Offseason News.....
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David Moore @DavidMooreDMN
Cowboys Anthony Spencer has signed franchise tender. The DE/LB will count $10.63 million against cap while sides work toward long term deal
Cowboys Anthony Spencer has signed franchise tender. The DE/LB will count $10.63 million against cap while sides work toward long term deal
ArizonaKid
Pretty much a regular
ATL still paying for the Georgia Done, and sure as hell have more pressing needs than another damn stadium.
Why Atlanta is quickly becoming the Detroit of the South and people are doing anything to escape it.
guaranteeed
Pretty much a regular
Vikings cut Winfield
Smokedawg
Eagles Fan
Jason La Canfora <s>@</s>JasonLaCanfora The Revis derby isn't limited to one team. Several have had trade talks, including the Eagles and Bucs, and NYJ highly motivated to move him
guaranteeed
Pretty much a regular
And lol at the mike wallace revisionist history
Troutman
Calculated Risk Taker
Where are you from again?
JumpOnBoard
CTG Partner
no clue how he'll be valued in free agency now
Troutman
Calculated Risk Taker
GONZO IS BACK!!!
Falcons welcome the return of Gonzalez
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Curtis Compton
Future Hall of Fame tight end mentioned all season, his 16th in the NFL, that he would retire at the end of the season. Gonzalez won his first playoff game with Atlanta in the Divisional Playoffs this season. His 93 receptions led all Falcons receivers. He is seventh all-time in career receiving yards and is second among active NFL players.
Related
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Tony Gonzalez by the numbers
Tony Gonzalez just gave Falcons a window of opportunity
Falcons welcome the return of Gonzalez
Falcons ready for start of free agency
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Public funding for stadiums no easy sell nationwide
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Sponsored Links
By D. Orlando Ledbetter
Just hours before the start of free agency, Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez informed the team that he is returning for his 17th season in the NFL, the team confirmed on Tuesday.
The Falcons’ preparations for free agency were complicated by the issue of whether the league’s greatest tight end was set to retire.
Gonzalez’s cap number last season was $5.9 million. He will be line for a modest raise that should land him a contract between $6.5 million and $7 million.
Last season, Gonzalez had a stellar season. He caught 107 passes for 1,069 yards and 10 touchdowns passes over 18 games. He made one of the big catches that helped the Falcons get into field-goal range for their game-winning kick against Seattle in the NFC divisional playoff win.
“Tony Gonzalez has been so effective for us. To catch over 100 balls in a season as a 36-year-old is unbelievable,” Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said.
Gonzalez recently turned 37 and was aware of the team’s desire to know about his status for 2013 “sooner rather than later,” according to coach Mike Smith. If Gonzalez didn’t retire, he wanted to start a broadcasting career.
Gonzalez, cornerback Brent Grimes and quarterback Matt Ryan are all represented by Tom Condon and Ben Dogra of Creative Artists Agency, generally considered one of the top sports representation firms in football.
“Tom Condon, based on my experience with (negotiating) Peyton Manning’s contracts, is a notoriously tough bargainer, and I say that with respect,” said Bill Polian, former Indianapolis general manager.
Fox Sports first reported Gonzalez' return. In the Fox report, Gonzalez said, “"After discussing it with my family and really, truly struggling with this decision, I informed the Falcons that I would like to return for one more shot,"
The Falcons reached the NFC championship game and were defeated 28-24 by the San Francisco 49ers, one step away from the Super Bowl.
Before last season, Gonzalez had never won a playoff game. It was just to tough for him to walk away, one step away from reaching the Super Bowl.
"Considering how this season ended, I wanted to give it another run with Matt (Ryan), Smitty (head coach Mike Smith) and the guys we have in there. It was the first time I had won a playoff game and hopefully coming back once more we can take it one step further," Gonzalez said.
Gonzalez is the game’s second all-time leading receiver behind Jerry Rice. He has 1,242 catches. He maintained all season that he was 95 percent sure that he was set on retiring.
