Pats in a tight spot: Milloy Co. face tall task in Gonzalez

Isn't it about time we drop the myth that Gonzalez could compete in the NBA? Are there any other 'power forwards' in the NBA only 6'4'? Charles Barkley made do at 6'6', thanks to an enormous amount of strength and hard work. Gonzalez just doesn't have the muscle to make up for his lack of height in the paint with the pros. At 6'4', he'd have to be a shooting guard or even point guard in the NBA, but that's not what he learned in college, so it's questionable whether he could excel at those positions. Lots of star players in college never have a chance at the NBA, and he's one of them.

I do think his basketball skills can come in handy on the football field, although it doesn't appear he ever learned the fundamental of 'coming to the ball'.

I wouldn't go that far. He *may* change the nature of the position, if he ever hooks up with a very accurate QB, a coaching staff that likes using the TE and has innovative ways to get him the ball, and a set of WRs who keep him from being double-teamed. Those things haven't all happened at once yet.

Grbac liked throwing to Tony and his best pass may have been the hard, quick one over the middle, but Grbac and the other receivers weren't good enough at the long stuff to clear out the middle. The new coaching staff hasn't shown too much of an interest in getting Tony the ball a lot, but hopefully that just means they recognize that the other parts of the offense need to take some heat off him first.

Man, do I agree. Fact is, Gonzales would probably ride the pine in the CBA. He's just not tall enough to be a forward, and no one talks about him making the transition to being a guard. I'm happy he gets to play ball in the off-season against some pro players. He should enjoy it, reap the benefits of that kind of conditioning, and then collect his multi-million dollar salary playing football. What is so bad about that life?

I'm curious if he can still play with those guys in the off-season and not put his signing bonus at risk? I don't mind him playing the sport in the off season, just not trying to make it in the NBA or CBA.

The closest guy that I see is Malik Rose in San Antonio. At 6'7, 255, he even plays center. If you ever get a chance to watch some of the playoff games vs the Lakers, they brought him in to guard Shaq and give his six fouls. Thing is, did as good a job as anybody else.

Fred 'Laker Fan' R

Finally some common sense when discussing Tony's basketball prowess. He's just not big enough and has never been good enough for NBA ball. He might have made the Steers, but he's certainly no Larry Staverman.

Splitting hairs, but Barkley was closer to 6'4' than his listed 6'6' height. But then again he had tremendous strength and was one of the most talented players in the game. Gonzo is strong and basketball players are sticks compared to football players. He's also seen some success in the summer league, but I think the consensus among the basketball community is that at best he's the ninth or tenth guy off the bench.