Patriots should trade for Tony Gonzalez

[Phlash]

Alright, I think we can all agree that the Ben Watson experiment is over. He's developed into a good blocker, but with 4.4 speed, we were all hoping he could catch some passes as well. This looks like it's not going to be the case.

Trading for Tony Gonzalez would give us another huge threat over the middle (not that Welker isn't already). He's barely over 30, has had consecutive 1000+ yard seasons, and wants to win a championship. He also seems like a great person, from what I've heard of him, and I think he'd fit perfectly as a Patriot. As we all know, he wanted to leave the team midseason to go to a championship team. I wouldn't be disappointed if we traded Cassel for Tony straight up. IIRC, Tony's contract isn't even that bad, to top it off.

 

[Lansdowne]

I would LOVE to have Gonzalez. It would be such a breath of fresh air at that position.

Defense should be a priority this offseason, but Gonzalez is definitely high on my wishlist.

 

[nabwong]

Would love it to happen, but it ain't happening.

Hmmm....long way to february... i predict we'll see other threads like..

1. Cassel trade for Urlacher
2. Cassel trade for Adrian Peterson

 

[102 Pat]

What's his contract status with the Chiefs? If he signs maybe a one or two year deal with not too much money involved, it might be ok. Maybe he'd take less to play for a SuperBowl contender?

 

[DW Toys]

Alright, I think we can all agree that the Ben Watson experiment is over. He's developed into a good blocker, but with 4.4 speed, we were all hoping he could catch some passes as well. This looks like it's not going to be the case.

Trading for Tony Gonzalez would give us another huge threat over the middle (not that Welker isn't already). He's barely over 30, has had consecutive 1000+ yard seasons, and wants to win a championship. He also seems like a great person, from what I've heard of him, and I think he'd fit perfectly as a Patriot. As we all know, he wanted to leave the team midseason to go to a championship team. I wouldn't be disappointed if we traded Cassel for Tony straight up. IIRC, Tony's contract isn't even that bad, to top it off.

Mentioned that before in another thread on the Draft side just today. Agree with the Watson assessment. He can be the blocking TE. Still think you can get a swap of their first, their second and Gonzales for Cassel. They are a QB and an O-Lineman or two away and might be better than the Broncos (not including Cutler) and the Raiders as far as personnel. Split with the Chargers in 2009 and you could sneak in with a less imposing schedule like the Phins did.

Now the Pats might milk that pick to two number ones up higher. So you get Gonzales, a couple ones and a two. Hey, it's a thought.
DW Toys

 

[billdog3484]

i personally would not be willing to pay more than a 4th rounder for Gonzalez. Yes, he is pretty good, but i think we would be better suited spending money and draft picks on younger talent.

I think our Offense is amazing, and I think we should look to upgrade it where it is necessary, tight end is not a necessity

 

[WhiskeyBreath]

IIRC the Chiefs were looking for a 3rd rounder for Gonzo last season and only received offers of a 6th rounder.

 

[tombonneau]

IIRC the Chiefs were looking for a 3rd rounder for Gonzo last season and only received offers of a 6th rounder.

I thought they wanted a second? Can't imagine someone wouldn't pony up a third for a guy with at least one more Pro Bowl year in him (not including the 1/2 the 2008 season they would have gotten an ROI on ..)

 

[Fanfrom1960]

Seems like Gonzalez has been playing forever, but he'll be only 33 next month. Still some gas in the tank I guess, but he has to start slowing down sometime. I wonder if Bill would go for someone getting up there in age. Dillon was 30 when he came over from Cinci.

 

[Lansdowne]

tight end is not a necessity

Going to have to disagree with you there.

Daniel Graham has been missed as a blocker since leaving for Denver, Benjamin Watson has been a flat-out bust with his stone hands and poor route running, and David Thomas has done nothing in his 3 seasons with the team (other than cost them the Colts game this year).

TE is a weakness in this offense, and while it's not a high priority, it should be tended to.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

What's his cap #? We have much more pressing needs than TE. Though I am pretty sick of Watson. But really all this offense needs is a Jermaine Wiggins/Christian Fauria type that isn't going to kill us with drops/fumbles. Our offense will be fine regardless of who we put at TE.

 

[RayClay]

Alright, I think we can all agree that the Ben Watson experiment is over.

Uh, no. You think we draft, then give up omn every player that doesn't turn into a superstar after a few years? Put the test tube down, we have a football team to run and a salary cap to manage.

Why do we need a top tight end anyway? We have great WRs, pass catching backs and running backs. They only use one football at a time last I looked.

I agree that the #1 round super TE idea might not have worked, but we have two talented young ones and a cheap vet or mid round blocking tight end gives us a strong corps.

Sure, if someone wants to give away gonzalez and he wants to play for a reasonable contract, I'd love to get a couple years out of him. He's a great player.

Given all the needs and possible deals out there, I'd say that's unlikely. In fact, I don't see offense being in the top handful of problems at all unless we're adding an OL.

 

[ausbacker]

What I find interesting is that in past threads, people making suggestions such as LJ Smith etc, where statistically he is no better than Watson. The tipped passes by Watson frustrate the hell out of me, but unless there is a definitive upgrade, I don't mind.

If he and Dave Thomas can sort themselves out and make the clutch catches or blocks that we need them too, then the tight end position is fine. That said, a little healthy competition never hurts.

 

[PushnPencils]

Gonzalez is getting a little long in the tooth and will probably cost you more than he's worth at this point.

Besides, we'll probably draft another Pro Bowl TE in the 1st round like we have in the recent past.

 

[billdog3484]

botown, you took the last portion of an entire sentence.

i think adding another body at TE could help, but i am happy with watson and thomas. they are not great, but with our offense, we do not need an all pro at the position. they do an adequate job at blocking and have shown the ability to make a few plays in the passing game.

what i was saying with my post, is that it is probably going to take more than a 4th rounder to acquire him, possibly a 2nd with the year he just had. i believe we would be better suited going with a different position (OL, DL, OLB, DB) with that pick and keep what we have at TE.

I see it this way....

(1) Keep Thomas and Watson + Add another position through the draft (possibly even adding a TE in the 2, 3, or 4th round).
v.
(2) Trade for a upper echelon TE

I would prefer to bring in some youth. I think trading for Gonzalez would be more of a fantasy football move. Hes 33/34 years old, and at that position, players have very seldomly played at such a high level as Gonzo has

for comparison, Shannon sharpe in his NFL years at ages 34 and 35 averaged about 720 yards and 5.5 TDs. Not bad, but im not giving up a 2nd round pick for a TE who will do that for 2 years then be gone.

 

[mesoslo]

Yes trade for gonazlez and convert Ben Watson into a power running back like Jacobs.

 

[DaBruinz]

Alright, I think we can all agree that the Ben Watson experiment is over. He's developed into a good blocker, but with 4.4 speed, we were all hoping he could catch some passes as well. This looks like it's not going to be the case.

Trading for Tony Gonzalez would give us another huge threat over the middle (not that Welker isn't already). He's barely over 30, has had consecutive 1000+ yard seasons, and wants to win a championship. He also seems like a great person, from what I've heard of him, and I think he'd fit perfectly as a Patriot. As we all know, he wanted to leave the team midseason to go to a championship team. I wouldn't be disappointed if we traded Cassel for Tony straight up. IIRC, Tony's contract isn't even that bad, to top it off.

If all the Patriots got for Matt Cassel was Tony Gonzalez, I'd been extremely disappointed in Bill Belichick and company. Gonzalez is, at best, worth a 3rd round pick. Cassel will probably be traded for a couple of picks..Probably a 2nd this year and a 1st or 2nd next year.

 

[spacecrime]

Uh, no. You think we draft, then give up omn every player that doesn't turn into a superstar after a few years? Put the test tube down, we have a football team to run and a salary cap to manage.

Why do we need a top tight end anyway? We have great WRs, pass catching backs and running backs. They only use one football at a time last I looked.

I agree that the #1 round super TE idea might not have worked, but we have two talented young ones and a cheap vet or mid round blocking tight end gives us a strong corps.

Sure, if someone wants to give away gonzalez and he wants to play for a reasonable contract, I'd love to get a couple years out of him. He's a great player.

Given all the needs and possible deals out there, I'd say that's unlikely. In fact, I don't see offense being in the top handful of problems at all unless we're adding an OL.

You don't understand the gravity of the situation. If we don't field 22 probowl starters every week, we're going to lose some of our fans.

 

[DaBruinz]

Going to have to disagree with you there.

Daniel Graham has been missed as a blocker since leaving for Denver, Benjamin Watson has been a flat-out bust with his stone hands and poor route running, and David Thomas has done nothing in his 3 seasons with the team (other than cost them the Colts game this year).

TE is a weakness in this offense, and while it's not a high priority, it should be tended to.

Sorry, but your evaluation of Watson leaves something to be desired. Watson's route running is excellent. The problem is catching the ball, but its not from stone hands. Its from trying to run without the ball. Its a mental thing.

As for Thomas. He had a promising rookie year. Missed most of his sophomore year to an injury and played his third this year. He hasn't progressed, but then can you honestly tell me that the Patriots passing schemes are calling for lots of plays to the TEs over the middle. Not from what I've seen.

TE seems to be a weakness in this offense. However, much of it could be a scheme issue since they were still having Watson and Thomas stay in and help Kaczur block. If the Pats could feel comfortable letting Kaczur block on his own, with the TE only providing a chip or picking up a blitz, then the TEs could be used more.

 

[tanked_as_usual]

Sorry, but your evaluation of Watson leaves something to be desired. Watson's route running is excellent. The problem is catching the ball, but its not from stone hands. Its from trying to run without the ball. Its a mental thing.

As for Thomas. He had a promising rookie year. Missed most of his sophomore year to an injury and played his third this year. He hasn't progressed, but then can you honestly tell me that the Patriots passing schemes are calling for lots of plays to the TEs over the middle. Not from what I've seen.

TE seems to be a weakness in this offense. However, much of it could be a scheme issue since they were still having Watson and Thomas stay in and help Kaczur block. If the Pats could feel comfortable letting Kaczur block on his own, with the TE only providing a chip or picking up a blitz, then the TEs could be used more.

you could say that the pats TE schemes have 'devolved' from what it once was most likely to the other bodies that were brought in (welker,moss) being so successful