The Falcons agreed to acquire Pro Bowl tight end Tony Gonzalez from the Kansas City Chiefs for a second-round pick in next year’s NFL Draft, the team announced Thursday.
“Tony brings a new dynamic to the Falcons offense and we are very pleased that we were able to make the trade with Kansas City,” General Manager Thomas Dimitroff said. “His career numbers and records are top notch and he will no doubt be an integral part of our offense.”
The 13-year veteran is the all-time leader among tight ends in receptions (916), touchdowns (76) and receiving yards (10,940). He’s played in 191 career games and missed just two starts since 1998. Gonzalez’s 93 catches (1,058 yards) last season marked the third-highest single-season total of his career. He also added 10 touchdowns, the third time he’s had 10 or more scores in a season.
Those numbers earned him a spot in the Pro Bowl, where he set a game record for career receiving yards with six catches for 98 yards and a touchdown.
Gonzalez, 6-foot-5, 251 lbs., played at the University of California before the Chiefs drafted him with the 13th overall selection in the 1997 NFL Draft.
He’s a six-time All-Pro selection by various media outlets and led the league in receptions in 2004 (102). That’s also the record for most catches in a season by a tight end.
Falcons tight ends combined for 19 catches for 211 yards and two touchdowns last season. Gonzalez is expected to provide another offensive weapon for quarterback Matt Ryan.
Reporters around the country think this could put the Falcons offensive over the top (video) but the team’s quarterback is taking the news in stride and is happy to have one of the game’s greatest players as a mentor.
“Tony’s arrival will make an instant impact not only on the offensive side of the ball, but on the overall team in general,” Ryan said. “I feel privileged to be throwing the ball to a future Hall of Famer and I’m anxious to get on the field to start working with him.”
Gonzalez is a world traveler, taking time to study abroad over the offseason in 2004, 2005 and 2006. He was named the “2004 NFL Good Guy” by the Sporting News and is active in charitable efforts through the Tony Gonzalez Foundation, which he founded in 1998.
“Tony is one of the best tight ends in NFL history and will be a great addition to our team,” said Head Coach Mike Smith. “He will be a leader both on and off the field for our organization.”
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING…
A quick look at what’s being said about the Falcons trade for Gonzalez.
A special Bradley’s Buzz: All-draft edition with T. Gonzalez!, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Some quick notes on Gonzalez and some now out-of-date predictions on the Falcons and the draft.
NFL draft’s big winner — Atlanta Falcons again, The Associated Press
Last year Dimitroff made an impact in free agency and draft day. This year, the biggest move may have come with the first round more than 24 hours away.
Chiefs trade Gonzalez for 2010 draft pick, ESPN.com
ESPN.com pulls together all the necessary information and puts it in a nice package.
Falcons trade for Tony Gonzalez, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The story of note from the paper of record.
Falcons land Gonzalez, NFL.com
The NFL Network crew talked about how the acquisition of Gonzalez will change the Falcons draft plans.
Chiefs trade Gonzalez to Atlanta for second-round pick, The Kansas City Star
Gonzalez has yet to win a playoff game in his 13-year career.
Video: Breaking down the Gonzalez trade, ESPN.com
Panelists discuss the Falcons increased odds of making the playoffs and high-powered offense now that Gonzalez is in the mix.
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45 Comments
WOW. With the probable comp picks next year, this has the makings of a great trade. I think the big guy has a couple good seasons left.
@Derek Collins
Outstanding point and one I’m sure Thomas will make tomorrow. It’s not out of the question to think the Falcons will get multiple comp picks next season for the departures of Foxworth, Boley and Brooking. That takes away any sting associated with losing a pick. Stay tuned… I’m told there will be a press conference tomorrow evening. Video to follow on AF.com.
Not to mention the fact that we will have our full complement of early picks this year to help shore up our D. Which could include trading up (Cushing/Matthews USC) or down and selecting one of the safeties or cb’s available. I love this move. Our offense is set up to be in the top 5. Kinda reminds me of the colts a few years back. The stub TE, a power running game, a burner and a possession guy on the outside and a slot guy to get over the middle. Is the season here yet?
