Tony Gonzalez may not retire after all (1 Viewer)

[KellysHeroes]

I know hes still got a little left in the tank but this quickly becoming Brett Farve-ish. During the season when Atlanta lost a couple of games it was stated he had no desire to be traded but as it got closer to the deadline there was a blip that he wouldn't mind... and understandly if its truly your last yr. But today we get a new blip that he would re-consider retirement for a stretch run on a contender (Atlanta not a contender? and isn't he still signed to them this yr). I fell that FF owners are going to have to hold all season with the chance of him signing at anytime.

Appearing on ESPN's NFL Live Thursday, retired TE Tony Gonzalez left open the possibility that he'd sign with a contender for the "stretch run" in 2014.
Gonzalez insisted last month that he was "at peace" with his decision to retire, but the fact that he would even entertain such a hypothetical is proof that he's still not quite ready to call it a day for good. Gonzalez looked like a player who could play another two or three seasons in 2013, so this definitely won't be the last you hear about possible return scenarios. We've got a new Favre on our hands.

 

[Sinrman]

I think he's mentally done. Physically I think he could go another 3-4 years. He's in fantastic shape and still can get it done...

 

[FUBAR]

New England or KC would sign him in a heart beat.

 

[ffgiant]

I hope he continues to play for a couple of more years. He is still have it in him to be a top tier TE in this league.

Disclosure: I have him in one of my Dynasty league.

 

[Eminence]

If he's a Free Agent, he could easily go to San Fran, Seattle, or Denver and instantly be in contention for a ring. I hope nobody gives this guy flack, he clearly just wants a Super Bowl ring before he retires, lol.

 

[Ghost Rider]

If he wants to play again, I hope he signs with a team before the season, instead of trying to latch on to a top contender late in the season just to piggyback on them just to snag a ring. I hope he does come back, either way. He still has it, as last season proved, and he could definitely still make a difference.

 

[KellysHeroes]

so does this not count? 2014: $4 million (+ $3 million roster bonus),

 

[Eminence]

If he wants to play again, I hope he signs with a team before the season, instead of trying to latch on to a top contender late in the season just to piggyback on them just to snag a ring. I hope he does come back, either way. He still has it, as last season proved, and he could definitely still make a difference.

Another thing to note is that Tony Gonzalez is only 224 receptions away from tying Jerry Rice's record for most receptions All-Time. You've got to think if he thinks he's capable of 80 catches next year, that he's going to attempt to break that record.

Nobody else is even close, he could retire with a record that's guaranteed to stand at least a decade.

 

[Eminence]

If he wants to play again, I hope he signs with a team before the season, instead of trying to latch on to a top contender late in the season just to piggyback on them just to snag a ring. I hope he does come back, either way. He still has it, as last season proved, and he could definitely still make a difference.

Another thing to note is that Tony Gonzalez is only 224 receptions away from tying Jerry Rice's record for most receptions All-Time. You've got to think if he thinks he's capable of 80 catches next year, that he's going to attempt to break that record.

Nobody else is even close, he could retire with a record that's guaranteed to stand at least a decade.

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/rec_career.htm

 

[DSP]

If he got the reception record as a tight end that is ridiculously legendary

 

[CalBear]

If he wants to play again, I hope he signs with a team before the season, instead of trying to latch on to a top contender late in the season just to piggyback on them just to snag a ring. I hope he does come back, either way. He still has it, as last season proved, and he could definitely still make a difference.

Another thing to note is that Tony Gonzalez is only 224 receptions away from tying Jerry Rice's record for most receptions All-Time. You've got to think if he thinks he's capable of 80 catches next year, that he's going to attempt to break that record.

Nobody else is even close, he could retire with a record that's guaranteed to stand at least a decade.

I really don't think Gonzo cares about records. And averaging 75 receptions over the next three years, at the end of which he'll be 40, is pretty unrealistic. In NFL history, no TE has ever caught a pass at over age 37, and Gonzo just blew the roof off the record for 37-year-old TEs (formerly Wesley Walls with 20). The combined number of receptions for all 37+ TEs in NFL history, other than Gonzo, is 44.

Sure, Tony's in a class by himself, but the demands of the position don't fit well with 40-year-old bodies.

 

[Eminence]

If he wants to play again, I hope he signs with a team before the season, instead of trying to latch on to a top contender late in the season just to piggyback on them just to snag a ring. I hope he does come back, either way. He still has it, as last season proved, and he could definitely still make a difference.

Another thing to note is that Tony Gonzalez is only 224 receptions away from tying Jerry Rice's record for most receptions All-Time. You've got to think if he thinks he's capable of 80 catches next year, that he's going to attempt to break that record.

Nobody else is even close, he could retire with a record that's guaranteed to stand at least a decade.

I really don't think Gonzo cares about records. And averaging 75 receptions over the next three years, at the end of which he'll be 40, is pretty unrealistic. In NFL history, no TE has ever caught a pass at over age 37, and Gonzo just blew the roof off the record for 37-year-old TEs (formerly Wesley Walls with 20). The combined number of receptions for all 37+ TEs in NFL history, other than Gonzo, is 44.

Sure, Tony's in a class by himself, but the demands of the position don't fit well with 40-year-old bodies.

Agreed, but say he somehow ends up in Denver (assuming Decker walks). Would that not be a perfect opportunity for Gonzalez to push for a ring and perhaps eat into a record or two? It's not likely at all but you'd have to think thoughts like this cross your head when you've got a legendary career on your hands.

 

[bigmarc27]

He's under contract.

 

[Eminence]

He's under contract.

