Which situation do you liken Tony Gonzalez in Atlanta to? (1 Viewer)

[gianmarco]

Got into a discussion with a friend in regards to projecting what Gonzo will do. Personally, I think using anything Atlanta has done in the past is useless because when Crumpler was around, the coaching staff, Ryan, Turner, and the stud White is weren't. Since then, they haven't had anything at TE.

So you've got a solid QB (Ryan), a top tier WR (Ryan), a workhouse RB (Turner) and now a stud TE (Gonzo).

Some options:

1. Dallas: Romo, Barber, TO, Witten

2. SD: Rivers, LT, VJax, Gates

3. Cleveland (from 2007): DA, J. Lewis, Edwards, Winslow

4. Houston: Schaub, AJ, Slaton, O. Daniels

I will add that Gonzo in the past has been on a team dominated by the run with Priest Holmes and LJ and still did well, although granted there was no true WR1.

I personally think Gonzo will do just fine and approach is normal, other-worldly #'s. It seems to me that the most successful TE's seem to have many of the same pieces in place that Gonzo does.

 

[CalBear]

It is extremely rare for a TE to switch teams and produce decent numbers for the new team. But, that seems to be mostly because it's pretty rare for a TE to produce decent numbers in the first place. The closest analog to Gonzo as a receiver was Shannon Sharpe, who had 67/810/5 in his first season in Baltimore at age 32. (With Tony Banks and Trent Dilfer at QB). That suggests that a top receiving TE can still produce decent numbers when switching teams.

It will very much depend on what kinds of plays are called. I think his value takes a hit due to uncertainty. But I wouldn't be surprised if he wound up as the #1 TE again.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Before I saw the poll options I thought "Houston".

 

[gianmarco]

I find it interesting that most all top TE's actually are on a team with a strong running game and a top WR. Cooley almost qualifies with Portis and S. Moss.

 

[kurtrudder]

I would say that none of the scenario choices are teams that have a run heavy offense even close to Atlanta in 2008, 434 pass attempts vs 560 rush attempts.

That said I feel like this compares more closely to San Diego of previous seasons (2004 & 06) where LT was getting 330+ carries & Brees/Rivers did not have 500+ attempts. I think the Chargers WR's on those teams were nowhere near as prolific as the Atlanta receivers though LT's pass catching ability makes up the difference.

Whether all that helps to project Gonzo for this season in Atlanta, that's another story since this is a 33 year old TE in question going to a new team. I personally think that Gonzo might be undervalued here. The guy is a true pro who wants to win a SB ring, I think he will put up top 3 numbers yet again.

 

[stevegamer]

It is extremely rare for a TE to switch teams and produce decent numbers for the new team. But, that seems to be mostly because it's pretty rare for a TE to produce decent numbers in the first place. The closest analog to Gonzo as a receiver was Shannon Sharpe, who had 67/810/5 in his first season in Baltimore at age 32. (With Tony Banks and Trent Dilfer at QB). That suggests that a top receiving TE can still produce decent numbers when switching teams.It will very much depend on what kinds of plays are called. I think his value takes a hit due to uncertainty. But I wouldn't be surprised if he wound up as the #1 TE again.

This one is unlisted, and a good one.Honestly: Houston hasn't had a PLAYER of Gonzo's caliber yet, let alone a TE. Owen Daniels can't hold Gonzo's jock - which really makes it a bad comparison. Schaub is okay, but not as good as Ryan (Falcons made the right call there) I oculd argue that any of a number of teams fit this well - because the TE comp itself is poor for starters.SD has a TE of the same class and a comparable young QB, but a worse WR, and a much better RB - one who was involved in the passing game. The TE didn't change teams. Not a good match.Dallas has the talent about right, and even the style of RB. No team changing, but possibly a good fit.Cleveland 2007 - lesser QB, WR about the same, RB same style, but a bit worse, TE roughly comparable, maybe an okay fit.

 

[Truman]

Hard to project really, when's the last time the greatest TE of all time got traded to the team with the most impressive rookie qb since the merger?



This is not the Ravens offense. This team has pro bowl caliber players at 4 skill positions, with one of the best blocking backs in the game and young talent on the line in Baker and a Randle El type receiver in Douglas. This offense has a chance to be really explosive - if the coaching staff takes the training wheels off.

 

[FUBAR]

Indy - Peyton/Addai/Wayne/Gonzo2/Clark

Probably not quite as good, but there's similar potential.