"I was done, I thought I had my mind made up," Gonzalez said. "This whole year I knew it would be my last but the way our final game ended and talking to all the guys in the locker room, in the end it was too difficult of a way for me to step away from the game. It's not often in a career you're around a group like we have down in Atlanta."
The Falcons never gave Gonzalez, a 13-time Pro Bowler, a timetable to announce his return. But the timing ending up working out for the team with free agency set to start today at 4 p.m.
Gonzalez also acknowledged the support of the Falcons fans.
"I have to say also I was pretty overwhelmed by the fans and how much they reached out to me,” Gonzalez said. “It was really something. They sent me all these videos, posts on twitter, Facebook, things like that -- a bunch of different messages hoping I would return. Really makes you put things in perspective.
"I am coming back for one reason and one reason only, the chance to win a Super Bowl."
The Falcons have been heavily scouted the tight ends that are eligible in the upcoming draft, April 25-27.
Notre Dame’s Tyler Eifert is considered the top player at the position followed by Stanford’s Zach Ertz.
“It's a good tight end group,” Dimitroff said. “The numbers are good, the athleticism is good, the ability to catch the ball is good, and the ability to block is there. I think we all know the importance of the tight end position -- it's not just about catching the ball, but it's also about being able to block the right way. Not always as effective as some of those big tight ends, but if you have the total package, and I think there are a number of guys in this group with the total package -- blocking and receiving.”
With the return of Gonzalez, the Falcons likely can now focus on drafting to help their defense. However, they still may take a tight end in the draft as Gonzalez has indicated that 2013 will indeed be his final season.
“What he's done on and off the field for us -- it has
changed our opinion of what a tight end is, or what our goals are in acquiring a tight end,” Dimitrof said. “That doesn't come around every day, and we know that. We talk about it all the time, in our draft rooms. If you can find a tight end who can block, as well as run
around, separate, catch the ball, and turn up the field, and there are a number of them in the league right now.”
Once the season was over, the Falcons let Gonzalez know that if he wanted to return, he was more than welcome. Working out the details on a one-year contract should be relatively painless.
“Tony's an anomaly,” Dimitroff said. “You see him walk out on to the field as a 36-year-old, and he looks like he's 25. He's in great shape, he takes care of himself,
and he moves around the way I think he's always moved around. Everyone loses a step or a quarter of a step, but Tony can still produce at a very high level, and those guys don't come around every day.”
Falcons welcome the return of Gonzalez
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Curtis Compton
Future Hall of Fame tight end mentioned all season, his 16th in the NFL, that he would retire at the end of the season. Gonzalez won his first playoff game with Atlanta in the Divisional Playoffs this season. His 93 receptions led all Falcons receivers. He is seventh all-time in career receiving yards and is second among active NFL players.
Related
<!-- requires javascript/omniture_event.js -->
Tony Gonzalez by the numbers
Tony Gonzalez just gave Falcons a window of opportunity
Falcons welcome the return of Gonzalez
Falcons ready for start of free agency
Groups want public vote on new Falcons stadium
Public funding for stadiums no easy sell nationwide
Falcons executing plan to sign their own players
Falcons agree to two-year deal with Garrett Reynolds
Falcons reach five-year, $30 million deal with William Moore
Gonzalez decision muddles Falcons offseason
Falcons raise ante as stadium moves ahead
What’s next in Falcons stadium saga
Sponsored Links
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By D. Orlando Ledbetter
Just hours before the start of free agency, Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez informed the team that he is returning for his 17th season in the NFL, the team confirmed on Tuesday.
The Falcons’ preparations for free agency were complicated by the issue of whether the league’s greatest tight end was set to retire.
Gonzalez’s cap number last season was $5.9 million. He will be line for a modest raise that should land him a contract between $6.5 million and $7 million.
Last season, Gonzalez had a stellar season. He caught 107 passes for 1,069 yards and 10 touchdowns passes over 18 games. He made one of the big catches that helped the Falcons get into field-goal range for their game-winning kick against Seattle in the NFC divisional playoff win.
“Tony Gonzalez has been so effective for us. To catch over 100 balls in a season as a 36-year-old is unbelievable,” Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said.
