The Trade We Should Expect (or Why T-Gon will be T-Gone)

by Matt Conner on Mar 10, 2009 9:40 AM CDT

Maybe, just maybe, someone could have seen the Cassel trade coming. Perhaps you could have looked at the familiar relationships with Pioli, Belichick and Cassel and could have known that if any team would have put something together for the QB, it would have been the Kansas City Chiefs. Yet even then, there were enough teams in dire need at the most critical position on the field that it was hard to see.

Yet if you take a step back and look at the key players leading up to the draft, one other trade seems even more apparent than the first one - Tony Gonzalez leaving the Chiefs.

[Pause]

Aside: Let me make one quick disclaimer that I hate every post that says "Chiefs Mock Draft" and then includes trades like you're playing Madden '01. Some people pretend that GMs can trade assets like trading cards and therefore pout that we can't get Boldin, Calvin Johnson and Frank Gore in a ten team deal that somehow gives us the best players in the NFL. In other words, when I bring up a trade, I'm not trying to be the overdramatic fan that holds the unrealistic perspective of NFL dealings.

[Unpause]

I love Tony. He's my favorite Chief. Has been for years. Hall of Fame? Never a doubt. And I hooped and hollered out loud when they drafted him in the first place. But I'm also not stupid. He's out. He's been out for a long time. He just doesn't know it yet.

There are teams in the NFL that are okay with distractions. They are also the same teams that don't win. Now, they don't really care because they sell the most jerseys, seat covers and baby bibs with their logo on them so they get money either way (playoffs or merch). But we don't have such a team. In fact, we just imported the finest china (Pioli) from the black hole of media distractions (Beliczech Republic). So all of these whiners, complainers, second guessers... my guess is they're all eventually gone.

Take a look around. Who is the big player doing nothing with all of their toys this offseason? The Philadelphia Eagles. 12 picks (already had 11 and just acquired one more in the Greg Lewis trade with NE). Mega-bucks in cap room ($40 mill+). In an industry worth BILLIONS of dollars, you have Ivy League grads planning and plotting every dollar for years in advance. So you don't plan on stockpiling weapons like this amount of freedom unless you have a use for it. Of course, some franchises operate differently, but not a respectable one like the Eagles.

The other factor? A solid club like the Eagles don't need 12 picks. They don't even want them. They don't have 12 open spots on their roster. They don't need a bunch of guys with resumes that say "had 42 sacks in 10 games for the Canadian Mountie Police League" and hope they pan out. That's what the Chiefs need. That's what the Bengals need. And we hope to one day not have to need them either.

It will take dollars to take on Tony's contract. And it will take draft picks to acquire him. Same with a hot receiver like Anquan Boldin, Braylon Edwards or Chad Johnson. The Cardinals don't necessarily need a quantity of draft picks either, but trade up enough and you have yourself a first rounder to offer. To pick up quality vets like this, draft picks and cap space are necessary. And it's here, with Philly, the Chiefs might find their willing trade partner.

It makes sense on all sides. L.J. Smith is hanging outside Atlanta waiting on a deal like my 9th grade self outside the girl's locker room hoping for a peek so you know he's not coming back. Receiver has long been a weakness in Philly, even with DeSean Jackson. Gonzalez is a perfect addition for McNabb and would relish the opportunity to be in the biggest limelight of his career. He'd also take a lot of pressure off of the Eagles' young receivers.

On the flip side, the ability to gain perhaps a 2nd and 5th (Shockey-style?) in the deal would replace our lost picks in the Cassel deal, giving us the veteran players we had while retaining solid draft positions. And someone like the slipping Brandon Pettigrew (or the ascendant Jared Cook) could become a steal for the Chiefs in the 2nd or 3rd round to go with last year's draft pick, Brad Cottam.

In the end, the distraction is gone (which I still think we should keep him, but I figure Pioli's already dealt him in his head) and all cases involve make sense. And in the end, I think T-Gon is T-Gone.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Arrowhead Pride's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Arrowhead Pride writers or editors.

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Comments

The Eagles already

have a good tightendin Celeck. I doubt they make the trade. The Eagles don’t like to pay aging veterans. I guess anything is possible, but can’t see the Eagles trading for TG.

AFC West Champs in 2009? Mayyybee.

by cmpotter on Mar 10, 2009 10:04 AM CDT reply actions

If they are looking to win now

I don’t see them trading anyone out, well, anyone that isn’t named Bryan Waters anyway.

Tony and LJ, I don’t see them going anywhere until maybe next season… But I could easily be wrong.

All I have to say is "Thank you, Clark."

by IISaiNtII on Mar 10, 2009 10:11 AM CDT reply actions

Tony G isn't really a distraction

He says he wants to play for KC as long as we are competitive, and hasn’t said anything about wanting a trade in awhile.