Great move. What’s his contract situation? Will he be around for a few years?
im gonna be the oddball. i dont think we should take cushing or matthews. if we take linebacker maybe clint sintim or convert larry english and create another demarcus ware
I Am A Chiefs fan..and i am sad to see this happen to someone i grew up watching in KC i am totally aggrivated to see him go to the falcons i can see a real contender but as of NOW they are a mediocre football team..I just ask one things of the Atlanta Falcons..GET THIS GOOD MAN A SUPER-BOWL RING PLEASE!!!!
The falcons are not mediocre.We made it to the playoffs and could have went deeper if we played better.The chiefs and dallas and the bears and the seahawks are mediocre team.And the falcons will bust their but to get a superbowl ring for him and themselves.I can feel an 11-5 season or 10-6.We just need to go deeper in the playoffs.Thanks J mike
Although I like him I don’t think this is a good trade. He only has a few years left and to give up a second rounder is ridiculous. If it was a third then it would be good but we couldve got a young guy with talent like shawn nelson in the second or top ten calibre player in brandon pettigrew at 24 purely because most teams don’t need a TE. I’m sorry for being so negative and I know he’ll do good things for us but what happened to building for the future
Tony Gonzales to the falcons is great news for our teams offense and a super help for our defense. We need to keep the offense on the field by picking up those third and longs and those short yards in the red zone, and who better to help do it than Tony. Just as he did it for Maning in the pro bowl- he will do it for Matt when the birds need it. The other unbelievable thing about this trade was a 2nd from next year in the trade. This gives TD and Smitty a chance to focus heavily on our “D”, and only hit on offense if someone unbelievable falls to us.Can’t wait for the weekend to see the pieces come together—GOOOO Falcons
I think we should use or first two picks on a LB and a Safetey of Corner.Then the falcons will be consistent,winning team.
If Tony G. has three more years left at or close to playing at the level he is now, its a great move. Not to mention his ability to convert plays on third down. This offense will be a juggernaut next season all things continuing to this season. Now, its time to address the defense in the draft. This is no longer a bad to mediocre organization. For once, we should see two winning seasons in a row.
I’m gonna be the odd man out here (although when the AJC asked for fan comments on this a couple weeks ago, it was overwhelmingly against the trade, as I recall, so I’m not alone). I’m clearly aware of the virtues of TG, but I’m certainly not real happy with the trade. Comp picks or not, a second-round pick is a second-round pick, and given our upcoming schedule, chances are excellent the Falcons will be picking higher next year than this year. I personally think Pioli took young TD for a little ride here. You have to have good reason to believe if you’re TD that the guy you expect to get in the second round is going to be both very good and a long-term starter. How many years to see TG playing at a high level? Sorry, but I don’t see the wisdom in this trade.
As a Chiefs fan I can say you have a team now, with Tony G., that you have a team that can win the Superbowl. I will be cheering you on all year so I can see Tony and the Falcons win it one time. Good luck.
When I read this I couldnt help but think to myself ” boy, that was dumb”. I thought the Falcons were all about building a “new” and “future” team. The only real future for TG is retirement.
I think this is such a great move. We need defense though, thats what we should use our picks on. This opens a wholee new window for matt. His backup, Jason Rader, is also a fantastic player.
@JAMES
What the heck? hes a great [player] hahahhahah lol! but jason rader is also a greattttt player dont forget about him
Best of wishes to Gonzo in his time with the Falcons. It has been my distinct privelidge to watch him with the Chiefs for the last 13 years. While I still consider myself a rabid Chiefs fan, I have no reservations at all telling Atlanta fans that their team has gained a casual Falcons fan. In fact, I would wager that I will be among the first in the country to own a Gonzalez/Falcons jersey and among the loudest cheering every catch and touchdown. I honestly fear for defenses in the NFC South. The Falcon offense is going to be a force to be reckoned with. I sincerely hope he gets that ring……. After what he put up with in K.C. the last couple of years, he deserves it. That being said, he will ALWAYS be a Chief to me. Good Luck, Tony!!
@Michael
Ridiculous…..Tony G has forgotten more about football then the entire Falcons starting offense has even played.
y do people keep saying take a safety with one of the first 2 picks. i mean seriously give the guys already on the roster a chance to prove theyselves first. the corners had their chances thats why i keep sayin corner but who know
I have been a Chiefs fan for over 20 yrs and it was a great day when they drafted Tony. Tony was one of the few who gave me any reason to cheer for last season and it is a very sad day to see him leave. I will always be a Chiefs fan and will always see him as a Chief but I will now watch the Falcons play. No matter where he goes I will follow because he is the best tight end to ever play the game-just look at his stats. He has a few good years left because he is a tough player who hasn’t been plagued with injuries. The Falcons are very lucky because he will give Matt someone to go to. Tony deserves a ring and I hope he will finally get one while playing for the Falcons. Good Luck & you have a new fan.
