Post by lazarus on Jun 15, 2003 10:45:04 GMT -5
No distractions: Gonzalez says he's rededicated himself emotionally
By Rick Dean The Capital-Journal
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- There were times during the 2002 season when Tony Gonzalez spoke volumes by saying nothing at all.
Take the day he was selected to his fourth straight Pro Bowl. Normally one of the most media-friendly members of the Kansas City Chiefs, Gonzalez made himself conspicuously unavailable on a occasion when even the most closed-mouthed players eagerly discuss the honor.
His funk never became a full-fledged sulk, mind you. Rarely did he do more than hint at his unhappiness.
Still, after missing the entire preseason while negotiating a new contract, then after signing a seven-year deal for the largest signing bonus ($10 million) ever paid a Chiefs player, Tony Gonzalez was in obvious distress as his contributions to the high-flying Kansas City offense fell to 63 catches -- his lowest total since a 59-catch campaign in 1998, his second NFL season.
He fought to remain stoic. Kansas City's offense, after all, was scoring more points than anyone in the league. It featured a phenomenon named Priest Holmes who was on the verge of breaking NFL records for single-season touchdowns and yards from scrimmage.
"You have to give him the ball, I understand that," Gonzalez said. "But I just want to contribute. I still feel like I could catch five balls a game, 80 receptions a year."
By season's end, though, after he'd caught four-or-fewer passes in 10 of 16 games, Gonzalez simply stopped talking. -- especially when the Pro Bowl teams were announced.
Giants rookie Jeremy Shockey, who caught 74 passes, suddenly was the league's hottest tight end. Baltimore's Todd Heap led all AFC tight ends with 68 receptions, and he wasn't selected. Gonzalez was in no mood to answer questions about whether he thought that was right.
But that was then.
Today, Tony Gonzalez swears he's emerged from the self-righteous doldrum in which he no longer cares to dwell.
"I've rededicated myself emotionally," he said this week as the Chiefs concluded their offseason training program. "I'm not worried about my catches this year. I'm not worried about my touchdowns. I'm worried only about winning games and getting to the Super Bowl.
"Don't get me wrong. When I worried about my number of catches and touchdowns, it was because I wanted to contribute, and that's no different this year. I still want to get better.
"But I also want to see how good this team can be this year when our window is wide open. This is the best team I've ever been on and I don't want to be a distraction. I don't want to be the guy in the huddle talking about not getting the ball. I kind of did that the last two years, and it didn't get me any more balls. This year, I'll just do whatever they ask, and I'm sure it will work better."
But getting Gonzalez more involved may be the Chiefs' best way of improving an already impressive attack. Especially if Holmes isn't the back of 2001-02 after injuring his hip last year.
Quarterback Trent Green, who knows both the blessing and the curse of playing amid a plethora of offensive talents -- all their corresponding egos -- says he and Gonzalez might now have the best rapport they've ever enjoyed.
"You've got to remember that the first year I was here (2001), I didn't do any of the mini-camps because of my injuries," Green said. "Then last year, Tony wasn't here because of his contract situation. This is really our first offseason together.
"Everybody wants to make an issue about the number of touches that Tony had, yet I think he was second in the league (third, actually) in catches among tight ends. He obviously was a huge part of our passing game, and he's going to be utilized. He's the best tight end in the league, and we have to find ways to get him the ball."
By Rick Dean The Capital-Journal
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- There were times during the 2002 season when Tony Gonzalez spoke volumes by saying nothing at all.
Take the day he was selected to his fourth straight Pro Bowl. Normally one of the most media-friendly members of the Kansas City Chiefs, Gonzalez made himself conspicuously unavailable on a occasion when even the most closed-mouthed players eagerly discuss the honor.
His funk never became a full-fledged sulk, mind you. Rarely did he do more than hint at his unhappiness.
Still, after missing the entire preseason while negotiating a new contract, then after signing a seven-year deal for the largest signing bonus ($10 million) ever paid a Chiefs player, Tony Gonzalez was in obvious distress as his contributions to the high-flying Kansas City offense fell to 63 catches -- his lowest total since a 59-catch campaign in 1998, his second NFL season.
He fought to remain stoic. Kansas City's offense, after all, was scoring more points than anyone in the league. It featured a phenomenon named Priest Holmes who was on the verge of breaking NFL records for single-season touchdowns and yards from scrimmage.
"You have to give him the ball, I understand that," Gonzalez said. "But I just want to contribute. I still feel like I could catch five balls a game, 80 receptions a year."
By season's end, though, after he'd caught four-or-fewer passes in 10 of 16 games, Gonzalez simply stopped talking. -- especially when the Pro Bowl teams were announced.
Giants rookie Jeremy Shockey, who caught 74 passes, suddenly was the league's hottest tight end. Baltimore's Todd Heap led all AFC tight ends with 68 receptions, and he wasn't selected. Gonzalez was in no mood to answer questions about whether he thought that was right.
But that was then.
Today, Tony Gonzalez swears he's emerged from the self-righteous doldrum in which he no longer cares to dwell.
"I've rededicated myself emotionally," he said this week as the Chiefs concluded their offseason training program. "I'm not worried about my catches this year. I'm not worried about my touchdowns. I'm worried only about winning games and getting to the Super Bowl.
"Don't get me wrong. When I worried about my number of catches and touchdowns, it was because I wanted to contribute, and that's no different this year. I still want to get better.
"But I also want to see how good this team can be this year when our window is wide open. This is the best team I've ever been on and I don't want to be a distraction. I don't want to be the guy in the huddle talking about not getting the ball. I kind of did that the last two years, and it didn't get me any more balls. This year, I'll just do whatever they ask, and I'm sure it will work better."
But getting Gonzalez more involved may be the Chiefs' best way of improving an already impressive attack. Especially if Holmes isn't the back of 2001-02 after injuring his hip last year.
Quarterback Trent Green, who knows both the blessing and the curse of playing amid a plethora of offensive talents -- all their corresponding egos -- says he and Gonzalez might now have the best rapport they've ever enjoyed.
"You've got to remember that the first year I was here (2001), I didn't do any of the mini-camps because of my injuries," Green said. "Then last year, Tony wasn't here because of his contract situation. This is really our first offseason together.
"Everybody wants to make an issue about the number of touches that Tony had, yet I think he was second in the league (third, actually) in catches among tight ends. He obviously was a huge part of our passing game, and he's going to be utilized. He's the best tight end in the league, and we have to find ways to get him the ball."