Understood but if he tells the Falcons he wants to out, I'm sure a deal could be done. If not, he caught 83 passes on the Falcons last year which would bode well for his record ambitions as well.

 

[bigmarc27]

He's under contract.

Understood but if he tells the Falcons he wants to out, I'm sure a deal could be done. If not, he caught 83 passes on the Falcons last year which would bode well for his record ambitions as well.

It sounds like he doesn't want out, he just wants to become a mercenary for a contender which is kinda weak.

 

[Spike]

Nah...he is well-positioned for his, I believe, long-planned transition to TV work in football, a la Howie Long, Boomer Esiason, Shannon Sharpe, et al.

 

[CalBear]

If he wants to play again, I hope he signs with a team before the season, instead of trying to latch on to a top contender late in the season just to piggyback on them just to snag a ring. I hope he does come back, either way. He still has it, as last season proved, and he could definitely still make a difference.

Another thing to note is that Tony Gonzalez is only 224 receptions away from tying Jerry Rice's record for most receptions All-Time. You've got to think if he thinks he's capable of 80 catches next year, that he's going to attempt to break that record.

Nobody else is even close, he could retire with a record that's guaranteed to stand at least a decade.

I really don't think Gonzo cares about records. And averaging 75 receptions over the next three years, at the end of which he'll be 40, is pretty unrealistic. In NFL history, no TE has ever caught a pass at over age 37, and Gonzo just blew the roof off the record for 37-year-old TEs (formerly Wesley Walls with 20). The combined number of receptions for all 37+ TEs in NFL history, other than Gonzo, is 44.

Sure, Tony's in a class by himself, but the demands of the position don't fit well with 40-year-old bodies.

Agreed, but say he somehow ends up in Denver (assuming Decker walks). Would that not be a perfect opportunity for Gonzalez to push for a ring and perhaps eat into a record or two? It's not likely at all but you'd have to think thoughts like this cross your head when you've got a legendary career on your hands.

Denver isn't really his spot; they don't need receivers and they already have a good TE. They could have used Ray Lewis this year. Tony would have been a decent fit on New England or Seattle.

I don't think there's anything that adds up to 225 receptions, no matter how things go. Maybe a 15th Pro Bowl which would be a record. Or 34 more games which would be a record for a non-kicker.

But no, I don't see it.

 

[CalBear]

Nah...he is well-positioned for his, I believe, long-planned transition to TV work in football, a la Howie Long, Boomer Esiason, Shannon Sharpe, et al.

He may be too articulate and smart for TV.

 

[FUBAR]

Nah...he is well-positioned for his, I believe, long-planned transition to TV work in football, a la Howie Long, Boomer Esiason, Shannon Sharpe, et al.

He may be too articulate and smart for TV.

Most fans would actually learn something listening to him.

 

[Riversco]

I think some of these guys do this just to avoid training camp.

 

[ghostguy123]

I think some of these guys do this just to avoid training camp.

Nothing wrong with that at all for a guy like Gonzo. But I don't think that is what he is doing. Gonzo could easily just say "I am playing but no way I do training camp or preseason, gonna show up week 1", nobody would question it.

 

[Wingnut]

I think some of these guys do this just to avoid training camp.

Nothing wrong with that at all for a guy like Gonzo. But I don't think that is what he is doing. Gonzo could easily just say "I am playing but no way I do training camp or preseason, gonna show up week 1", nobody would question it.

Yup. Didn't he pretty much do this this past season?

 

[T J]

I think some of these guys do this just to avoid training camp.

Nothing wrong with that at all for a guy like Gonzo. But I don't think that is what he is doing. Gonzo could easily just say "I am playing but no way I do training camp or preseason, gonna show up week 1", nobody would question it.

Uhhhh....ya they would.

 

[FUBAR]

I think some of these guys do this just to avoid training camp.

Nothing wrong with that at all for a guy like Gonzo. But I don't think that is what he is doing. Gonzo could easily just say "I am playing but no way I do training camp or preseason, gonna show up week 1", nobody would question it.

Uhhhh....ya they would.

someone will question anything.

but that won't stop teams from signing him.

 

[bigmarc27]

I think some of these guys do this just to avoid training camp.

Nothing wrong with that at all for a guy like Gonzo. But I don't think that is what he is doing. Gonzo could easily just say "I am playing but no way I do training camp or preseason, gonna show up week 1", nobody would question it.

Yup. Didn't he pretty much do this this past season?

That's exactly what he did last year - the falcons made him that concession already. He's basically putting a feeler out that he'll stay in shape but expects some calls from contenders come October.

 

[False Start]

If he's a Free Agent, he could easily go to San Fran, Seattle, or Denver and instantly be in contention for a ring. I hope nobody gives this guy flack, he clearly just wants a Super Bowl ring before he retires, lol.

Doesn't everyone?

 

[Eminence]

If he's a Free Agent, he could easily go to San Fran, Seattle, or Denver and instantly be in contention for a ring. I hope nobody gives this guy flack, he clearly just wants a Super Bowl ring before he retires, lol.

Doesn't everyone?

$$$ has to be a bigger priority for some of these guys. You're not going to retire on a Super Bowl ring.

 

[Wingnut]

If he's a Free Agent, he could easily go to San Fran, Seattle, or Denver and instantly be in contention for a ring. I hope nobody gives this guy flack, he clearly just wants a Super Bowl ring before he retires, lol.

Doesn't everyone?

$$$ has to be a bigger priority for some of these guys. You're not going to retire on a Super Bowl ring.

I'm pretty sure Gonzo has more than enough to retire on...at this point a ring is all he cares about.