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Glazer: Chiefs deal Gonzalez to Falcons

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Jay Glazer

Senior NFL Writer Jay Glazer is one of NFL's top insiders. In addition to providing breaking news, columns and video, he appears weekly on FOX NFL Sunday. Visit Jay's exclusive page for hot scoops and watch MMAthetics and The After Party.

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Updated May 18, 2009 4:45 PM ET
     
 
Tony Gonzalez is finally getting his wish.
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The Chiefs have agreed to trade the perennial Pro Bowl tight end to the Atlanta Falcons for a second-round pick in the 2010 draft. "It's somewhat bittersweet," Gonzalez told FOXSports.com exclusively. "I love Kansas City. I grew up in Kansas City. The city means a lot to me. I got there when I turned 21. It will be sad to leave a city I love. But I'm looking forward to making a Super Bowl run in Atlanta every year for the next three or four years. "With Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, Roddy White and now myself, we have the chance to be in the top 5 in the league in offense every year. How could I not be excited to join that team? "(Chiefs GM) Scott (Pioli) and (head coach) Todd (Haley) told me a little bit ago and there were nothing but positives," Gonzalez continued. "I think this is something that will help them because they are rebuilding. There was no bitterness at all from either side." Pioli said it wasn't easy to trade the star, who played in 188 regular-season games for Kansas City. "From an organizational as well as personal standpoint there are mixed emotions," Pioli told The Associated Press. "I have the highest personal and professional respect for Tony and consider him to be a future Pro Football Hall of Famer." Gonzalez will provide a dramatic new look for the Falcons, who were 11-5 last year with rookie quarterback Ryan starting every game. "Tony's arrival will make an instant impact not only on the offensive side of the ball, but on the overall team in general," said Ryan, the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. "I feel privileged to be throwing the ball to a future Hall of Famer and I'm anxious to get on the field to start working with him." Gonzalez has been the subject of trade rumors since asking out of Kansas City in October. Last month, however, Kansas City owner Clark Hunt indicated that his prized tight end would remain with the organization. "We certainly will not seek a trade for Tony," Hunt told the Kansas City Star. "I think he's excited about the changes we've made here. I think he recognizes that with Todd as the head coach, we're going to have an exciting offense and one that will feature the passing game." Since the end of a 2-14 season, the Chiefs have been in rebuilding mode. They installed Pioli as general manager and Haley as head coach and also traded a pick in this year's draft for former Patriots quarterback Matt Cassel and linebacker Mike Vrabel. After Gonzalez's trade request in October, then-general manager Carl Peterson said no team that Gonzalez was willing to go to made a good enough offer. Pioli said the Chiefs did not pursue a trade for Gonzalez, but agreed when the Falcons offered a second-round pick. "This is something we really feel was a decision in the best short-term and long-term interest of the Chiefs," Pioli said, adding the 2010 draft pick could be used in another deal to acquire more picks in this weekend's draft. "It may be that pick next year or it may be a pick this year or several picks," Pioli said. Gonzalez has been the symbol of the Chiefs offense for the past 12 seasons, making 10 consecutive Pro Bowls and six All-Pro teams. Kansas City drafted him with the 13th overall pick in 1997. Gonzalez caught 96 passes for 1,058 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2008. He owns NFL career records for tight ends with 916 receptions, 10,940 yards receiving, 76 TDs receiving and 26 100-yard receiving games. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
Tagged: Tony Gonzalez, Chiefs, Falcons

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