Saturday Morning Cup O’Chiefs
All the sudden the e-mail started backing up yesterday with word that the Chiefs had traded Tony Gonzalez.
The next e-mail said they had deal in the works and it would be done before Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline.
Then, the next one said they heard that Gonzalez was available in trade and the Chiefs were shopping him.
Somebody wrote and said they heard on the radio that the Chiefs wanted to trade Gonzalez as soon as possible.
Everybody had an angle, but it all was based on apparently one certain fact: the Chiefs were going to trade their record setting tight end. The NFL trading deadline is this coming Tuesday.Â
So let me throw my two cents in. I made some phone calls Friday night. The Chiefs folks are scattered around the country and they weren’t going to address the issue anyway. Others around the league provided few insights.
Are the Chiefs actively shopping Gonzalez, with actively meaning they are calling the 31 other NFL teams to generate a trade? Highly doubtful in this case.
Would the Chiefs trade Gonzalez? Sure, if another team made a good enough offer. When a team is rebuilding and holding a handful of cards that say 1-4, they have to consider everything. Dealing your 32-year old tight end who says he’s only going to play one more season would make sense with the right return. But I can’t imagine them putting him on the market in a fire-sale situation.Â
Would Gonzalez like to be traded? Absolutely, but he wants a deal only to a team with a chance to win a championship. Again, it’s one of those situations where Tony G wants things to work out his way. Good luck with that one TG; if you can make it happen, more power to you. He’s got one thing working in his favor in this area: his agent Tom Condon. There’s nobody more connected and more clued in than Condon.
Is there any reason the Chiefs wouldn’t make a deal for salary cap reasons? I can’t think of any, since they have plenty of room under the league’s cap and the acceleration would not hurt them. The salary cap shouldn’t be a factor with most teams, because there’s never been more available money in the league than this year. A few teams are tight, but most could make it happen under the cap.
Will anybody offer a package good enough to get Gonzalez? That’s doubtful. How often do teams make deals for tight ends, no matter how good they are? The last one I can remember is Jeremy Shockey, who went from the Giants to the Saints back in July for second and fifth-round draft choices.
I can tell you this: two of the teams that would make this kind of deal are out of the running: Denver and San Diego. There’s no way the Chiefs make a deal inside their division. If Dallas didn’t have Jason Witten, Jerry Jones would be knocking the door down; he’s always been ticked off that the Chiefs traded in front of him to get Gonzalez back in 1997.
OK, so who might be a contender for the playoffs who would willing to step on the dance floor for Gonzalez, either because they are deal makers or need immediate help at tight end? In the NFC possible teams would be Carolina, Tampa Bay and the New York Giants. None of those teams are getting production out of the tight end position, certainly not like Gonzalez would give them. Tampa Bay is the team most prone to making a deal of this nature.
In the AFC possibly the New York Jets would consider a deal. They have three tight ends that combined have 18 catches, compared to 21 for Gonzalez. Terry Bradway still works for the Jets and he was part of the process that drafted Gonzalez for the Chiefs back in ’97.
The end of the trading period in the NFL rarely generates a lot of activity although that’s changed in recent years. Here are the deals that have come down at the deadline in the last 10 seasons:
-2007 – RB Michael Bennett from KC to Tampa Bay; WR Chris Chambers from Miami to San Diego
-2006 – DE Tony Hargrove from St. Louis to Buffalo; DT Anthony McFarland from Tampa Bay to Indianapolis.
-2005 – QB A.J. Feeley from Miami to San Diego for QB Cleo Lemon; G Toniu Fonoti from San Diego to Minnesota; QB Tim Rattay from San Francisco to Tampa Bay.
-2004 – WR Quincy Morgan from Cleveland to Dallas for WR Antonio Bryant; WR Jerry Rice from Oakland to Seattle; WR Keenan McCardell from Tampa Bay to San Diego.
-2003 – none.
-2002 – none.
-2001 – DE Stalin Colinet from Cleveland to Minnesota.
-2000 – none.
-1999 – DE Regan Upshaw from Tampa Bay to Jacksonville; RB Karim Abdul-Jabbar from Miami to Cleveland.
-1998 – none.
