WR Anthony Gonzalez (2005 All B1G, US Congressman)

[Brutus1]

Beyond that, if you were looking for someone to be a Bilentnikoff clone (as in Freddie, not in "the award") then it is Gonzo.
?

Freddie didn't have Gonzo speed and Gonzo doesn't have Freddies' route running. Gonzo also doesn't have the hands that Freddie did, although they are good.


I just don't think he's going in the first because of depth in all positions, not just his own. Smarzdja will definitely go ahead of him. That makes 4 going before him. By the time all the underclassman announce, he's likely to go 2nd round. That's nothing to shake a stick at.

 

[itownbuckeye]

Smarzdja will definitely go ahead of him.

Really? Can't say I've watched too many ND games, but I've never been overly impressed with JS. In those few games, I've seen him drop balls when he knew he was going to get hit. He's definitely got the size on Tony but Gonzo's got the speed and quickness. JS also has the professional baseball career looming.

 

[OregonBuckeye]

I recall people predicting Whitner would be lucky to go in the first day.

Don't know why a drug addicts oppinion matters. Everyone was saying 2nd-3rd round. I said 1st but I never would've guessed he'd go as high as #8.

 

[MililaniBuckeye]

Lack of size, and playing predominantly in the slot will keep him out of the first round.

His playing in the slot has zilch to do with the position in the draft...

He also did very little PR and KR work, which is something rookie receivers earn their stripes with.

He returned as many punts and kickoffs as did Santonio, and look where Holmes went in the draft...

Freddie didn't have Gonzo speed and Gonzo doesn't have Freddies' route running. Gonzo also doesn't have the hands that Freddie did, although they are good.

I'd say Ginzo's routes are excellent and his hands are indeed comparable to FB's.


What's going to put him ahead of other "more talented" WR prospects is his selfless attitude, his intelligence, and his dedication. Coaches know that when they give him their playbook--no matter how thick--he'll learn it thoroughly and quickly. They also know they'll get no prima donna bullshit from him...they know he'll practice hard, do exactly what he's told, and produce on the field.

 

[Brutus1]

Really? Can't say I've watched too many ND games, but I've never been overly impressed with JS. In those few games, I've seen him drop balls when he knew he was going to get hit. He's definitely got the size on Tony but Gonzo's got the speed and quickness. JS also has the professional baseball career looming.

I just think his 70 catches and 11 td's combined with him being 6'5 will make him more attractive to scouts. They love tall receivers in the NFL.

 

[heisman]

I just think his 70 catches and 11 td's combined with him being 6'5 will make him more attractive to scouts. They love tall receivers in the NFL.

That baseball contract may scare them off a little, however.

 

[MililaniBuckeye]

I just think his 70 catches and 11 td's combined with him being 6'5 will make him more attractive to scouts. They love tall receivers in the NFL.

Gonzo has 49 catches and 8 TDs (thus a better TD/catch ratio) despite being the "possession" receiver on a team that throws over 11 fewer passes per game. He also averages over a year per catch more (14.76) than Zmardhibhvsjda does (13.69). You can easily argue that Zmardhibhvsjda is more a product of the system, while Gonzo just continously makes big plays (somthing like 42 of his 49 catches were for either first downs or touchdowns).

 

[ScriptOhio]

I wouldn't be surprised to see Jeff Samardzija opt for baseball. He has 7.25 million reasons to try baseball first. On the average, MLB pictchers make more money, have longer careers, and take less of a beating than NFL receivers. If he "bombs out" in baseball he could then try football (sort of like like Drew Henson attempted).

http://sports-law.blogspot.com/2006/06/notre-dame-receiver-signs-fat-contract.html
Jeff Samardzija, a fifth-round pick two weeks ago by the Chicago Cubs, agreed in principle with the Cubs on a contract that will allow the righthanded pitcher to continue his all-America football career at Notre Dame this fall while pursuing a career in professional baseball. It is reported that Samardzija would receive a $7.25 million bonus if he makes baseball his primary sport, and the deal is backloaded with Samardzija receiving less than $1 million in the first year of the deal.

The contract allows Samardzija to keep his options open in football, as he is also projected to be a high NFL draft pick next year. But if and when he decides to focus exclusively on baseball, he is guaranteed $7.25 million -- which would be the largest signing bonus ever given to an amateur player.

another article: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2490178

 

[restless]

Hmm, I wonder who it was then. Somebody fairly credible.

I followed it closely last year and read most of the posts on Kudla. I don't recall anyone said 1st round. hell, not even 2nd. Most people say 2nd day or 3rd round, even after the combine when he did great in the weight room.

A lot people mentioned that he did dragged down 1st rounder Moroney from behind on 4th down play though. :)

 

[OregonBuckeye]

I followed it closely last year and read most of the posts on Kudla. I don't recall anyone said 1st round. hell, not even 2nd. Most people say 2nd day or 3rd round, even after the combine when he did great in the weight room.

A lot people mentioned that he did dragged down 1st rounder Moroney from behind on 4th down play though. :)

I know I saw a few 2nd round predictions. Maybe I'm mixing it up with bucknuts.

 

[23Skidoo]

Projected 2nd Rounder...pre-workout.

All signs and sources say Gonzo is gonzo.

I think that is very accurate right now. Like Pittman, he is still lost to the scouts in the great arsenal of weapons we have. Given the hype and statistics, I think he's behind (in no order) CJ, DJ, Ginn, Smar, Smith, and Rice.
But I think he'll jump a couple of those guys at pro day, the combine, and interviews. By the end I think he could be battling for a top-15 spot. At worst, I think he'd go in the early 2nd.
Like Pittman (but for very different reasons), I really hope he comes back. But I also wish him the best.

 

[LightningRod]

Don't know why a drug addicts oppinion matters. Everyone was saying 2nd-3rd round. I said 1st but I never would've guessed he'd go as high as #8.

You can read for yourself on Whitner's thread starting at page 11. There is one post stating that nevada had Whitner as a late third rounder at best. I wouldn't classify nevada as a drug addict. I'll leave the pro evaluations to the pros.

 

[MililaniBuckeye]

Gonzo can get his law degree at any time after the NFL, so continuing his studies really isn't the issue.

I personally think he's exactly what NFL coaches want...a highly talented, selfless, disciplined, motivated player who performs best under pressure. He runs routes as well as virtually any WR in college today and has superb hands (of the few drops I've seen him have in his three years of playing, only two or three weren't behind him or in the dirt). Remember The Catch at AA last season, or that highlight reel one-handed reach-back catch at MSU this season? How many other WRs would've made those plays?

 

[souL]

Don't know why a drug addicts oppinion matters. Everyone was saying 2nd-3rd round. I said 1st but I never would've guessed he'd go as high as #8.

Sounds like too many people underestimate the Lions and Matt Millen.

 

[WaitingforKickoff]

Gonzo would make a very nice #2 in the NFL. I think that calls for a second round pick.