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Gonzalez angered and baffled by non-trade
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| Tony Gonzalez: "Nobody is going to trade a second (-round pick) for a 32-year-old tight end." (Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images) |
"I'm shocked," he said in an exclusive interview with FOXSports.com. "It didn't make sense not to do this deal. It's winding down for me and this team is rebuilding. If they said from the get-go, 'No, we're not going to trade you,' that would've been better than how this whole thing unfolded. But that's not what happened.
"Last night I talked to Carl (Peterson, Chiefs President and GM) and I point-blank asked him what it would take to get it done. I wanted to know if it could happen with a fourth (-round pick). He started talking about a second and a fifth like the Shockey deal. Nobody is going to trade a second for a 32-year-old tight end. All along Carl said he would do something that works for both parties. Then he talked about how he traded a third for Willie Roaf, and he made it pretty clear to me that's what was going to get it done. That was certainly fair.
"I know teams offered a third and in the end, Carl made the asking price a second. I'm very disappointed that he didn't go through with it after he told me he was going to try to make it happen. I've been around this league a long time, it's a business. There's nothing I can do about it. I was pissed off about it, but I'll get over it. I won't let it affect my play and my preparation."
So where does he go from here? Gonzalez insists he'll do whatever it takes to make the Chiefs a better team. But first he says he will clear the air with many of his teammates.
"I'm going to go in tomorrow and get up in front of the team, no coaches, just my teammates and let them know exactly where I was coming from," he said. "Like I said, they keep talking about the future here and trading me would've helped build for the future. I love Kansas City and will always be a Chief, always! But my road is coming to an end, and I didn't want it to end on a team that is rebuilding.
"When I signed my deal a few years ago, it was to end my career here. But I also felt we had real potential, I didn't see us ending up with a rebuilding effort. But once they cleaned house, and when they traded Jared (Allen), it was clearly to rebuild. They have a bright future here. Some of the players they've drafted are going to be great. They are on the right road, but by the time they travel it, I'll probably be done. That's why I asked for this, and I was certainly led to believe they understood this and would help accommodate it."
Gonzalez, after hanging up with Peterson last night, was pretty sure he'd soon pick up a new zip code. As the day progressed, several teams involved began increasing their offers. A few came up to a fourth while a pair came up to a third. The Chiefs, however, will remain steadfast with a second rounder.
"If I was 28-years-old, we wouldn't even be having this conversation," said the league's all-time receiving leader for tight ends. "We've been talking about it for three weeks now, so we've had plenty of time to get it done. In the end, they had their agenda, and I don't know if they were serious about trading me or whether they were just trying to appease me.
"But you know what? I can't cry about it. If anything, this has motivated me even more. I'm a Chief, will be happy to be a Chief and will bust my butt for the Chiefs. I was never not happy being a Chief. I just wanted the chance to spend my last couple of years winning a title, not rebuilding. But I'm here to help rebuild, I'll work with all our young guys and get after it like I always have."
Member Comments
Although Peterson may be responsible for many, many things, he cannot be held responsible for not trading Gonzalez. The Chiefs had deals on the table from two first place teams (Buffalo and Atlanta) and Gonzalez flat-out refused to play for them. Peterson gave Gonzo exactly what he asked for and Gonzo backed down because he didn't think those first place teams were good enough to merit his services. <br /><br />Gonzalez didn't want to play for a winner. He wanted to play in a city where he could get national media attention. Refusing the trade to the Bills and Falcons was conduct of a childish, selfish egomaniac...not that of a champion.
DarthCalvert10/19/2008 9:23:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
All a business, and good business is keeping your players happy. My problem is that Tony is being taken advantage of, CP (Carl Peterson) knows that Tony will give him his best no matter how angry he is, and on top of that he is FOOLISHLY stubborn. Tony has too good of a work ethic and class to stoop to CPs level and holdout or anything, but if he wants a trade, thats what he will have to do cause CP will not give him up. By the way, I noticed that CP was the Pres and GM, well Matt Millen is available, since you two share the same DUMB philosophies, YOU WOULD BE PERFECT FOR EACH OTHER
Skinny8110/17/2008 9:20:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
This is a business. If the Chiefs' front office feels they need Gonzalez for one thing or another, and that he's worth a second round choice, who are we to judge. As a veteran with a young team, he can obviously play an importamnt role.
