The Gonzalez Trade is a good thing

[whitekb011]

First, we have not made a trade offer, nor do I agree with a 2nd rounder this year, maybe next years's 2nd, because we should get that back with Comp pics for our departed FA class this year. Here are my basic reasonings for this.

1. Proven TE that can help Matt Ryan put drives together without having to learn the NFL Game.

2. He is a good route runner, has great hands, and finds the open space for the QB.

3. Leadership, he is a Team Guy and we need that in our locker room with the departed veterans of this year for the team and the TE group we have in place.

4. Our schedule is brutal this year and we need another passing option that gains the respect of the opposing defense. We play the NFC East and AFC East next year with road games at NE, Dallas, NYG, and NYJ. If we don't incorporate our TE in the offense more, it will give the opposition was less thing to worry about.

5. He can help Peele be a good tight end, maybe work up some younger guys that we might draft in the later rounds. Remember, this is a very deep draft in TEs.

Just my thoughts on why he would be good for us.

[sporkdevil]

A 2nd rounder is way too much for a guy on the wrong side of 30. Even a 3rd is really a stretch. The help would be good, but I think a 2nd rounder would be more helpful. Maybe a 4th and a 6th or something. He is 33, how many more years is he actually going to be productive?

[BruceReville]

Agree with points 1,2, & 4 but the problem is Mularkey has never really utilized TEs in his offensive schemes while he was either a OC or HC. Only year TEs posted good numbers with him as either was 2006 in Miami and it was Saban calling the offensive plays that year, not Mularkey.

I agree with 3 & 5 but he has a cap hit of 10.25 million over the next 2 years and then we would either have to resign him or find another TE. 10.25 Million is expensive for a "Quick Fix" Leader.

[Ghost Rider]

No way I'd offer a second or a third for him. Maybe a 4th and one of our 5ths. Dude is getting old very fast and we'd be lucky to get 2 years out of him. That's not what you want from giving up a second rounder. I am not convinced that TD is really persuing this very hard. I won't believe it until it happens.

[Absolute]

I agree with 3 & 5 but he has a cap hit of 10.25 million over the next 2 years and then we would either have to resign him or find another TE. 10.25 Million is expensive for a "Quick Fix" Leader.

I think we did this with Milloy before we decided to let him walk so it could be a possibility. I am still not feeling a 2nd rounder when it was rumored other teams were offering 3rds & 4ths.

[chris30277]

Agree with points 1,2, & 4 but the problem is Mularkey has never really utilized TEs in his offensive schemes while he was either a OC or HC. Only year TEs posted good numbers with him as either was 2006 in Miami and it was Saban calling the offensive plays that year, not Mularkey.

I agree with 3 & 5 but he has a cap hit of 10.25 million over the next 2 years and then we would either have to resign him or find another TE. 10.25 Million is expensive for a "Quick Fix" Leader.

I am curious to know who Mularkey had at TE in all of those years... did he not utilize TE's by choice? or was it a necessity to not utilize them? Having a threat like Gonzo over the middle opens the door for so many more possibilities. Roddy might get more single coverage, Jenkisn could have more production because of this, linebackers might have to stay committed to Gonzo instead of Norwood swinging out to the flats; it really would make our offense so much more dynamic.

[whitekb011]

I am curious to know who Mularkey had at TE in all of those years... did he not utilize TE's by choice? or was it a necessity to not utilize them? Having a threat like Gonzo over the middle opens the door for so many more possibilities. Roddy might get more single coverage, Jenkisn could have more production because of this, linebackers might have to stay committed to Gonzo instead of Norwood swinging out to the flats; it really would make our offense so much more dynamic.

That's what I see too. They will not be able to double Roddy all the time and this will provide Douglas more opportunities as well.

[whitekb011]

Agree with points 1,2, & 4 but the problem is Mularkey has never really utilized TEs in his offensive schemes while he was either a OC or HC. Only year TEs posted good numbers with him as either was 2006 in Miami and it was Saban calling the offensive plays that year, not Mularkey.

I agree with 3 & 5 but he has a cap hit of 10.25 million over the next 2 years and then we would either have to resign him or find another TE. 10.25 Million is expensive for a "Quick Fix" Leader.

