Gonzalez gets another NFL shot

Friday night Tony Gonzalez was at the Orpheum for a Wanda Sykes show. His cellphone rang. But there was no reception in the theater.

Yesterday morning he checked his messages. There were two. One was from his agent, Jake Winslow. The other was from the Atlanta Falcons. The messages were pretty much the same. Get back on a plane Sunday.

Gonzalez, the former Framingham High star and Boston College standout receiver, has been trying to take the next step up to pro ball since he graduated in 2006. After a CFL tryout didn't pan out, the Falcons had free agent Gonzalez down for a workout last weekend. A dozen wide receivers were there.

"I felt I did pretty good," says Gonzalez, "but I didn't get too many reps." A lot of time was spent in meetings, digesting the playbook. "It was real fast. You've got to take notes and keep an ear out for what the veteran players say because they give you a lot of the terminology. When we left, the coaches told us to be patient. They had to review the films (of the workouts).

"It all happened so fast. They really didn't explain much."

Although the Falcons are giving Gonzalez a second look, there are no guarantees he'll be signed. "They can cut him at any time," says Winslow. If the Falcon coaches are impressed with Gonzalez, he could be invited to stay through the mini-camps that run into next month.

One thing Gonzalez might have going for him is Matt Ryan, the former BC quarterback Atlanta took with the third pick in the draft last month. Ryan has always maintained that Gonzalez was a favorite target to throw to in college. "Tony's relationship with Ryan helps," says Winslow. "You try to keep the third pick happy."

Gonzalez would be thrilled to just make the Falcons' practice squad. "That would be great. I'd do anything."

Gonzalez has been teaching a graphics class at Keefe Tech. "When I went to the first mini-camp the kids made a big poster wishing me good luck. When I got back they asked a lot of questions (about the tryout). The kids are very supportive."

Gonzalez will be back on the field in Atlanta at 8 a.m. tomorrow. No guarantees, just another shot.

I'm sure everyone has thought this. Are we trying to duplicate BC? Am I being premature thinking Ryan might actually start the season? !ff/:

I don't think we're trying to neccesarily duplicate BC, but we have to admit that our WR corp ain't the best in the NFL, so what harm could there be to bring some guys that might possibly make it better. The fact that this guy is from BC is probably nothing more than an interesting side note. If he can run routes, make catches, and in some way help this team, than it's gotta be a good thing. :P ;)

As for Ryan starting this season...I, for one, hope like hell that it doesn't happen. Our OL needs to show marked improvement before we send that kid out there. If Redman can stay alive and make plays to help us win, behind these fucknuts, than I'm all for keeping him as the starter until we know for sure that Ryan is good and ready... g6wvuymh87