Gonzo dealt to the Falcons
Mr. Silva is on the news, and here is his blurb on the move:
KC got its asking price, just not this year. Gonzo is 33, but coming off a 96-catch, 1,058-yard, 10-touchdown season. He obviously has a lot left, and going to a dome can't hurt. Atlanta relies on the run more than the '08 Chiefs did, though, and while Matt Ryan can only get better, Gonzo's numbers will likely dip some. He'll steer attention away from Roddy White, but could also cut into possession receiver Michael Jenkins' targets.
I'm in agreement here. I think you could expect some decline from Gonzalez, regardless of what team he was on. He was coming off the first back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons of his career.
Atlanta was one of the five most run-heavy teams of the decade last year. That will change in year two under Matt Ryan, but they will still be a conservative offense. (At least until Silva's boy Michael Turner pops his ACL.)
Offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey has zero history getting production from tight ends, which is another concern. But they wouldn't trade for Gonzo unless they were going to use him, and there aren't many other options for Ryan to throw to. This is great news for Ryan and Roddy White, because Atlanta's secondary receivers had too much pressure on them.
Expect Gonzalez to take a step back statistically in Kansas City, but he could lop 25% off his 2008 production and still be a top-five tight end. That's what I expect.
Comments
only thing burner's poppin is 99-yard touchdowns.
Posted by: evan | April 23, 2009 03:57 PM
Chiefs take that pick and their 3rd and trade for Boldin/Edwards.
Posted by: matt | April 23, 2009 04:28 PM
Wow! What a great trade for the both teams involved! First off Atlanta getting Matt Ryan a Pro Bowl TE as a safety valve, to keep pressure off Roddy White and to keep 8 out of the box for Turner! Great acquistion! Matt Ryan will have a huge Fantasy Year!!
As far as the Chiefs, Gonzalez is not getting any younger and a TE doesn't really fit Josh McDaniels spread offense style. I think Michael Crabtree with #3 makes a lot sense although I know Mark Bradley has been impressive in the mini camps. Crabtree and Bowe reminds me a lot of a younger version of Fitz and Boldin! Cassel could continue putting up huge numbers this upcoming season as well!
Posted by: Brandon | April 23, 2009 04:42 PM
cmon people, if KC is going to go offense in the 1st round, it's got to be OL help. while i'm sure they'd love a second quality WR to put opposite Bowe, that's a luxury they can't afford with that OL.
Posted by: veggieb | April 23, 2009 04:58 PM
Great deal for KC. Consider this- They wanted a 2nd rounder this season and Atlanta was likely hesitant as they would prefer to hold off a season. The 2nd is the 24th pick of the round. Does anyone really expect Atlanta to be any better than last year??? Ryan will have far more responsibility, that line completely overachieved last year as (other than Baker) it was made up of stopgaps and journeymen. Turner was excellent but the amount of touches has been well documented and you could easily see a drop off in production. The defense is not very good and they won a number of games late.
So back to the original point KC likely see's ATL's pick next season within the top 18 of the 2nd round as opposed to the 24 and it still gets a 2nd which ATL was hesitant to give up.
Got all that??
Posted by: TC | April 23, 2009 05:10 PM
As a Matt Ryan fantasy owner, I am smiling big time.
Posted by: theendzoneview.com | April 23, 2009 05:18 PM
TC, you 're on crack if you think ATL will take a step backward, that team is going to get better and better. You'll be looking at low end 2nd next year at best. But hey look at it this way, you're now guaranteed to be in the top 5 in the first round for next year's draft.
Posted by: Silver_n_Black | April 23, 2009 05:22 PM