Didn't know his cap hit was that high, we would have to restructure his contract with a "Sign and Trade" clause. If we take the cap hit then we also should lower our offeor to a 3rd Next year and a 6th next year. I don't want to get rid of any draft picks this year because this is a very deep defensive draft and we need our 2nd and 3rd this year to shore up some holes on defense.

[Statick]

Agree with points 1,2, & 4 but the problem is Mularkey has never really utilized TEs in his offensive schemes while he was either a OC or HC. Only year TEs posted good numbers with him as either was 2006 in Miami and it was Saban calling the offensive plays that year, not Mularkey.

I agree with 3 & 5 but he has a cap hit of 10.25 million over the next 2 years and then we would either have to resign him or find another TE. 10.25 Million is expensive for a "Quick Fix" Leader.

Who was it that said we wanted to get Matt a receiving TE to give him another option? Wasn't that Mularkey?

[Jesus]

Oh we never should have traded Robinson so quickly.

Robinson for Gonzalez and their 2nd round now that's a steal...at least for some on this board.

[LVfalconfan]

Great post and all very good points. Gonzo is also going to open up everything like running game and free up wide receivers. Remember how our offense struggled a little towards the end of the year? That was because defenses game planned us very well, Gonzo makes it hard to do no matter how good of a game plan you have. I think if we got him we would have everything a championship offense needs. I also think there would be more to the trade than just 2 for gonzo

[Zanka]

As the others I to think that 2nd rounder is to much for Gonzo. He is old. A 3rd rounder is IMO a fair deal

[FalconPio]

if we did this then that would mean we are getting a player to get us "over the top" (on offense anyway) i beleive tony only has a handful of years left but he would definitely get us over the top. ohh yea and a lilttle more bulk on OL wouldn't hurt either.

[whitekb011]

if we did this then that would mean we are getting a player to get us "over the top" (on offense anyway) i beleive tony only has a handful of years left but he would definitely get us over the top. ohh yea and a lilttle more bulk on OL wouldn't hurt either.

I believe he is a supllemental fit that TD referes to with FA and we will darft a TE for the future. We have to have a better passing attack from the TE. If we don't then the teams we will play on the road (Dallas, NE, NYG, and NYJ) will have very good D's and we can't afford to go in their like that. Remember, we played the NFC North and AFC West in 2008. They are no where close to the NFC East and AFC East. Plus we also have San Fran (West coast game) on the road and Chicago again.

Now is he worth a 2nd, doubtfull, but if they want to spend that on him, then I trust TD. Also, WRT Mularkey and the use of a TE, Pittspurgh never had a good tight end until Heap, and he is no Gonzo, not eve comparable. Alge is not close to this guys performance level. Plus his charecter and leadership coupled with his community service would add to the image of the organization.

[Sun Tzu 7]

Correct me if I am wrong... but did we lose the playoff game because of the TE play?

As a matter of fact how many loses did we have last year where the TE was the problem?

I don't recall many.... from my recollection it was the defense that was the problem.

If we make this trade and DON'T significantly upgrade the defense then this trade isn't going to make that much of a difference.

This would be a great idea fantasy football wise....

[BruceReville]

Who was it that said we wanted to get Matt a receiving TE to give him another option? Wasn't that Mularkey?

Mularkey did state he wanted to upgrade the position with a younger player. Gonzo goes against the younger part - but also Mularkey has stated that "Blocking" is a premium with his TEs not receiving.

LINK (2nd Article)

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[Clark Kent™]

I would be fine with a 3rd rounder. I think he has more left in the tank than people think. He is not a speed guy so the age doesn't concern me in that department. I think he as 3 or 4 years left easily. When he come here he will not be thrown to every down like in KC so his legs will be fresh and maybe he can last even longer. He would complete our offense like many say. And we could be in the SB in 3 years easy.

[Theyhateme : )]

A 2nd rounder is way too much for a guy on the wrong side of 30. Even a 3rd is really a stretch. The help would be good, but I think a 2nd rounder would be more helpful. Maybe a 4th and a 6th or something. He is 33, how many more years is he actually going to be productive?

