by Cole Board
Tony Gonzalez is 34 years old, 243 lbs, and 6’5’’. Yet he still is arguably the best Tight-End in the NFL. A 10 time Pro-Bowl selection and holder of many all-time receiving records, is still catching balls and racking up yards, after 14 years in the NFL. Many said his last few years in Kansas City were his last great ones. April 23, 2009 is a day many believe rejuvenated his career.
Gonzalez had been trade to the Atlanta Falcons for a 2nd Round Draft Pick. Atlanta had just drafted a young star at Quarterback in Matt Ryan, and already had a great receiving corps. This is the kind of offense that Tony dreamed for. He would now be used as a primary target, and not a check down receiver. Many thought this trade was out of desperation, with a 32 year old Tight-End on the downside of his career, Kansas City looked like the big winner. They were wrong.
In his first year with the Falcons, Gonzalez had 83 receptions, with 867 yards and 6 touchdowns. His 5th, 9th, and 7th career bests respectively. That may not seem like much when put up against his previous numbers, but his 2009 statistics are rivaled by few Tight-Ends, if not Wide-Receivers in the NFL. The addition of Tony and Matt had made a struggling Atlanta offense into a juggernaut. Opposing defenses feared Ryan’s precision arm and fellow Wide-Receiver Roddy White’s deep play ability. This deep combination left foe Line-Backers in the dust as Gonzalez would out reach, out power, and out run them in the short passing game. Tony Gonzalez was once again feared by defenses.
Gonzalez holds all time receiving records for TEs in the receptions, yards, and touchdown categories with 1,026 receptions, 12,072 yards, and 85 TDs. He is also regarded by many as the greatest Tight-End to ever play the game of football. It seems that with age comes brilliance as Tony Gonzalez still dominates opposing defenses with his speed, strength, and football awareness. He’s big, old, and unstoppable.
