Giants Pursuing Tony Gonzalez?

by Jim Schmiedeberg on Oct 11, 2008 11:03 PM EDT in New York Giants News

Is he smiling because he and Eli will be connecting soon?

Ralph Vacchiano is reporting that the Giants have contacted the Chiefs about a possible trade for Tight End Tony Gonzalez.

AP is reporting the Chiefs have put Tony Gonzalez on trade block.

Here is the story from The Blue Screen.

The story originated in the Kansas City Star, which says compensation will be the issue, as always.

We all know Giants GM Jerry Reese is not afraid to make trades. We also know the Giants are sitting on some extra draft picks. The deadline is Tuesday, I think it will be interesting to see what goes down over the next few days, and I am sure we'll have a lot of fun debating it, as always.

My take is, if you can get the deal done, and can fit him under the cap, you make it happen. A third-round pick seems like a small price to pay for what Gonzalez can bring to the Giants offense. I like Kevin Boss, and I think he has a good career ahead of him, but we are talking about arguably the best tight end of all time, and when the going gets tougher in the second half of the season, adding Gonzalez to the Giants already potent offense is going to make them almost impossible to defend.

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depth at tight end is an issue

and Gonzales is a great solution for it. Yet I don’t think he should replace Boss as the starter. Boss was amazing in the crunch last year. He made a few heads-up plays that saved the post season. If Tony is brought in I think that at most he should split time with Boss on the field. He could be used predominantly as a mentor or player/coach, or perhaps fill roles in packages like the one designed for Shockey. Boss has put in his time and done it well and I don’t like the idea of messing with the kid’s confidence.

by NYcON on Oct 12, 2008 5:09 AM EDT reply actions

I don't see Reese doing this...

Gonzales best days are behind him. He’s pushing 33 and after 12 hard years he is probably due for a parade of injuries. Boss will be fine. If there is any need at tight end it might be for a heavyweight blocking one on running downs since it seems Boss may be deficient there.

If we are looking for a trade let’s look at linebacker. Just my opinion.

by giant fan since 57 on Oct 12, 2008 5:46 AM EDT reply actions

The Giant's system doesn't use the tight end much

We had a good tight end with stats very similar to Gonzalez’s and Eli hardly ever threw to him. Now Shockey’s gone and we don’t miss him at all. Boss is more than adequate to handle the 2-4 balls thrown his way per game. It sounds good on paper to bring in a player of that caliber, but I doubt he’d add much to the offense, and he’d tie up a lot of cap money. I agree we’d be better off bringing in a really strong blocking tight end to complement Boss

by MJW on Oct 12, 2008 7:05 AM EDT up reply actions

Blocking

Don’t be so fast to minimize Boss’s blocking. Mike Garafolo had a great piece the other day about how effective the Giants have been running to Boss’s side — http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2008/10/new_york_giants_still_finding.html
Really interesting.

by Ed Valentine on Oct 12, 2008 9:04 AM EDT up reply actions

Wow

From watching the games it was obvious that he’s been doing a good job, but those numbers are pretty ridiculous(7.9 yards a carry when they run towards him and 3.8 when the run away). I would think that generally rushing averages are higher when running to the strong side, but I can’t imagine there is usually this much of a disparity.

by staypuft on Oct 12, 2008 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions

How much does he make?

This could be interesting, hes obviously a great TE, but as it was mentioned above, the TE isnt necessarily a big part of the offense so far. But is that b/c Eli doesnt have complete faith in Boss yet? Is Boss simply not experienced enough to get open on a consistent basis?

who to say, when I first heard the Gonzalez-Giants connection, I was all for it, but can he accept a smaller role on this team? Shockey didnt seem too happy doing that.

So I guess it would depend on his contract, in terms of amount and length…..either way I doubt they’ll do it, they have those extra picks, but those might be more valuable, especially with Reese’s drafting ability thus far.

Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.

by bren on Oct 12, 2008 10:16 AM EDT reply actions

role model

I think that Boss has done a good job this year. Too much has been made about his lack of receiving production as Eli really hasn’t been looking his way very often. I’ve also been pleasantly surprised with his blocking, as that was my main worry with the Shockey deal.

Something that hasn’t been mentioned is the impact as a role model Gonzo would have on the young TEs. Boss seems to have a good head on his shoulders but as far as route running and being a team player there wouldn’t be a better player in the league for him to emulate. I think after the 1 1/2 years we would get Gonzo for, Boss would be ready to contribute in a serious way. Also with all the Plax nonsense it would be nice to have another positive leader on the offense.

by staypuft on Oct 12, 2008 12:08 PM EDT reply actions

Good points

Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.

by bren on Oct 12, 2008 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions

For those concerned about TG's age.....

