Appreciating Tony Gonzalez

by DThomasReigns on Apr 20, 2009 3:15 PM CDT Comment 31 comments

"Yeah, you like that vert, Mr. Best CB in the NFL?"

This week may very well be our last week with Tony Gonzalez as a Chief. We all are acutely aware of Tony's multiple All-Time TE records, and I have become increasingly irritated by the media always qualifying his accomplishments by preceding everything with "Tight End." For, against, or indifferent to Tony's possible departure, we need to truly appreciate just what Tony has been so far...

An Elite Receiver.

Tony's Career stats:

Receptions: 916
Yards: 10,940
Touchdowns: 76

Before I start listing the extended stats, you can read this next player's stats and feel satisfied if you don't read any further.

Torry Holt - Elite WR

Receptions: 869
Yards: 12,660
Touchdowns: 74

Tony has more receptions and more touchdowns than Torry Holt. Yes, Tony was drafted 2 years before Holt, but Tony is still regarded as the best TE in the NFL, whereas Holt is widely accepted as past his prime.

However, even that comparison is pedestrian when looking at the All-Time NFL Leader Rankings.

Receptions...

Let's look at receptions. Tony has 916 at present.

With 916 receptions right now, Tony is the 9th All-Time NFL Leader in Receptions. He has averaged 76 receptions per year over his career. If Tony merely continues his 76 receptions per year average (BTW- he has averaged 89.6 receptions over the last 5 years) for the next 2 years and then retires, he will have 1,068 receptions.

At 1,068 receptions, Tony will be 4th All-Time.

If we give Tony a third year at a 50% reduction in performance from his career reception average of 76 and assume he only has 38 receptions in his third year from now, he would have 1,106 career receptions.

That would place Tony Gonzalez as the ~~3rd~~ 2nd All-Time NFL Leader in Receptions (assuming Harrison doesn't play again, and Bruce & Owens retire after this year)...Here's the extended current rankings courtesy of walterfootball.com, really look at the names on this list:

Rank	Player (age), + - HOFer, Bold - Active	Rec	Rank	Player (age), + - HOFer, Bold - Active	Rec
1.	Jerry Rice	1,549	27.	Michael Irvin+	750
2.	Marvin Harrison (36)	1,102		Charlie Joiner+	750
3.	Cris Carter	1,101	29.	Andre Rison	743
4.	Tim Brown	1,094	30.	Gary Clark	699
5.	Isaac Bruce (36)	1,003	31.	Terance Mathis	689
6.	Terrell Owens (35)	951	32.	Joey Galloway (37)	682
	Andre Reed	951	33.	Herman Moore	670
8.	Art Monk+	940	34.	Ricky Proehl	669
9.	Tony Gonzalez (32)	916	35.	Amani Toomer (34)	668
10.	Keenan McCardell	883	36.	Ozzie Newsome+	662
11.	Torry Holt (32)	869	37.	Charley Taylor+	649
12.	Jimmy Smith	862	38.	Bobby Engram (35)	645
13.	Irving Fryar	851	39.	Drew Hill	634
14.	Rod Smith	849	40.	Don Maynard+	633
15.	Randy Moss (31)	843	41.	Laveranues Coles (31)	631
16.	Larry Centers	827		Raymond Berry+	631
17.	Steve Largent+	819	43.	Rob Moore	628
18.	Shannon Sharpe	815	44.	Johnnie Morton	624
19.	Henry Ellard	814	45.	Chad Johnson (30)	612
	Keyshawn Johnson	814	46.	Keith Byars	610
21.	Muhsin Muhammad (35)	807	47.	Joe Horn	603
22.	Hines Ward (32)	800	48.	Sterling Sharpe	595
23.	Derrick Mason (34)	790		Anthony Miller	595
24.	Marshall Faulk	767	50.	Curtis Conway	594
25.	James Lofton+	764
	Eric Moulds	764

Touchdowns...

How about Tony's touchdowns?

He currently has 76 TD's and is tied for 22nd on the All-Time NFL Receiving TD's list. He has averaged 6 TD's per year for his career. If he catches his 6 TD average for the next 2 years, he will have 88 TD's...which will tie him for 10th All-Time.

If we give him a 3rd year at a 50% reduction, he will have 91 TD's ...tied for 9th All-Time.

