want to go out there and match him, at least, if not beat him," Miller said of Gonzalez. "I got involved early, and then we didn't have the ball as much in the third quarter. Definitely, I like that kind of matchup, when you go against someone as good as Tony Gonzalez." ..."

Victory puts a smile on Gonzalez's face

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December 1

Kansas City Star

"Tony Gonzalez was smiling again. That was new. So were his words. He stood in front of his locker after Sunday's 20-13 win against Oakland and talked about progress. He mentioned quarterback Tyler Thigpen and Kansas City's wide receivers and just how different it felt to be standing there after a victory. "Finally," said Gonzalez, the Chiefs' star tight end. "We'll take it. You have no idea how good it feels to get a win. It's been so long." Gonzalez is the honest one. The Chiefs have lost 10 games this season, so there's plenty of honesty to go around. The previous seven weeks, Gonzalez used words like "frustrated" and "embarrassed," and after one of the losses, two weeks ago, Gonzalez ..."

Gonzalez gives fellow TE Miller advice

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December 1

Sacramento Bee

"Kansas City Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez has put together a Hall of Fame career in 12 seasons. So it would make sense for Raiders second-year tight end Zach Miller to seek out Gonzalez for some advice. "He's like, 'Damn, your quarterback's got to stop hanging you out to dry,' " Miller said of his chat with Gonzalez. " 'You need to let him know.' " Gonzalez didn't disappoint in his latest trip to the East Bay, where he was a football and basketball star at Cal. Miller wasn't half bad, either. The Raiders and Chiefs relied on their tight ends often in Kansas City's 20-13 win at the Oakland Coliseum. The difference was Gonzalez was able to receive passes that were on target more times than ..."

New faces surround Chiefs' TE

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November 9

San Diego Union-Tribune

"He'd had 11-plus years to work on it, 11-plus years to catch more passes for more yards and more touchdowns than any tight end in NFL history. All with the Kansas City Chiefs. But now, if not even for 11 minutes, he was faced with the possibility of catching them for the Green Bay Packers. "I thought maybe it was gonna happen for about 10 minutes," said Tony Gonzalez. "But then the deal got shot down." Much was made of the trade-deadline deal that fell through, especially with Gonzalez unable to hide his anger about remaining in Kansas City, and he's now making his next perennial return to San Diego with the Chiefs. Difficult as it might be for AFC West aficionados to imagine a Kansas ..."

Chiefs' Gonzalez has big game

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October 20

Kansas City Star

"The reasons Tony Gonzalez wanted out of Kansas City were evident again on Sunday. The Chiefs were lost offensively, hopeless defensively. They were blown out for the fourth time in six games, this time by the Tennessee Titans 34-10 at Arrowhead Stadium. Instead of catching passes in Green Bay or Buffalo, Gonzalez was part of the debacle. He did his part, catching six passes for a season-high 97 yards and making a reception in his franchise-record 121st consecutive game, but again it went to waste. Even the early-game announcement of his NFL tight-end yardage record and the resulting chant of his name by the Arrowhead faithful seemed horribly out of place. "It's bittersweet," he said ..."

Jared Allen diary: Tony Gonzalez knows my pain (Carl Peterson)

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October 19

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Editor's note: Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen has agreed to provide his unique insight into his world this season for the Pioneer Press and twincities.com. In this installment of his diary, as told to Rick Alonzo, Allen talked about former Kansas City teammate Tony Gonzalez lashing out against Chiefs general manager Carl Peterson, Allen's old nemesis. By Jared Allen Minnesota Vikings Welcome to (my) world, baby. That's what he (Peterson) does. That's how it works. Obviously, the Chiefs felt they wanted more for Tony than what people were offering. I feel bad for him. I think Tony deserves to win a championship. He deserves to be on a team that can do that. He's not going to ..."

Gonzalez Deserves Better

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October 17

San Francisco Chronicle

columnist Nancy Gay

"Raiders fans may not like what tight end Tony Gonzalez has done against their team over the years. But anyone who respects a good football player and a quality person should recognize that the nine-time Pro Bowler got a raw deal this week. For many years Gonzalez - who also earned his share of local fans during his days at Cal playing football and basketball - served the Chiefs well. The franchise's first-round pick in 1997 has established NFL records for most receptions in a season by a tight end (102), career receptions by a tight end (841) and career yardage by a tight end (10,075). Here is where the Chiefs failed him. Tuesday's trade deadline passed and Kansas City - a terrible team ..."

