ATLANTA – The Atlanta Falcons boosted their hopes for another trip to the playoffs by acquiring tight end Tony Gonzalez from the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday for a draft pick next year.
The Chiefs insisted they also improved their chances for success in 2009 by making the trade.
The Falcons will send a second-round pick in 2010 to Kansas City in exchange for Gonzalez, the only tight end in NFL history selected to 10 Pro Bowls.
Gonzalez caught 96 passes for 1,058 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2008. He owns NFL career records for tight ends with 916 receptions, 10,940 yards receiving, 76 TDs receiving and 26 100-yard receiving games.
One of the most popular athletes Kansas City has ever had in any sport, Gonzalez said leaving the town and its fans is not easy.
“I love Kansas City,” he said in an interview with The Associated Press. “The fans have been unbelievable to me. I’m going to miss them. This is a happy day for me, but in many ways it’s a sad day, too. I’m going to miss running out that tunnel and seeing that sea of red in those stands.”
When he was drafted in the first round out of California, passing up his senior season, he had just turned 21.
“And now I’m leaving at 33. It’s been a huge part of my life,” he said. “When I retire, I’m going to retire a Chief. It’s been a beautiful, beautiful ride in Kansas City. I’m not selling my home there.”
He also plans to keep his window-cleaning business, Xtreme Clean 88, in Kansas City and be active in Shadow Buddies, a Kansas City-based charity which distributes kits and educational materials to kids and the elderly.
“Kansas City will always be a big part of my life,” he said. “At the same time, I don’t know how many years I have left to play. Now I’m looking forward to making a Super Bowl run in Atlanta. I hope the fans in Kansas City will understand.”
Eagles sign Baskett
PHILADELPHIA – The Eagles signed restricted free agent receiver Hank Baskett to a one-year contract on Thursday.
Baskett had a career-high 33 catches for 440 yards and three touchdowns last season. He originally joined the Eagles in 2006 in a trade with Minnesota after signing as a rookie free agent with the Vikings.
Wayne’s contract changed
INDIANAPOLIS – Pro Bowl receiver Reggie Wayne has agreed to a restructured contract, which will give the Colts more room under this year’s salary cap.
Wayne’s agent, Joby Branion, confirmed the deal was completed but did not provide details about how much Indianapolis would save.
Last season, Wayne caught 84 passes for 1,145 yards with six TDs.
Panthers keep Delhomme
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – After the worst game of Jake Delhomme’s career came in an ugly playoff loss, the Carolina Panthers never wavered that he was still their quarterback for the long-term.
On Thursday, they proved it, giving Delhomme a five-year, $42.5 million extension that keeps the 34-year-old under contract through the 2014 season.
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.