Sports Radio Interviews

A Quarterback’s Best Friend: Tony Gonzalez

Tight ends to quarterbacks are what a blanket is to Linus.  They make them feel safe.  A good tight end works the middle of the field and opens up the whole offense for the quarterback.  A great tight end is too fast for a linebacker to cover and too strong for a defensive back to cover.  A great tight end also is a great blocker in the run game.  Tony Gonzalez will go down as the best tight end ever.  He is the prototype with great size, speed, hands, and blocking ability.   And now Matt Ryan and the Falcons are lucky to have him for the low price of a 2010 3rd rounder.

We won’t see this image ever again as Gonzales is now a Falcon.  He may be 33, but he’s durable (he’s missed only two games in 12 years) and he had one of his best seasons ever with 96 catches for 1058 yards and ten touchdowns.  He’s already the career leader in catches for a tight end with 916 and is 9th all time in receptions.  By the time his career is over, he’ll most likely be number two behind Jerry Rice.  Not too shabby.

The Falcons now are the only team in the NFL with a top ten tight end, wide receiver, running back, and quarterback.  You could throw the Colts in there if you think Joseph Addai is a top ten running back.  I don’t.  The Falcons will be a dangerous team again this season as Ryan will improve. They were wise to focus on their defense in the draft as their offense is good to go. 

Newest Falcon Tony Gonzalez joined 790 the Zone in Atlanta  on Friday to talk about his new stomping ground.

On the trade:

“I have no ill-feelings towards them [Kansas City] one bit. I’m going to miss them, but at the same time I’m excited being out here in Atlanta, being part of this community, being a part of a winning program and ultimately I’m here to try and get that Super Bowl ring.”

On the pressure:

“The only way to deal with pressure, at the least the way I’ve dealt with it, is just to go out there and work hard and things will take care of themselves…They don’t need me to go out there and catch, like I have been in the past few years, 90-100 balls because we have so many weapons….For me, bring it on as far as the pressure goes.”

On winning:

“I haven’t won that playoff game in 12 years and I’ve only been to the playoffs 3 times. It’s about one thing for me. It’s not about the records…Right now it’s about finishing this thing off right…I know Shannon Sharpe pretty well and every time I see him I have to hear his mouth about how I don’t have any jewelry.”

Listen to Tony Gonzalez on 790 the Zone in Atlanta with Pollack and Bell

Tags: Atlanta Falcons, football interviews, Kansas City Chiefs, Matt Ryan, Tony Gonzalez