Tony Gonzalez: 'I have no problem staying with the Chiefs'

by Joel Thorman on Feb 8, 2009 7:30 PM CST

After a 6 catch, 98 yard and 1 touchdown performance, Tony Gonzalez spoke with NBC's Andrea Kremer at the Pro Bowl just a few minutes ago. Not much in the way of new news here. Gonzalez says he's not even sure if he wants to play two more years and says he would be fine if he stayed a Chief this offseason.

Andrea Kremer: Well it's good that Tony Gonzalez is sitting back by the mister. I know you appreciate this. Well 10 straight Pro Bowls and you set a record for yards and reception and tied for touchdowns. What is it about you, especially you and Peyton Manning hooking up? I think Dallas Clark may ge ta little jealous here.

Tony Gonzalez: Well, I think this is Peyton's 9th Pro Bowl and I've been over here as long as he's been over here. We've had a good chance to get to know where I like the ball. Up high. And wow, what an amazing arm. He puts it up where I can go get it.

Kremer: Now, during the season, last season, you asked to be traded. You wanted to play for a contender. There's a whole new braintrust in the Chiefs front office. Have you spoken to new GM Scott Pioli?

Gonzalez: Well I spoke to Pioli last week because there was some trade rumors out there saying I wanted a trade. And that wasn't the case. I said this is the reason I would want a trade. It was taken out of context.

Kremer: What would be that reason?

Gonzalez: There is no doubt in my mind that Scott Pioli is going to come in there and do a good job. And so is the head coach Todd Haley.

But, you know, I'm going into 13th year. I want to play two more years and that's a maybe. I've been three playoff games and won none. Just looking at the Super Bowl this year it would be so great to get that opportunity to play for that.

And I'm not saying the Chiefs can't do that. They will eventually turn that corner. It's just how soon they can do that. Once free agency starts and they're wheeling and dealing and making trades and whatever it is, if it looks good I have no problem staying with the Chiefs.

Poll

After the apparently slanted Yahoo! article last week regarding Tony Gonzalez "demanding" a trade, has he sufficiently convinced you he would be content to stay a Chief next season?

Yes

543 votes

No

146 votes

689 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Fortunately For The Chiefs

It’s not really up to him on whether or not he stays a Chief unless he wants to retire. He’s here until the team decides he isn’t.

I have absolutely no idea who the Chiefs will draft or sign in free agency and anyone who thinks that they know is talking out of their fourth point of contact.

All I know is that the Chiefs are going to field a better team in 2009. Prediction of team record will be submitted after the 2009 draft.

by UCrawford on Feb 8, 2009 7:33 PM CST reply actions

Yep

Although I think if he tells Pioli he wants outta there, he’ll work out a deal to send him out.

by Joel Thorman on Feb 8, 2009 7:35 PM CST up reply actions

And that's just an assumption

That Pioli is better at negotiating trades than Peterson which may not be the case.

by Joel Thorman on Feb 8, 2009 7:36 PM CST up reply actions

I noticed this during the live interview.

“Scott Pioli is going to come in there…”

“They will eventually turn that corner.”

“It’s just how soon they can do that.”

It is the lack of “here” and “we” that bothers me. He has already separated himself mentally.

"and peep this ethiopian queen from philly taking classes abroad, she studying film and photo flash focus record"

I don't have religion. I have Baduizm.

by DThomasReigns on Feb 8, 2009 7:41 PM CST reply actions

I noticed that too

Not sure if he’s always talked like that.

by Joel Thorman on Feb 8, 2009 7:44 PM CST up reply actions

Pioli

Did anyone notice TG said he talked to Pioli after the yahoo report to make sure he knew what he really said but when Haley was introduced the other day, Pioli said he hadn’t spoken to TG yet…hmmmm

Never kick a fresh turd on a hot day.
Harry S. Truman

by kcguy on Feb 8, 2009 8:11 PM CST up reply actions

We were almost more bothered by the negative positing

by Official Arrowhead Pride Parade on Feb 8, 2009 7:42 PM CST reply actions

I think Tony has PMS

One day he’s going crazy about wanting to leave, a week later everythings cool and he wants to stay.

by ChiefDJ on Feb 8, 2009 7:45 PM CST reply actions

I think his argument

Is that the Yahoo! article was slanted to insinuate he was asking for a trade, which he wasn’t.

by Joel Thorman on Feb 8, 2009 7:45 PM CST up reply actions

Although, I think he is wise enough to know if he openly demands a trade,

other teams may not be willing to give the Chiefs as much as they would (or the Chiefs would accept) if it appears the Chiefs’ hand is being forced.

The other teams immediately gain leverage. KC may determine that keeping an unhappy TG is more valuable than the lowball offers they may receive…and TG doesn’t get his wish.

Also, maybe in his chat with Pioli, TG was taught a leeson of the Pioli way. “Shut up until it is done.”

