Tony Gonzalez, TE, Atlanta Falcons (1 Viewer)

[Jason Wood]

2010 Player Spotlight Series

One of Footballguys best assets is our message board community. The Shark Pool is, in our view, the best place on the internet to discuss, debate and analyze all things fantasy football. In what's become an annual tradition, the Player Spotlight series is a key part of the preseason efforts. As many of you know, we consider the Player Spotlight threads the permanent record for analyzing the fantasy prospects of the player in question. This year, we plan to publish more than 140 offensive spotlights covering the vast majority of expected skill position starters.

Each week we will post a list of players to be discussed. Those threads will remain open for the entire preseason, and should be a central point to discussion expectations for the player in question. Importantly, analysis done in the first week of posting will be part of the permanent record in two ways. 1) At the end of the week, we will tally the projections into a consensus. 2) We will select a number of pull quotes from forum contributors who make a compelling statement or observation. Both the projections and pull quotes will be part of a published article on the main website.

Thread Topic: Tony Gonzalez, TE, Atlanta Falcons

Player Page Link: Tony Gonzalez Player Page

Each article will include:

[*]Detailed viewpoint from a Footballguys staff member

[*]Highlighted member commentary from the message board threads

[*]FBG Projections

[*]Consensus Member Projections

The Rules

In order for this thread to provide maximum value, we ask that you follow a few simple guidelines:

[*]Focus commentary on the player (or players) in question, and your expectations for said player (or players)

[*]Back up your expectations in whatever manner you deem appropriate; avoid posts that simply say "I hate him" or "He's the best"

[*]Avoid redundancies or ... this should be about incremental analysis or debate

While not a requirement, we strongly encourage you to provide your own projections for the player (players):

Projections should include:

[*]For QBs: Attempts, Completions, Passing Yards, Passing TDs, Ints, Rush Attempts, Rush Yards, Rush TDs

[*]For RBs: Rushes, Rushing Yards, Rush TDs, Receptions, Receiving Yards, Receiving TDs

[*]For WRs & TEs: Receptions, Receiving Yards, Receiving TDs

Now let's get on with the conversation! We look forward to your contributions and let me offer a personal thanks in anticipation of the great debate and analysis.

 

[Hoot&HoLLer]

Gonzo should rebound from what was for him an off year(albeit a good year for any other te). Ryan will be better in this his 3rd year with Douglas and Roddy and a good running game led by Mike Turner.

Another stellar year for Gonzalez.

85 rec. For 1085 yards and 8 tds.

 

[Birdie048]

Without any major changes in the Atl offense and the healthy status of M Turner, Roddy White will still be target #1, but Gonzo will be a reliable #2. In the run first offense Atl played in 2008, Turner was the focus. But Gonzo still had a very good season. Age is starting to be a topic for him, but not to the point where he loses a step or any value. He turned 34 this past Feb.

Matt Ryan hit is Soph Slump. He is a smart kid who knows how to overcome the obstacles he now faces. The chemistry Gonzo and Ryan have is tough to beat in the NFL. Another Top 3 TE finish for Gonzo.

Targets: 144

Receiptions: 93

Yards: 1035

TD: 9

Not quite his 2008 numbers, but improved from 2009.

 

[rzrback77]

Tony Gonzales is one of the most athletic TEs in the history of the NFL. He was the 13th overall pick in the 1997 draft and has had a career for the ages. As a rookie, he finished as the TE 19 with 33 catches. Since that year, he has finished in the top ten TEs for twelve consecutive seasons and has had over 70 catches in each of those years (except 2002 when he had only 63). Even more amazing, he has never played in less than 15 games and in eleven of his thirteen years in the NFL, he has played in all 16 games.

However, he enters this season (his 14th) at the age of 34. Only one TE in the history of the NFL has had over 60 catches in a season at age 34 or above. That person is Shannon Sharpe, who accomplished that feat in 2002 and again in 2003 at the age of 35. Gonzo could meet that level of production, but he is really pushing the envelope at a position where he blocks huge men frequently. I am not saying that he won't do it, I am just saying it will be a historic accomplishment.

In my opinion, his current ADP reflects consideration for his age. Consider that over the past four years, he has finished as TE #3, #3, #1, and #5 and this season, he is currently being drafted at TE #6 and 61 overall. If you think that he can continue his success and reach historical production at his age, then he is a bargain at his ADP. To me, that is a risky proposition, and the availability of other solid TE options will likely not see me grabbing Gonzo in 2010.

Tony Gonzalez 16 gms 104 targets 60 catches 57.7% 606 yards 10.1 ypc and 4 TDs

 

[D'OHtis]

80 catches 1000 yards 8 TD

,

Still the easy #2 in this offense.

 

[CalBear]

I'm bumping this thread because my favorite Cal player ever, and the best TE in NFL history, didn't even warrant a 2011 Player Spotlight thread. After two weeks, it's clear he still has great athleticism (that catch at the back of the end zone was amazing), great blocking and great strength. Barring injury there's no reason to believe he won't finish in the top 3 TEs this year. But the most amazing thing, I hadn't even realized until tonight; assuming he plays all year, Gonzo is going to end the season as #2 all-time in receptions. Not among TEs--among all receivers, trailing only Jerry Rice. He'll have 300 more receptions than the #2 receiving TE (Sharpe), and he's a far better overall player than Sharpe.

It's a privilege to watch a player for the ages. Outside of WR, there is no other position where the debate about the best of all time has such an obvious answer. Keep it up, Gonzo.