Last year’s stats:

2007 99 recs 1172 yds 73.3 ypg 11.8 avg 5 tds

I should be so old

Giants fan from the womb to the tomb

by Jim Schmiedeberg on Oct 12, 2008 12:55 PM EDT reply actions

99 Receptions?

If you could get a second Plaxico Burress for a third round pick, would you do it?

Who do you think would be the most help getting to the SB: McDougle; Droughns; McQuarters; or Gonzalez?

by TerraByte on Oct 12, 2008 2:01 PM EDT up reply actions

All of them

Giants are a team. Everybody makes a difference.

Giants fan from the womb to the tomb

by Jim Schmiedeberg on Oct 12, 2008 2:12 PM EDT reply actions

If you can do this for reasonable price

it’s a no brainer. Tony Gonzalez has the rep of being 100% class and decency, plus he can still catch the football. He’ll probably want to be here for the opportunity to win and to prep a little for career number 2 which will likely be on a set of a pregame show. Do it!

by DoctorK16 on Oct 12, 2008 5:47 PM EDT reply actions

i agree

i know it sounds cliche, but Gonzo is the ultimate good guy. plus, think about what a great weapon he would be in the red zone. i think Boss is going to be a player, but a move like this could only help.

by SBakerTheTouchdownMaker on Oct 12, 2008 7:09 PM EDT up reply actions

We got a 2nd and a 5th for Shockey

KC wants a 3rd for Gonzalez. Sounds cheap to me. Is there cap room? I don’t think Reese would have called if he didn’t think he could fit under the cap.

by TerraByte on Oct 12, 2008 7:29 PM EDT up reply actions

If it ain

by da cut on Oct 12, 2008 7:18 PM EDT reply actions

if it ain't broke

don’t fix it … why do this? The Giants have no need to improve their offense. Why give up anything for an aging TE that may or may not help the team?

by da cut on Oct 12, 2008 7:20 PM EDT reply actions

Because the Giants offense is predicated on running the football, so if you bring in a tight end that is a big threat in the vertical passing game, that causes big time match up problems and may cause defenses to compensate. Also think about the big help that he could be to the development of Boss and Johnson. If it means giving up a 3rd round pick for one of the best receiving Tight Ends in the league (who happens to be a stand up guy) i say take it.

by Hoyadestroya85 on Oct 12, 2008 8:14 PM EDT up reply actions

I couldnt have said this any better

An offense can never have too many weapons.

Giants fan from the womb to the tomb

by Jim Schmiedeberg on Oct 12, 2008 9:40 PM EDT up reply actions

plus you're playing in the beast division

any time you can bring in a weapon like that with our competition you do it.

by DoctorK16 on Oct 12, 2008 8:43 PM EDT up reply actions

and he gives you plax

blow up insurance

by DoctorK16 on Oct 12, 2008 8:44 PM EDT up reply actions

I would LOVE to get Gonzalez

He might be a little past his prime, but he’s still one of the top 3 TE’s in the league and definitely has at least one good season left in him. Don’t forget that the Chiefs have been pretty bad for 3 years now, so he might be really motivated if he comes to a winning team. Add to that the fact that he’s one of the best people in the league, and apparently a fantastic teammate, and it’s almost a no-brainer. It reminds me a little of the Ray Bourque situation a few years ago, when the Bruins traded him to the Avs so he’d have a chance to win a title, and Bourque played great.

One other thing I like about this move: it’s what the Patriots would do. Hate them all you want, but they’ve had a ton of success bringing in “past their prime” players who immediately resurrect their careers once in NE. And while it’s not terribly important in the grand scheme of things, there’s something nice about being one of those respected franchises that veteran players want to play for to get their elusive ring.

by cjmulrain on Oct 12, 2008 11:39 PM EDT reply actions

Flat out Reese needs to pull the trigger on this

Gonzo is a still a beast. He is unselfish. WANTS to play for us. He won’t drop balls. He won’t cry w/o touches. He just wants to WIN. He already knows he’s going to the HOF, what better way to go in than as a champion. He obviously pays attention to the media. He knows our no nonsense team mindset we have. He can only be a positive acquisition. Nuff said.

by ProudYankee on Oct 13, 2008 1:35 AM EDT reply actions