By IVAN CARTER

The Kansas City Star

“Tony right now is playing better than I've ever seen him play.”

Chiefs quarterback Trent Green

It happens every season. A young, talented tight end catches a few passes, scores a few touchdowns, makes a few highlight reels and the experts start calling him “the next Tony Gonzalez.”

In 2002, it was the Ravens' Todd Heap and the Giants' Jeremy Shockey. Last season, it was the Falcons' Alge Crumpler. This year, it was supposed to be Browns rookie Kellen Winslow Jr., but he went down with a season-ending leg injury. Attention turned to the Chargers' Antonio Gates, who is leading all tight ends and receivers in receptions and is second to Terrell Owens in touchdowns.

Still, as everyone hastens to anoint the next Tony Gonzalez, they might want to check out the original. He isn't doing so bad himself.

Gonzalez is coming off back-to-back 100-yard receiving games for the first time since the 2000 season and has continued his climb up the all-time statistical charts for tight ends. He has a team-leading 43 receptions for 576 yards and five touchdowns this season.

“I'm not going to lie — when I hear about those guys, it's motivation for me to know that I can't slip up,” Gonzalez said. “I remember before Shockey got in, there were a couple of years in a row where nobody was really pushing me for that top tight-end spot, that All-Pro spot. I was finishing the year with like 20, 25 more catches than the next-closest tight end, so I guess you could say that I enjoy the pressure of those guys pushing me.”

It's interesting that San Diego's Gates is the latest big thing at tight end, because like Gonzalez, Gates was a talented basketball player in college. In fact, Gates never ran a pass pattern at Kent State before landing with the Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2003.

Gonzalez, like everyone else in the NFL, has taken notice.

“Oh, he's playing ball,” Gonzalez said. “He's a talented guy, that's obvious. Look at the numbers he's putting up.”

But even as he praises his peers, Gonzalez retains pride in the fact that he's taken the baton from former Broncos great Shannon Sharpe as the game's top tight end.

Besides, Gonzalez is quick to point out, “It's not like I'm an old guy. I've been in the league eight years, but I'm still only 28. I have a lot of good football left in me, and I'm motivated by a lot more than just stats and Pro Bowls.”

Like the rest of his teammates, Gonzalez heads into Sunday's game at New Orleans simply wanting a win. The Chiefs are 3-5 and in danger of failing to make the playoffs for the sixth time in Gonzalez's career.

In July, when the Chiefs gathered in River Falls, Wis., for training camp, Gonzalez and his teammates were hoping to turn last season's 13-3 record and AFC West title into a Super Bowl run.

“I never would have imagined that we'd be sitting here like this,” Gonzalez said. “We've had some bad breaks this year. It seems like we've been snake-bitten or something. I can't really call it. It is frustrating, though. I wish we could go back and start over, but we can't.

“It's not over, though. We still have a lot of football to play.”

It would certainly help if Gonzalez keeps performing the way he has in recent weeks. He caught only two passes for 19 yards in a blowout win over Atlanta but made some terrific blocks in helping the Chiefs set an NFL record with eight rushing touchdowns.

Two weeks ago, Gonzalez caught eight passes for 125 yards and two touchdowns in a victory over the Colts, and last week, he snagged nine passes for 123 yards and a touchdown in a loss at Tampa Bay.

On the season, Gonzalez ranks fourth among NFL tight ends in receptions (43), second in yards (576), first in 100-yard games (three) and second in touchdowns (five).

“I just think that Tony right now is playing better than I've ever seen him play,” said Chiefs quarterback Trent Green. “When you talk about his overall game, run-blocking, his ability to catch the ball — he's making some catches that I haven't seen him make like this on a consistent basis, back-to-back-to-back. …

“He's playing at such an incredibly high level. All he does is continue to work hard in practice every day, and it shows up in games. It's amazing for me to see him do the type of things he does.”

Green pointed to the 23-yard touchdown catch Gonzalez made last week at Tampa Bay.

“He went up with a safety behind him and a safety ahead of him, knowing that he was going to get hit, and was able to climb up and get it,” Green said. “I know — having thrown to him enough — that's where he likes the ball. He wants to be able to get up and use his hands, but it's still not easy. He just makes it look easy.”

Gonzalez said his recent run of production — as a blocker and a receiver — isn't so much a product of what the Chiefs are doing on offense or how teams are defending him but rather has to do with a change in preparation.

Gonzalez is utilizing a new pre-game routine. In the past, he'd wake up, eat and watch television, or simply dress, eat and head straight for the stadium. On the morning of the Atlanta game, he woke up earlier and went through a routine of meditation and goal setting.

“Some people might think it's a little weird, but it's helped me focus and I'm taking it over into the game,” Gonzalez said. “When you talk about that zone you have to get in, where you're not even thinking about what you have to do, where you're so focused and your concentration is sharp, that's where I am right now.

“I go to the line each play and I feel like I know what's going to happen even before the ball is snapped. I'm totally in the moment. That's the feeling you want on the football field.”

As for the new kids trying to knock him off his throne, Gonzalez has let it be known that he's watching. And learning.

From Shockey, Gonzalez decided that he wanted to do a better job of running after the catch. In 2003, Gonzalez had his best season in terms of yards after the catch, and this season, he has 141, second on the team to Priest Holmes. The Chiefs lead the league in yards after the catch.

From Crumpler and teammate Jason Dunn, whom Gonzalez calls a Pro Bowler on blocking ability alone, Gonzalez has studied blocking technique. And Gates — well, Gonzalez is aware of him, too.

“Oh, when we play San Diego, I'll watch Gates and see what he does,” Gonzalez said. “I'll watch him close. One thing I've learned is that there is always room for improvement. Always.”

Gonzalez game-by-game

Gonzalez has been a big part of most of the Chiefs' games this season.