I'm not a big NFL fan but...

[cocodrilo]

... I do frequently watch NFL games that interest me, I know quite a bit about who plays for whom (at least at the skill positions), so I've always thought, until this past weekend, that I qualify as sort of a casual NFL fan, though my real sports interest is college football.

That's why I'm so mystified that up until the 49ers/Falcons game this past Sunday, when they kept talking about him and showing him (when it wasn't Ray Lewis, whom I've seen and heard about enough), I had never heard tell of Tony Gonzalez, "the greatest tight end in NFL history." And I'm old enough to remember when the Redskins had a tight end named Johnny Carson. That's how long I've been (what I thought was) a casual NFL fan.

Well, you learn something new every day. But it's weird. In fact I'm wondering if it's really another hoax.

[ThePlayer]

That's because Tony Gonzalez played most of his career with Kansas City...the NFL's version of Siberia.

But cry not for young Tony Gonzalez.
He was born a few miles away from me here in Torrance, California.
Attended Huntington Beach High School (beautiful women galore)
and then went to the University of California...a sweet life indeed.

[LeafUF]

He is the best receiving tight end in NFL history but he spent the majority of his career on insignificant teams and only won a single playoff game. Not sure if you can really be even a casual fan and not know the guy who holds the receiving, yardage and TD record for TEs while he is still an active player. He has been in the league 16 years and the past few in Atl. I really dont see how you can not know who he is if you pay attention.

[jhenderson251]

While calling him "the greatest tight end in NFL history" may be overdoing it a bit, Gonzalez is most certainly an absolutely elite NFL tight end that has had a long and illustrious career.

[cstgator]

Originally Posted by cocodrilo

... I do frequently watch NFL games that interest me, I know quite a bit about who plays for whom (at least at the skill positions), so I've always thought, until this past weekend, that I qualify as sort of a casual NFL fan, though my real sports interest is college football.

That's why I'm so mystified that up until the 49ers/Falcons game this past Sunday, when they kept talking about him and showing him (when it wasn't Ray Lewis, whom I've seen and heard about enough), I had never heard tell of Tony Gonzalez, "the greatest tight end in NFL history." And I'm old enough to remember when the Redskins had a tight end named Johnny Carson. That's how long I've been (what I thought was) a casual NFL fan.

Well, you learn something new every day. But it's weird. In fact I'm wondering if it's really another hoax.

Well, I've got nothing. The dude is a legendary TE and has almost all of the significant records. He didn't play on many good teams, but that's not his fault.

[geauxgator1]

Yeah, he's a pretty good tight end.

[OaktownGator]

Originally Posted by geauxgator1

Yeah, he's a pretty good tight end.

For sure. And Jerry Rice was a pretty good receiver.

[og8trz]

John Mackey was far better than Gonzalez. ESPN has spread the dreaded muscular recent it's disease. It causes victims to believe all the greatest players have played in the ESPN era.

Mike Ditka, Mackey, and Dave Casper are a few TEs who were great before the 4-letter network began polluting the airwaves.

[geauxgator1]

Originally Posted by OaktownGator

For sure. And Jerry Rice was a pretty good receiver.

Dickerson was awright in his time, too.

[cocodrilo]

Originally Posted by og8trz

Mike Ditka, Mackey, and Dave Casper are a few TEs who were great before the 4-letter network began polluting the airwaves.

I remember them all. I remember Johnny Carson (and teammates Vic Janowicz and Eddie LeBaron and Sam Baker) only because the Redskins back then were the only pro team (along with whoever they were playing) on national TV. They were "America's Team" before the Cowboys existed.

[rump74]

He's the Barry Sanders of TE's.

[Minister_of_Information]

Witten will be better if he can last.

[og8trz]

Rice was a WR & Dickerson was a RB. Wast the discussion about TEs?

[geauxgator1]

Originally Posted by og8trz

Rice was a WR & Dickerson was a RB. Wast the discussion about TEs?

Like most threads it's taken a turn.

[cocodrilo]

What are the chances of Aaron Hernandez becoming "the best tight end in NFL history"?

[LeafUF]

I'm guessing he would have to first become the best TE on his own team. He is pretty darn good though.

[geauxgator1]

Originally Posted by cocodrilo

What are the chances of Aaron Hernandez becoming "the best tight end in NFL history"?

He's on his way to being a great one, and he is in a very good system to showcase his talents. His main competetion is Gronkowski, who may be better than him. Gronk is a monster. I couldn't even begin to draw comparisons with Hernandez to the best of all time till he's played another 5 years or so. Way to early to go down that road.

[GatorAvatar]

Gronk is the best TE in the history of the NFL.

[geauxgator1]

Originally Posted by GatorAvatar

Gronk is the best TE in the history of the NFL.

He's got a chance to be..a little early to tell.. are u playing with me? he's only been in the league, what 3 years?

[tilly]

I think that even a college fan might know who TG is. He was an all American at Cal. Aaron Hernandez was sometimes compared to him in college.

TG is the best TE I've seen play...and I'm 40.

Highlights....thirteen-time*Pro Bowl*selection, currently holds the NFL records for TD receptions (107) and total reception yards (14,268) by a tight end.

He is the #7 in NFL receiving yardage all time.....and he's just a tight end. As a frame of reference, Michael Irvin would have needed to play another 4 seasons to catch Gonzales in yardage. If Gonzales were to play 19 season like Jerry Rice did...He would likely finish second all time in career recieving yards....again, as a tight end.

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