I doubt he will be traded.

by Vince D on Mar 10, 2009 10:11 AM CDT reply actions

+1

Marley will be walking soon...she could probably play Linebacker better than some of the guys we had.

by PVChiefsfan on Mar 10, 2009 10:18 AM CDT up reply actions

A TG Trade Makes Sense

This is similar to my continuing theory of a Chiefs-Eagles trade. Mine theory is just a bit more aggressive and includes our #3 (since the Eagles need a LT) and TG (or LJ) for their firsts and their second, plus other pics.

I doubt anyone will give up a 2nd and a 5th for TG, unless it is part of a bigger deal.

by emo3131 on Mar 10, 2009 10:13 AM CDT reply actions

Could he also be a fit with the Giants

they have a bunch of draft picks also and need some receiver help. Their D is awesome, they just need to score and got no mo Plaxico.

by Your_Moms_Boyfriend on Mar 10, 2009 10:14 AM CDT reply actions

It may happen

but I think it would be a mistake, on Tony’s part (if any of the decision is his) and perhaps on ours.

If we trade Tony to a contender for a 2nd and 5th, he MAY win a playoff game.
If he wins a playoff game, he MAY win a few more.
If he wins a few more, he MAY win a Super Bowl.

If we trade Tony for those two picks, we MAY land two starters.
If we land two starters, they MAY help us win more games.
If they help us win more games, we MAY make the playoffs.

Get my point?

I, for the life of me, cannot understand why Tony wants to leave – if he plays his entire career here, he will be immortalized – possible supplanting DT in the hearts of Chiefs fans – this will happen whether or not he wins a playoff game/Super Bowl with us.

The NFL changes over so quickly, that a contender last year may go 7-9 and miss the playoffs in 2009 – or what if we trade him to a contender that goes 11-5 and misses the playoffs (not likely, but how about 10-6?)

To sum up, it is very likely that Tony is worth more to us over the next 3 years than any players we could get with draft picks from trading Tony.

It is very unlikely that we could trade Tony to a team who would end up winning the Super Bowl in the next three years – it’s just too hard to predict.

Marley will be walking soon...she could probably play Linebacker better than some of the guys we had.

by PVChiefsfan on Mar 10, 2009 10:18 AM CDT reply actions

Two things I learned from this post

MAY, very unlikely :)
j/k

"But what do I know, I'm AP's new assclown and I’m like an empty room with a large ECHO"

by Lanier63 on Mar 10, 2009 10:23 AM CDT up reply actions

I have a feeling if Tony G gets traded

he will end up regretting it. He’ll probably land on a team the becomes crappy and we’ll be competitive.

by Vince D on Mar 10, 2009 10:35 AM CDT up reply actions

That's sort of what I'm thinking

things flop so quickly in the NFL…picture this hypothetical (but not too outlandish) scenario

We trade Tony to the Eagles for their 2nd round pick.

In 2009, with a new QB, a #3 overall impact player, and a weak division, the Chiefs win the AFC West at 9-7.

In 2009, Donovan McNabb gets hurt in Game 2, misses 10 weeks, the Eagles go 9-7, but don’t make the playoffs (the Giants win the division at 12-4, and 11-5 and 10-6 teams grab the wildcards)

Once the Chiefs are in the playoffs, anything can happen – even winning three road games.
If the Eagles miss the playoffs, nothing can happen…

Marley will be walking soon...she could probably play Linebacker better than some of the guys we had.

by PVChiefsfan on Mar 10, 2009 10:52 AM CDT up reply actions

I don't see it happening

and I don’t really see him as a distraction either now that he shut up. We won’t trade TG unless we’re going to draft crabtree to replace his production and that IMO would be a bad pick. I think we’re going to protect our new QB instead because it’s the smart thing to do.

Vae Victis!

by Buck'O on Mar 10, 2009 10:42 AM CDT reply actions

Out of Waters, LJ, and TG.

I see Gonzo being the only one who might get traded this year. Waters and LJ are too valuable because of the positions that they play and all of these guys are excellent athletes with a lot of gas in the tank. With Waters and LJ, we dont have sufficient players on the team to replace them and there probably are not any players available in the draft who would be an actual upgrade from where we are now. As for the TE position, we have Cottam who though he may not be the next TG, is going to be an excellent tight end.

If Tony wants to go anywhere else, he will have to be willing to commit to at least three more years of football. As of right now, he says he will be ready to retire the end of this year so, that is not a very big window to get his championship. He could easily play another three years without any dropoff in quality due to the way he takes care of himself and the fact that he seems to get better with age.

by Chiefsfan1970 on Mar 10, 2009 11:27 AM CDT reply actions

Can we afford to give Tony up?

TG is still someone that can win a game for us in a clutch situation.

Nothing would boost Matt Cassel’s confidence more than having the best TE in the game to throw to.

