Gonzalez: Here to Win a Super Bowl
Tight end Tony Gonzalez said he’ll miss Kansas City but he’s ready to take the field in Atlanta and accomplish the ultimate goal.
“I’m here for one reason, that’s to win a Super Bowl.” Gonzalez said at an introductory press conference Friday evening. “I haven’t won a playoff game in my whole career and that’s something I’m going to make sure isn’t the end for me. I want to come here, go to the playoffs, win playoff games and go to the Super Bowl.”
The Falcons acquired the 10-time Pro Bowler from the Chiefs on Thursday afternoon. He provides an immediate threat at the tight end position, opening up the offense for Matt Ryan and Pro Bowlers Roddy White and Michael Turner.
GONZALEZ ONE-ON-ONE:
http://video.atlantafalcons.com/video/87345/87345_2009-04-24-191229.flv
Gonzalez said he’s ready to provide another option for Ryan, who he called earlier in the day. He also plans to act as a mentor for younger players.
“If you double team somebody, someone’s going to get open,” the veteran said. “If it’s one-on-one, we have to get open. Do I think I’ll catch 100 balls? I don’t have to. This is something we’re all going to work together on. I’ve been fortunate to have such a good career. It’s not about breaking records and all that stuff. It’s about going out there and moving those chains… I’m going to help those guys. I feel like I’ve got some stuff they can learn and I’m going to learn from them. I don’t mind putting in the work, I never have, and hopefully they feel the same way I do.”
Of course, Gonzalez has put up the numbers in his career.
He’s the all-time leader among tight ends in touchdowns (76), receptions (916) and yards (10,940). He’s played in 190 games (174 starts) and is a regular All-Pro selection. The 12-year veteran is regarded as one of the best tight ends in the game and a lock for future enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
“I could go on and on and tell you about where and why we set forth in getting Tony Gonzalez as our next tight end here and continue to put up prolific numbers and statistics,” General Manager Thomas Dimitroff said. “We need to continue to provide the instruments to this offense.”
Dimitroff acknowledged the team took a look at available tight ends in this weekend’s NFL Draft and joked he could no longer use the position as “a smoke screen.”
While plenty of tight ends will turn pro Saturday and Sunday, the Falcons get a proven player in Gonzalez on the field, in the locker room and in the community.
GONZALEZ PRESS CONFERENCE:
http://video.atlantafalcons.com/video/87361/87361_2009-04-24-193634.flv
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.
He made countless community visits during his 12 years in Kansas City and says he plans to move some of his foundation work to Atlanta.
He “grew up” as a Chief, noting he arrived in the NFL at the tender age of 21.
But he’s ready for a new challenge.
“I’m going to miss Kansas City but, having said that, I’m excited to be here,” Gonzalez said. “This is an unbelievable opportunity… This is going to be something special, I believe, and I’m really looking forward to being a part of this. After 12 years sometimes change is good and I couldn’t be more excited to be in this situation.”
MORE GONZALEZ COVERAGE:
- TWITTER: Some quick photos and commentary
- REACTION: Gonzalez trade excites, delights
- YOUTUBE: Footage of the jersey presentation
- PHOTOS: Images from Friday’s press conference
- BIO: Gonzalez career information on AtlantaFalcons.com
- RELEASE: Falcons agree to acquire Pro Bowler Gonzalez
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To say I am very excited about this would be an understatement.
“pick your poison when defending us this year”
yo real talk. if our defense plays like a defense should and not give up in the 4th quarter or when we got the lead i look forward to takin it deep in the playoffs. i think if both sides give they best week in and week out then we will be ok. i may catch some heat for sayin that about the defense but its true. everytime we had the lead or got to the fourth quarter with a chance to win the defense just disappeared while matt ryan was tryin to pump up his side of the ball
After viewing the press conference, I’m even more convinced just what a class A person ‘Gonzo’ is both on & off the field. The entire Falcon Nation happily welcome Tony and his entire family to Atlanta. He said all I needed to hear when he told us why he’s become a Falcon, and that’s to ‘WIN A SUPER-BOWL!’….that’s what a champion says!
best trade of the season
Hat’s off to Mr. Dimitroff and everyone involved in making this trade happen. Tony Gonzalez, will give us the added dimension that we have needed offensively. I am thoroughly excited about the possibilities of this team coming into the ‘09 season. I think we are a very real force and teams will fear the Falcons. I can’t wait!
im with man…and i feel like we can make this year we just need to get the D ready in the draft
Perfect. Better than Boldin.
Shore up the defense a bit with one of those killer USC LB’s, and maybe a couple extra OLinemen and we’ll be set!
i just gotta ask. what is it about the USC players that has everybody so jumpy? they are really not that great like everybody makes them out to be.
@junior12785
You have to realize that by questioning why everybody is so “jumpy” about the USC linebackers, you are also questioning ESPN analysts and former all pro linebackers in the nfl who have said the same. The fact is that USC simply produces NFL ready talent yr in and yr out. The trojans have a former nfl coach who runs his college team as such. The scouts simply realize that.
dont take that the wrong way. i question espn to. for real though i only say that because i dont like USC as a team. i dont care how dominant they are i just dont like USC. thats all
i like peria jerry. wish it had been a corner but we need somebody beside J.B. im just glad we didnt get matthews
I’m confused with the pick of Peria Jerry. Why didn’t they take a dominant LB to fill the gap of the loss of Keith Brooking?
we got a dominate LB to fill brooking spot on the roster already.
I am really sorry to see Tony leave KC, but I hope you guys take the Superbowl this year if for no other reason than he deserves it! Only way I would be against the Falcons this year is if the Chiefs got there too (here’s wishing). Good Luck Tony!