Gonzalez says his relationship with Peterson has soured

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October 16

Kansas City Star

"Tony Gonzalez stood out there smiling Wednesday while he stretched his hamstrings and got to know his Chiefs teammates again. He said it felt natural. He said he'd found closure with them. Two hours after practice, Gonzalez stood in front of his locker, discussing a situation that did not have closure and, if anything, felt unnatural. The most prolific tight end in NFL history said he thought he had a good relationship with Chiefs president Carl Peterson and thought Peterson was honest when he told Gonzalez he'd try to trade him. Then a trade didn't happen, and Gonzalez said he was the latest member of a group of longtime Chiefs who grew disenchanted with the team's general manager. "I'm ..."

Source: Birds offered fourth-rounder for Gonzalez

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October 15

Philadelphia Daily News

"How close did the Eagles come to getting nine-time Pro Bowl tight end Tony Gonzalez on Tuesday? Not very. Chiefs president Carl Peterson told the Daily News today that it would have taken at least a second-round pick and probably more to get him to part with Gonzalez. Peterson said three teams - believed to be the Eagles, Packers and Giants - made offers for Gonzalez before the trading deadline. But none of the offers included a second-round pick. "All of them were talking about a second-day draft choice," Peterson said. "I told them that in my opinion, even at 32, Tony is as good as Jeremy Shockey. [If] you want to talk to me about something better than [what the Giants received for] ..."

Cardinals could have used Tony Gonzalez

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October 15

East Valley Tribune

columnist Scott Bordow

"Odd thoughts from an odd mind ... The NFL trading deadline came and went Tuesday, and the Cardinals didn't swing a deal for unhappy Kansas City tight end Tony Gonzalez. In one respect, that's disappointing. Gonzalez would have been the perfect addition, a huge upgrade at tight end and another weapon for quarterback Kurt Warner. Imagine the headaches Arizona would have presented defenses with Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin, Steve Breaston and Gonzalez lined up in a four-receiver set. But I can understand why the Cardinals stood pat. Gonzalez signed a $35 million contract extension in 2007 that made him the high-paid tight end in the NFL. Given that so many high-profile Cardinals will seek ..."

Chiefs pick up the pieces after Gonzalez trade falls apart

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October 15

Kansas City Star

"Herm Edwards called it the biggest of a handful of bye-week distractions, and then he checked his watch. He hoped time was up on at least one of those distractions. "Three-oh-three," Edwards said, looking at his wristwatch Tuesday afternoon. "I was just waiting until 3 o'clock." That's when the NFL's trade deadline passed without longtime Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez being sent to another team, as Gonzalez requested last week. He wanted to leave the Chiefs after more than 11 seasons. Wanted to be dealt to a Super Bowl contender, to ease into his final years as an NFL player somewhere other than Kansas City. When it didn't happen, it left a team trying to move forward after its best ..."

Gonzalez stays with the Chiefs

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October 14

Kansas City Star

"The 3 p.m. trade deadline came and went Tuesday, and star tight end Tony Gonzalez is still with the Chiefs. In response to a question at his news conference just after the deadline, head coach Herm Edwards said had not been traded. Gonzalez, a nine-time Pro Bowl selection, had asked the Chiefs to explore trade possibilities so he could have a chance to contend for a championship. Gonzalez is 32 and is in his 12th season."

Chiefs players feel for Gonzalez

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October 14

Kansas City Star

"The Chiefs pretended it was a normal day. After their weekend off, they gathered for meetings and a brief walkthrough practice and tried to put their focus on preparing for Sunday's opponent, the Tennessee Titans. They found that dealing with the business at hand wasn't so simple, knowing that Monday could have been their last day with tight end Tony Gonzalez. The NFL trade deadline is today, making it the last day for the Chiefs to honor Gonzalez's request for a deal. The Chiefs also have tried to trade running back Larry Johnson, but had failed to attract any interest. Not so with Gonzalez. Several teams, including the Giants, Packers and Bills, expressed an interest, and the Chiefs have ..."

Chiefs' TE Tony Gonzalez says: Make me a Giant

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October 14

New York Daily News

"Tony Gonzalez wants the Giants , but do the Giants want him? That question will be answered by 4p.m. Tuesday , when the NFL 's trading deadline arrives. Gonzalez, the future Hall of Fame tight end, has requested a trade from the Kansas City Chiefs . And not only has he asked to be traded to a contender, but he specifically mentioned the Giants. So far, the Giants have only expressed a lukewarm interest, reportedly offering a sixth-round pick. According to various reports, the Chiefs are looking for either a second- or a third-rounder. Giants GM Jerry Reese declined to confirm or deny those reports, saying only, "We investigate everything. You guys know that." The Eagles, Bills, ..."