Again, here's the extended current Receiving TD's ranking:

Rank	Player (age), + - HOFer, Bold - Active	TD	Rank	Player (age), + - HOFer, Bold - Active	TD
1.	Jerry Rice	197	25.	James Lofton+	75
2.	Terrell Owens (35)	139	26.	Torry Holt (32)	74
3.	Randy Moss (31)	135		Nat Moore	74
4.	Cris Carter	130	28.	Stanley Morgan	72
5.	Marvin Harrison (36)	128		Hines Ward (32)	72
6.	Steve Largent+	100	30.	Bob Hayes	71
	Tim Brown	100		Wesley Walker	71
8.	Don Hutson+	99	32.	Gary Collins	70
9.	Isaac Bruce (36)	91	33.	Raymond Berry+	68
10.	Don Maynard+	88		Art Monk+	68
11.	Andre Reed	87		Rod Smith	68
12.	Lance Alworth+	85	36.	Cliff Branch	67
	Paul Warfield+	85		Jimmy Smith	67
14.	Andre Rison	84	38.	Jimmy Orr	66
	Tommy McDonald+	84		Roy Green	66
	Irving Fryar	84	40.	Sterling Sharpe	65
	Mark Clayton	84		Sonny Randle	65
18.	Art Powell	81		Bobby Mitchell+	65
19.	Harold Carmichael	79		Charlie Joiner+	65
	Charley Taylor+	79		Michael Irvin+	65
21.	Joey Galloway (37)	77		Henry Ellard	65
22.	Harold Jackson	76		Gary Clark	65
	Tony Gonzalez (32)	76	47.	Keyshawn Johnson	64
	Fred Biletnikoff+	76	48.	John Stallworth+	63
				Carl Pickens	63
				Anthony Miller	63
				Keenan McCardell	63
				Terance Mathis	63

Yards Receiving...

Tony is currently 21st All-Time.

He has averaged 912 yds per year for his career. Using the same methodology as earlier, Tony would have 12,764 yds for his career if he maintains his average for the next 2 years...placing him at 12th on the All-Time Yards Receiving list.

Again, let's give him a third year at 50% reduced production. That would be a 456 yard season, giving Tony 13,220 yards total.

He would be 9th All-Time in Yards Receiving (Yes, Moss is going to alter this projection).

Rank	Player (age), + - HOFer, Bold - Active	Yds	Rank	Player (age), + - HOFer, Bold - Active	Yds
1.	Jerry Rice	22,895	20.	Keenan McCardell	11,373
2.	Isaac Bruce (36)	14,944	21.	Tony Gonzalez (32)	10,940
3.	Tim Brown	14,934	22.	Muhsin Muhammad (35)	10,857
4.	Marvin Harrison (36)	14,580	23.	Gary Clark	10,856
5.	Terrell Owens (35)	14,122	24.	Stanley Morgan	10,716
6.	James Lofton+	14,004	25.	Joey Galloway (37)	10,710
7.	Cris Carter	13,899	26.	Keyshawn Johnson	10,571
8.	Henry Ellard	13,777	27.	Harold Jackson	10,372
9.	Randy Moss (31)	13,201	28.	Lance Alworth+	10,266
10.	Andre Reed	13,198	29.	Andre Rison	10,205
11.	Steve Largent+	13,089	30.	Derrick Mason (34)	10,061
12.	Irving Fryar	12,785	31.	Shannon Sharpe	10,060
13.	Art Monk+	12,721	32.	Eric Moulds	9,995
14.	Torry Holt (32)	12,660	33.	Drew Hill	9,831
15.	Jimmy Smith	12,287	34.	Hines Ward (32)	9,780
16.	Charlie Joiner+	12,146	35.	Amani Toomer (34)	9,497
17.	Michael Irvin+	11,904	36.	Rob Moore	9,368
18.	Don Maynard+	11,834	37.	Raymond Berry+	9,275
19.	Rod Smith	11,389	38.	Herman Moore	9,174

How about one last stat?

Most Seasons with 50 or more Pass Receptions:

Tony is currently tied for 3rd All-Time with 11. As stated earlier, he has averaged 76 receptions per year. If he plays for 2 more years, he will be tied for 2nd All-Time.

If Tony has a 3rd year of 50 receptions, he will be alone in 2nd place All-Time.

