The Great Gonzo must be worshiped!

[tiger7_88]

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nfl--sources--tony-gonzalez-expected-to-return-to-falcons-for-right-price--abbreviated-camp-164540861.html

"He will come back if they pay him $7 million and he doesn't have to do training camp," said one Falcons player familiar with Gonzalez's thinking.

Wonder if his demand for special treatment over and above the typical peon player will go over well in the locker room?

I would imagine there could be two answers...

1. Just fine if they keep winning.

2. A point of contention in the locker room if they happen to hit any struggles.

[Gabeking]

Cuz matt Ryan would be much worse w/o him

[thunderraiden]

http://sports.yahoo....-164540861.html

Wonder if his demand for special treatment over and above the typical peon player will go over well in the locker room?

I would imagine there could be two answers...

1. Just fine if they keep winning.

2. A point of contention in the locker room if they happen to hit any struggles.

I doubt the training camp part is true. But obviously the money part is, why else would you play as long as him? From what I've seen and heard of Gonzalez he is a classy dude.

[Brokenbad]

People talk about him like he is god for sure, but that doesn't me he's a douche.

[iamhubby1]

Gonzo isn't the first vet FA to use this ploy. What until the last minute to sign and miss the rigors of TC. If your vet is well respected, there is no poroblem. Gonzo is well respected, this is not going to be an issue with that team.

[jamos14]

People talk about him like he is god for sure, but that doesn't me he's a douche.

False.

Being a falcon = being a douche

[Woodcookedbbq]

Well he does have about as much leverage as any player in the NFL has.

[PhillyB]

matt ryan may look very ordinary without him. i bet the falcons are more than willing to pony up the cash.

[Frizzy350]

No need for the guy to even bother with training camp. Its not like he has to play hard, just make sure he pushes off right before the ball arrives.

[Delhommey]

He always said he had every intent on retiring unless he got a sweetheart deal he couldn't turn down. Those would be terms he couldn't turn down.

I fail to see the outrage.

[Mr. Scot]

I doubt the training camp part is true.

I don't.

Retired players will tell you veterans - especially established names like Gonzalez - will pull any number of shenanigans to get out of training camp time.

[Frizzy350]

I don't.

Retired players will tell you veterans - especially established names like Gonzalez - will pull any number of shenanigans to get out of training camp time.

I really cant blame them. Theyve done it for ten years and played the game at a high level for so long its not like there is really any thing for them to prove in training camp or any new tricks to learn. Its just extra wear on their already battered bodies.

[KSpan]

No need for the guy to even bother with training camp. Its not like he has to play hard, just make sure he pushes off right before the ball arrives.

Correct, because as Billick and/or Martz pointed out no fewer than a dozen times, he's a future Hall of Famer, and future Hall of Famers tend to get the benefit of that no-call.

[Mr. Scot]

I really cant blame them. Theyve done it for ten years and played the game at a high level for so long its not like there is really any thing for them to prove in training camp or any new tricks to learn. Its just extra wear on their already battered bodies.

There's logic to it.

Most coaches that have been around for a while take it at least a little easy on vets in training camp.