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Mike Smith: “Preposterous” to think of trading Gonzalez

New York Jets v Atlanta Falcons

ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 07: Head coach Rex Ryan of the New York Jets hugs Tony Gonzalez #88 of the Atlanta Falcons after their 30-28 win at Georgia Dome on October 7, 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

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There might be teams who’d like to make a run at Tony Gonzalez.

But in addition to Gonzalez himself saying he doesn’t want to be dealt, his team doesn’t want to move him.

Falcons coach Mike Smith shot down the idea of trading Gonzalez right now.

“That’s preposterous that Tony would be traded,’' Smith told Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com. “He’s an integral part of our offense and has been since he’s been here. And he’s having another Hall of Fame season.

“In my mind, the last two weeks have been maybe his best two games since he’s been here. So he’s an integral part — and will continue to be — to the success we’re going to have.’'

Of course, he’s an integral part of a 1-4 team, which just lost its best receiver for the season, and whose second-best receiver has been hobbled all season.

As much as it might seem the Falcons are cooked, their next three opponents after their bye week have four wins between them, so the idea that a team with a Hall of Fame tight end and a very good quarterback and Steven Jackson back at some point might get things together isn’t completely unreasonable.

Of course, if they’re 1-6 before the Oct. 29 deadline, the preposterous thing might be keeping him.