Vikings should seek trade with Chiefs for Tony Gonzalez

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October 13

St. Paul Pioneer Press

columnist Bob Sansevere

"Jared Allen sent a text message Saturday night to Tony Gonzalez, his good friend and old teammate from the Kansas City Chiefs. The word is, Gonzalez wants to be traded and the Chiefs are open to making that happen. Anyway, about that text message. Allen sent it after getting wind of the trade rumors. "I said, 'You want to get traded, man?' " Allen said he wrote in his text message to Gonzalez. "I was joking with him. I said, 'Why don't you come join me in Minnesota?' " Allen laughed, but it's no joke that the Vikings could use Gonzalez to help juice an offense that struggled mightily to put up points Sunday in a 12-10 victory over the Detroit Lions. Gonzalez, whose 1-4 Chiefs were on a bye ..."

Can Vikings work a deal for tight end Gonzalez?

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October 13

Detroit News

"Jared Allen sent a text message Saturday night to Tony Gonzalez, his good friend and old teammate from the Chiefs. The word is, Gonzalez wants to be traded and the Chiefs are open to making that happen. Anyway, about that text message. Allen sent it after getting wind of the trade rumors. "I said, 'You want to get traded, man?' " Allen said he wrote in his text message to Gonzalez. "I was joking with him. I said, 'Why don't you come join me in Minnesota?' " Allen laughed, but it's no joke the Vikings could use Gonzalez to help juice an offense that struggled mightily to score Sunday in a 12-10 victory over the Lions. Gonzalez, whose 1-4 Chiefs were on a bye this weekend, has 21 catches ..."

Chiefs Pro Bowl TE Gonzalez on trade block

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October 13

NFL.com

"Tony Gonzalez, the most productive tight end in NFL history, will be traded to a contender if the Kansas City Chiefs get the right price. Three people familiar with the situation told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity that the nine-time Pro Bowl player could be dealt before the Tuesday trade deadline. The sources didn't want to be identified because a deal hasn't been struck. Gonzalez, who holds the NFL tight end record for receptions, touchdown catches and yards receiving, is active in civic and charitable affairs and enjoys great popularity in Kansas City. He has always said he would like to end his career with the Chiefs, who drafted him in the first round out of California ..."

Trading Gonzalez to contender would be right thing, but price may not be right

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October 12

Kansas City Star

columnist Jason Whitlock

"Trading Tony Gonzalez to a playoff contender is the right thing to do for Tony and the Chiefs. Trading Tony Gonzalez to a playoff contender just days before Tuesday's NFL trading deadline and receiving appropriate compensation might be an impossible task. Gonzalez desires to be dealt to a team worthy of his skill, and the Chiefs are trying to accommodate him, according to the involved parties I spoke to Saturday. Gonzalez would like to join the New York Giants, the defending Super Bowl champions. The Giants are locked in the super-competitive NFC East, battling playoff-caliber peers Dallas, Washington and Philadelphia. The Giants traded star tight end Jeremy Shockey during the offseason to ..."

It's hard to see how Tony can come back now

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October 12

Kansas City Star

columnist Joe Posnanski

"You could see that the losing was getting to Tony Gonzalez. Even at the end of last year, he talked privately about "being open" to a trade out of Kansas City. He could see, like everyone could see, that the Chiefs were about to go into a long and painful rebuilding process. And he also knew he was about to turn 32. Those two facts would not hook up on eHarmony. Older players don't want to be part of rebuilding. That's one of the oldest stories in sports. He said that if the Chiefs were starting over, they should probably trade him. But again, that was private talk - not specifically off the record, but not on the record, either. It was just a man speaking out of frustration, a great ..."

Gonzalez Interests Big Blue

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October 12

New York Post

"The Giants, who head into this weekend with the NFL's No. 1-ranked offense, are interested in trading for Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez, according to reports. The Giants dealt Jeremy Shockey to the Saints during the offseason and have received little production from first-year starter Kevin Boss. Gonzalez, 32, has asked the Chiefs to explore trades. The deadline is Tuesday. According to reports, the Giants have offered a sixth-round draft pick, but the Chiefs want a third-rounder. The Packers, Eagles and Bills are also interested but the Giants may be the most interested. ."

Gonzalez trade possible, but compensation an issue

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October 12

Kansas City Star

"This year, the Chiefs prepared for the eventuality of replacing Tony Gonzalez by spending one of their three third-round draft picks on Tennessee tight end Brad Cottam. That day could come sooner than they thought, as Gonzalez has asked the Chiefs to explore trade possibilities and they have fielded calls about his availability. Gonzalez, a nine-time Pro Bowler who has been with the Chiefs since he was drafted in 1997, would like a chance to contend for a championship before his Hall of Fame career comes to a close. The NFL trade deadline, which rarely sees much action, is Tuesday. The Chiefs appeared pessimistic they could reach a deal for Gonzalez by then. The New York Giants have been ..."