Most Seasons, 50 or More Pass Receptions
17	Jerry Rice, San Francisco, 1986-1996, 1998-2000; Oakland, 2001-02
13	Andre Reed, Buffalo, 1986-1994, 1996-99
11	Cris Carter, Minnesota, 1991-2000 Tim Brown, L.A. Raiders, 1993-1994; Oakland, 1995-2003 Shannon Sharpe, Denver 1992-98; Baltimore, 2000-01; Denver, 2002-03 Marvin Harrison, Indianapolis, 1996-2006 Isaac Bruce, St. Louis, 1995-97, 1999-2004, 2006-07

Tony isn't just a great Chief or just the greatest Tight End of All-Time. Tony is one of the greatest Receivers of All-Time

Thank you, Tony.

via cache.daylife.com

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

That's why I say

no dealing him, even if someone is offering a second rounder. Trade Waters or LJ, fine. Tony G should be a Chief for life. Especially if we can get the ship turned around fast enough for him to have a shot at the playoffs.

Ten sacks in a season! For crying out loud that's what I used to average per game using DT in Tecmo Bowl!

by KCporkchop on Apr 20, 2009 3:29 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

anyone else pissed

That the “top 10 Tight ends” show on NFL network has TG at #8? WTF? and Shannon Sharpe was like #6

by KCCheeze on Apr 20, 2009 3:30 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I saw that.

It made me angry.

"...Said he couldn't go on the American way"

by Jux on Apr 20, 2009 3:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was not aware of that

thats BS

by Grand Master A on Apr 20, 2009 3:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah

their justification was that he is not a very good blocker…

by KCCheeze on Apr 20, 2009 3:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I use to watch "top 10"

Until after that one. I started to notice/realize it was all bullshit. I mean NO-ONE else compares.

"There are two armpits in America. Oakland and New Jersey."- Warren Sapp

by Dustin SLO,CA on Apr 21, 2009 11:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It doesn't help that they don't update their episodes.

I recently watched the episode of Players Who Should Be in the Hall of Fame.
Player on the list: Derrick Thomas.
I realize he’s technically not in the Hall of Fame yet, but they didn’t update the episode to mention that he’s going in this year.

And yes, the episode aired after it was announced he was going in. :P

You think it's coincidence that I bleed red?

by Mully on Apr 22, 2009 7:35 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

TG

Greatest all time no matter what they say he has the numbers to prove it

by tomahawk44 on Apr 20, 2009 3:32 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

One of the prerequisites to being selected in the

top ten tight ends of all times should be the ability to speak English in an intelligible manner. If it were, Shannon “Mushmouth” Sharpe would not be in the top ten. I can only understand about every third word the guy says. Shannon Sharpe is not worthy of carrying Tony Gonzalez’s jockstrap.

by G.L. on Apr 20, 2009 3:41 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs

Shannon Sharp is a punk

I have the memory of him walking Arrowhead sidelines mouthing stuck in my head.

by TonyG88 on Apr 20, 2009 3:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

just feed him some hay and he's happy

by Grand Master A on Apr 20, 2009 3:56 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

Can I rec this twice?

Love it DTR.

by Joel Thorman on Apr 20, 2009 4:04 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Thanks. I had to bring the A game today.

I couldn’t let UC get on the Recommended FanPosts list without a run for his money. :)

Follow PARADE's twitter feed here

I don't have religion. I have Baduizm...and Billie Holiday...and Janet. Actually, just Janet.

by DThomasReigns on Apr 20, 2009 5:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

They are both good topics and rec-able.

by Joel Thorman on Apr 20, 2009 5:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

"This week may very well be our last week with Tony Gonzalez as a Chief"

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

This is my heart talking now, but I don’t care if we get 3 first rounders for TG, I want to see him retire as a chief.

If you go out and you’re looking for the girl to wink at you and she hasn’t winked at you before 12 she isn’t going to. You might as well go home.

by craig in calgary on Apr 20, 2009 4:10 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

REC'D

Man it will be such a shame if I have to see him in another jersey, especially if he doesnt win a playoff game or even play in one. I really hope that he just takes his chances here where he is loved and god willing he will have his day.

by readANDgold58 on Apr 20, 2009 4:38 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Ultimately

I don’t think it would hurt his legacy to go someplace else. Look at the the guys on that list, only a few of them played on the same team, especially in the free agent era.

by Joel Thorman on Apr 20, 2009 4:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

True

but, I was just saying that if he leaves I am just wishing he gets to win a playoff game. Because if he doesn’t then I believe that it would suck even more. I will never root against Tony, ever, so whatever he decides to do I’ll respect it. I just dont want him to go somewhere else to do the exact same thing he could do here. This could just be me being jealous though.

by readANDgold58 on Apr 20, 2009 4:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Leaves and gets a ring?