FROM THE PAGES OF CHIEFS HISTORY
On October 11, 1970, the Chiefs beat the Boston Patriots 23-10 in front of 50,698 fans at Municipal Stadium. The Chiefs defense had a huge day, holding the Patriots to 105 offensive yards and just one fourth quarter touchdown. Kansas City picked off six passes from Boston quarterbacks Mike Taliaferro and Joe Kapp. Both CB Jim Marsalis and S Jim Kearney had two picks each, with S Johnny Robinson and LB Bobby Bell adding the others. Bell also had a sack, as did DE Jerry Mays. RB Robert Holmes had a pair of TD runs.
On October 11, 1992, the Chiefs beat the Philadelphia Eagles 24-17 at Arrowhead Stadium. It was a big afternoon for QB Dave Krieg, as he threw for 272 yards and three touchdowns. His favorite target was WR Willie Davis, who caught five passes for 167 yards and a 74-yard touchdown catch. WR J.J. Birden caught TD passes of 24 and 43 yards. The Chiefs defense had six sacks, with three by LB Derrick Thomas and two from DE Neil Smith. CBs Albert Lewis and Dale Carter had INTs.
AROUND THE LEAGUE
Even NFL players have good marketing ideas and Peyton Manning has one that the NFL missed, but would have been a good one.
Carson Palmer will not start Sunday for the Bengals, as Ryan Fitzpatrick will get the start for Cincinnati.
In Seattle, Matt Hasselbeck is unlikely to start and Charlie Frye will get his first start for the Seahawks.
AROUND THE AFC WEST
The folks in San Diego are ticked off by the way their Chargers have played this year.
The Broncos owner is pleased with what his team has gotten done so far this season.
The Raiders are looking for some production out of their wide receivers.
Wow! Tony G possibly going to another team? Seems unreal and yet, everything comes to an end. You can understand Tony’s position, given his age, wear and tear on the body, and how many productive seasons he might have left in him. How many? Two, three years including this one?
Then, he has to be asking himself (As we are doing as well), how long will it take for the Chiefs to be legitimate post season contenders again? Two, three years including this one?
Oooops, time’s up! His window has closed and he goes on to the Hall of Fame but without ever getting close enough to even taste a SuperBowl appearance. I can’t blame him for wanting out and if he gets his wish, I would be glad for him.
Okay, maudlin issues aside, what would be fair compensation for him? I’d have to think something very close to what the Saints gave the Giants for Shockey. Perhaps the G-men will view it as a bizzare 3 team trade and send KC their 2d and 5th rounders for the 2009 draft in exchange for Tony G?
It still seems unreal to even be talking about this notion, you know?
What is Tony @ Tom thinking. New York Jets, Tampa, Carolina, And the Giants do have the right talent to see the playoffs ,Kc does not have a Qb and will not do any thing about it . Would you hang around with a team that is hopeing that thier pick ,who has NEVER won a game in the NFL and never shows ANY improvment , might wake up some morning , tough, fast and accurate . This is NOT Disney Land …..
thanks for addressing th issue Bob.
Never shown ANY improvement Lloyd? I beg to differ. This year he was starting to show much better composure, and making good decisions. Given the state of our pass blocking (both OL and RBs), that’s pretty amazing. Given some decent blocking and some better health (that’ll be what keeps him from keeping the job), he should be able to progress into a very competent pro QB.
Here is one I agree with, Bob. Thanks. I had heard Buffalo was interested but the chiefs were NOT interested.
I can sympathize with Gonzalez. I hate Herm Edwards too. The thing is, Tony just signed a new deal a year ago. Did he not see this coming? I know the Chiefs were a playoff team back in 2006 but surely Gonzalez knew the risk he was taking by resigning with this franchise. I highly doubt the Chiefs trade Tony before the deadline. How the heck is Croyle supposed to develop properly if we give even LESS weapons than he already has…which isn’t many.
Maybe this upcoming offseason they’ll make the trade but if they make this move by Tuesday then they’ve lost what little respect I had for them.
Also, I don’t know where these emails are coming from, but I’ve scoured the web and I haven’t found a hint of serious Tony G trade rumors anywhere but right here from Gretz and a few commenters. Are you just trying to get us fired up over nothing Bob? Or are you truly an inside man who gets to report things like this before anyone else? I think with Tony G’s celebrity, it would be difficult to keep trade talks from reaching the media’s attention and we would have information and speculation all over the web about it. Not just here at Bob’s site.
“Would Gonzalez like to be traded? Absolutely, but he wants a deal only to a team with a chance to win a championship. Again, it’s one of those situations where Tony G wants things to work out his way. Good luck with that one TG; if you can make it happen, more power to you.”
