Tony Gonzalez traded to Falcons / Photo: Newscom

Tony was understandably excited to join the Falcons:

“It’s somewhat bittersweet. I love Kansas City. I grew up in Kansas City. The city means a lot to me. I got there when I turned 21. It will be sad to leave a city I love. But I’m looking forward to making a Super Bowl run in Atlanta every year for the next three or four years. With Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, Roddy White and now myself, we have the chance to be in the top five in the league in offense every year. How could I not be excited to join that team? (Chiefs General Manager) Scott (Pioli) and (coach) Todd (Haley) told me a little bit ago and there were nothing but positives ….. I think this is something that will help the team because they are rebuilding. There was no biterness at all from either side.”

The Falcons look smart with this trade. On paper, Tony might seem past his prime at 33-years-old. But if you look at his numbers on a miserable 2-14 KC team last season with four different quarterbacks on the 24th ranked offense (96 catches, over 1,000 yards and 10 TDs), you have to be impressed. And then look at what he did in the Pro Bowl (six catches, 98 yards and a TD), it’s easy to see the guy has a lot of football left.

Sources: AtlantaFalcons.com, FoxSports.com

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Chiefs Trade Tony Gonzalez to Falcons

Here is the AFC Pro Bowl roster. Starters are listed in bold.

OFFENSE

QB: Peyton Manning, Colts; Brett Favre, Jets; Jay Cutler, Broncos
RB: Thomas Jones, Jets; Chris Johnson, Titans; Ronnie Brown, Dolphins
FB: Le’Ron McClain, Ravens
WR: Andre Johnson, Texans; Brandon Marshall, Broncos; Reggie Wayne, Colts; Wes Welker, Patriots
TE: Tony Gonzalez, Chiefs; Antonio Gates, Chargers
T: Joe Thomas, Browns; Jason Peters, Bills; Michael Roos, Titans
G: Alan Faneca, Jets; Kris Dielman, Chargers; Brian Waters, Chiefs
C: Kevin Mawae, Titans; Nick Mangold, Jets

DEFENSE

DE: Mario Williams, Texans; Dwight Freeney, Colts; Robert Mathis, Colts
DT: Albert Haynesworth, Titans; Kris Jenkins, Jets; Shaun Rogers, Browns
OLB: James Harrison, Steelers; Joey Porter, Dolphins; Terrell Suggs, Ravens
MLB: Ray Lewis, Ravens; James Farrior, Steelers
CB: Nnamdi Asomugha, Raiders; Cortland Finnegan, Titans; Darrelle Revis, Jets
S: Ed Reed, Ravens; Troy Polamalu, Steelers; Chris Hope, Titans

SPECIAL TEAMS

K: Stephan Gostkowski, Patriots
P: Shane Lechler, Raiders
KR: Leon Washington, Jets
ST: Brendon Ayanbadejo, Ravens

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2009 AFC Pro Bowl Roster

Just minutes after the National Football League’s 4 p.m. ET trade deadline this afternoon, Kansas City Chiefs head coach Herm Edwards said nine-time Pro Bowl tight end Tony Gonzalez was still with the team:

“He’s going to be at practice tomorrow. That’s what he’s paid to do. He a professional football player ….. Tony’s going to give 100 percent as a professional football player. He always has. That’s one thing you can count on him. He takes a lot of pride in being who he is. If not, he couldn’t have achieved all the goals that he’s achieved thus far in his career. I’m not worried about that.”

Still, I have to think Tony is pretty disappointed. He made public his desire to play for a contender at this late stage of his career and asked the team to explore any and all trade possibilities to a team that had a shot at going to the Super Bowl. Chiefs President Carl Peterson is known as a tough negotiator and obviously wasn’t hearing what he wanted from the teams (N.Y. Giants, Buffalo, Arizona, Philadelphia) that were interested in Tony’s services.

Source: KCChiefs.com

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Tony Gonzalez Stays in Kansas City

The Buffalo Bills were on a bye this weekend and the players were probably home watching football or outside enjoying the absolutely stunning fall weather here in Western New York. But the front office folks might still be working hard at dealing for Kansas City Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez before the National Football League’s Tuesday trade deadline.

Not to read too much into this, but as of 9:38 p.m. ET, running back Fred Jackson is not on the BuffaloBills.com roster or depth chart. What gives? Is the Bills webmaster getting a head start on a trade that Fred Jackson will be a part of? Or was it an honest mistake from the official Web site redesign? This past week, the Bills unveiled a new look and improved functionality on BuffaloBills.com. In a league-wide effort to enhance Web site content and user navigation, the Bills are the first NFL club to launch the new platform while the remaining 31 teams will follow periodically over the next three years. I actually liked the old site better. Anyway, new Web site, new tight end?

Source: BuffaloBills.com

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Tony Gonzalez to Buffalo Bills?

