Tony G speaks--baffled by lack of trade

[TheReverend]

Tony Gonzalez figured there's no way I'd be writing a story today referring to him as Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez.

But after the NFL's trading deadline came and went and the future Hall Of Famer wasn't moved, he was wrought with a variety of emotions from disappointment to anger to trying to cope with damage caused by his trade request. But more than anything, there's confusion.

Tony Gonzalez: "Nobody is going to trade a second (-round pick) for a 32-year-old tight end." (Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images)

"I'm shocked," he said in an exclusive interview with FOXSports.com. "It didn't make sense not to do this deal. It's winding down for me and this team is rebuilding. If they said from the get-go, 'No, we're not going to trade you,' that would've been better than how this whole thing unfolded. But that's not what happened.

"Last night I talked to Carl (Peterson, Chiefs President and GM) and I point-blank asked him what it would take to get it done. I wanted to know if it could happen with a fourth (-round pick). He started talking about a second and a fifth like the Shockey deal. Nobody is going to trade a second for a 32-year-old tight end. All along Carl said he would do something that works for both parties. Then he talked about how he traded a third for Willie Roaf, and he made it pretty clear to me that's what was going to get it done. That was certainly fair.

"I know teams offered a third and in the end, Carl made the asking price a second. I'm very disappointed that he didn't go through with it after he told me he was going to try to make it happen. I've been around this league a long time, it's a business. There's nothing I can do about it. I was pissed off about it, but I'll get over it. I won't let it affect my play and my preparation."

So where does he go from here? Gonzalez insists he'll do whatever it takes to make the Chiefs a better team. But first he says he will clear the air with many of his teammates.

"I'm going to go in tomorrow and get up in front of the team, no coaches, just my teammates and let them know exactly where I was coming from," he said. "Like I said, they keep talking about the future here and trading me would've helped build for the future. I love Kansas City and will always be a Chief, always! But my road is coming to an end, and I didn't want it to end on a team that is rebuilding.


"When I signed my deal a few years ago, it was to end my career here. But I also felt we had real potential, I didn't see us ending up with a rebuilding effort. But once they cleaned house, and when they traded Jared (Allen), it was clearly to rebuild. They have a bright future here. Some of the players they've drafted are going to be great. They are on the right road, but by the time they travel it, I'll probably be done. That's why I asked for this, and I was certainly led to believe they understood this and would help accommodate it."

Gonzalez, after hanging up with Peterson last night, was pretty sure he'd soon pick up a new zip code. As the day progressed, several teams involved began increasing their offers. A few came up to a fourth while a pair came up to a third. The Chiefs, however, will remain steadfast with a second rounder.

"If I was 28-years-old, we wouldn't even be having this conversation," said the league's all-time receiving leader for tight ends. "We've been talking about it for three weeks now, so we've had plenty of time to get it done. In the end, they had their agenda, and I don't know if they were serious about trading me or whether they were just trying to appease me.

"But you know what? I can't cry about it. If anything, this has motivated me even more. I'm a Chief, will be happy to be a Chief and will bust my butt for the Chiefs. I was never not happy being a Chief. I just wanted the chance to spend my last couple of years winning a title, not rebuilding. But I'm here to help rebuild, I'll work with all our young guys and get after it like I always have."

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/8677684/Gonzalez-angered-and-baffled-by-non-trade

[Popps]

Believe it or not, there are two sides here. Was asking for a 2nd unrealistic? Maybe, but as a team-owner, you can understand how these guys might not want to start a precedent of just dishing out stars for nothing once the team seems out of playoff contention.

Beyond that, Gonzalaz did sign a deal... like he said himself. I think everyone would have liked to see a trade worked out, but for whatever reason, I didn't happen.

But, from the Chef's perspective... if they by some stroke of god turn competitive next season, a Pro Bowl TE helps them more than the extra late first day draft pick.

I think they probably should have done it, just to show some class... but I can definitely see both sides of this story.

[rugbythug]

Is the DIfference between a 2nd and a 3rd worth the Production he brings to a loosing team?

[TheReverend]

Believe it or not, there are two sides here. Was asking for a 2nd unrealistic? Maybe, but as a team-owner, you can understand how these guys might not want to start a precedent of just dishing out stars for nothing once the team seems out of playoff contention.

Beyond that, Gonzalaz did sign a deal... like he said himself. I think everyone would have liked to see a trade worked out, but for whatever reason, I didn't happen.

But, from the Chef's perspective... if they by some stroke of god turn competitive next season, a Pro Bowl TE helps them more than the extra late first day draft pick.

I think they probably should have done it, just to show some class... but I can definitely see both sides of this story.

I agree with what you've said, but on the other side of the spectrum, if you have a guy who doesn't want to go through this rebuilding process, who certainly wasn't consulted by Herm or Carl when they made that decision, who has given your franchise Hall of Fame production levels, and after a conversation with the GM he thinks he's going to be traded and is under the impression the price is a 3rd, then yeah, it's wrong to not pull the trigger on that third in my opinion.

^Run on sentence of the year.

[gyldenlove]

I think the Chiefs messed up this one, it is about knowing your market. Gonzalez has value right now but will soon be done. You have to know that a 32 year old on a position that is traditionally thought of as low impact is not going to fetch a big price.

I think a 3rd round pick would have been a fair price for someone like Gonzalez and I think the team would have been better off for doing the deal. They are clearly in a phase right now where winning is not only not the main objective but is also not very realistic. For many of the young players that is okay because they will be around if they manage to turn the team around, but for someone like Gonzalez that might not be an option, he could realisticly end up with the option of taking a pay cut to stay for one more season when the team might be okay, or retire from a bad team.

I know you don't want to send the message that you are willing to send off your stars for nothing whenever you are having a bad season, but on the other hand when you are rebuilding you have to accept that other teams know that you have no reason to hold on to people who will not be with the team for long.

I think the Chiefs should have taken a 3rd, and have Gonzo leave on good terms. Now you know the same thing is going to come up on the offseason and his value is not going to be as high by then.

[Hamrob]

I'm a big Carl Peterson fan! The longer he is in K.C., the better it is for the Broncos!!! :-)

My guess...Peterson think's he can get a 3rd or 4th for Gonzalez after the season is over. Why not? You still have the same situation...you're rebuilding and Gonzalez wants to play for a contender. Why not finish the year with him...get what you can out of him...then deal him? You'll probably still get a 4th for him. Don't you think?

[Beantown Bronco]

My guess...Peterson think's he can get a 3rd or 4th for Gonzalez after the season is over. Why not? You still have the same situation...you're rebuilding and Gonzalez wants to play for a contender. Why not finish the year with him...get what you can out of him...then deal him? You'll probably still get a 4th for him. Don't you think?

If he stays healthy and produces, then yes. But it's a gamble. His numbers are already down, and will most likely go down even more if the organization truly wants the young guys to get experience and get balls thrown their way. Not to mention if they keep the revolving door going at QB. That hasn't exactly benefited Tony.

[goldengopher1976]

Tony is a class act. I see a man who expressed himself and then took responsibility to deal with the ramifications and I have no doubt he will continue to give the same effort he always has. I'll be curious to see how Chiefs' fans treat him in light of this--if they boo him, they will officially become the league's worst fans (and I already consider most of them to be the fair-weather variety).

[elsid13]

Wasn't Peterson demanding 2nd for Trint Green too?

[Popps]

I agree with what you've said, but on the other side of the spectrum, if you have a guy who doesn't want to go through this rebuilding process, who certainly wasn't consulted by Herm or Carl when they made that decision, who has given your franchise Hall of Fame production levels, and after a conversation with the GM he thinks he's going to be traded and is under the impression the price is a 3rd, then yeah, it's wrong to not pull the trigger on that third in my opinion.

^Run on sentence of the year.

Opinion-wise, I agree. Teams shouldn't be held hostage, but KC should have worked something out, out of respect to the guy who's been the franchise for so long.

[Beantown Bronco]

Where's Nappy?

He is famous for stating that "nobody in the world overestimates the value of their players like Bronco fans".......

I think we can safely move Carl into that slot now.

[BroncoBuff]

Sheesh ... your HOF'er slap-trashing your GM? That's just sad ...

[cabronco]

The Bills, Giants, Eagles, and Packers were all bidding for Gonzales and Peterson couldnt get a deal done ! You just got tomahawk chopped Tony. Thats pretty F- up outta king Carl.

[broncosteven]

Where's Nappy?

He is famous for stating that "nobody in the world overestimates the value of their players like Bronco fans".......

I think we can safely move Carl into that slot now.

Yea!

Where are all the Chef diehards? You know it is a sad time for the franchise when their diehards have given up.

BTW this is my fav TG quote:

I was never not happy being a Chief. I just wanted the chance to spend my last couple of years winning a title, not rebuilding. But I'm here to help rebuild, I'll work with all our young guys and get after it like I always have."

[chaz]

That's too bad for Tony, he is a very classy guy who deserves the chance to win a title.

I wonder if some of the young guys will remember how Carl treats his veterans when it comes time for a new deal??

[bronco610]

Am I the only one who read it as they lied to TG to get him to resign?

[cutthemdown]

IMO teams have no obligation to trade a player just so he can have a shot at a winning season. IMO Chiefs could still move Gonzo before the draft next yr. He's in good shape and because of that he has probably 2 more seasons after this one he can play well. Maybe even more.

[SouthStndJunkie]

PACKERS THOUGHT THEY HAD A DEAL FOR GONZALEZ

Posted by Mike Florio on October 15, 2008, 11:33 p.m. EDT

Wow.

Not only were the Packers serious players for Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez, but the Pack also thought they had a deal.

According to Jason Wilde of the Wisconsin State Journal, the Packers drew up the paperwork that would have sent a third-round pick to Kansas City for Gonzalez, only to have the Chiefs back out ten minutes before the 4:00 p.m. EDT trading deadline, and demand a second-round pick.

Per Wilde, the Packers and Eagles offered a third-round selection for Gonzalez, and the Giants tendered a fourth-rounder.

The Falcons and Bills were willing to do more, but Gonzalez wanted to play for neither team.

Currently, the Falcons and the Bills have better records than the Packers and the Eagles. In either Atlanta or Buffalo, Gonzalez would have been greeted as a superhero, and we’re baffled by his reluctance to play for either team.

We’re even more baffled by the misguided decision by Carl Peterson to pull a last-second power play. An unrestrained ego is a dangerous thing, and Peterson now must deal with a locker room full of players who realize that, if King Carl is willing to screw Gonzalez, any of them could get equal or lesser treatment.

[Circle Orange]

I feel bad for Tony G...but here's the lick.

Wrong place, wrong time. He should have done this three years ago. Also, right now the contenders have good or developing tight ends. So there's really no place for him to go.

He didn't want to go to Green Bay (moot point, they didn't want him) even Tony acknowledges no one is going to give up a second and third for a 32 year old te. Peterson said he'd try to work a deal, but it seems like they set the asking price too high on purpose.

Oh well, Tony. You can always pad your career stats. Just ask Brett Favre. :~ohyah!:

[cutthemdown]

3rd rounder seems fair. Not sure why Queefs backed out on GB.

[chaz]

IMO teams have no obligation to trade a player just so he can have a shot at a winning season.

First, Tony Gonzalez isn't "a player"...he's a HOFer, and one of the classiest individuals in the NFL.

If I'm a Chief's player, I take full notice of the respect veterans are treated with by the organization.

I think it comes down to respect...if a player has given everything he had to your franchise to ultimately reach a super bowl but you realize it wont happen with your team...he has earned the chance to work for a ring somewhere else. Tony is of no real help to the Chiefs 2028 super bowl run, so a third round pick would be reasonable compensation IMO.

[boltaneer]

Tony G is on the decline but he's still a threat and has some gas left in the tank but I don't get what King Carl is doing.

He's willing to trade away an elite DE in his prime but refuses to deal a TE on the decline? And he gives a huge contract to a trouble-making RB who has been run into the ground for the past few years? And then the obvious Brodie/Huard/Thigpen three-headed disaster.

I've said many times that I think the Chiefs are doing the right thing by committing to the rebuilding process one hundred percent but there are some real head-scratchers going on with some of these decisions.

I'm pretty sure I'm in the minority here but I think that Herm is getting the shaft by all the heat he is taking. I told Bobo a few days ago that getting rid of everyone from the head coach and up, especially King Carl at this point would be a mistake but I've changed my mind on that based on this. He's rebuilding but yet has no clue in what direction to take. They need to Matt Millen him ASAP. Based on the talent he has to work with this year, I think Herm deserves to see what he can do with a rebuilt team but whatever... I think he's going to be the scape goat for King Carl.

[cutthemdown]

First, Tony Gonzalez isn't "a player"...he's a HOFer, and one of the classiest individuals in the NFL.

If I'm a Chief's player, I take full notice of the respect veterans are treated with by the organization.

I think it comes down to respect...if a player has given everything he had to your franchise to ultimately reach a super bowl but you realize it wont happen with your team...he has earned the chance to work for a ring somewhere else. Tony is of no real help to the Chiefs 2028 super bowl run, so a third round pick would be reasonable compensation IMO.

I think you respect players by paying the big money and promoting them as the leaders of the team to the media. Gonzo in those terms has gotten the respect of the front office. Football is a competition though and if you think you are making them stronger and not getting enough in return you don't deal.

That being said I think a 3rd rounder is a decent deal for Chiefs. I question there evaluation as to gonzos worth but I don't think you have to trade a guy just because hes a HOFer and would like to go play on a different team.

Sounds like Gonzo nixed deals to a couple of teams so maybe he can blame himself a bit also. Gonzo got millions to play football, that's his respect. No player can expect more then that.

[watermock]

N.O. WAY overpaid for Shockey...he's a head case and has a chronic injury..He's slow now.