You have just acquired a new fan. I have gone to KC games since 1977 and have watched Tony there his whole career. Tony is a star on and off the field and Atlanta is very lucy to get him. I wish him nothing but the best and he will be greatly missed. He deserves that Super Bowl ring!! Good luck Tony G!!!!!!!
Tony G is a class act. Atlanta just got THE best TE of all time. I’m a season ticket holder @ KC and I can honestly say I will miss #88 in arrowhead. I am excited about our new GM and Coach and my only hope is that when Tony retires he comes back and retires as a Chief. Good luck Gonzo!!
Man We are very good with TOny’s arrive. I love tony when he was kc, N I am happy that we have him here in atlanta. n BY THE WAY USC SUCKs. I am tired of people talking about usc. THey play in a weak girls conference and THE SEC is the best. So if I was drafting I would not get anybody for usc. I would GET a lot of SEC players just because is high level conference. GO falconsssssssssss
You can’t help but respect a player like this that gives his all on and off the field. Tony Gonzalez is a class act. When you look across the league guys like this stand out. You cheer guys like this on no matter who they play for.
I’m a Falcon’s season ticket hold of 18 years and I have seen some tough times. I welcome Tony and his family to Atlanta and that he finishes his career here. I am elated that he is here. This may just solidify back to back winning seasons for the Falcons and moving deeper into the playoff and more.
Kudos to the management of the Atlanta Falcons for acquiring this hall of fame tight end. Job well done.
Carl
You can’t help but respect a player like this that gives his all on and off the field. Tony Gonzalez is a class act. When you look across the league guys like this stand out. You cheer for guys like this no matter who they play for.
I’m a Falcon’s season ticket holder of 18 years and I have seen some tough times. I welcome Tony and his family to Atlanta. I am elated that Tony is here. This may just solidify back to back winning seasons for the Falcons Franchise. I know the Kansas City Chiefs will miss this guy.
Kudos to the management of the Atlanta Falcons for acquiring this hall of fame tight end. Job well done.
Carl
i think the chiefs are the most retardiness team in the league when it comes to trades……….last year we traded the best DE jared allen for draft picks…….come on now then the trade the best TE in the league for guess what draft picks……should be a law in the league set no retardition moves like these. but on a better note have fun on the golf course tony during the playoffs since your use too it and you couldnt wait to see what kc would bring in. youll miss kc and we will miss you when we’re holding up the trophy
@chieffan
question why you dogging out your former tight end man is that really how a person lets go of his TE by saying what you said i mean on the real no matter where a player goes they will still be apart of the team they left always will be remembered now i am glad he came to Atlanta so many offensive weapons now and even at that we are still acquiring more offensive weapons also to falcons fans we have recruited to more offensive lineman and also added some more linebackers and also the league is talking about making where the league will have 18 regular season games now thats just awesome right there i cant wait. go falcons
Falcon Fans are acting like they’ve already won the Super Bowl… Remember the Chiefs offense of 2004-2006… Yeah do you remember their defense? Nope because they sucked. Just like the Falcons got smoked by Boldin and Fitz. I’m sad to see TG leave, but at the same time happy to see him go. Falcons are in a tough division, not to mention teams like NY, Dallas, or Redskins you might see in Playoffs, the Bears are now looking hot with Jay Cutler. If Dirty Bird nation thinks 1 Future HOF Tight End can take them to the promiseland you guys are going to be in for a rude awakening this year.
To add to my Above Post… No one is talking about the Chiefs in this deal. Brad Cottam, Gonzo’s replacement was a top prospect TE out of Tennesse last year, played and was groomed all last year by Gonzalez. Our DL now has 2 LSU All Americans side by side ready to explode like they did in College, not to mention Tamba Hali who lead team in Sacks last year. DT out of Purdue played with our SS Pollard in College. Veteran LB Vrabel and Thomas – Proven Winners with Derrick Johnson and Monty Biesal (LB from Arizona). Then you have Matt Cassell, throwing to the most UNDERRATED young star WR in Dwayne Bowe… yes another LSU player, and Mark Bradley a stud young WR out of Oaklhoma. Add veteran offensive Linemen we added from Chargers with yet another rookie with our star rookie Linemen Albert from last year. Larry Johnson coming out all reconciled and stuff. No one is talking Chiefs…. our average age is like 25, and we lost most of our games last year by an average of like 3 to 5 points. No one talks about that… and that was without all the above moves… Watch out, Kansas City can very easily “Win a Playoff” game without Gonzo… how ironic would that be.
I am a huge Falcons fan of 18 years from New Jersey. I am getting giddy thinking of our chances next season. This was a phenomenal trade! We get the best TE in the league and perhaps in the history of football for what we hope will be a very late second round pick? GREAT MOVE! It will be a fun season. I am glad we have a committed owner who has found a class act coach and a masterful talent evaluator for drafting in our GM. LETS GO FALCONS! Time to do the Dirty Bird!
PS Does anyone know if there is a website that sells retro jerseys of former players? I was looking to purchase a jersey of my favorite Falcon of all time Terance Mathis in the old all black jersey.
Now I know why they traded Tony to us, cause it was either the falcons or the eagles and the chiefs faces the nfc east this season. It would been stupid to trade for best of all time TE to one of the teams you face this year. Plus they would’ve been scared anyway and would ‘ve got their butts kick. I’m glad we have him. Let go to the superbowl ATL. Falcons Fans STAND UP!!!!!
I believe getting tony gonzales was an excellent thing to do. He will be a great leader for the team on and off the field.