With the NFL’s trade deadline fast approaching (October 14), one potential deal that is gaining momentum is Kansas City Chiefs perennial All-Pro tight end Tony Gonzalez to the N.Y. Giants. It makes sense. Tony’s not getting any younger. He’s done his time in K.C. and it’s fairly evident the schizophrenic Chiefs are in a rebuilding mode (although Chiefs offensive lineman Adrian Jones and I discussed this as kind of bogus last week). The Giants could use a TE and red zone threat to replace Jeremy Shockey (who was traded to New Orleans, of course) because they haven’t gotten much from the position so far this season. Kevin Boss has five catches for 60 yards and a touchdown. Further down the depth chart, TEs Michael Matthews and Darcy Johnson haven’t registered any stats.

Would Chiefs President/GM/CEO Carl Peterson go for it? I think so. He and Tony are pretty close so I think he would be more apt to do what’s right for Tony’s career. Of course, he’ll make sure the Chiefs are properly compensated. If the Giants are serious about making another title run, it could happen. Shall we say a second- and a fifth-round Draft pick in 2009?

Source: Fox Sports

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Tony Gonzalez to N.Y. Giants?

Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL

It recently became public knowledge that Kansas City Chiefs nine-time Pro Bowl tight end Tony Gonzalez saved a man’s life last week when he performed the Heimlich maneuver on him at a restaurant in Huntington Beach, California. Apparently Tony was having dinner with his wife, brother and 5-week-old daughter when Ken Hunter, a shipping company manager at a nearby table, began choking on a piece of meat. Ken said:

“Tony saved my life. There’s no doubt. I tried to take a drink of water, but I couldn’t swallow. Then I couldn’t breathe. That’s a terrible feeling. I couldn’t breathe. Then I guess I started to panic. Tony came up behind me and gave me the Heimlich maneuver. Thank God he was there.”

This brings to light just how important it is to know how to perform this procedure. A restaurant employee said no one else seemed to know what to do. As far as Tony is concerned, he was very happy to help but had no interest in the media attention saying he “honestly didn’t want to make a big deal out of it.”

Source: Yahoo! Sports

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Tony Gonzalez Uses Heimlich Maneuver

The New England Patriots and San Diego Chargers lead the AFC’s 2008 Pro Bowl squad with a conference-high eight players each. New England’s eight All-Stars equals a franchise high set by the 1985 Pats. The AFC roster includes 18 first-time All-Stars, including Cincinnati WR T.J. Houshmanzadeh, who leads the NFL with 101 receptions.

Among a group of talented AFC quarterbacks, four-time All-Star Tom Brady of New England, who leads the NFL in passing yards (4,235), TDs (45) and passer rating (119.7), will be the starting QB in his fourth Pro Bowl. Tom is one of seven Patriots that will start for this year’s AFC squad. Joining him to aid the AFC passing attack will be Indianapolis QB Peyton Manning, who will make his eighth Pro Bowl appearance, and first-time selection Ben Roethlisberger of Pittsburgh, who ranks third in the NFL with 29 TD passes.

San Diego’s duo of running back LaDainian Tomlinson and fullback Lorenzo Neal have been named starters for a second year in a row. Earning his fifth Pro Bowl honor, L.T. ranks second in the NFL with 1,311 rushing yards this season and has passed the 1,200-yard rushing mark for the seventh consecutive year. Lorenzo, in his 15th NFL season, has been selected to his fourth Pro Bowl and third as a Charger. Adding to the AFC’s explosive backfield will be Pittsburgh’s Willie Parker and Joseph Addai of Indy. This is the second consecutive Pro Bowl trip for Fast Willie, who leads the NFL with 1,317 rushing yards. In his second NFL season, Joseph Addai ranks second in the AFC with 11 rushing TDs and will make his first Pro Bowl trip. Once again, Jacksonville’s Fred Taylor has been snubbed despite averaging a gaudy 5.1 ypc. He’ll need to lead the league in rushing to get consideration.

Four receivers are named to each All-Star squad. And it has to be nearly impossible to come up with just four. Chosen for the AFC’s 2008 team are New England’s Randy Moss, the NFL’s receiving yardage (1,343) and TD (19) leader. Randy records his first Pro Bowl appearance since 2004 (because he was lost in the black hole for several years) and sixth overall. Lined up across from Randy will be Reggie Wayne of Indianapolis, who will make his second All-Star game in consecutive seasons. Two first-time selections from clubs in Ohio will round out the AFC All-Star receiving foursome — Cleveland wide receiver Braylon Edwards, whose 13 TD receptions ranks second in the AFC, and the aforementioned T.J. Houshmandzadeh of Cincinnati. I know this is a very elite list of receivers and it’s incredibly hard to pick just four, but I could make a case for Wes Welker (Pats), Chad Johnson (Cincy) or even Brandon Marshall (Denver) in this group.

