Could Tony Gonzalez play into his 40s like Brett Favre?
100813 Atlanta - GONZALEZ FIRST DOWN - Atlanta Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez (88) makes a first down catch as he is brought down by Chiefs cornerback Brandon Carr (39) during 1st quarter action in the exhibition season opener against the Kansas City Chiefs at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta on Friday, August 13, 2010. Curtis Compton ccompton@ajc.com
FLOWERY BRANCH – Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez waffled a bit after last season before announcing that he’d return for the 2010 season.
He’s on record that if there is a lockout next season, that 2010 will be his last season. On Monday he told Alex Marvez of Fox Sports that he may pass on the $8.25 million he’s set to make in 2011, calling it a 50-50 proposition.
Gonzalez, 34, is set to make $7 million this season. He caught 83 passes for 867 yards and six touchdowns last season and appears to fine shape.
Here you can check out interviews with Marvez, yours truly and ESPN’s Adam Schefter on the Branch Report, which feature’s the Falcons new web maven Jay Adams.
Should Gonzalez be talking about retirement? Will it become a distraction this season? Or should he be inspired by Brett Favre and just keep on playing in to his 40s?
TRAINING CAMP SCHEDULE
Thursday, August 19 — Preseason Week 2 vs. New England 8 p.m.
Friday, August 20 — No Practice.
Saturday, August 21 — 9:30 a.m. – 11:35 a.m. (closed to the public); 3:45 p.m. – 5:25 p.m. (closed to the public).
Sunday, August 22 — 9:35 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. (closed to the public)
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60 comments Add your comment
Mr. White
August 18th, 2010
4:31 pm
Falcons Super Bowl Video – Goodness….
http://www.hulu.com/watch/123640/super-bowl-highlights-1999-super-bowl-xxxiii-denver-broncos-vs-atlanta-falcons?team=atlanta-falcons&show=3817#s-p1-so-i2
hiramsaint
August 18th, 2010
5:08 pm
1 and none–lol lol
Thanks STB4
August 18th, 2010
5:30 pm
SeenThisB4. We love your obsession with the Falcons. It proves we are your BIGGEST FEAR. It’s not, GEAUX SAINTS! OUR TIME!! Your time has passed. More like, SAINTS BLEAUX! YOUR SLIME!! You had one lucky year, trailer trash won the lottery. This year it’s first to worst, we all see it coming. Well, maybe you’ll finish ahead of TB, lol.
veedub
August 18th, 2010
5:32 pm
@rekingball.. I agree but I am also realistic. You gotta have some hope and luck to be able to pull it off but I think thats only 15-20%; the other 75-80% has to be from solid football play and thats why I say Matt Ryan has got to be solid because it starts with him. Im a fan of throwing the ball away but I think he did that way too often last year when he could have extended some plays. Gotta get better!!!
veedub
August 18th, 2010
5:35 pm
Really dont care if he can play into his 40’s.. He is only 34, Im more concerned about can he ply till 36. 40 is a looooong ways away. WHO CARES at this point!! REALLY!!!!
veedub
August 18th, 2010
5:38 pm
OMG, Did we really have to find a way to mention Favre!!!
hiramsaint
August 18th, 2010
5:42 pm
bitter memories of what could’ve been ?
Marko
August 18th, 2010
7:50 pm
lockout? billionaires and millionaires having temper tantrums. Fans are real people having real problems. football helps people escape the real world, if only for a little while. With everything we’re up against today we need a lockout like we need a hole in the head. let’s hope these people grow up, and Tony plays till he needs a walker.
rekingball
August 19th, 2010
7:49 am
Veedub@5;32………I believe that solid offensive play starts with the Offensive Line. Last year the Oline was riddled with injuries, and most of them were playing hurt for the bulk of the schedule.
Ryan had to throw away a lot of balls, but I agree that sometimes it appeared that he was giving the play up to quickly, and it was frustrating for the average fan, like me.
Of course I wasn’t down on the field, behind the center, getting a better view from that vantage point.
rekingball
August 19th, 2010
7:51 am
“If they protect him, he will throw”