CHIEFS WANT A THIRD-ROUNDER FOR GONZALEZ

We heard last night of a report out of Kansas City linking Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez to the Giants. We investigated the matter, and confirmed that, indeed, something is up. Along with the Giants, the Bills, Eagles, and Packers are interested in the veteran Pro Bowler, who recently set the career receiving yardage record at his position. The Chiefs reportedly want a third-round pick for Gonzalez. The Giants reportedly have offered a sixth-rounder. Frankly, we’re shocked that King Carl has set his asking price so low. It’s a sign, in our view, of a genuine desire to get the deal done before the trading period expires at 4:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday. The fairest approach would be to use a formula that determines the pick based on the performance of Gonzalez and/or of his new team in his new city. Gonzalez’s base salary for 2008 is only $1 million. In 2009, it spikes to $4 million. In all, he’s signed through 2011. It makes sense for the Chiefs to get whatever they can for Gonzalez, who at 32 likely won’t be a significant contributor to any resurgence that the Chiefs might ever enjoy. Letting him chase a Super Bowl title with a contending team would also be a nice gesture of appreciation by a franchise for whom Gonzalez has done so much over the years.