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
bigslow
August 18th, 2010
7:05 am
if he stays in shape and thats what he is all about. can we stop this first stuff
SPS
August 18th, 2010
7:14 am
I think the 2011 lockout will dictate his decision
kitcho
August 18th, 2010
7:53 am
He need to stay here and play until we get a championship.
Larry
August 18th, 2010
7:54 am
This is getting old. He or no other person with more than a double-digit IQ will walk away from $8.25 million.
Come on, Orlando, dig up a meaningful story–you’re too good for this!
jimmymack
August 18th, 2010
8:11 am
play every down you can ,if you can be productive and retire you will alway’s be wondering what would have happend if i had played
me
August 18th, 2010
8:12 am
we need to start grooming a young TE to grow with Matt Ryan..tony will only play 2 more season at the most
mountain_jim
August 18th, 2010
8:15 am
Story Idea: What’s really going on with William Moore and his ‘day to day’ status for the last several weeks. Are the coaches giving up on him? What is his mental state and level of activity? Why do they never mention him went going over injury status players?
SeenThisB4
August 18th, 2010
8:16 am
After the Saints eviscerate the failure falcants, it’ll be an easy decision for him.
GEAUX SAINTS! OUR TIME!!
me
August 18th, 2010
8:20 am
seenthisb4 why are you on this blog…are ther no saint blogs for you to hop on? the falcons must be your guilty pleasure and thats why you cant stay away
BT
August 18th, 2010
8:25 am
Tony G will play as long as his wife and his body will allow.
lanier
August 18th, 2010
8:30 am
dont really care what he does after all he is a TE and I think of him as a AFC Chief not a regular Falcon anyway.
they should probably spend an early round pick on a long term TE next year though
TE’s show up on the stats sheet as a function of their teams offensive design
who are the NE and Indy TE’s anyway
Joe Tess Fish House
August 18th, 2010
8:37 am
I bet TO will play in to his 40s
Scott W.
August 18th, 2010
8:40 am
Yes indeed SeenThisB4, Geaux home!
I'm Gumby, Dammit!!
August 18th, 2010
8:46 am
lanier, you ever heard of Dallas Clark??
and Joe Mess, your infatuation with TO is just plain wrong. Take a cold shower, would ya!!
Okay, back on topic. If I were Tony, I’d do whatever his wife wants him to do.
BT
August 18th, 2010
9:03 am
Lanier, watch the Pats vs Falcons tomorrow night and keep your eye on a kid named Rob Gronkowiski for the Pats.
He is a rookie TE that figures high in their plans for the future.
PMC
August 18th, 2010
9:06 am
Well, he’s in MUCH better shape than Brett Farve but is that his goal?
Of course he could if he wants to. I don’t think he really want’s to. Better to get out of football while you still have all your faculties….rather than invent new and different ways to make yourself and your teammates look silly just so you can skip Training Camp.
PMC
August 18th, 2010
9:07 am
If the owners lock the players out no one anywhere should renew season tickets. Let them blackout the whole of the 2012 season.
Sid
August 18th, 2010
9:14 am
Scott W.
Don’t feed the trolls…………!!
Keep in mind you are dealing with a dark void surrounded by a sphincter muscle which is in fact what Seenthisb4 sees everytime he is in front of a mirror. The best part is when the Falcons beat the Saints for the 2nd time December 27th at home on MNF all he can do is finally admit that for him, ND does not stand for Notre Dame.
Saints LSU
August 18th, 2010
9:17 am
@ seenthisb4 you be in the saints war room talking about the saints bad now you are in the falcons room talking are you a falcons fan are saints fan make up your mind man
grimetime912
August 18th, 2010
9:19 am
SAINTS ARE A BUCH OF AINT’S….YOU AINT’S GONNA WIN IT THIS YEAR SO MOVE OVER AND GET OUT THE WAY!!! FALCONS WILL FLY ALL THE WAY TO THE PROMISE LAND THIS YEAR!!
Spud Webb
August 18th, 2010
9:21 am
No way gonzo can play till he’s 40. Plus he doesn’t need attention like farve does.
Samuel
August 18th, 2010
9:22 am
I think you can draft a player or devlope one before tony retires.
craig
August 18th, 2010
9:25 am
he is in the best shape that ive ever seen a football player be in. If anybody can, he can.
robertussen
August 18th, 2010
9:34 am
dont forget algernon crumpler is a ne te now too lanier
Jborodawg
August 18th, 2010
9:35 am
Tony G is one of the most “professional preparers” out there. He takes care of his body and stays in shape like very few. He could easily play until he’s 40, barring injury. He doesn’t appear to have the desire to do so, already stating that he’s gone if there’s a lockout.
rekingball
August 18th, 2010
9:55 am
He could play into his 40s, but the longer he plays the more his body is going to pay for it in NFL afterlife.
rekingball
August 18th, 2010
9:56 am
DOL, could you give some more info on the Oline?
Can't Truss It!
August 18th, 2010
9:59 am
Would you rather buy a big-screen TV from Tony Gonzalez or Brett Favre?
There is you answer.
gdg73
August 18th, 2010
10:00 am
i’m with mountain_jim. Please give us some “football” news. What’s the deal with William Moore? Did he practice? Will he play Thursday? Is he in the coaches dg-house? Does he really have the heart to be an NFL player? Do some investigative reporting and give us something that actually relates to on the field activity.
Oregon Falcon
August 18th, 2010
10:10 am
I am sick of Brett Favre. NFL the National Favre league. NFL channel. National Favre Channel.
When ESPN or NFL channel mentions his name, I change the channels for the rest of the day.
Don’t care about that guy, don’t want to hear his name anymore.
Mike Jay
August 18th, 2010
10:13 am
Lanier,
He was second in catched on our team last year and is super important to our offense.
TG is in super shape and could play a couple more years easily. Lockout and/or superbowl will dictate this
nes
August 18th, 2010
10:26 am
Well i’m with mountain_jim and gdg73 on what in the heck is going on with William Moore? He’s a 2nd round pick the falcons management raves about and yet can’t play in pre-season games or practice? Last thing on local TV was he has an injured groin! that about sums up this year–out again! D.O.L, i bet you know more than what you’re reporting to all us falcon fans! Won’t say anything negative or ask the tough questions to GM Demiroff and Coach Smith. Anybody watch the falcons game last week and see President Mckay in the falcons booth? He still sounds like he is the GM! should have been fired!
SeenThisB4
August 18th, 2010
10:31 am
Tony Gonzalez will decide to retire after the Saints expose the falcants defensive ineptness and offensive weaknesses.
Mr. Phil
August 18th, 2010
10:32 am
Gonzalez has the ability to play at least to 40. Does he have the will? I don’t think so by his recent comments.
Side note: If the “FIRST” stuff ends, do we all start vying for last?
D. Orlando Ledbetter
August 18th, 2010
10:57 am
rekingball — First team Oline is set. There are no real issues other than depth. I will watch to see how Johnson and Hawley are coming along in the game.
mountain_ Jim & gdg73 — There’s nothing new to report on Moore. When Moore practices, you’ll know. He’s day to day. He’s not in the coaches’ doghouse. He’s injured with a hamstring. I will check to see if they are giving up on him or not. I don’t think so because he was such a high draft pick. Been a little busy around here the last few days — some guys name Brady, Moss and Belichick are in town — and quite frankly Moore status is way down the pecking order until they leave. But I will make sure to keep you all updated. Right now we have nothing new of William Moore.
Larry — This is topical. He just said he was 50-50 on coming back. I’m with you on turning down the $8.25 million.
Greg from Marietta
August 18th, 2010
11:18 am
I was fortunate enough to talk to Tony and his lovely wife at a charity event last year. I was very surprised to discover, during our conversation, that they are very involved in philanthropic activities away from football. I think he answered the question when he told me, “I love doing what I do, both on and off the field. I have accomplished most of the goals that I set out to accomplish with the exception of playing in a playoff game and winning a Superbowl. But my wife and I really enjoy contributing to the community and I can’t play forever and believe it or not there is more to life than football.” Needless to say I was bowled over by this admission but in a way I understand. He’s made wise investments and is still young and healthy with a beautiful wife so why not enjoy life. He’s earned it!
waynester
August 18th, 2010
11:38 am
Until Gonzalez, only #1 receivers in the NFL made it to the 10,000 mark in receptions, and only a handful of those. Face facts men–he’s an amazing athlete and given his will to succeed, could easily play for several more years at a high level (hopefully, after hoisting the Lombardi a few times)….
gdg73
August 18th, 2010
11:41 am
Waynester, name one receiver that has caught 10,000 passes in their career. I hope you meant 10,000 yards or even 1,000 receptions.
Veedub
August 18th, 2010
12:26 pm
If Tony G left KC to have a better chance at winning a championship then he should have been aware that we were at least 2-3 years away, realistically!! He should do at least these last two because either this year or nex year I think is going to be our time. Probably next year tho, unless Matt Ryan really steps up!!
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rekingball
August 18th, 2010
1:26 pm
Veedub…….if the saints can when a SB, then the Falcons are fully capable of winning one also.
It might be a matter of getting some breaks, and some luck, but it is possible.
rekingball
August 18th, 2010
1:27 pm
Meant, WIN a SB.
waynester
August 18th, 2010
1:39 pm
gdg73
Thanks for the correction–just a typo. My point remains the same, however, that TG is in a class of one.
hiramsaint
August 18th, 2010
3:12 pm
the nfl will have to change thr rules , rekingball , and start giving superbowls away to the highest bidder for the ‘cons to win one. get out that billfold arty!
FalcomaniacJim
August 18th, 2010
3:30 pm
The way he takes care of his body he can play til 40, even though playing TE is much more physical than playing QB behind a history of great lines that other guy plays behind. I hope he DOESN’T play like that other QB guy, we don’t want anyone who always turns the ball over in key game situations.
bird watcher
August 18th, 2010
3:40 pm
Believe he very well could play till he is in his 40’s, but I have often thought watching him play that I hope he is one day a coach. He definitely sets the bar imho for his position. If he does not coach I would be satisfied if he helps the birds win the superbowl.
ATL Observer
August 18th, 2010
3:52 pm
The older you get, the tougher it is to “get back into the swing of it,” so to speak, if you take a year off…so I could see the decision to retire hinging entirely on a lockout.
Mr. White
August 18th, 2010
4:30 pm
Arthur Blank
August 18th, 2010
4:30 pm
Even I am getting a bit impatient with Mr. Moore. Thank goodness we have Coleman, and some promising prospects at safety, but he’s beginning to wear thin on me. I could see if it were a chronic knee or hip, but a hammy. You got to be kidding me. Maybe it’s diet or not stretching properly but whatever it is he needs to get it together or ELSE!!!!!
ABlank
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”