Falcons’ tight end history vs. Tony Gonzalez
Falcons acquired tight end Tony Gonzalez from the Kansas City Chiefs for a second round pick in 2010. (Curtis Compton / ccompton@ajc.com)
The addition of tight end Tony Gonzalez gives quarterback Matt Ryan another solid target to complement Michael Turner and Roddy White on the Falcons offense, which ranked sixth overall last season.
Gonzalez, who’s entering the third year of a five-year, $35 million contract extension that he signed with the Chiefs in 2007, will cost the Falcons $6.5 million in 2009, $7 million in 2010 and $8.25 million in 2011 under the salary cap.
Gonzalez, 33, caught 96 passes for 1,058 yards and 10 touchdowns last season for Kansas City. The future Hall of Famer owns NFL career records for tight ends with receptions (916), yards receiving (10,940), receiving touchdowns (76) and 100-yard receiving games (26).
When his time is over in Atlanta, how will his time in a Falcons jersey compare to others who’ve donned the Red and Black?
Jim Mitchell spent 11 seasons in Atlanta from 1969-1979. The two-time Pro Bowl tight end played in 155 games with 305 receptions for 4,358 receiving yards and 28 touchdowns.
Loading ...Junior Miller was the 7th overall pick of the 1980 NFL Draft by the Falcons. Miller played four seasons in Atlanta, and was a member of the 1980 squad that had a club-record 12 wins and won the NFC Western Division title. He led the team in touchdown receptions that season with nine. The two-time Pro Bowl tight end had 1,328 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns as a Falcon.
Arizona head coach Ken Whisenhunt began his playing career with Atlanta in 1985. He lined up for the Falcons in 55 games, notching 56 receptions for 551 yards and five touchdowns.
A member of the 1998 NFC title team, O.J. Santiago had 819 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in three seasons in Atlanta.
Brian Kozlowski played for seven seasons in Atlanta. Alongside Santiago for three of those years he had 891 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. He went to Super Bowl XXXIII with the team and caught one pass for five yards.
In 108 games as a Falcon, Alge Crumpler had 316 receptions for 4,212 yards and 35 touchdowns. He was a four-time Pro Bowl selection and two-time All Pro while in Atlanta.
Where do you think Gonzalez will fall in this crowd? Or will he surpass them all?
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61 comments Add your comment
Bigmac2058
May 17th, 2009
1:41 pm
First, Matty Ice was a rookie last year. When you compare him to other rookies he didn’t fair so bad. I have a lot of confidence in TD and Smith to continue building the program into a established program. In doing so the imediate and longterm future in ATL looks bright. The problem with Vick was he was a good runner and mild/medium passer. He did bring folks back to support the Falcons after they hadn’t been a real threat in the playoffs since 98. As a football coach myself, Vick was extremly unpredictable and made it real hard for lineman to know which way to block due to unpredicability. Although it was an asset at times it also disrupted the whole offense leading often sacks or turnovers. The main thing ATL needs is consistancy. Vick brought the running game(which ATL was already good at due to the hiring of a former Broncos lineman coach during the Reeves Era). Hopfully with the addition of Gonzo,Turner/Norwood as a good running attack and the Emergance of some really talented young WRs the falcons can play with anyone. My main concern is that Atl really focuses on the big D. As we all know that offence wins games, but DEFENCE wins CHAMPIONSHIPS!!
GO FALCONS!!!
Vick Supporter
May 17th, 2009
2:02 pm
RABBIDAWG, (LOL, what a dumb ass name) here’s my post: “The Trurth Comes Out, sorry man. I used to be a falcons fan until I saw how the “fans” turned their backs on him. I understand being upset about the dogfighting, but for fans to say he never did anything positive for the franchise and all of a sudden he’s the “worst qb ever” rubbed me the wrong way. That’s why I say F the Falcons. I feel like Mr.Blank did what he had to do as far as getting a QB. It’s you fans that have ruined alot of people’s fellings about the Falcons due to your ignorance and racist statements/thoughts.”
As you can see, I never criticized the Falcons for cutting ties with Vick. Open you broke a$$ eyes and learn to read.