"and peep this ethiopian queen from philly taking classes abroad, she studying film and photo flash focus record"

I don't have religion. I have Baduizm.

by DThomasReigns on Feb 8, 2009 7:51 PM CST up reply actions

Yes but

This isn’t the first time he’s been reported as going off on a rant and then later coming out and singing a different toon. I think it depends on what mood he’s in when he’s asked.

by ChiefDJ on Feb 8, 2009 9:24 PM CST up reply actions

I think TG does not want to

Go through another season like last season. I think Tony feels like they had plenty of money, and there were more opportunity to gain free agents that would have made the Chiefs a better team.

Now hopefully this team is fun to watch again! Thanks Scott, Clark!!

by Eric Allen on Feb 8, 2009 8:13 PM CST reply actions

I don't think Tony would be content to stay a Chief...

…but I also don’t think that’s a bad thing.

Selfishly, I want him to stay. Realistically, the man deserves (more than most) to get to a Super Bowl. It’s clear he likes the Chiefs organization and the KC fans. That said, there is nothing wrong with admitting that he wants to win it all, just once in his career, and that the timing isn’t realistic for him to do that with KC in the time he has left.

Whatever happens, I wish him well and fervently hope he gets that ring before he retires. It’s the least he’s owed by the game.

by gritsnyc on Feb 8, 2009 8:52 PM CST reply actions

True

I think everyone needs to take a step back from this. First of all I cheer for the kansas city chiefs no thte kansas city Gonzalez’s. When I hear a player say I have been to three playoff games and won 0 it makes me think. First of all were you on the field for those games Tony? Were you a leader in the locker room and on the field for those games Tony? Yes. So if you are truly the greatest TE in history which I believe you probably are why didnt you lead your team to a win in any one of those three games? Tony and some fans act like Tony is owed a playoff or superbowl victory. It doesn’t work that way. Just because you have played X amount of seasons at a top level doesn’t mena you are owed anything more than your paycheck. This man signed his name on the dotted line for millions of doallrs for a team and a city. Why isn’ t he out demanding we get Warner, Peppers and Haynesworth? We got the cap room and a young def secondary to go along with those new additions. Instead and stepping up and saying hey the Chiefs need this to win he is saying hey Tony needs this to win. Honestly if he stays great because he is a great player. But if they do trade him I hope it is to the Lions!

by The Infection on Feb 9, 2009 12:31 AM CST up reply actions

And he looks great when compared to our other "star"

by Official Arrowhead Pride Parade on Feb 9, 2009 2:49 AM CST up reply actions

So if you are truly the greatest TE in history which I believe you probably are why didnt you lead your team to a win in any one of those three games?

Although TE’s can be a huge factor when used correctly (or over-used), when does a TE alone have the chance to lead a team to a victory?

You think it's coincidence that I bleed red?

by Mully on Feb 9, 2009 1:59 PM CST up reply actions

I really hope Tony G shuts up about this

It would be a shame to ruin the end of his career with the fans by complaining about wanting a trade.

by Vince D on Feb 8, 2009 9:34 PM CST reply actions

pioli

I think this puts pioli in a tough spot . And the same spot peterson did not want to deal with letting go a legend ya its fine and dandy gonzo wants to leave more power to him but for most chief fans losing him would be heart breaking and could haunt pioli in the long run . I say make moves try to convince tony to stay and retire a chief .

by sexassassin on Feb 9, 2009 1:59 PM CST reply actions

I know he's important

But he’s a TE, not a QB. Even if he is one of the best Chiefs ever, whoever the QB is affects the game more. Let’s make moves based on making the team successful instead of catering to Gonzalez.

by Joel Thorman on Feb 9, 2009 2:02 PM CST up reply actions

I want to keep TG

I think we should keep him not to cater to Gonzo as u say but to make our team more successful. If we draft a QB and he starts, Tony will make him more successful. If Thigpen starts Tony will make him more successful. He makes any QB better, especially a young one that needs a security blanket.

by paratrooper on Feb 9, 2009 2:23 PM CST up reply actions

True Prime

But you have to admit without tony this year we tie with the lions this year in wins no doubt in my mind tony was in most games the only weapons who was consistant and still put up numbers.

by sexassassin on Feb 9, 2009 2:05 PM CST reply actions

All good points

But one thing to keep in mind is: TG will probably only play 1-3 years more. At some point we have to find and groom his replacement. Is that Cottam? Is it Merritt? I don’t know, but allowing him to leave gets us that answer sooner than later.
I really don’t have a clue what to do about the situation.

We need a future defensive leader, his name is James Laurinaitis and he can be selected in round 1 of the upcoming Draft.

Ok already, if you don't agree with what I am saying, just don't email my mom again. She beat the crap out of me with my keyboard!

"But what do I know, I’m like an empty room with a large ECHO"

by Lanier63 on Feb 9, 2009 5:58 PM CST reply actions