Tony Gonzalez: Matt Ryan isn't Elite

[bksballer89]

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."

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.

 

[Jakology]

Maybe they tried to and couldn't find anybody willing Should've at least called him and told him though. Or maybe they believe in never giving up, and hoped for a miraculous turnaround.

 

[MarkOU]

Maybe he should go try out for a contender if he thinks he is good enough. No reason to start throwing his x teammates under the bus. You had a good run man, no reason to start throwing mud.

 

[Logicallylethal]

He was asked a question and answered it honestly. Matt Ryan isn't an elite quarterback and Tony isn't insulting Matt, he's saying he's close which is also true.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

I'm confused as to why he doesn't just hang up the jersey and call it a career… He already said he wanted to retire after the 2012 season and everyone talked him into coming back for another season. The Falcons stunk it up in 2013 and now he wants to play another year? I understand that he wants to make it to the big show before he calls it quits, but if Atlanta isn't going to trade him then he shouldn't return.

 

[The Derski]

I'm confused as to why he doesn't just hang up the jersey and call it a career… He already said he wanted to retire after the 2012 season and everyone talked him into coming back for another season. The Falcons stunk it up in 2013 and now he wants to play another year? I understand that he wants to make it to the big show before he calls it quits, but if Atlanta isn't going to trade him then he shouldn't return.

He retired this season.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

He retired this season.

I completely missed that! I'm glad he did, because returning with Atlanta would have been a bad choice. Thanks for the update.

 

[The Derski]

I completely missed that! I'm glad he did, because returning with Atlanta would have been a bad choice. Thanks for the update.

No problem.

 

[NinerSickness]

Gonzo is being nice (of course).

 

[Clayton]

Gonzo is being nice (of course).

It seems like he is being honest. He trashed the Falcons was not trading him so its not like this is him being nice

 

[NinerSickness]

It seems like he is being honest. He trashed the Falcons was not trading him so its not like this is him being nice

Let's just say his opinion of Ryan is FAR higher than mine. One of the most overrated QBs I've ever seen IMO.

 

[Johnnydollaz89]

Matty Ice will eventually get us where we want to be. He's not elite, that's fairly obvious.

 

[geneh_33]

Matty Ice will eventually get us where we want to be. He's not elite, that's fairly obvious.

 

[Johnnydollaz89]

*Waiting for this thread to turn into a Matt Ryan bashing*

 

[Oldschool739]

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."

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.

Wow, are all theses guys mentally challenged ???....What could he possibly think would benefit him by saying something so stupid, selfish, and untimely ???????

 

[ATL96Steeler]

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."

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.

I heard the interview and of course I knew that pc about Ryan would make the headlines...it blew up on the afternoon drive here on radio sports talk...you had a few calling in saying Tony G is wrong, but the vast majority of fans here realize that Matt is not an elite QB.

He's a solid QB, smart, adequate arm...if he has time he'll make the right read most of the time and move the ball...when pressure comes...Matt is going to - a.) throw it away, b.) throw a pick, or c.) get sacked....he cannot extend the play and make something happen when the play breaks down...that's not his game.

If we're all being non biased...there are really no more than 4 to 5 legitimate elite QBs in the NFL...imo it wasn't not a slap to say Ryan is not elite.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

It seems like he is being honest. He trashed the Falcons was not trading him so its not like this is him being nice

Trade...at least here...the team that was mostly rumored was KC and it never got that close from what the local media reported.

 

[geneh_33]

Trade...at least here...the team that was mostly rumored was KC and it never got that close from what the local media reported.

The media people in Atlanta reported that Tony did not want to be traded, that he wanted to retire here but he said he would agree to it if it would help the team.

 

[Ksfnslayer]

Elite or not I will always remember and be amazed at how Ryan came up with a long game winning pass to Gonzales in the final few seconds to beat the Seahawks in the playoffs from deep. Seemed awfully clutch and saved his ass from a major beat down by the press for never winning a playoff. Football Gods must of had mercy on him. I was relieved for him but wanted a Hawk victory.

 

[SonnyCID]

Maybe he should go try out for a contender if he thinks he is good enough. No reason to start throwing his x teammates under the bus. You had a good run man, no reason to start throwing mud.

How is he throwing him under the bus?

I doubt Ryan believes that he's elite right now either.