Vick 09
Bigmac2058
May 17th, 2009
4:41 pm
Hey VS. “I used to be a falcons fan until I saw how the “fans” turned their backs on him.” Don’t blame the falcons for their dissapointment in a man who was the FACE of the team. With great gifts come great responsibility. When Vick became a falcon I was playing football as a senior in high schoo. Now as a football coach myself, I understand more about how players, coaches, and the community view players as a leader in the school, in public, and how they are a reflection of both.Its a team game. Thats the biggest problem that Vick had. He was an unbelievable talent, but I would doubt many teams are going to take a chance on him at QB. If anyone takes him it will be at reciever or on speical teams. I don’t think he has the leadership qualities to play such an important position. Rather, as a WR he can be a T.O. and still be a productive player. Character is a huge part of what makes a leader. If you have watched both the draft and any college football signing folks like TD are not only at what players do on the field but the character they display as leaders on and off the field. I hope that Vick has turned over a new leaf.
Vick Supporter
May 17th, 2009
6:32 pm
Bigmac2058, I guess you’re another one who didn’t read my post. I said “THE FANS”, not “THE FALCONS”. Read the post man. Yes, Vick failed off the field, but it’s unfair for you to say that he wasn’t a leader on the field. Dude, for one, you wasn’t there, so neither one of us can say if he was a leader or not. You’re just like the rest of the falcons “fans”..you make judgements from afar…..I bet you the team would say he was a leader. Also, leaders dont have to be running up and down the sideline like Ryan…you’re a football coach so you say so you should know that. People lead in different ways. Someone WILL bring him in as a QB…you want to know why? ITS THE ONLY POSITION HE’S EVER PLAYED!!! Now you’re a football coach….what sense would it make to CHANGE HIS POSITION AT THE NFL LEVEL JUST BECAUSE HE”S FAST?????!! I mean really, you’re a “coach” now, and that makes sense to you? If it does, then you’re a terrible coach. If you or any one have any balls and want to debate the question I just asked….let’s do that. Here’s the question again…Falcon “fans”….Why would you change Vick’s position at the HIGHEST LEVEL OF FOOTBALL when he’s only played QB? Somebody step up and give an intelligen answer without any racist BS comments.
Vick 09
Vick Supporter
May 17th, 2009
6:41 pm
And also, all of you saw that Ryan’s arm got “tired”,lol, last season. Of course, none of you are concerned…Ryan is the next Brady according to you people. What a f’ing joke. I give Ryan credit, he will be a good QB, but not great. Just what this town accepts….good…not great. You didn’t respect great when you had it when The Great Mike Vick was here…and yes, I know he did it to himself so you don’t have to say it f’ing 50 times.
Vick 09
Bigmac2058
May 17th, 2009
8:10 pm
VS. First and foremost lets please leave the racism at the door. Yes, you are correct in the fact that I wasn’t there in the lockeroom. I was trying to put a positive spin on what his options could be. I am a defensive coach and I could see how he would be a very dynamic reciever. For example look at Hines Ward. One of Georgias best quarterbacks turned reciever. Would you say that he has had a bad career. It would open up several more opportunites for him to play now rather then having to go to either a lesser league such as the CFL. In a time were coaches are looking to mix up their schemes could you imagine if you had somone would could both throw and catch. Look how well it went for a team such as the steelers. He could be a great fit for a team like the dolphins who run that wildcat spread offense. I can clearly see that you are passionate about Vick. Us as falcons fans have to move on. After the season Atl had the year was imprisioned there wasn’t much to look forward to. We had a coach who split (cowardly) and a team left with to many holes and not a enough answers. Atl as a city had to rally around someone would could bring a possible championship to atl. The only other team who has done that were the braves who at that point was in rebuilding mode. With the argument about vick as a qb. He needs to either work on his passing ability in order to stay healthy. Look at some of the other mobile qb’s such as steve mcnair, donavon mccnabb, and steve young. All were very mobile qbs who had to learn to adjust the throwing in order to remain in the game and lead their respective teams further in the playoffs. The question I have to you is were do you see Vick playing QB at? It wouldn’t be MINN because they are trying to get FARVE to play for them. I am interested to see your response. Please feel free not to use anymore fowl language or comments on racism. Thank you
Vick Supporter
May 17th, 2009
9:46 pm
Bigmac2058, I don’t recall using any racial statements, and I don’t agree with your answer. As far as racism, maybe you should look at the comments by your own people. Now, Vick ISN’T a WR, no way no how. It’s funny that you say Vick should be a wr just because he’s fast. It just wouldn’t work. If he wasn’t a QB, why in the hell would he be drafted as one? You mean to tell me that NFL Scouts, even the ones for YOU ATLANTA FALCONS, don’t know a QB when they see one? Hell, you people said that McNabb, McNair, etc etc etc were not QBs but you guys failed that test also. Ya’ll even tried to have Warren freakin Moon change positions and he has almost the most yds passing all-time,lol! What about that?
