Tony Gonzalez is set to return and earn his $5.75 million
Tony Gonzalez Day" - Atlanta Falcons team owner Arthur Blank honors tight end Tony Gonzalez with a pregame ceremony commemorating his 1,000th catch at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta on Sunday, Sept. 19, 2010. Curtis Compton, ccompton@ajc.com
Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez will return to the team next season, according to his public relations representative Denise White.
“He’s definitely coming back,” said White, the chief executive officer of Los Angeles-based EAG sports management. “He’s excited to be a Falcon next season and make another run at the Super Bowl.”
Gonzalez was on the Jim Rome’s show on ESPN and stated that he “definitely” planned to return.
He’s set to make $5.75 million next season, but had stated after the Falcons’ loss to the Green Bay Packers in the playoffs that it was a “possibility” that he would retire.
He caught 70 passes for 656 yards and six touchdowns last season.
Gonzalez, who will turn 35 in February, is in California. He’s leaving for Hawaii on Tuesday for the Pro Bowl.
Falcons owner Arthur Blank suspected that Gonzalez was leaning toward returning.
“Tony is a first ballot hall of famer,” Blank said on Thursday at the Buckhead Business Association luncheon. “He played 14 years. He’s 34 years old. He has a body of probably somebody who’s 24 years old.”
Gonzalez stated that he knew health-wise he could return.
“He’s very, very devoted to taking care of himself and his family,” Blank said.
–D. Orlando Ledbetter
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110 comments Add your comment
chipontheroad birdsrus
January 21st, 2011
7:03 pm
Foist Good news
Reid Adair
January 21st, 2011
7:04 pm
Great news. I’m glad to hear that Tony Gonzalez is back for 2011.
Dominic Hughes
January 21st, 2011
7:06 pm
This is great news for the Falcons. As Mr Blank says, it’s not like Tony G has the body of a 35-year-old.
TechNut
January 21st, 2011
7:34 pm
Now go out and get a deep threat receiver or two. Looking like 10-12 win seasons and the playoffs will be a norm for us now…this town and franchise have earned it.
hbcuclassics
January 21st, 2011
7:35 pm
2010 HBCU NFL Draft Board (1-6)
1. Kenrick Ellis 6-5, 340 DT Hampton
AP/FCS All-American, All-MEAC, 34 solo, 15TFL, 2 sacks
2. Clifford Eugene 6’1, 198 CB Tenn State
FCS All-American, 3x All-OVC, 4 Ints, 14 PDs
3. Johnny Culbreath 6’5, 285 OT SC State
AP/FCS All-American, 2x All-MEAC
4. Derrin Nettles 6’6, 320 DT Morehouse
AFCA All-American, All-SIAC,37 solo, 23 TFL, 14.5 sacks
5. Ibrahim Abdulai 6’3, 282 DT Ark-PB
All-SWAC, 31 solo, 18 TFL, 7.5 sacks
6. Frank Warren 5’10, 195 RB Grambling
FCS All-American, 2010 SWAC Offensive POY,
1,592 yd rushing, 3rd in NCAA
http://www.hbcuclassics.com
Go Falcons
January 21st, 2011
7:46 pm
With Gonzalez coming back. are the Falcons going to throw the ball to him? He caught 70 passes, more than 30 less than Roddy White. ARe you kidding me?
Great News
January 21st, 2011
7:51 pm
Tony G thanks for coming back Matt and the rest of the team really need you,the best tight end to ever play in the NFL
David
January 21st, 2011
7:58 pm
Please get some DBs At least 6ft tall and get rid of the midget Grimes and the Bum Robinson
D. Orlando Ledbetter
January 21st, 2011
8:02 pm
hbcuclassics — Give me the wide out low down. Looking for the next Jacoby Jones (Lane) or Stallworth (Ala A&M) .
Pat
January 21st, 2011
8:09 pm
Dude’s a freak.
JSS
January 21st, 2011
8:09 pm
@ HBCU…
Chris Bell, Chris Bell, and more Chris Bell – Norfolk State and the kid at Alabama A&M – Thomas Harris!
Do you disagree?
JSS
January 21st, 2011
8:15 pm
Is Bell still on the Saints roster by the way? Where did Harris end up?
Marko
January 21st, 2011
8:17 pm
Thank you.
Sid
January 21st, 2011
8:24 pm
Good deal Tony G. We look forward to seeing you in the Super Bowl………..!!!
fanATicaL
January 21st, 2011
8:24 pm
I agree DLed that wide reciever to stretch the defense.Definitely a need also.With Tony declaring and early,gives TDimitroff and company one less decision to plan for.I would now like to start a campaign.To have a free agency Ga homecoming.To have Champ Bailey and Richard Seymour added to our playoff team.
