Tony Gonzalez, AP Photo/David Zalubowski
On Thursday when the Atlanta Falcons flipped the switch at the team complex in Flowery Branch, Ga, they probably believed it was going to be a quiet day.
A full two days before the draft when general manager Thomas Dimitroff and his staff had "the hay in the barn," the phrase Dimitroff has recently used to describe the point in which he and his team know they've got their scenarios and plans solidified.
But Dimitroff had one last trick up the sleeves that he was preparing to roll up on Saturday when he pulled off what could become one of the best trades in Atlanta Falcons franchise history, bringing the future Hall of Fame tight end Tony Gonzalez into the mix.
It was a deal that had ground through the rumor mill and while many thought it was dead, others believed a second-round pick in this weekend's draft was a little steep of a price for a 33-year-old--albeit arguably the best one ever--tight end.
So as the trade was announced, Falcons fans' traveled through a priority list of thoughts from "Wow, I thought the Eagles were going to get him," to "This will make our offense pretty impressive," to "Wait, does that say a 2010 second-round pick?"
Dimitroff was able to work some of his allies and managed to get himself quite a deal. In business, it helps to treat the person across the table with respect and vice versa. That is clearly how this deal went down on Thursday and both teams walk away with what they wanted.
Dimitroff's dealing partner, his former boss with New England, now the general manager of the Kansas City Chiefs Scott Pioli, would have certainly taken a 2009 second-rounder, but Dimitroff stuck to his guns and managed to push it back a year.
The Falcons general manager has said all along that he felt to ensure the franchise is going to be going in the right direction for years to come, the team had to put together two back-to-back "complete drafts," at least at the top-end. Last year's draft stands on it's own and this could potentially be the one pundits for years to come point to when referencing when the Falcons built their defense and became a championship-caliber team.
With the addition of Gonzalez, the Falcons offense has a lethal look and the tight end is obviously excited to be a part of it.
"With Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, Roddy White and now myself, we have the chance to be in the top 5 in the league in offense every year. How could I not be excited to join that team?" Gonzalez said shortly after the trade was announced on Thursday.
He left out the other two receivers, Michael Jenkins and second-year man Harry Douglas. Jenkins has the most to gain from the acquisition. With teams' secondaries focusing on White, a safety with his eyes on Turner in the backfield, and a linebacker worrying about Gonzalez, Jenkins will get a lot of looks and it's fair to reason that he can be expected to improve on his solid 2008 campaign (50 receptions, 777 yards, 15.5 yards-per-catch average, and three touchdowns).
With an extra weapon in the passing game, Turner's career may be prolonged a bit as well. If he were to continue on the pace he set last season with his league-high 376 carries his burn will quickly become more of a flicker.
Fewer carries may amount to less yards for Turner, but he's still capable of breaking a long run at any moment and it makes Atlanta's offense more balanced.
They'll likely look to work off of play-action more in the '09 season, bluffing the run. The no-huddle saw a lot of success last year and they'll certainly look to include that as well which must have opposing defenses already shaking.
Head coach Mike Smith said recently many of the dynamics of the no-huddle are exciting to him and his staff and now with the addition of Gonzalez that style of offense has become even more attractive.
Fans of Atlanta have a lot to be excited about in the wake of the Gonzalez trade from Thursday. Definitely there's the acquisition of the player, but many are also pointing to the savvy way in which it occurred.
Not much of the future is mortgaged with this trade. Dimitroff will pick up some compensatory picks next year with the loss of five free agents and while they may not be third-rounders, look for the GM to make some hay--to steal his own line--with them.
Also, don't count out a trade down in the first round on Saturday for an extra pick or perhaps something in 2010.
The 43-year-old Falcons executive learned from some of the best, one of which he was dealing with on Thursday.
Don't be surprised when he gets a back a second-round pick in 2010 just by waving the magic wand he seems to be carrying right now.
Comments
Great analysis Daniel, and kudos for being the first person to acknowledge the existence of recently-signed Michael Jenkins, and how this aids him in the No. 2 spot.
In a lot of ways Gonzales is a big boost to our defense, since he's a third down chain mover that gives Ryan the ability to extend drives and keep the Falcons defense a break. I keep hearing strange rumors about Glen Dorsey, but I find it hard to believe we would be able to go back to the KC well and double dip for last year's high first rounder.
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