There are a few teams (notably the 49ers) that have an interest in Vick, but can’t speak publicly because he under contract with the Falcons. Look man, I defend Vick because he’s my favourite player for one, and for 2, the falcon fans are a bunch of hypocrites. You guys were at the games cheering your butts off for Vick, and now you say he’s the worst QB ever? What kind of fans are you? I totally understand the hatred over his crimes, but to totally down Vick and say he’s never done ANYTHING positive for the franchise and he’s the worst QB ever is over the top, and it’s not Black people saying that. Is that racist? You decide. Doesn’t make me any difference.
Vick 09
Vick Supporter
May 17th, 2009
9:58 pm
Bigmac2059: “We had a coach who split (cowardly) and a team left with to many holes and not a enough answers”
You’re right…there was a ton of holes on the team when Vick played here. Thats the way it ALWAYS was, and when Vick got in trouble, the team was exposed for all to see. I blame managment for that because Vick doesn’t sign and pick the players. Blank knew he had a cash cow and a great draw to fill his stadium. He put everything on Vick’s shoulders, then he gets Ryan and “suddenly” realizes that McKay is a idiot and keeps his nose out of football related matters. Well, he’s human and he had to learn like everyone else. If you’re a true falcon fan you would admit that management was jacked up during the Vick era. Vick had his faults also, but HE WAS THE TEAM. Then all of a sudden, management makes good decisions now,lol. That’s easy to answer though, they knew that Ryan couldn’t (can’t)do it alone and they get him some help. They know Ryan is no Vick and he needs more around him. Its a shame that they didn’t do that for Vick, but’s that’s done. Vick will redeem himself. guranteed.
Whooper Dawg
May 17th, 2009
10:23 pm
Vick Supporter,
If you don’t understand how the Falcon fans (and I have been one since 1966), can feel betrayed by Vick after the position he had on the football team and the commitment the franchise made to him in terms of draft choice and money, and the commitment the fans made to him with their hearts, then you are a pretty dumb fellow.
That being said, Vick did do a lot for the franchise which makes his betrayal of those commitments above all the more tough to take. I loved Vick, but it became apparent to me that he had many shortcomings as a QB, no touch, reading defenses, etc. He often made up for it with his feet, but as defenses adjusted, it became apparent that he would have to mature (i.e. more effective in more aspects of the game) to be effective long term.
Can he find a place in the NFL? Sure. I think it is with the likely candidates – Oakland, Dallas, Cincinnati, maybe Miami. Will he be a starting,high caliber QB in the NFL? I don’t think so. But as long as his wheels hold up and he is elusive, he will probably find a spot somewhere.
Vick Supporter,
I realize that you will take this all as a racist comments, but I live in Memphis now, and don’t get the opportunity to see many Falcon games, but when I saw Ryan play for the first time, I said to myself, that is the first time I have seen a real NFL QB under a Falcons center in a long, long time.
Bigmac2058
May 17th, 2009
11:14 pm
VS. Good call on the ol McKay non-sense. At that point he did have Alge Crumpler and Dunn who were decent weapons. The recieving corps was inept to say the least. However, I do think that the falcons were a run based team. You can’t argue the fact that TD has made some wise moves in the past year to bring in a knowledgable coach and coordinator to help groom Ryan to his full potential. That is the key when having such a young quarterback, giving him time to learn and grow. Vick never had that opportunity. And if you believe that Vick was the team it is not a wonder they didn’t go any further. Football is a team game, it is the only sport were one play can’t win the hole game. If you have a slacker on O or D the other team will and often does take advantage. Do you think Singleterry (SF) would gamble on Vick? If so you know those PETA folks are going to raise all sorts of Cain. I hate to say it but I don’t think ATL will benifit whatsoever from the departure of Vick. Other than the fact that they may have given another team the headaches that are going to follow with protestors and the like. Its a shame that a former 1st round pick will be let go without any compensation. Thank you VS for a good debate and hope to hear from you soon these matters. There is nothing wrong with debates as long as we keep them classy and full of knowledgable insight.
Atlanta Falcons Talk » Blog Archive » The Jumping The Gun: Is Tony Gonzalez The Best Falcon Tight End Ever?
May 18th, 2009
1:01 am
[...] if Tony Gonzalez will be the best tight end in Atlanta history, though? That’s a pole vault over an assault [...]