Cottam is still an unknown. He’s played very few snaps in his football career. His athleticism is terrific, but he would really benefit from another year of TG’s tutelage.

by ChiefsDude on Mar 10, 2009 11:42 AM CDT reply actions

Keep TG

We saw last year that no team was willing to give up what Tony G. is worth. Still the best T.E. in football and it’s not even close. Look for another pro bowl year from our favorite Chief in 2009.

by Chief Crazy on Mar 10, 2009 12:07 PM CDT reply actions

Yeah

Get a new high priced QB and take his best weapon away before he starts. That makes sense. :-/

Vae Victis!

by Buck'O on Mar 10, 2009 12:20 PM CDT up reply actions

Waters, Lj, or Tony?

None of them are going anywhere. LJ and Tony signed big contracts and they will stay in Kansas City. Brian Waters is still needed. I just don’t think it is going to happen that any of the three leave the team. Yes, we have positions to fill, but it makes no sense to trade three or two or one player at a critical position when you are trying to establish a winning mentality. All three of the above mentioned players will need to suck it up and act like professionals, because they will be Chiefs this season.

by G.L. on Mar 10, 2009 1:33 PM CDT reply actions

Jared Allen ring a bell?

IMHO, I think we keep TG. I don’t think Pioli’s first big move would be to rid the Chiefs of one of their greatest, offensive assets. King Carl did that with Allen and look at the production decline of the defense. Relinquishing Gonzalez only spells out T-R-O-U-B-L-E.

KCCHIEFSFAN72

by kcchiefsfan72 on Mar 10, 2009 1:35 PM CDT reply actions

Exactly what I was just thinking

It seemed like a smart thing to do at the time and we got fair compensation, but the void set us back what realisticly looks like several years. I don’t think that loss has escaped anyone’s attention.

Vae Victis!

by Buck'O on Mar 10, 2009 1:53 PM CDT up reply actions

Not really

We traded a 4th round DE who yes became awesome, but we got a solid LT in Albert a speedy back in Charles and a potential starter at S this year in Morgan and with the switch to the 3-4 Allen really dosent fit that scheme much like Hali dosent so lets trade him to for more picks. So I dont think it really set us back. Maybe trade Tony G to NE to get our 2nd pick back and maybe a fith like connerman said. I like to dream about trades to so I love trade talk good post.

by A true chiefs fan on Mar 10, 2009 2:19 PM CDT up reply actions

Nice Work

Good article, and I thank you for not being like those fans pointed out in your aside. They annoy the hell out of me too. I think that a trade of Tony G. to Philly has made sense ever since he said he wanted out.

I think if he wants to leave we at least deserve that to him to grant him that wish. On one hand, he’s not going to be around when we start winning, and won’t help us in the long term.

But on the other hand, he is exactly the type of consistent, reliable receiver that a young QB like Cassel needs to develop. He had his go-to-guy in NE with Wes Welker, who he would always look to on third down. We need that guy in order to help develop a QB.

by KU2010 on Mar 10, 2009 2:05 PM CDT reply actions

Keep Tony G !

He is the best offensive weapon we have, Clark Hunt said we are going offense so we keep him…i don’t think somebody gives 2nd and 5th for TG, TG is better than J Shockey, but Shockey is younger, in any case keep him ! We need him to win some games, he is one of the rare gamechangers we have.

by swichief on Mar 10, 2009 2:12 PM CDT reply actions

I'll

send you some crow when Tony starts the season in a Chief’s uniform. How people think they can read Pioli I don’t know.

by GHOST OF DT on Mar 10, 2009 2:12 PM CDT reply actions

If we do trade him we should have got T.O.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by A true chiefs fan on Mar 10, 2009 2:21 PM CDT reply actions

(facepalm)

You think it's coincidence that I bleed red?

by Mully on Mar 10, 2009 3:57 PM CDT up reply actions

If we do trade him

would Brad Cottam be able to step up? I didn’t see him play last year but I’ve heard that when he did step in he didn’t look too bad.

Call me Pacman...cuz I MAKE IT RAIN!

by mistamic on Mar 10, 2009 2:25 PM CDT reply actions

Cottam was pretty good...

and seeing how he plays you can easily tell that he’ll only get better as he goes along. He’s young, strong, healthy, has the same build and agility as Tony…it all shows a winner to me.

There's no hope with dope...

by chrisjo07 on Mar 10, 2009 2:46 PM CDT up reply actions

I hope nobody thinks

that I want to trade off Tony G. That is the last thing that I want. All I was saying in my reply was that I think of the three guys, he is the most likely to get traded. I would prefer that they are all still here to see their team that they have invested so much blood, sweat, and tears in get to the big dance.
Go Chiefs!

by Chiefsfan1970 on Mar 10, 2009 4:33 PM CDT reply actions