WR Anthony Gonzalez (2005 All B1G, US Congressman)

[Buckskin86]

Speaking of Gonzo, Clark made it a point in the interview to bring up the former-first round pick in 2007 from Ohio State.

Anthony Gonzalez and I have, well, we kind of have been partnered together to, uh, we always kind of met at the weight room at the same time and gotten the same groups and just challenged each other out in the runs. And, I tell you what, we've been pushing each other, and its just been a lot of fun. We've been getting a lot stronger, getting a lot faster. Body's feeling great. It's just been a great off-season.

This is just me speculating, but perhaps one of the reasons Gonzo has seemed healthy this off-season is because of Clark's involvement in off-season training. Both guys have similar mindsets. They work hard. They play the game smart. They know what to do with a football when it's delivered into their hands. It's not all that much of a surprise that both these guys are working together to make each other better. Hopefully, the payoff is that we get a completely healthy Gonzo for 2010. Regardless of whether he is the 4th wideout on the depth chart or not, a healthy Gonzo helps the team.

Dallas Clark: 2010 off-season his best as a Colts player - Stampede Blue

 

[Buckskin86]

Spotted on OSU practice field today: WRs Posey, Sanzenbacher and Fields, running routes under watchful eye of Anthony Gonzalez

Twitter / Ken Gordon: Spotted on OSU practice fi ...

Spoke with Anthony Gonzalez today. Said his knee is healthy, full go for camp. Said "Last year was most miserable yr of my football life."

Twitter / Ken Gordon: Spoke with Anthony Gonzale ...

 

[Buckskin86]

July 29, 2010
What's the status of Colts WR Anthony Gonzalez and is Peyton Manning more motivated this season?
Read Comments (0)..QUESTION: What is the health status of Anthony Gonzalez going into training camp? Will he be able to play this season?
-- from Jeff Johnson, Gaffney, SC

ANSWER: I can't give you a definitive answer. We should find out for certain when players report to Anderson University Sunday for the start of training camp. Your question is one a lot of fans have asked. Gonzo has been on the medical comeback trail after suffering a season-ending knee injury in the 2009 season opener. He participated in some of the team's offseason workouts, but was held out of the final week or two after suffering an injury that neither he nor the team would discuss. Team president Bill Polian told me the injury was not related to the knee injury, and that it was "muscular'' in nature. Again, we'll see on Sunday. I won't be surprised if Gonzo and a couple of other players open camp on the physically unable to perform list. If that occurs, fans shouldn't be too concerned. The Colts are very cautious when it comes to players returning from injury or surgery. Often, players open camp on PUP and work individually with trainers for a week or so before being cleared for full practice. I have no information to back this up other than from what I got from him during minicamp and from watching him practice, but I will be very surprised if Gonzo isn't ready for the start of the season and very surprised if he doesn't make major contributions this season.

IndyStar.com | Ask the Expert: Colts | The Indianapolis Star

 

[Buckskin86]

Working with Gonzo ? Manning would much rather discuss the return of veteran wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez, who missed most of the 2009 season with a knee injury.

?He sounds really good. We had plenty of July off, so I went down to Tennessee. Gonzalez and [second-year wide receiver Austin] Collie came down and worked out with me down there. [Gonzalez] missed mini-camp [with a hamstring injury] and he wanted to get down there and get some reps,? he said.

?Him and I had three really good days of throwing. I thought he looked good. I thought he looked quick. Had a good burst on all his [pass] routes. His hamstring, I think that is totally healed. And I know he?s really excited to be [in training camp] and get a fresh start for the 2010 season. I know 2009 was frustrating for him. I?m excited for him and I know that there?s going to be good, healthy competition at the wide receiver position all across the board. All of those guys are going to make a big impact for our team this year I think.?

