Tony Gonzalez: Many New Options to The 2009 Atlanta Falcons Offense

When Tony Gonzalez learned of a confirmed trade that would send him to Atlanta, he met it with a bittersweet relief.  Bittersweet in the fact that he must now move on from the organization that he grew up in and spent 12 seasons becoming one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history.

But there is also much relief.  Even though Gonzalez racked up his fourth one thousand yard receiving season a year ago, he did so with an almost dreadful surrounding cast.  The Chiefs had slowly become one of the consistently worst football teams in the NFL, picking in the top ten of the draft for the second straight season. 

Gonzalez, knowing his time in the league as in impact player is dwindling, wanted to be in a place that might give him one more shot to write his legacy as a champion.

The Falcons present Gonzalez with an opportunity matched by few organizations.  Anchored by last year’s rookie of the year Matt Ryan, as well as a pro bowl wide receiver and a running back that just bruised for over 1500 yards, the Falcons offer one of the more dynamic young offenses in the league. 

When asked about this exciting opportunity in his career, Gonzalez stated, “I do feel new energy.  You have to. This is exciting. It’s like being drafted all over again.”

Gonzalez isn’t the only one that gets this new energy and excitement.  Falcons offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey now gets to work in even more options for Matt Ryan, without sacrificing the blocking that he requires in a tight end.

Mularkey, former tight end himself at the University of Florida, has never had the opportunity to work with a player the caliber of Tony Gonzalez.  Dating back to his days as a tight end coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Mularkey has had to find himself gearing his offensive strategy away from this position, at least in terms of as a receiving option. 

Last season, Mularkey and the Falcons carefully and flawlessly implemented a system that catered toward protection of their young QB and opening up running lanes for their newly acquired running back, Michael Turner.  The tight end was more of an afterthought on the box score, with Ben Hartsock and Justin Peele accounting for just under 200 yards of total receiving for the year. 

While the offense clicked more times than not, it certainly lacked that playmaking tight end to keep the defense off guard.  Opposing defenses were able to adjust and clamp down on the Falcons in the last four games of the season, and part of this can be attributed to the fact that opposing safeties were able to cheat toward the sidelines to give help on Roddy White.  That vertical threat down the seams was just not there at times, and it showed as the offensive numbers started to dip.

Tony Gonzalez should give Mularkey and the Falcons the ability to significantly adjust the playbook and get more creative with the position. 

Expect Mularkey to utilize more routes down the middle of the field for Gonzalez this season.  Matt Ryan showed at times last year that he could be very accurate on routes of this nature.  Plays mimicking and improving upon Justin Peele’s 18 yard touchdown reception against the Chargers may become more of the norm.

The Falcons really lacked at times a big target in the flats last season. Running back Michael Turner really wasn’t used in the passing game, and the Falcons really utilized more routes down the field in nature.  Tony Gonzalez could be asked to run routes taking him to the sidelines, spreading things out for the other receivers in the process.

Gonzo as a receiving option will really effect the play calling creativity for this offense, but he might actually make more of an impact when he doesn’t have the football.

Linemen Tyson Clabo and Harvey Dahl were very effective in the running game for the Falcons last season, but at times got bogged down against quicker defensive linemen. 

Mularkey will get to make adjustments to his playbook; however Gonzalez is the kind of players that will not require a complete overhaul.  Gonzalez is still a top flight blocker and will be able to get to the second level and make that one block that could spring a touchdown run. 

That extra elite blocker on the edge could make a world of difference, especially in the red zone. An already prolific running game will now be able to use the edges to its advantage, making running back Jerious Norwood’s quickness and agility even more effective.

Gonzalez’s sheer presence in this offense should also dramatically help a guy like Harry Douglas.  Douglas had a strong finish to his rookie season last year, and is ready to make more of an impact as a slot receiver.  Douglas’ speed off the line and his ability and propensity to get the tough catch in the middle make him an excellent breakout candidate.  The presence of an all time great tight end should ensure more single coverage for the young receiver from Louisville this season.

Indeed, the Falcons should have some big changes ahead in 2009.  Mike Smith and Mike Mularkey have had a noticeable vision this off-season, and Tony Gonzalez will certainly be a major piece to the puzzle.  If he continues the trend that has been his entire career, this certainly could be an electric and fun team to watch.