 Falcons Acquire Tony Gonzalez for 2nd Round Pick
Future Hall of Fame tight end Tony Gonzalez was traded to the Atlanta Falcons for a 2010 draft pick, ending his tenure with the Kansas City Chiefs, ESPN.com reports. Atlanta will send a second-round pick next year to the Chiefs for Gonzalez, the only tight end in NFL history chosen to 10 Pro Bowls. Gonzalez caught 96 passes for 1,058 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2008. He owns NFL records for tight ends with 916 receptions, 10,940 yards receiving, 76 TDs receiving and 26 100-yard receiving games. "It's somewhat bittersweet," Gonzalez told FoxSports.com. "I love Kansas City. I grew up in Kansas City. The city means a lot to me. I got there when I turned 21. It will be sad to leave a city I love. But I'm looking forward to making a Super Bowl run in Atlanta every year for the next three or four years." New Kansas City G.M.. Scott Pioli said the Chiefs did not pursue a trade for Gonzalez, but agreed to the second-round pick offered by Atlanta. "This is something we really feel was a decision in the best short-term and long-term interest of the Chiefs," Pioli said, adding the 2010 draft pick could be used in another deal to acquire more picks in this weekend's draft. "It may be that pick next year or it may be a pick this year or several picks," Pioli said. The 33-year-old Gonzalez requested a trade last October with three years remaining on his current contract. But then-general manager Carl Peterson said no team made a good enough offer that Gonzalez was willing to play for. The trade addresses one of the Falcons' top needs, freeing the organization to focus on defense in this weekend's draft. It also gives quarterback Matt Ryan another quality option to complement receiver Roddy White. Atlanta will receive compensatory picks next year for losing several free agents, including cornerback Domonique Foxworth and linebackers Michael Boley and Keith Brooking, which facilitated the trade of the second-round pick to the Chiefs. Extension Guarantees Delhomme $20 Million 
ESPN.com reports that the Carolina Panthers gave quarterback Jake Delhomme a five-year, $42.5 million extension that keeps the 34-year-old under contract through 2014. "It's all about being able to know that I can finish my career here in Carolina," Delhomme said. "That's what I've wanted, all I've ever wanted." Delhomme receives $20 million in guaranteed money, and the deal clears salary-cap space for the Panthers. Prior to the new contract agreement, Delhomme was to count over $10 million under the cap next season in the final year of his deal. The Panthers' cap room is limited by the one-year franchise tag tender given to defensive end Julius Peppers worth $16.7 million which has prevented any off season signings. Delhomme's extension comes just over three months following his nightmare performance against the Cardinals. After a strong season following reconstructive elbow surgery the year before, Delhomme threw five interceptions and lost a fumble in Carolina's 33-13 loss to Arizona in the NFC divisional playoffs. The Panthers are 54-33 in the regular season and playoffs in the past six years when Delhomme starts and 6-10 when he does not.
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