Go Falcons
Larry
January 21st, 2011
8:31 pm
Of course the $5.75 million never factored into his decision, right?
Birdseed
January 21st, 2011
8:31 pm
Fcuking Falcons.
drmondo
January 21st, 2011
8:40 pm
Glad to hear about Gonzo. Please talk to him about adding him to the coaching staff when he does finally retire.
It’s time to light a fire under Mularkey. Figure out a way to open up the offense so we can compete with high-scoring teams. Use screen passes more than once a millenium. Get Douglas involved in the passing game or replace him with a better player if he doesn’t cut the mustard. Roddy is a great player. Jenkins is a role player who blocks well but won’t take pressure off of RW. You need a deep threat who can scare opponents.
On D, we need a pass rush that doesn’t depend entirely on one player. Beirmann didn’t live up to expectations, but has promise. Jerry may not be completely 100% after his injury. Sidbury was inactive for most of the season. Jamaal Anderson is decent against the run but a no-show as a pass rusher. SS Babineaux is solid. Get us a good free agent DE or OLB who can rush the passer. Our secondary was improved but not amazing. Grimes plays with a ton of heart and athleticism but has the handicap of being 5′9″, maybe. Robinson got the big contract but didn’t have a huge impact. At least talk to Nnamdi A from Oakland. If you can sign him then either Robinson or Grimes can be our nickleback and we never have to see Owens lose another game for us again. (No, he isn’t the only one to blame for our horiible playoff loss, but he did more than anyone else on that field to lose that game. He gave up a couple of TDs, got how many penalties called against him and generally played like a scared, unintelligent rabbit).
Like many long-time fans who suffered through the 80’s to the present, the current regime looked like they moved the franchise forward into the realm of respectability. That’s why the Packers game hurts so much. We believed in this team more than ever before, only to have the rug pulled out from beneath us. Please show us this isn’t the same old Falcons. Have a franchise-record 4th winning season in a row followed by at least ONE playoff win. After sticking through all the 3-13, Dave Archer, BJ Tolliver, Jeff George, MV-off-the-field-circus, Eugene Robinson-gotta-have-a-hooker-before-the-SB teams don’t we deserve better?
1eyedJack
January 21st, 2011
8:41 pm
Finest kind.
Falcon James
January 21st, 2011
8:54 pm
This is the best news since we learned the falcon had clinched the playoff!!!!
Ron Choke Mexico
January 21st, 2011
9:02 pm
drmondo,
Brent Grimes, CB: After winning the starting job on the left side over Brian Williams in training camp, Grimes has his most productive year. The undrafted defensive back had 87 tackles and 5 INTs and 23 passes defended – a league best.
drmondo
January 21st, 2011
9:06 pm
Ron, I love Grimes and think he’d probably beat out Robinson for the other starting spot opposite Nnamdi. He does have a handicap, though in being short for a CB. I just want us to have 3 or more starting-caliber CBs on the team to deal with teams like GB and NO who have 3-4 good receivers. I definitely don’t want to see Owens on the field again.
billcanoe
January 21st, 2011
9:18 pm
Tony – Thanks for coming back – that’s really good news!
david
January 21st, 2011
9:33 pm
who cares until we get an OC who opens it up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Singletary
January 21st, 2011
9:33 pm
Tony G is the man. I can’t imagine how much stress this puts on his body, but I do think he’s our best shot AND our best coach for the up’n'coming TEs.
buddy roe
January 21st, 2011
9:55 pm
Tony G. go to another team with a great offensive scheme and a real contender. The falcons still have a lot of work to do. It does not matter if the Falcons bring in another WR to stretch the field. They said they were going to work on throwing down field this past off season. Nothing has change this season (32nd in the league in passes 20 plus yard down field).
Lesa
January 21st, 2011
9:55 pm
So glad #88 will be back for another season!!
Saints1Fan
January 21st, 2011
10:05 pm
Welcome back, Tony. You are great tight end.
Ted Striker
January 21st, 2011
10:13 pm
Glad Gonzalez is returning. Too bad he stooped to the Jim Rome show though.
Tim Parker
January 21st, 2011
10:22 pm
I’m glad he’s returning, but picking 27th TE Kyle Rudolph is not a stretch by any means. Gonzales can coach-up the rookie and help extend Gonzo’s career while being groomed as an eventual replacement.
Falcon 2012
January 21st, 2011
10:31 pm
Thanks Tony..Now lets get ready to kick A@@ in 2012….Go Falcons!!!!!!!!!!!
C
January 21st, 2011
10:33 pm
Great news! TG is still a beast! Go Falcons!
