Forget What I Said Earlier: Falcons Get Tony Gonzalez

by Skeller on Apr 24, 2009 8:00 AM EDT in Football

A week ago the report was that this deal was dead. Guess what? It wasn't dead.

The Atlanta Falcons boosted their hopes for another trip to the playoffs by acquiring tight end Tony Gonzalez from the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday for a draft pick next year.

The Chiefs insisted they also improved their chances for success in 2009 by making the trade.

The Falcons will send a second-round pick in 2010 to Kansas City in exchange for Gonzalez, the only tight end in NFL history selected to 10 Pro Bowls.

I love this trade. Not because of Gonzalez -- he'll have less fantasy value in Atlanta than he would've had in Kansas City. The Chiefs threw the ball at Gonzalez all day because they HAD to. The Falcons aren't in that situation.

It's the way this trade affects the rest of the Falcons that I love. Matt Ryan's value goes up now that he has a reliable outlet option. Michael Turner gets better blocking. Roddy White and Michael Jenkins get somebody to take away defensive coverage. Matt Ryan (yes, I'm mentioning him again) now has a true red zone target -- Gonzalez had as many TDs last season as White and Jenkins combined! This is a huge increase in the fantasy value of the Atlanta Falcons.

On the other side, I don't think the Chiefs suffer as much as you might think. Cassel was brought in to throw the ball down field, and that's what he'll do. He loses blocking -- as does Larry Johnson/Jamaal Charles -- but that's something I expect the Chiefs will deal with at the draft. Jamaal Charles should see more passes thrown to him out of the backfield.

Fantasy-wise, this trade makes the Falcons offense much better and makes the Chiefs offense a little worse. Considering everybody was going to draft Falcons and were wary of Chiefs anyway, this is a good thing.

Now that a team icon like Tony Gonzalez has been traded, I wonder if Larry Johnson is the next one out the door?

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A 2010 2nd Rd Pick

Exactly how does dealing one of the top receiving TEs for nothing in 2009 improve the team in 2009? If I’m Matt Cassell, I double checking that someone didn’t mistakenly tatoo my chest with a big S and sneak a cape on me when I wasn’t looking.

Fake Teams - a proud member of the SB Nation

by faketeams on Apr 24, 2009 8:42 AM EDT reply actions

I agree

but, over at Arrowhead Pride, they analyzed the NE and Arizona offenses the past few years, and saw that neither used the TE much in their offensive schemes, as they relied on the WR and RB more. I have a feeling they could deal this pick before or during the draft tomorrow, and can see them drafting WRs in the draft at some point. Maybe some picks for Boldin? could happen.

raygu

by Ray Guilfoyle on Apr 24, 2009 9:31 AM EDT up reply actions

Cassell "Downfield"? Uh, no.

Why would the Chief’s feel Cassell will throw “down field”? I think at least (or close to) half of his yardage totals last year were after the catch. And his go-to stud receiver? Wes Welker (clearly not a downfield threat). The Pats didn’t utilize a TE in the passing game that much last year was because (1) Belichick had no faith in the hands of his TE’s and (2) he decided he needed to keep the TE in as a blocker on most passing situations. So … who is the go-to receiver in KC now that Gonzalez is gone? Who is the safety valve? Who is the Wes Welker that made Cassell look so good in NE? Who?

by Cased on Apr 24, 2009 9:38 AM EDT reply actions

Bowe, Charles

Charles will be the safety valve….Bowe will be the downlfield threat. As far as who is the Welker in the offense?? don’t know, but I hope Bowe is the Moss from NE 2007 offense.
Maybe a trade for Boldin will make the most sense….he knows Haley’s offense. Could be the reason they traded for an additional pick…..ok….I hope its the reason.

raygu

by Ray Guilfoyle on Apr 24, 2009 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions

Gonzo

As a Chargers fan I’m ecstatic. Gonzalez always dominated our safeties and dropping linebackers. With Cutler and Gonzo out of the division I feel even better about our chances in 2009. 2010 and beyond will depend upon what the Chargers get in the draft. AJ Smith has come up empty the last two years and they no longer have a deep roster.
If the Chiefs draft correctly this year, they are the team I fear the most going into 2010 and beyond.

by RJK on Apr 24, 2009 12:05 PM EDT reply actions

Gonzo

yes, he did eat up the Chargers over the years. I have confidence in Pioli’s drafting ability, but am concerned who the 2nd receiver will be to complement Bowe. I am hoping for a few more wins this season.

raygu

by Ray Guilfoyle on Apr 24, 2009 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions