Atlanta Falcons and Tony Gonzalez Working On A Deal
By Mike Dyce
Jan 20, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez (88) celebrates a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarter of the NFC Championship game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Tony Gonzalez was set to retire after last season, but after getting so close to the Super Bowl he has decided to come back and give it another shot. According to the USA Today, Gonzalez has given his agent, Tom Condon, the “green light” to begin negotiating a deal.
But while Falcons fans should rejoice that he’s coming back, I’d hold off for just a second. There are some conditions.
He is seeking $7 million for the season reportedly. So any dream of him taking a team friendly deal of the veteran minimum to ensure they have as many resources available as possible to bring in players to make a Super Bowl run, are gone. Apparently this is about more about a payday than a Super Bowl ring.
The second condition, he wants to skip some or most of training camp. As a veteran he shouldn’t be expected to participate much, but to not be there is very Brett Favre-esque. There is a certain rhythm that needs to be worked out with the rest of team.
If a deal isn’t worked out and he walks away from football he reportedly is interested in pursuing television opportunities.
“I think he’s going to come back. I think he’s leaning very, very heavily that way,” Warren Moon told USA TODAY Sports. “He definitely wants that ring — that’s the thing that keeps biting at him about whether he comes back or not.”
“The thing he’s really looking at: If they make the changes to make their team better on the defensive side of the ball, if they can do that, I think he’ll come back.”