Greg
January 21st, 2011
10:34 pm
Yes. Great news! Gonzales is on that does not care about stats. His concern now is TEAM..Together Everyone Achieves More!!! He wants a Super Bowl and did not want to go out how Falcons went out against Packers. He will work harder in the off season. Mr. Blank, now go complete the defense and go get that deep threat WR that will open up R. White and open the run game. Offense has to mix it up. We have to run more screens, draws and reverses. Go Falcons!
nes
January 21st, 2011
10:35 pm
Great news about Gonzales returning! However, we still need a second tight end who can run fast and get separation to stretch the field against the 7-8 in the box opposing defenses are throwing at the Falcons’ offense. He doesn’t need to be a starter, just a excellent receiving tight end who can come in on 2nd-3rd down and long and make the 20-30 yard routes, Falcons can even use the two tight end sets they love to run from, why not fake the run and throw to a fast tight end for a change! First, must draft a 4-5th round tight end to mainly catch and run! Watch the tight ends the Patriots have, that tight end Hernandez is exactly the type we need here.
Also, on QB coach Musgrave leaving, there is more to this situation than meets the eye. He didn’t leave to go after another challenge as it wasn’t finished here in Atlanta. Has to be the type of play-calling by Mularky, plus Coach Smith’s game plans that had to get under Musgrave’s skin, after all, all of us falcon fans can see this every Sunday during the season. Here is the prime example i’m talking about, the ultra conservative game plan with no changes what so ever, and no imagination using mis-direction plays, screens, or reverses against the Packers after having an extra week to add these new dimensions to the offense speaks volumes why Musgrave left. Even the defense had no new wrinkles or schemes to use against the Packers with that extra week off! Falcons did nothing–absolutely nothing different to offset the Packers game, what a shame. Is it Ryan choking or is it the coaches choking??? Musgrave should have replaced Mularky and Coach Smith should not be given an extension on his contract until we win in the playoffs! that is what really matters–yet no proof in the pudding as they say!
hind tit
January 21st, 2011
10:39 pm
Any team left in the playoffs would take Grimes in a heartbeat. He makes up for his lack of height with tight coverage and nose for the ball and is only going to get better. I wish all our db had the desire this kid has.
Please Gonzalez RETIRE!
January 21st, 2011
10:59 pm
I was hoping he would retire because it going to be the same offense like this year. Ryan is going throwing it to him and Roddy White. SAME FALCONS
count_schemula
January 21st, 2011
11:13 pm
Now get Leonard Hankerson as a #2 WR.
The Boss
January 21st, 2011
11:26 pm
Anyone posting “Please Gonzalez retire” is not fit to breath oxygen on this planet!
cantondawg
January 21st, 2011
11:33 pm
The Boss,
Anyone posting “Please Gonzalez retire” would obviously be a Saints, Bucs or Panther fan
Mac
January 21st, 2011
11:44 pm
DAM..I hoped he would retire!
Tweets that mention Tony Gonzalez is set to return and earn his $5.75 million | Atlanta Falcons -- Topsy.com
January 21st, 2011
11:45 pm
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BAMA
January 22nd, 2011
12:09 am
BAMA
January 22nd, 2011
12:11 am
I’m glad he’s coming back. Maybe Matty Ice will throw it to him instead of the D next year in the playoffs.
Red Dog 77
January 22nd, 2011
12:44 am
Me? I love TG……….but 5.75 mil is alot of clams. I would thank Tony, rely on Peele and draft a young TE freeing up enough money to buy a speedster who can stretch the field………But thats just me, I play with my head and not my heart………..Same would go for Chipper with the Braves…….General managers who have proved they are not afraid to let the “old” legends of the game go for the sake of youth, usually end up the winners………Save your big bucks for something you don’t have……………But I gotta say “love ya Tony, you’re the best “………..RED
fedup
January 22nd, 2011
6:10 am
red dog u said it all, even the tired coaching could use a shaking up , get agressive in play calling , same of offense for 7 yrs and counting. learn to use all players so when your key player are shut down, we don’t have to here the same old speech, of not playing yours best , or we are better team than that, ……….we’ve been waiting now play some real football,,………….just banking on a run game,,,,,,,,,,,Cmon man if its not there then game plan where is the element of surprise…………
Oh thats right we don’t have one
HJones
January 22nd, 2011
6:15 am
Nothing will change until the Atlanta Falcons hire a new Offensive Coordinator. Last in the NFL for plays over 20 yards! Next to last in the NFL for passes over 20 yards. Unacceptable!!!
Paddy
January 22nd, 2011
6:29 am
David……I don’t understand your position on Grimes. He had a Pro Bowl Year! What more can you ask of this guy? Glad TD is calling the shots and not you or no one would be good enough to suit up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ATL Fan
January 22nd, 2011
7:51 am
Way to go Gonzo!!! Or should that be way to stay…Let’s get Nnamdi Asomugha too. That will leave us needing:
1) another DE pass rusher
2) a spread-the-defense #2 WR
3) a speedy tail back that can catch the ball out of the backfield
and
4) a DT that can bulldoze his way to the QB.
