Tony Gonzalez needs to see who the new KC coach is... (1 Viewer)

[Jason Wood]

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/story/1018175.html

Johnson, Gonzalez reiterate their unhappiness with the Chiefs

By KENT BABB

The Kansas City Star

The Chiefs couldn’t expect to move toward a new chapter without a few old habits sticking around.

Tight end Tony Gonzalez and running back Larry Johnson spent time this week campaigning to be put out of their Kansas City misery, whether that’s by trade, release or team officials just changing the locks — anything that gets them out of a Chiefs uniform.

“You just feel trapped,” Johnson said Wednesday morning during a 23-minute appearance on radio station KCSP 610-AM. “Ever since I came to Kansas City, they’ve been trying to push me out the door.

“We can do it the easy way.”

Hours earlier, a national sports Web site posted a story about Gonzalez’s unhappiness and his desire to be traded if the Chiefs don’t hire the right coach, and specifically if they hire a college coach such as Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz as Herm Edwards’ replacement.

“I don’t want to deal with that,” Gonzalez told Yahoo! Sports during Pro Bowl preparations in Hawaii. “It seems like we’re rebuilding anyway, and I don’t want to do that. I don’t know that I want to do that any more than I already have been.”

Later, Gonzalez softened his comments and said his viewpoint had been misrepresented.

“I want to make sure people know I have not asked for a trade,” Gonzalez told FoxSports.com in Hawaii. “I said there are reasons I would ask for a trade, but depending on the coach they bring in and the free-agent acquisitions, I could easily be a Chief next year, too. In fact, that’s the direction I want to go. …

“I have been so fortunate to be with the Chiefs. They’ve always taken good care of me. I have no complaints and I love the city, but who knows what’s going to happen.”

A Chiefs spokesman said the team wouldn’t respond to the players’ comments.

After all, it was nothing Gonzalez and Johnson hadn’t said before. They spent chunks of time last season describing their frustration and how they’d like the Chiefs to handle things. Gonzalez wanted the team to retain Edwards, keep the spread offense and commit to Tyler Thigpen as the team’s starting quarterback. Johnson, 29, liked Edwards but wanted the opposite offensive philosophy: A run-based scheme that minimized passing and highlighted his rushing talents.

The Chiefs have plenty of questions during what will be an offseason of great transition, and two of the men designated as veteran leaders — at least, that’s what the Chiefs hoped they’d be a year ago — raised another big question: Should the Chiefs cut ties with two of their best offensive players?

Johnson said he has not spoken to general manager Scott Pioli and doesn’t care to, and he suggested he doesn’t care who the Chiefs hire as coach. Johnson said he’s never felt comfortable in Kansas City and his mind is all but made up.

“They could easily release me. They could easily trade me,” Johnson said. “There are things that could be done that they could be willing to do and should be willing to do.”

The problem with both players is that each is signed to long-term deals that include millions of guaranteed dollars. Teams don’t typically offer much substance in a trade for top-paid players toward the front ends of their contracts, particularly aging and disgruntled ones.

But the two veterans have said their piece many times this season. Gonzalez wasn’t happy he didn’t break the receiving yards record for tight ends at Arrowhead Stadium. Johnson was disappointed the Chiefs appeared to be phasing him out of their offense, weeks before they actually did phase him out.

To reach Kent Babb, Chiefs reporter for The Star, call 816-234-4386 or send e-mail to kbabb@kcstar.com.

How does everyone feel about this? I'm kind of fascinated in how the prior reputation of a player seems to shape the reaction to a trade demand. While I haven't thought this completely through, it seems the Gonzo's requests for a new home are met with a lot less Sturm und Drang than someone who may have not been viewed as positively for most of his career.I would certainly love to see him in Philly for 2 or 3 seasons.

 

[Banger]

I was surprised that Pioli hasn't spoken with LJ. Not sure that it means too much but I would expect that a new GM stepping in and if you have a "star player" that's being paid a lot and there's been controversy about him wanting out, etc. I'd think you'd want to see where his head is at if you wanted him on the team going forward.

As an LJ owner I would welcome a trade/release because anywhere is better than KC at this point.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/story/1018175.html

Johnson, Gonzalez reiterate their unhappiness with the Chiefs

By KENT BABB

The Kansas City Star

The Chiefs couldn’t expect to move toward a new chapter without a few old habits sticking around.

Tight end Tony Gonzalez and running back Larry Johnson spent time this week campaigning to be put out of their Kansas City misery, whether that’s by trade, release or team officials just changing the locks — anything that gets them out of a Chiefs uniform.

“You just feel trapped,” Johnson said Wednesday morning during a 23-minute appearance on radio station KCSP 610-AM. “Ever since I came to Kansas City, they’ve been trying to push me out the door.

“We can do it the easy way.”

Hours earlier, a national sports Web site posted a story about Gonzalez’s unhappiness and his desire to be traded if the Chiefs don’t hire the right coach, and specifically if they hire a college coach such as Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz as Herm Edwards’ replacement.

“I don’t want to deal with that,” Gonzalez told Yahoo! Sports during Pro Bowl preparations in Hawaii. “It seems like we’re rebuilding anyway, and I don’t want to do that. I don’t know that I want to do that any more than I already have been.”

Later, Gonzalez softened his comments and said his viewpoint had been misrepresented.

“I want to make sure people know I have not asked for a trade,” Gonzalez told FoxSports.com in Hawaii. “I said there are reasons I would ask for a trade, but depending on the coach they bring in and the free-agent acquisitions, I could easily be a Chief next year, too. In fact, that’s the direction I want to go. …

“I have been so fortunate to be with the Chiefs. They’ve always taken good care of me. I have no complaints and I love the city, but who knows what’s going to happen.”

A Chiefs spokesman said the team wouldn’t respond to the players’ comments.

After all, it was nothing Gonzalez and Johnson hadn’t said before. They spent chunks of time last season describing their frustration and how they’d like the Chiefs to handle things. Gonzalez wanted the team to retain Edwards, keep the spread offense and commit to Tyler Thigpen as the team’s starting quarterback. Johnson, 29, liked Edwards but wanted the opposite offensive philosophy: A run-based scheme that minimized passing and highlighted his rushing talents.

The Chiefs have plenty of questions during what will be an offseason of great transition, and two of the men designated as veteran leaders — at least, that’s what the Chiefs hoped they’d be a year ago — raised another big question: Should the Chiefs cut ties with two of their best offensive players?

Johnson said he has not spoken to general manager Scott Pioli and doesn’t care to, and he suggested he doesn’t care who the Chiefs hire as coach. Johnson said he’s never felt comfortable in Kansas City and his mind is all but made up.

“They could easily release me. They could easily trade me,” Johnson said. “There are things that could be done that they could be willing to do and should be willing to do.”

The problem with both players is that each is signed to long-term deals that include millions of guaranteed dollars. Teams don’t typically offer much substance in a trade for top-paid players toward the front ends of their contracts, particularly aging and disgruntled ones.

But the two veterans have said their piece many times this season. Gonzalez wasn’t happy he didn’t break the receiving yards record for tight ends at Arrowhead Stadium. Johnson was disappointed the Chiefs appeared to be phasing him out of their offense, weeks before they actually did phase him out.

To reach Kent Babb, Chiefs reporter for The Star, call 816-234-4386 or send e-mail to kbabb@kcstar.com.

How does everyone feel about this? I'm kind of fascinated in how the prior reputation of a player seems to shape the reaction to a trade demand. While I haven't thought this completely through, it seems the Gonzo's requests for a new home are met with a lot less Sturm und Drang than someone who may have not been viewed as positively for most of his career.I would certainly love to see him in Philly for 2 or 3 seasons.