Back to work: Colts arrive in Anderson for training camp ? Sports ? News From Terre Haute, Indiana- TribStar.com

 

[Buckskin86]

WR Anthony Gonzalez is ready. This understandably has been an off-season topic of intense interest, with Gonzalez missing all but one game last season with a knee injury and missing much of organized team activities with a hamstring injury. He worked with QB Peyton Manning for three days in Tennessee in July, and Manning said when the Colts reported that he believed Gonzalez's hamstring issues were behind him. He looked quick and confident Monday, working extensively with Manning and the offense. Gonzalez said Monday he felt entering OTAs he was in as good a shape as he had been in, which made missing it disappointing. But he said he feels confident entering training camp, and as significantly, Manning continues to emphasize the importance of Gonzalez in the offense, and as long as he does, it's hard to imagine him not being a major factor this season if he's healthy. He may not start, but you also get the feeling that with Gonzalez, Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie, starting won't mean much and that the Colts will play all four receivers ? including, of course, Reggie Wayne ? extensively.

Indianapolis Colts 2010 Training Camp: Early thoughts

 

[Buckskin86]

Gonzalez 'dabbling'

Anthony Gonzalez dabbled in returning punts during his career at Ohio State University. He's back at it.

Whenever the Colts' focus turns to the return game, their veteran receiver joins the group handling punts.

Are the Colts serious about having Gonzalez return punts, or are they just exploring options that include rookie Brandon James and Devin Moore?
"Good question,'' Gonzalez said. "I just do what I'm asked.''

It's believed the Colts would prefer James, a record-setting return specialist at Florida, or another non-front line player return punts and kickoffs.
Gonzalez has limited experience on punt returns. In three seasons at Ohio State, he returned three for 24 yards.

Even if his latest dabbling leads to nothing, Gonzalez sees a benefit.
"At the very least, I think catching punts is the best way to warm up your hands,'' he said.

Crowd sees full-pads work | IndyStar.com | The Indianapolis Star

And with Gonzalez around, one of last year?s breakout stars ? Pierre Garcon ? has been getting work both as an outside receiver and in the slot.

In fact, Gonzo can play both roles -- outside receiver and slot -- although his preference is probably to work outside more.

Second-year receiver Austin Collie is primarily a slot receiver, but could slide outside depending on the formation.

?There are a lot of (receivers) that can make a lot of big plays at any point,? tight end Dallas Clark said. ?There are a lot of good threats and everyone has a different tangible that they bring.?

Sanders, Gonzo sight for sore eyes ? Sports ? The Herald Bulletin

 

[Buckskin86]

GONZO WOWS 'EM -- Many have asked where wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez is in the pecking order of a crowded and talented group. He's been splitting time in the slot with second-year pro Austin Collie mostly. Also has taken a turn fielding punts on special teams.

But with Garcon sitting out, Gonzo had more of a chance to make some plays this afternoon and had the crowd buzzing and making its loudest cheers with a couple nifty catches on Manning deep balls.

It's just practice, but he looks good. After one of the sideline catches, Manning gave Gonzo a pat after the receiver came back.

If this keeps up, I don't see how the Colts can keep him on the bench. But I still don't have a clue how Reggie Wayne, Garcon, Collie and Gonzo can all get their share of catches. We shall see.

IndyStar.com | Bounce It Off Phil B. | The Indianapolis Star

 

[Buckskin86]

HAPPY TO BE WORKING
By John Oehser - Special to Colts.com
Thursday, August 5 2010

Colts Wide Receiver Anthony Gonzalez Glad to be Practicing at 2010 Training Camp

ANDERSON, Ind. ? Anthony Gonzalez doesn't yet know his role this season.
And while it would be inaccurate to say the former first-round selection doesn't care about that role, it would be very accurate to say there's something more important to the veteran wide receiver.

A chance to play.

For that matter, even the chance to practice in the Central Indiana heat during 2010 Training Camp has been welcome for Gonzalez.

?I've been telling everybody, 'I just want to practice,'' Gonzalez said this week during Colts training camp, which continued Thursday with a pair of practices at Anderson University.

?'Give me a practice: we'll start with that and then see how it goes.' ?