Harrion10/16/2008 16:35:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
I think they should have traded Tony. I think his reasoning for wanting to be traded was legitimate. He's an outstanding player and deserves a legitimate shot at a ring. What chance does he have now?
Kid_Dyn-o-mite10/16/2008 14:29:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
That is pretty classless and shameful of the cheifs not to honestly attempt to trade this guy. Well spoken tony one of the TRUE stand uo guys in the league..the cheifs just made a hater out of one more fan **** the cheifs!
saintz4lyfe10/16/2008 12:52:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Another one of Carl Peterson's ploys. He is an embarresment to the team. Don't ask for a fair price, jack Tony's price up where noone will take it and then say oh well. What a prick. 19 years worth. I don't think we will see 20 though.
BillCowher10/16/2008 11:07:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Houston_Hustler87: KC wont be good for at least 2 more years? I think you mean 2 more DECADES!!!
VicRattleheadTX10/16/2008 10:50:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Well spoken my Tony. He sounds like a classy guy and just wants to do what's best for the team and of course, he wants to a Super Bowl ring to cap off an outstanding career.
10/16/2008 10:19:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Carl is an a$$ that needs to get out of KC. Tony G. is one of the best players to grace the Chiefs organization. I guess only us fans realize this. I wish you all the best Tony and thank you for all you have given us and will continue to give. Us fans are behind you all the way.
lvmychiefs10/16/2008 5:36:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
I like Tony G and he has been good for KC and KC has been good for him. He has made a lot of money here, established all the TE records, might not have had the opportunity to do that in another location, now he wants to leave and play for a winner and that may still happen next year. Let's see if Tony goes out as a winner. I am betting he will. <br /><br />Herm isn't a bad coach just in a bad situation and Carl isn't the real problem. We have been through this before in the late 70's and 80's with Jack. The Hunts aren't going to make a change until they are forced to. They are loyal to good employees and Jack and Carl have been good employees.
KC7910/15/2008 23:45:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
DTChiefs fan, I TOTALLY agree with you! Herm the germ needs to go. He's destroyed the Chiefs strong fan base and the hope to continue to be the proud organization we were when Lamar was alive. He's probably rolling over in his grave! We are becoming the worst team in the NFL and will remain there until Herm and Carl are OUT! Carl has been there long enough. It's clear he can't get keep his promises to get the Chiefs to the SB let alone post season championship games! Clark, be a MAN like your father and get this team back on track!
TonyGFan4Life10/15/2008 22:26:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Rebuilding my arse; Herm was a loser before he arrived, he is a loser now, and on the NFL merry go round he'll be a loser at his next stop. Oh yes, there will be a next stop. After he is run out of KC he will wind up as a coordinator somewhere then surface as a head coach again. Just check the listing of coaching assignments in the NFL; they never really go away. Congrats Cowboys, your team is an excellent example. do you really think Wade is the coach to take you to the SB? That's just one example. Look around the league. Where are the "fired" head coaches working that have been "fired" in the last five years? They ain't on Fox.
getoffmy610/15/2008 21:45:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Maybe somewhere he still has NCAA eligiblity left. USC could use him desperately.
glen0710/15/2008 20:53:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
TONY RULES! IT'S A SHAME HE WON'T WIN A SB, NOR EVEN PLAY IN ONE. HE IS A HALL OF FAMER ALREADY. GO TONY!
lefrute10/15/2008 20:49:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
F*** YOU luckybirdsy! AND F*** YOUR **** WEBSITES!!
lefrute10/15/2008 20:47:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
FIND THAT 4 3 SPEED RUNNING BACK FOR A CHANGE OF PACE
chadderx10/15/2008 18:06:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
THESE THINGS TAKE TIME WAIT TIL NEXT YEAR
chadderx10/15/2008 18:04:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
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