ATL Fan
January 22nd, 2011
7:55 am
To me, Grimes appeared to be our best CB. Sorry Dunta, I’m just sayin’.
Finchdawg
January 22nd, 2011
8:00 am
Thanks, Tony! Great news! We’re so glad to have you in Atlanta!
geno
January 22nd, 2011
8:07 am
retire…
geno
January 22nd, 2011
8:16 am
now………….
geno
January 22nd, 2011
8:19 am
why
geno
January 22nd, 2011
8:20 am
why didnt the falcons
David
January 22nd, 2011
8:23 am
Paddy, The BIG reciever eat’s Grimes for lunch. I would like to see bigger and more agressive DBs
grizzybear
January 22nd, 2011
8:25 am
it is great to have toni back, he adds alot to the team and is a class act on and off the field!
BUCK NAKED
January 22nd, 2011
8:35 am
Will comeback in 2012 after the lockout is the real question?
Root of Problem
January 22nd, 2011
8:46 am
Thanks Ms. Gonzalez…and you too Tony.
Everyone seems to agree that Mularky is known as an aggressive, innovative OC and play caller. Most seem to agree that his play calling in Atlanta is very very conservative; vanilla at best. Is anyone asking WHY?
Did Smitty ask Mularky to dumb down the system? If so WHY? I can’t see Mularky consistently calling such painfully conservative games unless he had the approval or at least the acquiescence of Coach Smith. So…it seems obvious that Smitty was on board the “3 yards and a cloud of dust train”. Why?
I mean MATTY ICE is supposed to be a very smart QB. If the coaches felt that Matty was capable of running a more complex offense why wouldn’t they have installed one.
Who is the culprit? Coach Smith? Smitty and Mularky combo is the most likely scenario. Why? They have NO ACTUAL CONFIDENCE in Matty’s abilities. They drafted him….they are STUCK with him and his (lack of) abilities.
If someone else has a better explanation for the horrifically predictable play calling and total lack of pregame AND in game adjustments please explain it to me.
nes
January 22nd, 2011
9:12 am
Root of Problem has hit the nail on the head! Just read my previous blog before his. There is something bad wrong and if it is QB Ryan and that noodle arm of his, then back to the drawing board. It made me sick in the game against the Packers to watch Ryan Underthrow an open Jenkins in the end zoneon a pass of 20-25 yards, not only cost us a touchdown but gave the ball to the Packers via interception! Ryan should have zipped that ball not floated it. There is the question, does all his passes have to be timing routes because he cannot zip passes into tight spaces like Rodgers of the Packers, other better QBs’ do? The game plan is getting boring and even the sports announcers are all starting to say the falcons are one dimensional and Boring! No wonder QB coach Musgrave left, got out before this team implodes next year to around 9-7 record!!!
Chaos
January 22nd, 2011
9:13 am
thanks to Gonzo we are built for the long haul now lets fix the team up for the short season, the Playoffs! Go Falcons! most post here seem to hit the nail on the head so I know TD and Mr. Smith can see it and they will be planning to be better next year….
nes
January 22nd, 2011
9:15 am
To add to my prediction on record next year, heck the falcons could even have a losing record of 7-9 since all the teams in the NFC South will be much improved! Also, we won’t be as lucky with winning 6 games in 4th quarter again.
woodie
January 22nd, 2011
9:16 am
Chris Owens = Brooks Conrad
Smiling Jack
January 22nd, 2011
9:19 am
@drmondo to answer your last question….no! We don’t deserve any better than we got this year. But, we do expect a better year next season. Go Falcons…great efforts on and off the field by so many, but just two games short of the big prize. However, even if the Falcons had won the next two games this post season, the deserving yappers would still complain…FIRE THE COACH! Sad.
Smiling Jack
January 22nd, 2011
9:21 am
By the way, thanks Tony G for coming back next year.
nes
January 22nd, 2011
9:22 am
Mr. Arthur Blank, i hear you read these blogs to get feedback from the fans! Well i implore you to take heed in most of them as this team has had same problems for 3 years now, what ifs don’t cut it anymore. Our Falcons are looking more and more like the Boring Jaguars every season, loads of potential but no promised land! Just think of this one, LB Mathews starting for Green Bay, we took Jeria Perry who had an injury history plus was too old at 25 to be drafted as a first round pick! Better start asking tough questions about these kind of personnel decisions or it is going to be another 3 years of same old song and dance!