I think it also has something to with the fact that Gonzalez did not let it impact his play on the field - meaning he didn't mope or dog it in order to get traded. He expressed disappointment after trade deadline deals feel through after he felt that he was promised a trade to a contender. He still went out and busted his ### on the field down the stretch.I can sympathize with a player at the end of the line that doesn't want to be part of a rebuilding project and it certainly makes sense from a team's perspective as well to trade an aging vet for something that can help down the road.

 

[Coach3K]

"Anywhere" is better than KC right now?

You mean the team with a hot new GM ready to make moves necessary to field a winner?

You mean the team with an incredible amount of young talent?

You mean the team that wisely let Herm go to focus on a fresh start?

You mean the team with a top 3 draft position?

You mean the team with $25-$35 million in cap space?

You mean the team with a rabid and loyal fan base, despite the challenges they've faced the last few years?

Yep - "anywhere" else definitely would be better than KC right now...especially Oakland, Cinci....yada.

KC may be "rebuilding" a little bit, but that doesn't take as long as it used to, and market forces don't ALLOW it to take the time it used to. Some of the "experts" getting Arizona so wrong at the beginning of the year points out that it's not always easy to predict how a team will gel at the right time.

Now Tony may only have a year left - if he has already decided that, then he may be better-off elsewhere for his "one last shot" - but if he's possibly going to play out through 2011 per his contract, stick around, retire a Chief, and be here for a possible Championship run with young guys he could mentor along the way.

But to suggest KC is the worst place you could be right now is just short-sighted.

 

[FlapJacks]

Tennesee could use these guys

an LJ/CJ backfield would be sick

TG would be a mega-major upgrade to Alge Fumbler.

 

[Coach3K]

As for LJ, the same holds true - definitely not the worst place he could be right now, but he's cancerous and I'd suggest HE'S about the worst person KC could have THERE right now.

 

[Adebisi]

"Anywhere" is better than KC right now?

You mean the team with a hot new GM ready to make moves necessary to field a winner?

You mean the team with an incredible amount of young talent?

You mean the team that wisely let Herm go to focus on a fresh start?

You mean the team with a top 3 draft position?

You mean the team with $25-$35 million in cap space?

You mean the team with a rabid and loyal fan base, despite the challenges they've faced the last few years?

Yep - "anywhere" else definitely would be better than KC right now...especially Oakland, Cinci....yada.

KC may be "rebuilding" a little bit, but that doesn't take as long as it used to, and market forces don't ALLOW it to take the time it used to. Some of the "experts" getting Arizona so wrong at the beginning of the year points out that it's not always easy to predict how a team will gel at the right time.

Now Tony may only have a year left - if he has already decided that, then he may be better-off elsewhere for his "one last shot" - but if he's possibly going to play out through 2011 per his contract, stick around, retire a Chief, and be here for a possible Championship run with young guys he could mentor along the way.

But to suggest KC is the worst place you could be right now is just short-sighted.

I don't think KC is the absolute worst place he could be - that would be Detroit - but you sure do paint an awfully rosy picture of a team that went 2-14 in a division that was won by an 8-8 team last year.Anyway, it was purely a rumor, but an interesting one: Cassell to the Chiefs for Gonzalez and a pick or two.

Can you imagine an offense with Brady, Moss, Welker, and Gonzalez?

 

[5Rings]

You mean the team with an incredible amount of young talent?

I was with you until this point.

 

[Coach3K]

I'm not painting a rosy picture - just one recognizes that the future holds a lot of potential.

Things this year were NOT good - or even mediocre. But things can turn around quickly in today's NFL. That 2-14 can easily turn into 8-8/fighting for a playoff spot, with the right players, momentum, and breaks. Then in 2010 you turn that momentum into a legitimate playoff run.

I'm not saying KC's going to be winning the AFC next year, but with the solid foundation they have right now and all the potential, 2-3 years from now they definitely could be in the hunt. I can't say I could make that argument about Detroit, Oakland (haha at playoff talk going around for next year), or Cincinnati.

 

[Buckna]

I think there's very little doubt they trade Gonzo before the upcoming draft. He's only got a few years left, has an expensive contract and the picks he would bring back in return would help speed KC's rebuilding efforts.

 

[Banger]

"Anywhere" is better than KC right now?You mean the team with a hot new GM ready to make moves necessary to field a winner?You mean the team with an incredible amount of young talent?You mean the team that wisely let Herm go to focus on a fresh start?You mean the team with a top 3 draft position?You mean the team with $25-$35 million in cap space?You mean the team with a rabid and loyal fan base, despite the challenges they've faced the last few years?Yep - "anywhere" else definitely would be better than KC right now...especially Oakland, Cinci....yada.KC may be "rebuilding" a little bit, but that doesn't take as long as it used to, and market forces don't ALLOW it to take the time it used to. Some of the "experts" getting Arizona so wrong at the beginning of the year points out that it's not always easy to predict how a team will gel at the right time.Now Tony may only have a year left - if he has already decided that, then he may be better-off elsewhere for his "one last shot" - but if he's possibly going to play out through 2011 per his contract, stick around, retire a Chief, and be here for a possible Championship run with young guys he could mentor along the way.But to suggest KC is the worst place you could be right now is just short-sighted.

They have young players, not sure how talented they all are.Last year they had a top 5 pick and the jury is still out on him. A high pick is no guarantee of anything except paying a ton of money.They had that much cap room last year.Removing Herm was definitely a step in the right direction and their fan base is among the best.Bottomline, there's reason for optimism but at this point, they have no coach, no qb (maybe Thigpen), no line, their 2 best offensive players want out and their defense is terrible against the pass and run. Besides that they are fine

 

[Beaumont]

"Anywhere" is better than KC right now?You mean the team with a hot new GM ready to make moves necessary to field a winner?You mean the team with an incredible amount of young talent?You mean the team that wisely let Herm go to focus on a fresh start?You mean the team with a top 3 draft position?You mean the team with $25-$35 million in cap space?You mean the team with a rabid and loyal fan base, despite the challenges they've faced the last few years?Yep - "anywhere" else definitely would be better than KC right now...especially Oakland, Cinci....yada.KC may be "rebuilding" a little bit, but that doesn't take as long as it used to, and market forces don't ALLOW it to take the time it used to. Some of the "experts" getting Arizona so wrong at the beginning of the year points out that it's not always easy to predict how a team will gel at the right time.Now Tony may only have a year left - if he has already decided that, then he may be better-off elsewhere for his "one last shot" - but if he's possibly going to play out through 2011 per his contract, stick around, retire a Chief, and be here for a possible Championship run with young guys he could mentor along the way.But to suggest KC is the worst place you could be right now is just short-sighted.

They have young players, not sure how talented they all are.Last year they had a top 5 pick and the jury is still out on him. A high pick is no guarantee of anything except paying a ton of money.They had that much cap room last year.Removing Herm was definitely a step in the right direction and their fan base is among the best.Bottomline, there's reason for optimism but at this point, they have no coach, no qb (maybe Thigpen), no line, their 2 best offensive players want out and their defense is terrible against the pass and run. Besides that they are fine

Oh, we are not that bad against the pass ...I concur that time still will have a lot to say about whether we really do have young talent or just young players ...

 

[Phurfur]

I think there's very little doubt they trade Gonzo before the upcoming draft. He's only got a few years left, has an expensive contract and the picks he would bring back in return would help speed KC's rebuilding efforts.

What picks do you think they will get? Last year during the season a 3rd rounder was their best offer, I think he is worth less now.

 

[Banger]

"Anywhere" is better than KC right now?You mean the team with a hot new GM ready to make moves necessary to field a winner?You mean the team with an incredible amount of young talent?You mean the team that wisely let Herm go to focus on a fresh start?You mean the team with a top 3 draft position?You mean the team with $25-$35 million in cap space?You mean the team with a rabid and loyal fan base, despite the challenges they've faced the last few years?Yep - "anywhere" else definitely would be better than KC right now...especially Oakland, Cinci....yada.KC may be "rebuilding" a little bit, but that doesn't take as long as it used to, and market forces don't ALLOW it to take the time it used to. Some of the "experts" getting Arizona so wrong at the beginning of the year points out that it's not always easy to predict how a team will gel at the right time.Now Tony may only have a year left - if he has already decided that, then he may be better-off elsewhere for his "one last shot" - but if he's possibly going to play out through 2011 per his contract, stick around, retire a Chief, and be here for a possible Championship run with young guys he could mentor along the way.But to suggest KC is the worst place you could be right now is just short-sighted.

They have young players, not sure how talented they all are.Last year they had a top 5 pick and the jury is still out on him. A high pick is no guarantee of anything except paying a ton of money.They had that much cap room last year.Removing Herm was definitely a step in the right direction and their fan base is among the best.Bottomline, there's reason for optimism but at this point, they have no coach, no qb (maybe Thigpen), no line, their 2 best offensive players want out and their defense is terrible against the pass and run. Besides that they are fine

Oh, we are not that bad against the pass ...I concur that time still will have a lot to say about whether we really do have young talent or just young players ...

28th isn't good...but it is better than their 30th rank vs. the run...

 

[CalBear]

How does everyone feel about this? I'm kind of fascinated in how the prior reputation of a player seems to shape the reaction to a trade demand. While I haven't thought this completely through, it seems the Gonzo's requests for a new home are met with a lot less Sturm und Drang than someone who may have not been viewed as positively for most of his career.I would certainly love to see him in Philly for 2 or 3 seasons. :(

I think mostly people feel sorry for Gonzo. (I certainly do). Here's a guy who's a future Hall of Famer, a hard worker and consistent performer who plays through injuries and is a lot of fun to watch. He's a 10-time Pro Bowler and a 5-time first-team All-Pro. And he doesn't talk a lot of smack. Compare that with guys like Vernon Davis, Kellen Winslow Jr., Jeremy Shockey--of course people have more sympathy for Gonzalez. And despite his illustrious career which will have most people calling him the best TE of all time, Gonzo has played in a grand total of three playoff games, all losses. In two of those he scored the team's only TD.I would like to see Gonzo get the opportunity to lead a Kansas City team deep into the playoffs--I think a lot of other people would like to see that, too. But it really doesn't seem like KC is anywhere near ready in the next couple of years. The irony is that among the big TEs (excepting Gates), Gonzo is the one who cares the least about individual achievements and the most about team success. In the past two years he's put up 195 receptions for over 2200 yards and 15 TDs; some guys would be very happy with that, but Gonzo is frustrated that he's putting up essentially meaningless numbers on a bad team. He'd rather put up 70/700/7 and win some games.

 

[gianmarco]

You mean the team with a hot new GM ready to make moves necessary to field a winner?

You mean the team with an incredible amount of young talent?

You mean the team that wisely let Herm Marinelli go to focus on a fresh start?

You mean the team with a top 3 draft position?

You mean the team with $25-$35 million in cap space?

You mean the team with a rabid and loyal fan base, despite the challenges they've faced the last few years?

Yep - "anywhere" else definitely would be better than KC Detroit right now...

 

[Banger]

How does everyone feel about this? I'm kind of fascinated in how the prior reputation of a player seems to shape the reaction to a trade demand. While I haven't thought this completely through, it seems the Gonzo's requests for a new home are met with a lot less Sturm und Drang than someone who may have not been viewed as positively for most of his career.I would certainly love to see him in Philly for 2 or 3 seasons.