Gonzalez recently turned 37 and was aware of the team’s desire to know about his status for 2013 “sooner rather than later,” according to coach Mike Smith. If Gonzalez didn’t retire, he wanted to start a broadcasting career.
Gonzalez, cornerback Brent Grimes and quarterback Matt Ryan are all represented by Tom Condon and Ben Dogra of Creative Artists Agency, generally considered one of the top sports representation firms in football.
“Tom Condon, based on my experience with (negotiating) Peyton Manning’s contracts, is a notoriously tough bargainer, and I say that with respect,” said Bill Polian, former Indianapolis general manager.
Fox Sports first reported Gonzalez' return. In the Fox report, Gonzalez said, “"After discussing it with my family and really, truly struggling with this decision, I informed the Falcons that I would like to return for one more shot,"
The Falcons reached the NFC championship game and were defeated 28-24 by the San Francisco 49ers, one step away from the Super Bowl.
Before last season, Gonzalez had never won a playoff game. It was just to tough for him to walk away, one step away from reaching the Super Bowl.
"Considering how this season ended, I wanted to give it another run with Matt (Ryan), Smitty (head coach Mike Smith) and the guys we have in there. It was the first time I had won a playoff game and hopefully coming back once more we can take it one step further," Gonzalez said.
Gonzalez is the game’s second all-time leading receiver behind Jerry Rice. He has 1,242 catches. He maintained all season that he was 95 percent sure that he was set on retiring.
"I was done, I thought I had my mind made up," Gonzalez said. "This whole year I knew it would be my last but the way our final game ended and talking to all the guys in the locker room, in the end it was too difficult of a way for me to step away from the game. It's not often in a career you're around a group like we have down in Atlanta."
The Falcons never gave Gonzalez, a 13-time Pro Bowler, a timetable to announce his return. But the timing ending up working out for the team with free agency set to start today at 4 p.m.
Gonzalez also acknowledged the support of the Falcons fans.
"I have to say also I was pretty overwhelmed by the fans and how much they reached out to me,” Gonzalez said. “It was really something. They sent me all these videos, posts on twitter, Facebook, things like that -- a bunch of different messages hoping I would return. Really makes you put things in perspective.
"I am coming back for one reason and one reason only, the chance to win a Super Bowl."
The Falcons have been heavily scouted the tight ends that are eligible in the upcoming draft, April 25-27.
Notre Dame’s Tyler Eifert is considered the top player at the position followed by Stanford’s Zach Ertz.
“It's a good tight end group,” Dimitroff said. “The numbers are good, the athleticism is good, the ability to catch the ball is good, and the ability to block is there. I think we all know the importance of the tight end position -- it's not just about catching the ball, but it's also about being able to block the right way. Not always as effective as some of those big tight ends, but if you have the total package, and I think there are a number of guys in this group with the total package -- blocking and receiving.”
With the return of Gonzalez, the Falcons likely can now focus on drafting to help their defense. However, they still may take a tight end in the draft as Gonzalez has indicated that 2013 will indeed be his final season.
“What he's done on and off the field for us -- it has
changed our opinion of what a tight end is, or what our goals are in acquiring a tight end,” Dimitrof said. “That doesn't come around every day, and we know that. We talk about it all the time, in our draft rooms. If you can find a tight end who can block, as well as run
around, separate, catch the ball, and turn up the field, and there are a number of them in the league right now.”
Once the season was over, the Falcons let Gonzalez know that if he wanted to return, he was more than welcome. Working out the details on a one-year contract should be relatively painless.
“Tony's an anomaly,” Dimitroff said. “You see him walk out on to the field as a 36-year-old, and he looks like he's 25. He's in great shape, he takes care of himself,
and he moves around the way I think he's always moved around. Everyone loses a step or a quarter of a step, but Tony can still produce at a very high level, and those guys don't come around every day.”
