After catching 93 passes Tony Gonzalez is planning to retire. Gonzalez, 36, is the most prolific player at the tight-end position in the NFL’s history.
The decision to retire is not one that everyone in Atlanta is happy with. Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff is not ready for the 16-year veteran to retire and neither are several teammates.
ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reported today on NFL 32 that Roddy White is planning to gather up a bunch of teammates and convince Gonzalez to return for another year.
“Roddy White today revealed that they plan the Brett Favre strategy with the Vikings,” said Mortensen. “Which is, go to California where Tony lives, recruit him, get him on a plane, and drag him back to Atlanta eventually.”
The Brett Favre strategy was used by the Minnesota Vikings before the start of the 2010 season when a plane of players traveled to Mississippi and convinced the quarterback to play another season. It was Favre’s final season as he was unproductive and bothered by injuries. The Vikings finished 5-8 in games started by Favre.
If the Falcons are able to convince Gonzalez to return they will certainly seek better results. Atlanta made it to the NFC championship game this season after winning their first playoff game under coach Mike Smith.