Mr. D
January 22nd, 2011
9:24 am
Drmundo I agree with you 100%. In order for us to go to the next level our OC has to open up the playbook. We have to get a speed receiver and a change of pace running back in the off season. Speed kills in this league. Lets go after the corner from Oakland to improve our secondary and use Grimes as the nickel. I believe that would drastically help our secondary. Lastly give Abraham some help and go after the best DE we can get so that we can put pressure on oppossing QB’s.
nes
January 22nd, 2011
9:25 am
oh yea, meant to say, we drafted Perry one slot ahead of Mathews, yes we could have had Mathews right here in Atlanta!
The Truth
January 22nd, 2011
9:42 am
$5 million a year! This is a slap in the face, an insult, how can anybody live on this? Pretty funny, but wait a minute, the $ucker fan$ will pay for this..laughing out loud.
michael
January 22nd, 2011
9:45 am
Fact- It took until the third quarter in the playoff game before the Falcons threw their first pass to Gonzo. The play calling was absolutely horrific!
willie
January 22nd, 2011
10:00 am
No we just need Arthur to take Steve Smith to Bones and get ‘er done.
Falcon Law
January 22nd, 2011
10:01 am
I’m glad Gonzo his back, that will help the offense. Speaking of his 5.75 Mil, that’s part of his remaining contract when he was traded to us. So it’s not a new deal, just the money he is owed. And I feel that he deserves it. Go FALCONS!!!!
No hope now
January 22nd, 2011
10:08 am
People do not be naive. GONZO CAME BACK FOR THE MONEY. If we go 9-7 or 8-8 next year NO PLAYOFFS. Then Im sorry gonzo is gonna retire no matter the fact of him still being able to play. He says he feels like hes 30. He still has a good 3-4 years in him. You jut have to work around him, say way with brett favre. No.1 we won’t be able to sign Nnamdi and KEEP GRIMES. Grimes just played better than Dunta and Grimes WILL WANT HIS MONEY AND WILL WANT TO START. Only way you get nnamdi is letting Grimes go in Free agency and spending the money to keep grimes ON NNAMDI. No. 3, this offense has to open up. If the coaching staff said in the off-season last year that they would open up the offense, then that is a slap in the face to the fans AND NO WONDER MUSGRAVE WALKED. Hes the guy we should’ve kept but maybe he saw that the offense will never reach its potential and decided to call his own plays.
Its done man, Im starting to think it isn’t all murlarkeys fault the more I think about it. Smitty might be telling him to dumb it down, WHO KNOWS. All I know is Ryans rookie year IS THE BEST YEAR OF OUR OFFENSE AND BIG PLAYS. Ryan was slinging it his rookie year. After that its been less big plays. The offense is getting worse people. That tells you right there its a scheme problem. Our best year of the offense and we didn’t even have gonzo. HOW DO YOU HAVE 6 PRO BOWLERS ON OFFENSE AND FINISH 16TH IN TOTAL YARDS????? For that is the question, this offense needs to become more explosive. Im already pissed, but if Musgrave goes over there to the vikes and turn them into a top 5 OFFENSE. Falcon fans are gonna raid the georgia dome and take over this team ourselves.
Thomas
January 22nd, 2011
10:55 am
Consistent player. Need several more of these on a good ball team. Greatness has still eluded the Falcons franchise for many seasons but maybe they are on the way to attaining that status over the next few years. Falcons fan since 1966. GO FALCONS, make some serious moves to GREATNESS!
Dandy Don
January 22nd, 2011
11:33 am
Whatever happened to Harry “Houdini” Douglas. Oh, seems like he disappeared.
JD
January 22nd, 2011
11:36 am
HBCU – we need a couple of those hogs on the lines, lets hope our draft team is on it.
joe
January 22nd, 2011
12:02 pm
Overrated. Time to retire. He will hurt the Falcons more than help.
The Real Falcon
January 22nd, 2011
12:30 pm
We now have time to draft a pass catching tight end in the second round of the draft. He can step in in 2012. Use the first rounder for a DE. Sign a FA WR and CB.
SeenThisB4
January 22nd, 2011
12:43 pm
Gonzalez has lost not one, but two steps in his ability to break away from linebacker coverage and blocking ability, that’s why he was insignificant against the Saints in the second game, and in the playoffs.
Keeping him is a waste of roster space and salary, but it is good Public Relations for the falcan’ts and a symbol for the rest of the Social Security crowd.
fanATicaL
January 22nd, 2011
1:16 pm
For those of you who think that Matts first was his best.You are aware that every game you play gives other teams tape.They are game planning just as we are.How can you dumb an offensive game plan .If you are adding plays every week ? Even if they are not adding plays,is it possible you are limited to the athleticism of the players on your team ? Why call a draw play or an sweep if you don’t have the speed guy for it ? It is the coaches job to put the team in its best position to win games.We won 13 out of 16.Whether you believe it requires luck.Which some people believe thier is so much parity in the league.That to win games it may require a bit of luck.No matter how much preparation.Or we played or was coached up for those wins.What we have learned this season is we do have a good team,also good coaching.From top to bottom great balance.The stats show from pass to run ,balance.
