Gonzalez to Bills?
My cell phone has been blowing up all day from friends asking about the rumor that the Bills are pursuing a trade with Kansas City to get star tight end Tony Gonzalez, who wants to play for a Super Bowl contender. That's not happening in K.C. anytime soon given their current youth movement. All we know for now is that the Bills are one of several teams to inquire about the future Hall of Famer.
There were reports that the Chiefs wanted a first-round draft pick, but I'm hearing they would take a third rounder. Gonzalez is still very productive at age 32, but probably has only a couple of good years left. If the Bills think he's the missing piece of their offensive puzzle, he would make a good short-term investment. At the very least, he would upgrade a position that has lacked a playmaker for years.
Gonzalez signed a five-year, $35 million contract extension in 2007 with more than $17 million in guaranteed money. But his base salaries are quite reasonable for a player of his caliber ($1 million this year, $4 million in 2009, $4.5 million in 2010 and $5.75 million in 2011).
By the way, some of my friends thought something was up when they checked the Bills website and saw Fred Jackson's name was deleted from the team's roster and depth chart. The team claims it was a computer error. Trading Jackson to the Chiefs doesn't make sense anyway because they recently gave starting running back Larry Johnson a big contract and used draft picks the last two years on Jamaal Charles and Kolby Smith.
If the Bills really are interested in Gonzalez, they better move quickly. The NFL trade deadline is Tuesday, and the Giants, Packers, Eagles and Buccaneers also have inquired about him, according to various reports.
Coach Dick Jauron will no doubt be asked about the trade rumor today after practice, so stay tuned.
---Allen Wilson
I do not like the idea trading for Gonz. The Bills are not a Super Bowl team yet. Dont tie up the money for a guy who might play one more year or so .
Posted by: Gary | October 14, 2008 at 11:55 AM
Losman and a 3rd is too much, unless you get Huard too. We need some type of experienced back up. Keep Losman, offer a 4th, be ready to go 3rd or 3rd & 5th....Stroud's deal. Gonzalez immediately upgrades any offense he goes to.
Posted by: Dave | October 14, 2008 at 11:33 AM
Allen, is there any update on this? Today is deadline day, so something has to happen and soon. Keep us up to date on this if something smells like it's going down. I know the Bills aren't practicing today, so there should be plenty of time to make some phone calls, right?
Posted by: Tim | October 14, 2008 at 11:28 AM
"who in their right mind would even want to come to Buffalo to play?"
Kawika Mitchell, Marcus Stroud, Lee Evans...
Posted by: tim | October 14, 2008 at 09:46 AM
Agreed....do not lose Freddie Mercury as a back up to Lynch....he could start for a dozen other teams...Losman has no identity in Buffalo and needs a clean slate to prove himself under a different offense....Gonzalez for Losman and a 3rd if not playoffs and 2nd if Bills make the playoffs..Plus....Gonzalez always plays well against the bolts...we can use hime for this weekend..Go Bills
Posted by: shawn | October 13, 2008 at 11:14 PM
Kevin, you're correct. What was i thinking. Hamdan performed flawlessly against many teams' starting players. Oh wait, you say he was playing against third stringers each game during the preseason? Oh yeah, that's right.
I'm sorry, but I don't think comparing Hamden's preseason to what it'll be like if he has to step into a situation similar to what happened in Arizona. He would be throwing to guys covered by good cornerbacks (except in New England). And he hasn't played real football in a long time. But yeah, he'd be fine. Just ask Matt Castle how fine it'll be.
Posted by: Tim | October 13, 2008 at 01:35 PM
Steve,
I think JP would agree to go to the Chiefs regardless because he could START for them and make a statement for his next contract on the field and not on the bench.
Posted by: Jason | October 13, 2008 at 01:18 PM
Don't kid yourselves KC wouldn't take JP unless he would sign with them and if you think a contract extension can be hammered out in a day you are dreaming.
Posted by: Steve | October 13, 2008 at 01:05 PM
i was going to write that trading a reasonably experienced QB for a TE at the end of his careerwould be insane, but considering JP's contract status, that might be a good idea...but yeah, that would be quite an investment in hamden...what the heck, go for it!
Posted by: not fade away | October 13, 2008 at 01:00 PM
The ONLY problem with trading Losman is that Hamdan becomes the backup. And Edwards has done everything right in his 1+ years in the leagues except one glaring thing: stay healthy. I love the idea of getting Gonzalez, but trading JP might not be the best idea. If Edwards goes down, then what?
Posted by: Tim | October 13, 2008 at 11:54 AM
Kansas City needs a QB. Thigpen has the LOWEST QB rating in the NFL! Give KC a 3rd round pick and J.P!
Posted by: ProSportsBuzz | October 13, 2008 at 09:41 AM
yes yes yes yes yes yes do it
but don't trade our backup RB!
Offer a 3rd and a 6th
Posted by: out of towner | October 13, 2008 at 09:20 AM