Representing the AFC at tight end will be nine-time all-star Tony Gonzalez (big surprise) of the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Diego’s Antonio Gates, who will play in his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl and start for the second year in a row.

Pittsburgh’s 10-year veteran guard Alan Faneca will make his seventh consecutive Pro Bowl trip and will be joined at the other starting guard position by first-time All-Star Logan Mankins of New England, who has helped pave the way for the league’s top-ranked offense. San Diego’s Kris Dielman, a former undrafted free agent who has been a mainstay for the Chargers offensive line this year, will make his All-Star debut.

AFC starting center Jeff Saturday will book his trip to Hawaii for his third consecutive Pro Bowl. First-time AFC All-Star Dan Koppen of New England will back him up.

Assigned to keep the pocket clean against a talented group of NFC edge rushers are a group of AFC All-Star tackles — New England’s two-time Pro Bowler Matt Light and first-time Pro Bowl selection Jason Peters of Buffalo. Jonathan Ogden of Baltimore will play in his 11th consecutive Pro Bowl in his 12th NFL season.

Lining up in the middle for the AFC defensive front are starting interior linemen Albert Haynesworth of Tennessee and New England’s Vince Wilfork. Both linemen will make their first appearances in the All-Star game. Accompanying Vince and Albert will be San Diego’s Jamal Williams, who has secured his third consecutive Pro Bowl berth.

Ranked second in the AFC with 11.5 sacks, Kansas City defensive end Jared Allen will make his Pro Bowl debut as a starter and will be joined by Tennessee defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch, who will play in his second Pro Bowl in three seasons with the Titans and his first as a starter. Miami’s Jason Taylor will cap off this trio with the sixth Pro Bowl of his career.

Two first-time All-Stars — Mike Vrabel of New England and Pittsburgh’s James Harrison — will start at outside linebacker for the AFC. Mike has tied his career-high with 9.5 sacks and James leads the league’s top-ranked defense with 8.5 sacks. Joining them at outside linebacker is Shawne Merriman of San Diego, who tops NFL linebackers with 11.5 sacks. Shawne will make his third consecutive All-Star game appearance.

Roaming the middle of the AFC defense will be middle linebackers Ray Lewis of Baltimore and DeMeco Ryans of Houston. DeMeco, the 2006 NFL Defensive Rookie of Year, will start in his first Pro Bowl, while Ray-Ray, a 12-year veteran, will record his eighth appearance in Hawaii.

Interceptions are plentiful for the trio of AFC All-Star cornerbacks. Starter Champ Bailey of Denver has earned his eighth consecutive Pro Bowl selection and will be teamed up with two first-time All-Stars. New England’s Asante Samuel will start opposite Champ and Antonio Cromartie of San Diego, who leads the league with 10 INTs, will make his All-Star debut in his second season.

Indianapolis strong safety Bob Sanders earns his second consecutive AFC All-Star berth and Ravens ball-hawking free safety Ed Reed is a four-time Pro Bowl choice in six NFL seasons. Four-time Pro Bowl selection Troy Polamalu of Pittsburgh will join them as a reserve.

The AFC special teams unit is comprised of four players, including two first-time Pro Bowl honorees. Cleveland kick returner Joshua Cribbs is making his first trip to Hawaii. Joshua leads the NFL with a 30.9-yard average and is tied for second in the league with two scores. Tennessee kicker Rob Bironas, who leads the NFL with 31 field goals and set the NFL record for most field goals in a game earlier this season, will make his All-Star debut. San Diego wide receiver Kassim Osgood, who will serve as the AFC’s special teamer, makes his second consecutive trip to Hawaii. Concluding the special teams group will be Oakland’s veteran punter Shane Lechler (third Pro Bowl). Shane leads the NFL with a 49.0 average and has placed 21 of his 63 punts inside the opponents’ 20-yard line.

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Patriots, Chargers Lead AFC All-Star Squad, 18 First-Time Selections Named

I wasn’t the least bit surprised to see Jason Witten grab a record 15 catches (including the game-winner) against the Detroit Lions yesterday, breaking a Cowboys’ single-game reception total and tying the NFL mark among TEs. This kind of outburst has been brewing for some time. Just take a look at his 2007 season so far. He had nine catches against the Bills (10/8) and 10 against the Vikings (10/21). And he had eight more against Washington just before Thanksgiving. Add ‘em all up and through the first 13 games and you get 80 catches for 955 yards and seven TDs. That’s ahead of guys like Tony Gonzalez, Kellen Winslow Jr. and Antonio Gates. Plus, he’s on a pace to shatter his own previous season-best in 2004 when he finished with 87 catches. When I talk about the new breed of tight end in the NFL, I don’t just mention Jason Witten. I call him the best there is.

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Dallas Cowboys TE Jason Witten Has Record 15 Catches in Win Over Detroit Lions