Gonzalez leaning strongly toward retirement

QBREES9 · 07-28-2012, 12:40 AM

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) -- Atlanta Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez is close to retiring from the NFL.
How close is up in the air.

Gonzalez said Friday that he's 95 percent sure the upcoming season will be his last, but he wasn't ready to completely rule out a return in 2013.
''I've had a great run,'' he said. ''I don't want to be one of those players toward the end of their careers - and nothing against guys that have done it like that in the past - but I want to make sure that I'm at the top of my game when I do go out.''

After the Atlanta Falcons finished their second day of training camp Friday, Gonzalez said offseason discussions with family members and friends helped him understand that the end is near.
He's accomplished quite a bit in 15 seasons and last year surpassed Terrell Owens, Tim Brown, Cris Carter and Marvin Harrison to become No. 2 on the league's career receptions list with 1,149 catches.

Gonzalez leaning strongly toward retirement - Yahoo! Sports

mutineer10 · 07-28-2012, 02:00 AM

He's lost a couple steps, but Gonzo can still play. That said, he's already the most productive TE to ever play the game, he's got nothing else to prove.

SloMotion · 07-28-2012, 06:11 AM

Gonzalez is the first NFL tight end - and 13th player in history - with more than 13,000 yards receiving. He holds nearly every NFL record, including 95 touchdown catches, for his position.

One statistic that amazes Falcons coach Mike Smith is Gonzalez's ball security. He hasn't fumbled since Week 16 of 2006. The last time he lost a fumble was in Week 5 of 1999 - a span of 202 straight games and 1,038 receptions.

Ouch, like it already isn't hard enough being a Falcon fan without having to anticipate losing Gonzalez.

SaintsBro · 07-28-2012, 10:56 AM

I think he is just letting people know he is a free agent in 2013, and maybe that "95% sure" means he may try and milk the Falcons for an extension for one or two more years, for them to avoid the insult of him retiring as a player for another team. Good business strategy to almost-retire-but-not-quite-and-maybe-I-will-take-an-offer-someplace-else-if-they-want-me-so-let's-talk-again-in-January.

vpheughan · 07-28-2012, 04:00 PM

A player would never "phone it in" just for the money!!!!!! Would they #4?

QBREES9 · 07-28-2012, 07:55 PM

Well if he does, then he does.

saintfan · 07-29-2012, 12:19 AM

He's an excellent flopper that's for sure.

atltillidie · 08-01-2012, 12:27 PM

Well, everyone, it looks like it's the end of the world for the Falcons.

|Mitch| · 08-01-2012, 12:29 PM

Did the Falcons even draft or sign his replacement this offseason?

atltillidie · 08-01-2012, 12:35 PM

We will in the 2013 draft. Not saying we wont miss him, but it's not like we can't have success without him. In Matt Ryan's rookie year, we went 11-5 when he was stilll with the Cheifs.

07-28-2012, 12:40 AM	#1
QBREES9 Moderator Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: New Haven Ct Posts: 23,985	Gonzalez leaning strongly toward retirement FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) -- Atlanta Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez is close to retiring from the NFL. How close is up in the air. Gonzalez said Friday that he's 95 percent sure the upcoming season will be his last, but he wasn't ready to completely rule out a return in 2013. ''I've had a great run,'' he said. ''I don't want to be one of those players toward the end of their careers - and nothing against guys that have done it like that in the past - but I want to make sure that I'm at the top of my game when I do go out.'' After the Atlanta Falcons finished their second day of training camp Friday, Gonzalez said offseason discussions with family members and friends helped him understand that the end is near. He's accomplished quite a bit in 15 seasons and last year surpassed Terrell Owens, Tim Brown, Cris Carter and Marvin Harrison to become No. 2 on the league's career receptions list with 1,149 catches. Gonzalez leaning strongly toward retirement - Yahoo! Sports
	www.sportsshooter.com/johnjcoleman " Anyone can take a picture Only a Photographer can take a photograph "

07-28-2012, 06:11 AM	#3
SloMotion 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 6,776 Blog Entries: 15	Gonzalez is the first NFL tight end - and 13th player in history - with more than 13,000 yards receiving. He holds nearly every NFL record, including 95 touchdown catches, for his position. One statistic that amazes Falcons coach Mike Smith is Gonzalez's ball security. He hasn't fumbled since Week 16 of 2006. The last time he lost a fumble was in Week 5 of 1999 - a span of 202 straight games and 1,038 receptions. Ouch, like it already isn't hard enough being a Falcon fan without having to anticipate losing Gonzalez.

07-28-2012, 04:00 PM	#5
vpheughan 1000 Posts + Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 4,525	A player would never "phone it in" just for the money!!!!!! Would they #4?
vpheughan 1000 Posts + Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 4,525

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07-28-2012, 02:00 AM	#2
mutineer10 Site Donor Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 1,739	He's lost a couple steps, but Gonzo can still play. That said, he's already the most productive TE to ever play the game, he's got nothing else to prove.

07-28-2012, 10:56 AM	#4
SaintsBro Site Donor Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: in line with my ridiculous CLEAR PLASTIC BAG Posts: 3,650 Blog Entries: 3	I think he is just letting people know he is a free agent in 2013, and maybe that "95% sure" means he may try and milk the Falcons for an extension for one or two more years, for them to avoid the insult of him retiring as a player for another team. Good business strategy to almost-retire-but-not-quite-and-maybe-I-will-take-an-offer-someplace-else-if-they-want-me-so-let's-talk-again-in-January.

07-28-2012, 07:55 PM	#6
QBREES9 Moderator Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: New Haven Ct Posts: 23,985	Well if he does, then he does.

07-29-2012, 12:19 AM	#7
saintfan Donated Plasma Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 18,556 Blog Entries: 5	He's an excellent flopper that's for sure.

08-01-2012, 12:27 PM	#8
atltillidie 100th Post Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 432	Well, everyone, it looks like it's the end of the world for the Falcons.

08-01-2012, 12:29 PM	#9
\|Mitch\| 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Alexandria, La Posts: 11,303	Did the Falcons even draft or sign his replacement this offseason?

08-01-2012, 12:35 PM	#10
atltillidie 100th Post Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 432	We will in the 2013 draft. Not saying we wont miss him, but it's not like we can't have success without him. In Matt Ryan's rookie year, we went 11-5 when he was stilll with the Cheifs.