Tony Gonzalez calls out Matt Ryan, Falcons

[ThomasTomasz]

Every NFL offseason there seems to be a debate about which quarterbacks in the league are elite and which ones aren't. Thanks to Tony Gonzalez, the debate this offseason is probably going revolve around Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan.

In an interview with ESPN the Magazine, Gonzalez had this to say about his quarterback of the past five seasons, "Matt's an excellent quarterback, but he's not elite," Gonzalez said as he almost pinched together his thumb and index finger. "He's this close. He'll get there, but he has some learning to do."

Ryan might not be an elite quarterback but he's definitely being paid like one. The 28-year-old signed a five-year, $103.75 million extension in July that averages out to $20.75 million per year, second only to Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers.

Although Gonzalez doesn't think Ryan is elite, he did tell the Falcons official website that Ryan is "better than any other quarterback I've ever played with." That's kind of a back-handed compliment though when you consider Gonzalez has played with Elvis Grbac, Trent Green and Damon Huard.

It's not all bad news for Falcons fans though. The two most recent quarterbacks who had their eliteness called into question? Joe Flacco and Eli Manning. Things worked out for them.


Besides talking about Ryan, Gonzalez also touched on a few other topics during his interview. For instance, he was open to being traded before the Oct. 29 deadline after the Falcons fell apart in 2013. Atlanta was 2-5 at the point.

"You trade me to a team that needs me, that wants to make a serious run in the playoffs and the Super Bowl," Gonzalez said. "You get something in return for a guy who you know won't be here next year. And the season isn't going anywhere anyway. That's rational."

According to the ESPN story, Gonzalez was at a restaurant with his wife expecting to be traded and the two were waiting for a call from the Falcons. Gonzalez's phone never rang and he wasn't happy about not being traded.

Back in October, Gonzalez had said he'd 'listen' if Atlanta was interested in trading him.

It really made no sense for the Falcons to keep Gonzalez. Getting any draft pick for a guy who currently has no plans of playing in 2014 would have been a steal for a team that has a few holes to fill.

Maybe the Falcons kept Gonzalez though because they hope he'll play in 2014. The tight end is technically under contract for one more season and he recently told Ryan that if the team got hot in November 2014 he could maybe "come back for the last two months."

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on...ns-qb-matt-ryan-not-elite-i-was-open-to-trade

I hate the never-ending QB discussion, but Gonzalez is right to call out Falcons management. If they could have received a mid-round pick for Gonzalez, do it and don't look back.

 

[Tailback U]

The tone of this article leads me to wonder if we've actually seen the last of tony G. Wouldn't be surprised to see him in pads next season, for the falcons or somewhere else.

 

[NAHSTE]

:wank:

Headline grab. He didn't say anything inflammatory or out of line.

 

[FedEx227]

#ELITE or not.

Discuss ad nauseum.

 

[NAHSTE]

#ELITE or not.

Discuss ad nauseum.

I guess the Venn Diagram of derps who discuss this on VSN and derps who discuss this in the gen pop has some significant overlap. ESPN just cashing in on the easy #pageviews with a fake controversy.

 

[Maynard]

the only people who dont seem to know ryan is not elite are Falcons fans. give the guy a nickname and all of a sudden he is the 2nd coming

 

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

I guess the Venn Diagram of derps who discuss this on VSN and derps who discuss this in the gen pop has some significant overlap. ESPN just cashing in on the easy #pageviews with a fake controversy.

If you use my terminology, trademark it, plz.

 

[NAHSTE]

If you use my terminology, trademark it, plz.

Yeah I sampled your voice, you was using it wrong.
You made it a hot line, I made it a hot porst.

:theu:

 

[ram29jackson]

is he an elite tight end ?

 

[NAHSTE]

is he an elite tight end ?

Never won a Super Bowl, so of course not.

 

[Aso]

is he an elite tight end ?

He's not a TE anymore he's retired

:dd:

 

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

Yeah I sampled your voice, you was using it wrong.
You made it a hot line, I made it a hot porst.

:theu:

February 7, 2014

NAHSTE
Somewhere in New York

Dear Mr. NAHSTE:

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[Golden Taters]

Misleading title, but I don't think he's close to being elite.

Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers. Then there are a lot of good QBs outside those 4 but they are not "elite".

 

[NAHSTE]

Misleading title, but I don't think he's close to being elite.

Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers. Then there are a lot of good QBs outside those 4 but they are not "elite".

Nobody's going to argue that Ryan is in that category.

The idea that being "elite" actually matters is what I don't get. You need an elite team to win a Super Bowl. Most of the time "good" or "excellent" is more than enough at the QB position provided you have the other elements of a great team.

Why do NFL discussions center on this flimsy definition so often? Who fucking cares?

 

[1ke]

February 7, 2014

NAHSTE
Somewhere in New York

Dear Mr. NAHSTE:

This law firm represents Mr. LiquidLarry2GhostWF. If you are represented by legal counsel, please direct this letter to your attorney immediately and have your attorney notify us of such representation.

We are writing to notify you that your unlawful copying of Mr. GhostWF's copywrite material infringes upon our client’s exclusive copyrights. Accordingly, you are hereby directed to

CEASE AND DESIST ALL COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT.

Mr. GhostWF is the owner of a copyright in various aspects of these trademarks. Under United States copyright law, Mr. GhostWF’s copyrights have been in effect since the date that Mr. GhostWF’s trademarks were created. All copyrightable aspects of Mr. GhostWF are copyrighted under United States copyright law.

It has come to our attention that you have been copying Mr. GhostWF’s work. We have copies of your unlawful copies to preserve as evidence. Your actions constitute copyright infringement in violation of United States copyright laws. Under 17 U.S.C. 504, the consequences of copyright infringement include statutory damages of between $750 and $30,000 per work, at the discretion of the court, and damages of up to $150,000 per work for willful infringement. If you continue to engage in copyright infringement after receiving this letter, your actions will be evidence of “willful infringement.”

We demand that you immediately (A) cease and desist your unlawful copying of Mr. GhostWF’s work and (B) provide us with prompt written assurance within ten (10) days that you will cease and desist from further infringement of Mr. GhostWF’s copyrighted works.

If you do not comply with this cease and desist demand within this time period, Mr. GhostWF is entitled to use your failure to comply as evidence of “willful infringement” and seek monetary damages and equitable relief for your copyright infringement. In the event you fail to meet this demand, please be advised that Mr. GhostWF has asked us to communicate to you that it will contemplate pursuing all available legal remedies, including seeking monetary damages, injunctive relief, and an order that you pay court costs and attorney’s fees. Your liability and exposure under such legal action could be considerable.

Before taking these steps, however, my client wished to give you one opportunity to discontinue your illegal conduct by complying with this demand within ten (10) days. Accordingly, please sign and return the attached Agreement within ten (10) days to

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:clap: