"He's a first-ballot Hall of Famer, still one of the best in the game, and still doing it at a high level, so it's a challenge for me or anybody, even a safety, to cover him," Chaney said Thursday. "I look forward to the challenge."
It's worth noting that even though Gonzalez put up nice numbers in those two games against the Eagles, his Falcons were badly beaten both times. Still, if Atlanta is to even its record at 1-1, he figures to play a key role.
Eagles safety Jarrad Page had a chance to see Gonzalez up close. Their careers overlapped for three years in Kansas City.
"You've just got to come with the attitude: win. Basically, win the one-on-one matchups that we have against him and be aware that he understands coverages, he understands where guys are, and he knows how to get open," Page said. "You just watch film on him and understand that he knows the coverages, he's got moves, certain tactics."
The Falcons offense didn't score a touchdown in Week 1 against Chicago, but Gonzalez managed to grab five passes for 72 yards.
Chaney has the speed for pass coverage: He was the fastest linebacker in the 2010 draft, clocking a 4.54-second 40-yard dash at the NFL combine. But listed at 6-foot, he's giving up five inches to Gonzalez.
"You just go out there and play, study film, and see what he does, just go out there and compete," Chaney said. "That's one thing I like to do. I like to go out there and compete. You look forward to games where you go out there and play against the best in the business, or in his case one of the best to ever play the game. If you love this game, you love to compete."
In training camp, defensive coordinator Juan Castillo hinted that cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha might, at times, be used to line up on the inside of the defense and cover tight ends. If any tight end deserves coverage by a star corner, it's Gonzalez, but the Eagles have other concerns for their top cover men.
The Falcons also boast two talented wide receivers - Roddy White, a Pro Bowl starter, and Julio Jones, the sixth overall pick in April's draft.
White had eight catches in Week 1, while Jones had five. If Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, who is nursing a sprained ankle, can't play Sunday, Asomugha and Asante Samuel will have plenty of work to do against those receivers.
That might take Asomugha out of the running for tight end coverage, leaving more responsibility for Chaney.
"There are different ways that people have dealt with [Gonzalez], whether it's double-covering him, you know, but just making sure that you have a couple of people on him," Castillo said.
Asked whether Asomugha will play a role, he said only, "That's interesting; we'll see on Sunday."
The Eagles hope the picture of this meeting looks a little different from the last two times they tried to stop Gonzalez.
Contact staff writer Jonathan Tamari at 215-854-5214, jtamari@phillynews.com, or @JonathanTamari on Twitter.