Smokedawg
Eagles Fan
Whatever it is, its too much
Smokedawg
Eagles Fan
Daniel Jeremiah <s>@</s>MoveTheSticks Here's the last minute buzz I'm hearing: Jake Long-STL, Reggie Bush-DET, Chase Daniel-KC or NYJ, Goldson-TB, Cassell-MIN or TB,
Smokedawg
Eagles Fan
Joel Corry <s>@</s>corryjoel Philly has $45.2M of cap room after releasing Nnamdi. They will lose $5,1333,334 of room on 3/15 when Vick's '14 & '15 contract years void.
P-Unit
Beacon of Calmness
lol
let it go dude. You did say it last season. Maybe not in December, but I'm sure it happened.
In other news, I understand why minny got rid of Winfield ($7.25m against the cap this season), but they literally have no outspoken leadership left on that defense anymore, unless you consider JA a leader (which I don't - he's more of a calf-roping fool who only specializes in QB sacks during division games).
let it go dude. You did say it last season. Maybe not in December, but I'm sure it happened.
In other news, I understand why minny got rid of Winfield ($7.25m against the cap this season), but they literally have no outspoken leadership left on that defense anymore, unless you consider JA a leader (which I don't - he's more of a calf-roping fool who only specializes in QB sacks during division games).
JumpOnBoard
CTG Partner
Bills cut Fitzpatrick
tru
Friend of CTG
Haha mort u said it. Bet u went back and deleted that post by now
ArizonaKid
Pretty much a regular
The Republic of Texas.
JumpOnBoard
CTG Partner
Nice pick up for MIA in Ellerbe.
JumpOnBoard
CTG Partner
please please please
Matt Miller <s style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(187, 187, 187);">@</s>nfldraftscout
Natural replacement for Dannell Ellerbe in Baltimore is Rey Maualuga. They liked him pre-draft. <s style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(244, 115, 149);">#</s>Ravens
Matt Miller <s style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(187, 187, 187);">@</s>nfldraftscout
Natural replacement for Dannell Ellerbe in Baltimore is Rey Maualuga. They liked him pre-draft. <s style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(244, 115, 149);">#</s>Ravens
guaranteeed
Pretty much a regular
Nnamdi should come home
twinkie13
In transit, arriving late.
hellooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
twinkie13
In transit, arriving late.
you def said top 5 and it wasnt 2 years ago
T
tipyerbartender1
Guest
Alex texted me around Thanksgiving that Wallace is the greatest receiver that ever was or will be.
twinkie13
In transit, arriving late.
Vilma and Will Smith will restructure to save 7 million for 2013
Both guys team leaders and Smith the longest tenured Saint
Like both guys, but was hoping for a fresh start really
Will wont do well I believe in the new 3-4 the Saints will run, and Vilma if memory serves me right was always better in the 4-3(he is old now as well)
I guess they are good to have on roster, and both are team defense leaders
Both guys team leaders and Smith the longest tenured Saint
Like both guys, but was hoping for a fresh start really
Will wont do well I believe in the new 3-4 the Saints will run, and Vilma if memory serves me right was always better in the 4-3(he is old now as well)
I guess they are good to have on roster, and both are team defense leaders
W
wadegarrett
Guest
Hows his DYAR?
detroit187
Pretty much a regular
Reggie Bush just pulled up in a limo to Lions facility.
Lions plan on signing 3 today, S Glover Quinn, DT Jason Jones, and RB Kim K's old bitch.
Corners, DE's?? you dont need those on defenese.
Lions plan on signing 3 today, S Glover Quinn, DT Jason Jones, and RB Kim K's old bitch.
Corners, DE's?? you dont need those on defenese.
detroit187
Pretty much a regular
Reggie Bush is the perfect signing for the Lions. While much bigger glaring needs, he will create a buzz, sell tickets, give idiot fans false hope (they're offense will be unstoppable), Forward Down the Field!!
detroit187
Pretty much a regular
Lions working on 3 year deal with CB houston across the wire, now hes a serviceable #2 or 3.
detroit187
Pretty much a regular
Houston signed, would pair great with Milliner
detroit187
Pretty much a regular
Jason Jones signed, DT, we know how we love those, a Schwarz guy, may play some end, but not a pass rusher.