I have been a die heart Falcons fan since elementary school that’s about 17 years ago. I’ve seen good and bad players come and go through the Falcons organizations, but the addition of the new player Tony will go down in the history of big moves for Falcons. I really do believe adding Tony plus the draft will be the completion on our franchise. We will be Super Bowl Champions this year 2010 or next 2011.
Wow!! It’s great to have another latino on the team, since G Roberto Garza left to Chicago, I’ve been waiting for this. I think Tony and Ryan will lihgt it up.
If we can get 3 or 4 good years from Tony G. then this will prove to be a good trade. We have wasted more than a few second round pics in the past. Jimmy Williams and Brian Scott quickly come to mind. Now Thomas can concentrate on getting some help at every level of the defense and maybe a tackle who can back up Baker.
I am confused and not particularly happy with this trade. A second round pick is too costly for a player nearing retirement. Does this mean OC Mike Mularkey will change his philosophy, and have Matt Ryan throw to our newly acquired tight end so he can have 75 – 100 receptions per season for as long as he can last before retirement, and which wide receiver(s) do we take receptions away from to give him these receptions? I was looking for a young tight end to be drafted at some point this weekend, that could be molded and trained to play Falcons football for as long as Tony Gonzales has already played. I trust Thomas Dimitroff to find the right talent coming out of college. The Falcons have been burned in the past getting big name players at or over 30 years of age. They were usually disappointments. I hope this is not our version of Brett Favre – one season and gone, when we could have had a young player, probably under contract for four years.
This is great!!! You don’t have to build for future if the time is now. The dirty birds just signed the best tight end ever! He had his third best year of his career last year. Now he’s got
Marty ice michael turner roddy white jerious norwood and what will be a high flying falcons offense. Its a great day to be a falcon fan. Seems like things are starting to fall into place. Let’s roll!!!!!! Start the season already.
I hear fans saying aren’t we building from the draft. Do they think we are going to have no one older than 25. Be thankful that we got one of the best TE’s to ever play the game. We need so much defense and now we don’t use 24th for a TE and we still have our 2nd round this year. Wait until you see what he can do for our offense and you’ll change your mind.
Why focus on criticize the decision made for the GM and the Coach that put the team on the playoffs, or focus on how many years left have Tony Gonzalez to play. Let’s focus on the important thing TG is the best player in his position, he MADLY WANT A SUPER BOWL RING and he came to win it with the falcons. Time will tell.
We already have our version of the Brett Favre trade. We got a first round draft pick for Brett Favre that we used on a running back, Tony Smith. Give some props to the current front office that they didn’t do THAT again (picture trading Matt Ryan for Garrett Wolf of No. Illinois).
TG will get his ring here. I believe the Falcons will spend the majority of the draft on the DL & LB’s. With the exception of 24. I believe UConns Darius Butler will be the pick. Later in the draft I see a versatile OL that can play OG & OT for depth.
Bizarrely good trade. I posted the other day the Falcons must’ve been drooling over Pettigrew but needed one of the falling linebackers. Talk about having your cake and eating it too–we’ll see if the team is maturing by how Roddy handles his catches coming down. Gonzalez is an irresistable target, a blitz killer, a known red zone commodity, He’ll cause massive m,atchup problems especially with Norwood coming out of the backfield to recieve. Yikes. Now watch TD take a nasty LB–can you say Ray (if he’s there) even tho he was lectured by his coach last year for not playing hard enough. Cushing not so much–need a guy who can rush the passer. I’d love to see Mathews but my guess is he goes way higher than he’s projected.
Just remember guys Jeremy Shockey was a big named TE when he was traded to the Saints and was plagued by injuries. Drafting older players is a big risk, but i don’t think Gonzo will disappoint.(I hope)
Gonzo has only missed 2 games since 1998 guys. The difference with him is that he’s got the money and fame already but he still loves the game of football and hasn’t shown any signs that he’s not capable of being capable. Let’s face it……if his skill is at a decline he’s still better than any other TE in the league. Antonio Gates has been injury prone the past 2 years and is much younger. Gonzo takes care of himself and brings leadership and character to a team. Those tools will take the team a lot further than a # 2 pick unproven in the NFL. We need defense so bad anyway that this is the perfect move this year. Thank the Lord we didn’t take L.J. Smith! Hopefully we can get that press corner or the DT from Ole Miss.