I think mostly people feel sorry for Gonzo. (I certainly do). Here's a guy who's a future Hall of Famer, a hard worker and consistent performer who plays through injuries and is a lot of fun to watch. He's a 10-time Pro Bowler and a 5-time first-team All-Pro. And he doesn't talk a lot of smack. Compare that with guys like Vernon Davis, Kellen Winslow Jr., Jeremy Shockey--of course people have more sympathy for Gonzalez. And despite his illustrious career which will have most people calling him the best TE of all time, Gonzo has played in a grand total of three playoff games, all losses. In two of those he scored the team's only TD.I would like to see Gonzo get the opportunity to lead a Kansas City team deep into the playoffs--I think a lot of other people would like to see that, too. But it really doesn't seem like KC is anywhere near ready in the next couple of years. The irony is that among the big TEs (excepting Gates), Gonzo is the one who cares the least about individual achievements and the most about team success. In the past two years he's put up 195 receptions for over 2200 yards and 15 TDs; some guys would be very happy with that, but Gonzo is frustrated that he's putting up essentially meaningless numbers on a bad team. He'd rather put up 70/700/7 and win some games.

I've always been a Gonzo fan. Tremendous player for a loooonng time, just plays the game and plays it great but you can understand his frustration with the current situation and the fact that his career is likely coming to a close in the next couple years. He's a true class act.

 

[stevegamer]

KC may be "rebuilding" a little bit, but that doesn't take as long as it used to, and market forces don't ALLOW it to take the time it used to. Some of the "experts" getting Arizona so wrong at the beginning of the year points out that it's not always easy to predict how a team will gel at the right time.

Now Tony may only have a year left - if he has already decided that, then he may be better-off elsewhere for his "one last shot" - but if he's possibly going to play out through 2011 per his contract, stick around, retire a Chief, and be here for a possible Championship run with young guys he could mentor along the way.

But to suggest KC is the worst place you could be right now is just short-sighted.

The experts have had Arizona wrong for a few years - they've been a trendy pick to win the NFC West for 3-4 years. They beat up on a very weak division where the team that has dominated the division was decimated by injury.I think the Chiefs have a bunch of issues, and aren't that close - they are losing proven players like Allen and taking picks. They are trying to win a few years from now, and that's not Gonzalez's window.

For Gonzalez, he's been a class act, and honestly, while the Chiefs have playoff contenders, they've rarely done much. He's scored 1/3 of their playoff TD's since 1996 (along with Dante Hall & Priest Holmes, 2 each).

I was really hoping the Eagles would've done the smart thing and acquired him for the stretch run. They should've paid the price KC wanted.

Johnson is a bit different, since he's not a future HoF, face of the franchise guy who wants out.

 

[Bankerguy]

I'm NOT a Chiefs fan or have any bias here, but it would sadden me to see Gonzo in another uniform.

 

[CentralPA]

Tennesee could use these guysan LJ/CJ backfield would be sickTG would be a mega-major upgrade to Alge Fumbler.

Him and Scaife back there would be great for them. I don't think you'd want LJ, he's a headache, although LenDale is probably in the same category but he hasn't been caught yet.

 

[Tom Servo]

I'm NOT a Chiefs fan or have any bias here, but it would sadden me to see Gonzo in another uniform.

 

[Buckna]

I think there's very little doubt they trade Gonzo before the upcoming draft. He's only got a few years left, has an expensive contract and the picks he would bring back in return would help speed KC's rebuilding efforts.

What picks do you think they will get? Last year during the season a 3rd rounder was their best offer, I think he is worth less now.

Why less? He just tied the number for 3rd most receptions by a TE in a single season at the age of 32. (#1 & #2 on the list are Tony G in prior years.) It was 17th on the list for most yardage in a single season by a TE. Tied for 10th most TD's in a single season by a TE. If Shockey is worth a 2nd and a 5th, I would gladly pay a 3rd even with the age difference.He is also worth more to me as a Coach and GM if I can get him in during the offseason and get him time to learn the playbook and build a rapport with the QB and the rest of the team. Trading for him in the middle of the season is less than ideal since he'll have to do all of that on the fly.Besides, not getting anything for him instead of letting him waste away for the next 2-3 years while you rebuild is foolish of KC.