The difference between the Falcons and the top 4 teams is the adage.Offense wins games but defense wins championships.You have to be able to stop the other offense.The loss of Brian Williams was major.Chris Owens hasnot and wasnot ready for the nickel coverage.Which was like a domino effect for the rest of the defense.Our rookies like Weatherspoon,Jerry,Peters,Moore,Franks.All showed promise but not dominating. yet.Just like a third year quarterback, who is improving.Are we asking too much or a lot when they dont make the Superbowl ?
Yeah I know I’m rambling.But when you hear fans complain about 2 weeks to prepare.Or thier answer to one loss is to fire Malarkey,Van Gorder or even Mike Smith(who is coach of the year according Sporting News). Craziness .Isnot continuity part of the success equation ? If the team is getting better every year and there is progression.As fans what more should we ask for ? 2 games away from the Superbowl.Looking forward to this offseason and the moves TD sees fit to make. Obviously,the players believe in this team.No Bret Favre move for TG.Will the rest of our free agents do the same.Grimes,Petersen,Nicholas,Redman,Clabo,Dahl,Finneran,Blalock,BWilliams,Koenen,and Matt Bryant.Most maynot read this I’m just a Falcons fan.Thinking Big
Go Falcons
BirdDog
January 22nd, 2011
1:44 pm
Great news! TG is a beast. He could probably play another 5 years if he wanted to.
Big A
January 22nd, 2011
2:18 pm
Falcon either lost or just barely beat any good team they played last year! The playoffs exposed how mediocre this team really is and the formula to beat them came out in Saints game, shut down run, take away Thuggy White and Gonzalez, and then watch Matty Melt! Falcons blew their best chance e er to go anywhere this year, but in typical Atlanta sports fashion, got embarrassed in the end. Congratulations on biggest margin of defeat by a #1 seed in a game where starters were even pulled in 4th qtr! That’s so embarrassing, never seen a playoff game where they actually pulled starters, lol.
Big A
January 22nd, 2011
2:23 pm
Great new Gonzalez is coming back, this assures the same losing offensive formula will remain in place and Falcons will not be a factor again in post season!
1911A1
January 22nd, 2011
3:18 pm
Awesome news!
stendek
January 22nd, 2011
3:21 pm
Hi Mr Ledbetter. If all the Falcons possessed the youthful enthusiasm of Tony Gonzalez the team would be unbeatable! I really admire and respect this athlete. My favorite Falcon bar none. Much as Johan Moose Hedberg was my fav Thrasher. Falcon players have facial expressions of Mark Richt. Space cadet demeanors personified! TG brings a shot of much needed vitality. Proud superstar will be back. Hope Falcons utilize his talents. Do not believe they will. I am hopeful however. GO PACKERS!
STENDEK
Report: Tony Gonzalez will return to Falcons in 2011 for 15th NFL season | Falcons Central
January 22nd, 2011
3:37 pm
[...] contemplating whether or not he should call it a career. According to D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Gonzalez’s public relations representative, Denise White confirmed that the future Hall of [...]
Still won't make a difference
January 22nd, 2011
3:47 pm
Won’t matter for this pathetic franchise…
Hey, TG, you should just retire like Brett Fart…no chance for a Ring….
all the best,
# 1 FALCLOWN fan
F-Troop
January 22nd, 2011
4:28 pm
Thank you! We need Tony G.
@ drmondo – you are just about 100% correct in your assessment. Dimitroff wants to speak with you on line 1.
FalconsFan284
January 22nd, 2011
4:40 pm
With Gonzo, back in the fold, let’s go out and get Braylon Edwards to replace Mike Jenkins as our number 2 receiver. The Jets won’t be able to keep both he and Holmes but Edwards answers Atlanta’s offensive need better then just about anyone else. Unless we decide to make a play for a Vincent Jackson.
I’m not sure what defensive ends are going to be eligible for free agency but perhaps we should look at one of the guys in New York. Umeniora would be a great fit and plays opposite of Abe. If we can get someone like that then we won’t have to worry about having a rookie playing immediately for a team close to a long playoff run.
littlebirdwithonewing
January 22nd, 2011
5:53 pm
You people picking on Grimes because of his size . . . he at least will hit and tackle (if) he gets beat where others just get beat and watch the receiver go! His nose for the ball is second to none and he CAN go get it. He is the one that DESERVES the BIG money on defense. Dunta showed me nothing that we haven’t seen before ala PRIMETIME . . . all talk!
Paddy
January 22nd, 2011
5:56 pm
David…..I don’t know! The Falcons played teams all year with tall receivers and Grimes still was better than almost all cb’s in the league. I’ll tell you what, lets wait till next year and have this discussion. I like him alot, you, not so much.
hbcuclassics
January 22nd, 2011
7:54 pm
2011 HBCU Draft Board – WRs (1-5)
1. Raymond Webber 6′2, 218 WR Ark-PB
AP/FCS All-American, Walter Payton Award Finalist
led NCAA 101 rec. 1,429yds 10TDs 129.9ypg.
only receiver w/ more receptions is Jerry Rice.
Coach: Monte Coleman (don’t be stupid on this one)
2. Ricardo Lockette, 6′3, 199 WR/KR FVSU
2009 DII 200 Meter Champion
23 rec./232 yds. 4.39-4.41/40yd. dash
Mentor: Terrence Mathis – track guy
3. Ronnie Childs 6′2 195 WR Albany State
BASN All-American, All-SIAC, SIAC Champ 11-1
45 rec./ 22ypc./12TDs – (all he does is catch TDs)
4. Jeremy Franklin 6′3, 199 WR/KR JC Smith
3x All-CIAA, JC Smith All-time leading receiver
55 rec/823 yds/5 TDs – fierce, beats up DBs.
5. Larrone Moore 6′0, 185 WR/KR Delaware St.
25 rec. 450yds 4TDs, 18.8ypc – another track guy
2x Maryland 4A 100m champ, 55m Maryland State champ
4.29-4.36/ 40yd dash (has Deion-like speed)
http://www.hbcuclassics.com
KEV
January 22nd, 2011
8:19 pm
10-12 win seasons are nice but we need to win some Super Bowls. Like 3-4 of them.
count_schemula
January 22nd, 2011
10:20 pm
Don’t sleep on Leonard Hankerson as our #2 WR.
Give me a Break
January 22nd, 2011
11:37 pm
Who is going to leave 5.75 mill on the table?
Chucktown38
January 23rd, 2011
12:11 am
Its simple people TD need to draft or sign FA IMPACT players quit with this Kid has potential crap, you know who from what college.BIG TIME PLAYERS FROM BIG TIME SCHOOLS.
Not a Falcon fan
January 23rd, 2011
12:35 am
Does it really matter who plays next year for the Falcons? This season should have taught fans a lesson. No matter what happens during the season, in the end it’s still the same old Falcons. I have been saying this for years. Instead of “Rise Up” it should have been “Next Year”.
Cambridge Falcon
January 23rd, 2011
10:02 am
Regarding the comments on our offense: I agree, too predictable and not enough flash and/or misdirection. The better defensive teams with higher levels of talent in the defensive coordinators (Packers, Steelers, Eagles etc) know what’s coming and know how to gameplan against it.
I do believe, however, that what is happening in Atlanta is the building of a foundation. If you take the points scored over the season, game for game, and build a trendline you will see that is heading upward (I did this in excel, doesn’t take very long) from near 24 pts per game 27. Admittedly, that’s not a huge improvement but it is an improvement. Interestingly, the points allowed also improved, moving from 19 pts let up per game to around 17.
I’m hopeful that the overall plan in Atlanta, if you step back and take the high-level view, is that the team is building a base or foundation from which it can now add complexity but to which it can return to at any moment. Consider, as fellow fans who watched all the games this season, how well this offense operates when Atlanta has the lead. The long, grinding drives, short and efficient passes, little room for mistakes. There is no better design for an offense that is ahead than what ATL has created and grown.
But this alone is not enough and I, like all of you, hope that the next steps are taken from this point forward. With this style of play we can find ourselves winning a lot of close ones but if we run into turnover trouble early and get behind 2 scores, there’s a high likelihood that we’re getting blown out. (Eagles game showed this very well and, of course, our poor performance against GB)
We have an excellent foundation and can play well when ahead using only this formula. We are amongst the best at controlling the clock with minimal mistakes. We need to add the ability to score quickly and elements of misdirection to our offense (these will likely be co-joined, one may imply the other).
Gonzalez 4 Eva
January 23rd, 2011
10:57 am
http://isportsweb.com/2011/01/23/tony-gonzalez-to-return-in-2011/
old man
January 23rd, 2011
11:15 am
I’ve been thinking about this sudden avalanche of Ryan criticism. People look at the per attempt yards and the low number of long plays and suddenly Ryan is “noodle arm.”
I never played and never coached, but here’s my take on this. The coaches clearly had a ball control offensive theme. The problem, though, was that Ryan was too good at following his progressions, and in particular was too good at executing the first of his assigned progressions, which was invariably a quick out to Roddy, who exacerbated the problem by being equally good at getting open on the quick out and making unbelievable catches of unbelievable throws. So Ryan executed a lot of his high percentage, low-yardage assignments. Gonzalez usually had some kind of blocking assignment before running his route, so he would be the second or third progression on a lot of plays, hence he was underutilized.
Sometimes, the short completion is the play to make. But other times the flow of momentum, or tendencies of certain defensive backs might dictate that you skip the open short pass and allow your options to progress, including the third and fourth options, which might be deeper, longer developing routes. My guess is that a lot of great QBs do that. (When Peyton or Brady pump fake to a receiver running a shorter route, I’ll bet some of those are make-able throws, but they know that the circumstances dictate that a higher-return option is likely to open up.) They also know that their last option is going to be a pretty reliable check-down throw to their running back, which is a security blanket that Ryan did not have on most plays. For Ryan, his last realistic progression was a low-percentage deep route, not a high percentage check-down running back, so this would only increase your motivation to take the first open receiver–almost always the quick out, and almost always Roddy.
The problem was that Ryan did not take the initiative of deviating from his precise assignments on pass plays, or that he was over-coached to the point that he felt like he could not.
Does Ryan have the strongest arm in the league? No. Is he in the top third or so in arm strength? I think so. Does arm strength have much to do with the low yards per pass or the paucity of long pass plays? Nope.
old man
January 23rd, 2011
11:20 am
I will add that in terms of passing accuracy and precision, Ryan is in a pretty small group at the top of the league. Almost every throw of his which was not on the hands or between the numbers was, when you looked at the replay, intentionally thrown to avoid a LB or DB.
Singletary
January 23rd, 2011
3:55 pm
I like it. Old Man. We often think of progressions as discards, but maybe they are circle backs.
mj
January 23rd, 2011
5:31 pm
third string QB gets the Bears within 7. Wake up Falcons, get the defense in playoff caliber. Corners, Coordinator and DE. Can’t win without those three filled.
CONservative Johnson
January 23rd, 2011
6:10 pm
This 3rd string is stepping up in the pocket, which was one of the things Matt Ryan didn’t do last week . . .
CONservative Johnson
January 23rd, 2011
6:15 pm
Coaching finishes the Bears off. Why not use your last time out on 4th down when you have a 3rd string QB?
PlanB
January 23rd, 2011
6:43 pm
I’ve been a fan forever and sorry to say, this team needs help. Matt is good but can’t whip the ball like Rodgers or move up for a 2nd look or a run. C Owens is last years C. Houston. He killed us.We need help in so many places to be a contender. We’ve got a lot of good guys but hurt in so many critical areas. Grimes height is not one of the problems. Give me 4 of him anytime.
We can’t get it all in the draft. We need at least 2 good FA’s. I hoped when I read a coach is leaving that it was MM. Should maybe go to a 3-4 on D. Team is going in the right direction tho.
I’m probably droping my football package here in Durham, NC (moved from Gainesville) due to the big letdown with GB and catch them in the playoffs next year. I’ll still catch Falcon games on the Sun. nite or Mon. nite or Thurs. nite and the 2 games with Carolina and read what you guys want in the draft.
GO FALCONS!!!!!!!
Conservative HC
January 23rd, 2011
7:23 pm
Man don’t anyone care about that old, quick sand, running in-place Tony Gonzalez. This team better use one of the younger TEs. That’s the problem with this HC now…he act like he’s stuck in the 70s. Talking about seniority on the team and all that garbage. You put the BEST player on the field. PERIOD!
Conservative HC
January 23rd, 2011
7:35 pm
Oh, but wait a minute…Dimitroff hasn’t put any good players on the field. He insists on going to these small midwestern schools that don’t have any impact players–or anyone that has championship experience. I’m not convince this guy knows what he’s doing as a GM–or scout.
Conservative HC
January 23rd, 2011
7:37 pm
Also, save that $5.75M for players who are hungry to get on the field and make an impact.
McBubba
January 23rd, 2011
8:34 pm
Birds need a deep threat..I’m thinking Sidney RIce…White/Rice…Ice to Rice…
GIT-R-DONE T.D.!
GO BIRDS!!
Mitun
January 24th, 2011
1:51 am
would some of y’all just shut up already, I mean whatever happen to Falcons in the playoff is in the past now, not all the team can win all of them. This is a young team and we needed Tony Gonzalez as our TE cause needed some weapons for the passing game other than Roddy White because you can’t rely on Jenkins a whole lot and I don’t know about the other receivers but as of right now Matty Ice can only throw to White and Gonzalez manly.
I believe in this team and it would take time for us to get a ring and the Lombardi trophy. we just need to add some more weapons and get better in our defense and we are set.