I would like that too…even if it would make him like his rival Shannon Sharpe (when he went to the Ravens, although he won two titles with the Broncos).

by Joel Thorman on Apr 20, 2009 4:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Exactly,

i just want success for him. He has litterally given everything to KC and deserves some pay-out for his work. Which is why I am wanting him to stay, who knows, maybe we will be the next Miami, except we go all the way. KC Chiefs, Super Bowl champs? One can dream, haha.

by readANDgold58 on Apr 20, 2009 4:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hate to say this but,

If Tony does get traded. I hope the team he goes to falls apart. I love TG and I appreciate everything he has done for the team but, I hate the fact that he wants to be traded away just when the ship is turning around. I also hate the fact that he didnt show up for the workouts.
He needs to talk to Jason Taylor and ask him how switching to a “contender” worked out for him.

by Chiefsfan1970 on Apr 22, 2009 4:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

There is definitely a side of me that feels the same way.

It’s not unlike the feeling of being dumped…not that I would know…total guess on my part. :)

I don't have religion. I have Baduizm...and Billie Holiday...and Janet. Actually, just Janet.

by DThomasReigns on Apr 22, 2009 5:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Exactly

The actual table from walterfootball.com had the number of teams each played for in a separate column, which I cut for formatting purposes.

I would link it to the actual table right now, but their stats page is down.

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I don't have religion. I have Baduizm...and Billie Holiday...and Janet. Actually, just Janet.

by DThomasReigns on Apr 20, 2009 4:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nice job funnyman!:)

Lots of info, you put some time in this one.

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

by Eric Allen on Apr 20, 2009 6:05 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Thanks, Eric. :)

It was actually harder to format the damn thing than to compile it.

Follow PARADE's twitter feed here

I don't have religion. I have Baduizm...and Billie Holiday...and Janet. Actually, just Janet.

by DThomasReigns on Apr 20, 2009 6:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rec'd

Very nice post about one of the best Chiefs of my era of being a fan. Great perspective for all of us. If Tony is gone soon (just saying), I am sure we will all remember what he has meant to this franchise. One of the very best!

by TheQ on Apr 20, 2009 6:15 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Thanks, Q.

I think it could be argued that if Tony were a WR, he still would be a HoF’er.

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I don't have religion. I have Baduizm...and Billie Holiday...and Janet. Actually, just Janet.

by DThomasReigns on Apr 20, 2009 6:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was watching...

A pregame talk during the 08’ season, and I think it was Terry Bradshaw (or one of them) brought up TG records and asked Shannon Sharpe about it and all Shannon could say was “Well Tony is a great reciever butttt….look who has the ring”. That really pissed me off because Shannon knows Tony is better than him and can’t admit it. Having a ring only proves that you have a good team. Having all the records that TG holds proves that he is the best. IMO i would rather be the best than have a ring…
I really hope he stays a chief for his career. I also think Cassel needs the perfect target (TG), thats why i think he will stay a chief because Pioli knows this.
PRAY TO THE FOOTBALL GODS THAT TONY STAYS!!!!

by Wrestler189s on Apr 20, 2009 7:19 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

I actually talked about that here.

by Joel Thorman on Apr 20, 2009 7:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks for this

Created an account just to rec this – long time lurker first time poster

I want to keep Tony, he will be very productive for the next 2-3 years. Think of how exposed Dwayne Bowe will be without Tony. Maybe Cottam steps up at TE but you will need to add another offensive star to replace him or else you will slide down to an inept offense for the next year or two. Also, not sure what your red zone options are without him.

by kc- on Apr 21, 2009 11:24 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Welcome to AP, kc-, and thanks.

Follow PARADE's twitter feed here

I don't have religion. I have Baduizm...and Billie Holiday...and Janet. Actually, just Janet.

by DThomasReigns on Apr 21, 2009 3:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Great post.......

REC’D ……… When we first drafted T.G i was at work, and i think that was probably the best day as a Chief’s fan! I told one of the guy’s at work he was going to be a future hall of famer, and he just laughed, man i wish i could see him again!

by CPT.Caveman on Apr 21, 2009 9:44 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs