Let Gonzalez play for a winner

By Chad Garner
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff
Tony Gonzalez is a great football player.
The Kansas City Chiefs tight end will go down as one of the best tight ends in NFL history when he's retired, but something's missing in his career -- a Super Bowl ring and another sniff at the playoffs.
Gonzalez is 33 years old and he doesn't have many good years left on those worn down tires.
He's done anything and everything for the Kansas City organization since he was drafted out of California in 1997. This guy's had four 1,000-yard seasons as a tight end.
Yes, a tight end.
He also hauled in a 102 passes in 2004 ... remember, this is a tight end.
No doubt about it, his production is more like a wide receiver.
Gonzalez is still getting it done on the field, too. He had 96 catches for 1,058 yards and 10 TDs last season for the hapless 2-14 Chiefs.
Changes are on the way in Kansas City with new GM Scott Pioli and head coach Todd Haley, but how long will it take for the Chiefs to become a playoff team?
Gonzalez probably doesn't have that much time left in his career.
He wants to be traded, but he's not demanding one. That's the way Tony Gonzalez is. He wants the Chiefs to get a good deal before they trade him, but he wants a shot at winning a title. He knows KC isn't the place to do that.
So what should KC do?
He's a fan favorite in KC, but with new leadership comes change.
Why can't KC show Gonzalez the same respect that Gonzalez has shown the organization for the last 12 years?
See if you cant' snag a second-rounder for Gonzalez, or a third at the worst.
This guy deserves a change of scenery and a chance to be a part of a winner.
You know when he's inducted into the Hall of Fame he's going in as a Chief, anyway.
What more can he do to help the Chiefs become a playoff-caliber team? He's not a QB and he's not a defensive player, all he does is catch passes and blocked when asked to.
Set Gonzalez free, it's the right thing to do.
I know he's property of the Chiefs and he's under contract, but sometimes doing the right thing is the only thing to do.
Start over Chiefs and let Gonzalez start over.
He's earned that right!