BY NICK ST. DENIS
The New York Jets have been pretty good against tight ends this season, but they haven't faced Tony Gonzalez yet. Jets coach Rex Ryan would just assume they keep it that way.
"Quite honestly, I wish he would’ve retired," Ryan quipped Wednesday, via NewYorkJets.com. "But man he still does it, tremendous receiver."
Gang Green will be faced with the task that is Gonzalez and the rest of the Atlanta Falcons' high-powered offense when they travel to the Georgia Dome for a Monday night showdown.
The Falcons are coming off a loss to the New England Patriots that saw Gonzalez, arguably the best tight end in the history of the NFL, put on a show of his own.
Ryan watched.
"I think he was targeted 13 times, got 12 catches for almost 150 yards receiving or right around there, two touchdowns," Ryan said.
New York didn't give up a reception to a tight end in its first two games this season, though both the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New England Patriots were without their top player at the position when the Jets faced them.
The Jets weren't so fortunate against Buffalo Bills tight end Scott Chandler, giving up five receptions for 79 yards and a touchdown to the big AFC East foe. Last week, Tennessee Titans tight end Delanie Walker hauled in just three receptions for 14 yards, but he did score a touchdown.
Gonzalez is sure to be a bigger part of the Jets' defensive gameplan than any of their prior four games, but there's plenty of attention to go around.
"Wow, what a collection [of talent], in particular their skill positions," Ryan said. "When you look at the talent that they have, it starts obviously at the quarterback spot with Matt Ryan, sharp guy, very accurate with the football, and then Julio Jones, who’s been doubled almost the whole year, I think still leads the league in receiving yards, that might be a problem. . . . Roddy White, it’s going to be a huge challenge, there’s no question about it."
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