.....but this guy is a BREAST.... :P

Tony G's Stats....Better than I thought

[hammerhead]

Falcons Interested In Trading For Gonzalez

The Atlanta Falcons are “seriously considering” trading for veteran Pro Bowl tight end Tony Gonzalez, according to our own Michael Lombardi of the National Football Post.

Lombardi reports that the Falcons may be willing to give up their second round draft pick (#55 overall) in order to obtain the services of Gonzalez.

The move makes sense as Justin Peelle, the Falcons top tight end target from 2008, caught only 15 passes for 159 yards and 2 touchdowns in 16 games last season.

Meanwhile, Gonzalez is coming off another Pro Bowl season in which he hauled in 96 receptions for 1,058 yards and 10 touchdowns.

More on this story as it develops.

Theirs no doubt that Gonzales would would make the offence more productive in the running game and in the passing game, and if we could get three or four years out of him what more could you want.

[Warrior999]

He didn't want to be here last year when I wanted him on the team. I do not want him on the team now.

[BruceReville]

Falcons Interested In Trading For Gonzalez

The Atlanta Falcons are “seriously considering” trading for veteran Pro Bowl tight end Tony Gonzalez, according to our own Michael Lombardi of the National Football Post.

Lombardi reports that the Falcons may be willing to give up their second round draft pick (#55 overall) in order to obtain the services of Gonzalez.

The move makes sense as Justin Peelle, the Falcons top tight end target from 2008, caught only 15 passes for 159 yards and 2 touchdowns in 16 games last season.

Meanwhile, Gonzalez is coming off another Pro Bowl season in which he hauled in 96 receptions for 1,058 yards and 10 touchdowns.

More on this story as it develops.

Theirs no doubt that Gonzales would would make the offence more productive in the running game and in the passing game, and if we could get three or four years out of him what more could you want.

The main problem I have is the 10.25 million dollar cap hit over the next 2 years and then Gonzalez does not have a contract and we would either have to resign him or someone else or draft one and start all over again in that positioin. 10.25 million for a 2 year "Quick Fix". Quick Fixes are what got the Falcons in trouble before in the past, the team last year began a long term youth movement which should continue. I am not in it for just tomorrow, but the next week and following weeks as well.

[hammerhead]

Bring him home TD..........................

[whitekb011]

The main problem I have is the 10.25 million dollar cap hit over the next 2 years and then Gonzalez does not have a contract and we would either have to resign him or someone else or draft one and start all over again in that positioin. 10.25 million for a 2 year "Quick Fix". Quick Fixes are what got the Falcons in trouble before in the past, the team last year began a long term youth movement which should continue. I am not in it for just tomorrow, but the next week and following weeks as well.

Bruce, I didn't know that his cap was 10M till you pointed it out earlier. I would hope it would be a sign and trade. Remember, if we cut Vick this year, his CAP hit will be large too... the good news is we have most of our guys under contract that we want to keep so there is room under the cap. The Rookie pool will be allocated and they are aware of that too. I know 10M is a lot for this guy, but he is a beast and is clutch. It's a tough call and I have faith in TD to do the right thing.

[BruceReville]

Bruce, I didn't know that his cap was 10M till you pointed it out earlier. I would hope it would be a sign and trade. Remember, if we cut Vick this year, his CAP hit will be large too... the good news is we have most of our guys under contract that we want to keep so there is room under the cap. The Rookie pool will be allocated and they are aware of that too. I know 10M is a lot for this guy, but he is a beast and is clutch. It's a tough call and I have faith in TD to do the right thing.

Despite all the negative "Don't Trade For Gonzalez" posts I actually would be intrigued to see him in Atlanta, but for his cost and how Mularkey uses TEs he wouldn't a good fit here. We could go cheaper and younger in that position and groom him for the long term to fit the system in place. Really I see the "Pros" but I also see the "Cons" in the deal.

[whitekb011]

Despite all the negative "Don't Trade For Gonzalez" posts I actually would be intrigued to see him in Atlanta, but for his cost and how Mularkey uses TEs he wouldn't a good fit here. We could go cheaper and younger in that position and groom him for the long term to fit the system in place. Really I see the "Pros" but I also see the "Cons" in the deal.

Im with you on that, I just started the post mainly because of our brutal schedule next year, especially on the road. I think we can agree that we need production, more importantly, a TE that has to be accounted for.