@Brian
its a second roung pick in 2010 bro. its 2009
I was born in Georgia”Savannah”but live in O.H.I.O i follow the falcons faithfully.Im a Georgiabulldogs fan 2.”just in case you wonder about were ohiobulldog came from?.I have to admit this is the best news we have had all offseason!!!.I like jamaal anderson but i whould like to see a real passrusher on the left side so how about michael johnson on this side some say he’s a’lil soft but think about it most players in college tend 2 not go allout 4 fear they might get hurt but what if he’s the next peppers or williams? Im I the only one who will be sorry we did’nt pick him?
I love direct tv plugg
This is a bad trade? You guys are F’n tarded. A 2nd round pick might be a good player or maybe great… maybe. A HALL OF FAMER with at least 2 more good years in him. Hell yea! We are set at tightend for 3 years. We can now build on a defence thats a bottom 3rd in the NFL. And WHOEVER thinks THOMAS is doin a bad JOB. I AINT seen it yet! Just cause YOUR IDEAS work in MADDEN dont meen it works in the really real world.
lets go falcons
lets go falcons we going 2 be unstopable wit tony gonzalez
Now the offence: now for defense!
Lets give Trey Lewis DT, Chauncey Davis DE,newly aquired LB Mike Peterson just might make Stephen Nicholas and Jamal Anderson become the players we drafted them for.
Looking forward to the draft with this Falcon management.
The future is now for all old Falcon die hard fan who have stuck thru more bad times than the good!
Way to go Falcons
A die hard fan.
Ive been falconfan for years, this is one of the best trades iv ever seen besides getting turner, i remember watching brett farve play as falcon, and gayle sayers, so what if we give up a 2 round pick next year, next year, lets focus on this year, they t.d and smith havent let us down yet, so stop being so negative people all we can do is hope for the best.
falcon fan for life.i love this trade,this will only make everyone else better on offense.no more doubling roddy white.this will make opposing defense cordinator worry about the offense.i will surely buy season ticket this year.
This seems to me like a good trade. matty ice,turner,white,norwood,jenkins, and now gonzelas. yes we were and are building for the future, but we also need a few veterans to be leaders for this team. we have so many weapons right now i dont thing losing the 2nd round draft pick will much matter next year. go falcons
Congratulations to the Falcons on acquiring one class act! Having had the priviledge of watching Tony G for the past 13 seasons, it will be difficult to see him in anything but a Chiefs jersey. He is a team player and leader and will set the standards high for the young players, not by talk but by example. Even after 13 years, Gonzo plays because he loves the game. You have a player with outstanding character and a role model for fans and players alike. My hope is that he is well received and becomes one of Atlanta’s most beloved players (as he is/was in KC)….but most of all, I hope he gets that elusive “Ring” that will complete his career. I’ll be following the Falcons very closely doning a Falcon’s jersey with Gonzales on the back. Good Luck to Tony and best of luck to the entire Falcon nation. It should be a season to remember!
Well look at this…. we dont have to draft a Pettigrew with our number one pick. We can stand to take a chase coffman from mizzou in 3 or 4. smart trade. Get a young te either coffman or a free agent and have him train and learn under tony g. Look at Dewayne Jarrett from USC (BIG SCHOOL FOR WR EH? HAHA) the Panthers used a second round pick on him and he is close to being disregarded as a bust of a talent. My point is the fact that just because you have a second round pick, that doesnt mean that the player is gonna pann out. Finally, our team is a very young and devoid of any true veteran leadership. So why not get a proven te in tony g. Even if he puts up 600 yards and 6 tds… that is still a success!!!!
For all of you Falcon haters… please learn how to type. It is really annoying when you guys bash the Falcons and can not type.
it important to know that we didnt just bring him here forhis performance on the field.I see a who;e lot of idiot sayin we were suppose to build for the future.We brung him in also to mentor jason rador and the other TE’s .So once he retires some of his talent rubs off on them.He is a 11-12 year veteran,the6y cant help but to learn from him
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