Atlanta Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez is planning to retire after this season, but if it were up to general manager Thomas Dimitroff, the tight end would be back with the team.
According to ESPN.com, Dimitroff said on Thursday that he was trying hard to convince Gonzalez to return to the team for one more season.
"A guy who is 36 (years old) catching 100-plus balls (including the postseason), it just doesn't seem like it's time for him to move on," Dimitroff told ESPN.com while visiting the Super Bowl media center.
Dimitroff said that he spoke to Gonzalez and relayed his message in strong terms, saying that the tight end was essential for the success of the team. Late in the season, Gonzalez said he was 95 percent sure he would retire. ESPN writes that "he even moved that figure up to 97 percent after the Falcons won a playoff game against Seattle. After losing the NFC Championship Game to San Francisco, Gonzalez said he still was leaning toward retirement."'
Dimitroff said the Falcons have made their pitch to the tight end and everything now is up to Gonzalez and what he would like to do.
"Tony's a man and he's got to make his own decision," Dimitroff said. "Suffice it to say that it's not going to be an easy decision for him one way or another because he knows that he still has fuel in the tank and it's very legitimate fuel in the tank."
Dimitroff said there is no firm timetable for a decision.
"We don't have a deadline at all," Dimitroff said. "But let's face it that it's important for us to know sooner rather than later because we have to move forward on all our decision making."
Throughout the season Gonzalez acted as if it was hit last year and said that he was "95 percent sure" he would retire after this season. The tight end was one of the best receivers for the Falcons against the 49ers, making eight catches for 72 yards, including a 10-yard touchdown reception with 25 seconds remaining in the first half, which was the last score of the game for the Falcons.
Gonzalez was voted to his third straight Pro Bowl since joining the Falcons four years ago, making it 13 times that he has earned the trip to Hawaii in his career.
"I'm not going to cry about it," Gonzalez said after the conclusion of his 16th season. "I walk away with the satisfaction I left everything, absolutely everything, every time I was on the field. I wish it would have culminated with the Super Bowl, but it didn't."
Gonzalez has put up stats at the position that are likely to stand for many years. He has the most receptions for a tight end with 1,242, as well as the most receiving yards (14,268) and touchdowns (103). Making his numbers even more impressive is the distance between him and the second place player on each list. Shannon Sharpe is second with 815 catches and 10,060 yards, while Antonio Gates has 83 receiving touchdowns.
Although Gonzalez has said he plans to retire, his teammate Sean Weatherspoon thinks otherwise.
"I think he's coming back," Weatherspoon said -- with a hearty laugh on Monday, according to CBSSports.com. "I think if we had a bad year, he wouldn't come back. But we had a great year, so I think we are right there."
Coach Mike Smith echoed those sentiments, but said that Gonzalez has been set in his decision for most of the year. Gonzalez would be playing in his 17th season if he came back.
"I'm hoping for the five percent," Smith said. "Tony handled this very well all season long. He spoke at the beginning of the season and said this is where my head is, and I don't think he's deviated from that."
Gonzalez had another solid season for the Falcons, leading the team with 93 catches for 930 yards and eight touchdowns. Even if Gonzalez does decide to retire, he will have some other opportunities.
According to ESPN.com, Gonzalez has partnered with FitStar to create a new fitness app, which helps to turn people's iPad's into a personal trainer. The app is designed to give tips on diet, training as well as customized workouts. The report says it will have 60 exercises that can be done anywhere with no equipment necessary.
"I'm extremely proud to be working with such an awesome group of folks who are passionate about improving the health of individuals with engaging and entertaining apps," said Tony Gonzalez. "FitStar truly is a dynamic, immersive and inspirational way to help people reach their health and fitness goals. I'm really excited about the promise FitStar: Tony Gonzalez holds in making a positive impact on the wellness of the country as a whole."
Gonzalez is one of the greatest players in NFL history and has compiled stats that no tight end has ever come close to. Quarterback Matt Ryan has been comfortable with him over the past four years and would benefit from a return.
