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| Paul Abell / Getty Images |
| The Falcons traded a second-round pick to the Chiefs for 10-time Pro Bowl tight end Tony Gonzalez. |
As part of NFL Network's 32 teams in 32 days series, airing daily on Total Access, NFL.com takes a look at a key question facing each NFL team.
NFL Network analysts Solomon Wilcots and Jamie Dukes discuss the impact of tight end Tony Gonzalez on the Atlanta Falcons offense this season. Will the Falcons return to the playoffs?
Read their takes and then enter the discussion below.
Wilcots: Gonzalez a perfect fit Tony Gonzalez is a 12-year veteran who still wins his matchups, even at his age. He wins matchups against linebackers and safeties, and certainly against corners who are undersized.With that being said, for a young QB like Matt Ryan, if he can establish a consistent threat of throwing the ball to the tight end and getting him the ball between the hash marks, it will open up things on the perimeter for the wide receivers. In my mind, those are easier completions over the middle, and that boosts the completion percentage for quarterbacks. You don't want to make a living throwing outside the numbers. It's really a perfect fit for Gonzalez in Atlanta. Good tight ends make quarterbacks better. And that will hold true for Gonzalez and Ryan. | Dukes: A tremendous asset Middle, middle, middle. The impact of Tony Gonzalez will be felt in the middle of the field.What he's going to do is give Matt Ryan a tall target with great hands down the middle of the field. Then, in the red zone, it gives him an almost can't-miss target for touchdowns. Gonzalez is a tremendous asset to add to the Falcons. Gonzalez also helps Ryan's development. Actually, he almost serves as a detriment because he'll be such an attractive target to get used to. With that talent, he could be a crutch. Ryan will have to contain himself and make sure he stays true to his reads and progressions because he knows he has that caliber of a tight end. Defenses will put eight defenders in the box when facing the Falcons anyway. That won't change. But how will teams defend the Falcons with Gonzalez? They'll have issues figuring that out. |
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