Is this a thinly veiled shot at Tony Gonzalaz? If so, shame on you, Bob. Say what you want about Tony’s silly comments regarding his record and not getting it against Denver, but how could anyone be critical of him for inquiring about a trade to a contender at this time. He’s in the later stages of his career, the Chiefs with Herm Edwards in charge are an absolute disaster.
ESPN crawler is saying chiefs are “open” to trading Tony. It may be best for the future of the rebuild but I do not see how Brodie can see any success throwing to what they have left for recievers.
ESPN is reporting that the Chiefs are willing to trade Tony G. for the right price.
Whats a fair price guys?
I say a 1st and 4th at the least.
Never mind, I retract my statement from earlier. Bob, you beat ESPN to the punch. I never should have doubted you. That being said, I think the most they’d get for Gonzalez is a 2nd and 5th which was what Shockey commanded. I think Tony G is better than Shockey but he’s older as well so it balances out.
That being said, I must reiterate that I think unless a team was crazy enough to give us a 1st, we should keep Tony G. Who is Croyle supposed to throw to when he comes back? Nobody but Gonzalez and Bowe are producing for our QBs. The Chiefs don’t owe Gonzalez any favors. He makes millions of dollars. He need to STFU and play and the Chiefs need to keep their best players.
I beat both of them to the punch
http://www.bobgretz.com/chiefs-football/player-profile-dantrell-savage.html
The other WR will have to step up if TG is no longer in KC. Cottam will likely replace him. He is 6’7” 270lbs and runs a 4.60 40yrd dash.
The chiefs will be lucky to get anything better than a 4th rounder.
Cottam can replace Tony this year like Hali replaced Allen, so far 0 sack in 08.
The chiefs will do what they do.
I don’t understand this. We got a first and third round pick for Jared Allen who was just developed, the league sack leader at the age where he had the most value. Why would someone even give a third rounder on a tight end with one or two years?
Bob, a question. Why does not Clark Hunt make a comment supporting the rebuild? It would satisfy many fans just to hear him support just what is happening on the field. No one is asking for a time table to the super bowl. Just a reminder patience is needed for the developement of this team to be a winner in the future.
because Clark Hunt is not an idiot. At the end of the season he will evaluate the team and either continue to support the current regime or go in a new direction.
Why make a special appearance in the middle of the season supporting Herm and co. only to look retarded when they continue to make fools of themselves and the chiefs? the smart thing to do is wait it out or make a move.
– Cottam Likely to Start if Chiefs Trade Gonzalez –
Sat Oct 11, 2008 –from FFMastermind.com
The Kansas City Star reports Chiefs third-round draft pick TE Brad Cottam will likely start if the team trades longtime starting TE Tony Gonzalez. While Cottam was drafted to eventually replace Gonzalez, he won’t provide what the veteran tight end has. Cottam has played more in the past couple of games in a two-tight end formation, a sign the Chiefs are getting more comfortable with him in their lineup. But Cottam hasn’t caught a pass and is used mostly as a blocker. The Chiefs wouldn’t necessarily suffer without Gonzalez when they run. They would in the passing game. Gonzalez is the all-time leader among tight ends in receptions, yards and touchdowns. Cottam doesn’t have Gonzalez’s ability to use his body to shield defenders or his skill in going up to snag a pass. He also doesn’t have Gonzalez’s knack for finding seams in zone coverage and wouldn’t be as difficult for defenses to cover when the Chiefs are near the opponent’s end zone. He does run faster than Gonzalez, so Cottam brings the possibility of more big passing plays down the field. The Chiefs this year drafted another tight end, Central Florida TE Mike Merritt, in the seventh round. Merritt has been on an injured list all season but could get activated in the coming weeks. The Chiefs hope to develop Merritt into a blocking tight end much like they used to have with TE Jason Dunn.
– Chiefs Talking to Teams about Trading Tony Gonzalez –
Sat Oct 11, 2008 –from FFMastermind.com
The Kansas City Star reports that the Chiefs are talking to other teams about a possible TE Tony Gonzalez trade. With the trade deadline coming Tuesday, Gonzalez asked the Chiefs to explore trade possibilities. The New York Giants have been the most interested in making a trade, but the sides were far apart on the compensation. The Chiefs were asking for a third-round pick, and the Giants offered a sixth-rounder. Green Bay, Philadelphia and Buffalo are other teams to express an interest in Gonzalez.
The Chiefs are asking for a 3rd rounder for Gonzalez. Hell, why not just GIVE HIM AWAY! I can’t believe the Chiefs would seriously trade Gonzalez for a crappy 3rd round pick right before Croyle gets back in the lineup. They must not care about his development at all. I’m going to have a hard time supporting this team if they make this move. It just makes me sick.
a 3rd from the giants is like a high 4th.
lol, giants offer a 6th! roflmao!
My friend just told me that they reported on one of our talk radio stations that the Chiefs and Giants worked out a deal that will send Gonzalez to New York for a 4th rounder and QB David Carr.
A 4th rounder and David Carr sounds like something the Chiefs would trade for, but if that is true the Giants sure gave up more than they originally were willing to.
If I was the Chiefs, I’d ask for the same as what G-Men got from the Saints for Shockey a 2nd & a 5th rounder. The Giants would be the team to trade with in all aspects of the deal:
1) they got the picks to give up for a better player than what they let go and will not cost them anything more in return.
2) Tony G gets to go to a team that may go again to the SuperBowl this year
If this happens then I think its a win win all the way around for all parties involved.
Good Luck Tony what ever happens, you’ve been one of the greatest Chiefs ever to play the game. I thank you sir!
No way will any team out there give up 2nd and 5th round picks. That is just not realistic for a TE of Tony’s age. If a trade gets done, no matter what it is we should all be happy for Tony. Many of you have expressed your desire to see him win a ring. I hope we get to see him in the Super Bowl this season!
GOOD LUCK TONY GIVE HERM THE BIRD FOR ME WHEN YOUR LEAVING FOR NEW YORK.
I’m not sure if the 4th rounder and David Carr is confirmed, but that’s what I was told so we’ll see if it proves accurate. I’ve always been a big Carr fan and I thought that if he got a chance to start over and get behind a good line then he could really do some damage. His numbers in Houston weren’t awful despite the fact he got knocked to the ground practically every time he passed the ball.
Even though we rail on the Chiefs offensive line here on a regular basis (McIntosh and Jones anyway) our line is WAY better than what Houston had in Carr’s early years. At least if this trade happens, we’ll have a legit backup in case Croyle gets hurt again.
This makes sense, Tony still has years left if on a contender, and flat out, this team needs more draft picks…Im glad Carl set it at a 3rd rounder for compensation, this works out just fine, and Im sure Surtain/Huard/Mcintosh/Ron, Donnie Edwards/Mcgraw will all be gone next season.
I hope we get that 3rd rounder, its fair, it gives Tony his chance elsewhere and another team gets a top notch player for 3-4 years.
Merritt coming back, to team with Cottam and Foschi, makes sense, and ultimately if anyone is willing to deal for LJ, I’d love to make that deal which should have happened….
Ask the chargers if they wish they had dealt Seau and Harrison early, I bet they do, and getting something for a guy who may retire next year works for me…not to mention his attitude about the record…left a foul taste in my mouth.
The Giants WILL NOT give up a 4th AND David Carr, period. If we’re lucky, they might give up their extra 5th from NO in the Shockey trade. Normally, I’d hold out for the best deal, which Carl never gets anyway when it comes to draft choice trades. He always gives up too much and gets too little. But in this special case, and ONLY this special case, because it’s Tony G at the en of a stellar career, I’m thinking of the player before the Chiefs. If Tony G has asked for a trade to escape Herm’s archaic ideas of offense, and to try and have a shot at a championship before he’s done, he deserves that shot, without regard to the maximazation of compensation we get back, for what he’s done here and all he’s meant to the Chiefs. It’s bad enough what Herm and Carl have done, but to hold one of our all time greats hostage just because they can, helps no one. Someone said it would be bad PR to trade him. It’s worse PR to keep him if he wants to escape. FREE TONY G!!!
I said it would be bad PR if they didn’t get proper compensation. Look, on the contrary to what many fans think, the Chiefs don’t owe Gonzalez any special favors. He has made great money here and is still making great money. He signed his extension AFTER Herm got here so he knew what he was getting into. If he wants a trade, fine, but if the Chiefs can’t get decent compensation for him then they shouldn’t move him. Croyle won’t develop as a QB if he only has one good player to throw to (Bowe) and letting a guy go for minimal compensation is NOT something that a team should feel obligated to do. Regardless of how much that player has accomplished on the field.
Tony makes great money, and has lots of fans. That’s what he’s owed, not a trade for a bag of balls.
Well said Colby