The chance to practice is not only a welcome one for Gonzalez, it's one for which he has waited longer than he hoped.

Gonzalez, a first-round selection in the 2007 NFL Draft, played extensively in his first two NFL seasons, then entered last season as the starting wide receiver opposite Reggie Wayne. But he sustained a knee injury in the season opener that eventually kept him out the rest of the season.

The Official Website of the Indianapolis Colts

 

[Buckskin86]

Indianapolis Colts WR Anthony Gonzalez: July workouts with QB Peyton Manning "intense"
August 9
Indianapolis Colts Examiner
John Oehser

ANDERSON, Ind. ? Somehow, someway, Anthony Gonzalez wanted to make up the time.

Even if it wasn't possible.

So it was that when Gonzalez, a fourth-year wide receiver for the Colts who missed 15 games last season with a knee injury and most of organized team activities this past off-season with a hamstring, started feeling close to healthy in July, he approached quarterback Peyton Manning with a proposal.

He would go to Tennessee, where Manning was spending time in the off-season.

The idea ? to get timing down, and become more familiar with the Colts' four-time Pro Bowl quarterback.

Gonzalez went, and so did second-year wide receiver Austin Collie. The trio, Gonzalez said, had a good time, but he said to make no mistake:

The trio also worked.

"One of the reasons why I went down to Tennessee this off-season was to kind of get my timing back,? Gonzalez said. ?Having three days, just him and myself and Austin Collie ? throwing routes on air and really working on that timing aspect of it ? that helped a lot.?

Indianapolis Colts WR Anthony Gonzalez: July workouts with QB Peyton Manning "intense"

 

[Buckskin86]

Colts' Gonzalez plays catch-up
Fourth-year WR recovering from right knee injury
By George Bremer The Herald Bulletin

ANDERSON, Ind. ? Last season was supposed to be a breakout year for Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez.

It lasted one quarter.

Gonzalez injured his right knee in Week 1 against the Jacksonville Jaguars and never returned. He was placed on injured reserve on Dec. 24 and missed the Colts? Super Bowl run.

Sunday he?ll return to the field for the preseason opener against the San Francisco 49ers at Lucas Oil Stadium.

?It?ll be nice to play,? he said. ?I feel like I haven?t played a game since high school. It hasn?t been that long, but it feels like it?s been awhile. So it?ll be fun, yeah.?

Colts' Gonzalez plays catch-up ? Sports ? The Herald Bulletin

For players and coaches, football is a year-round job. Training camp is necessary for the team to prepare for the season, but players arrive to camp in tip-top shape and with a good grasp of the team?s playbook so they can hit the ground running.

Fourth-year veteran wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez said he is a player ready for that work.

Gonzalez, who missed the 2009 season after suffering a knee injury in the first game of the season, not only spent the offseason rehabilitating, but also making sure the timing he and quarterback Peyton Manning developed over the last three seasons wasn?t lost.

So Gonzalez traveled to Tennessee this summer to work with Manning to do just that.

?I don?t think (timing) has been much of a problem actually, which kind of surprised me,? Gonzalez said. ?I feel pretty good about the work we?ve put in. One of the reasons why I went down to Tennessee this off-season was to get that timing back. I think having three days with him, myself and (Austin) Collie throwing routes and really working on that timing aspect really helped a lot.?

Gonzalez, who says he did not feel 100% healthy until a few weeks ago, also pointed out that he already has played in 30 regular-season games and has 94 receptions.

?It?s not like this is my rookie year. We have two-and-a-half years of experience to draw from, and obviously last year got cut very short for me. We weren?t starting at Square One by any means,? Gonzalez said.

And Gonzalez said it was important that he did not leave Indianapolis last season despite his injury. He stayed with the team, diligently working to stay prepared.

?I stayed involved. I was still in Indy even though I was hurt the whole year,? Gonzalez said. ?I was in the meetings. I was listening. I wasn?t physically (able to play), but mentally I was. I think you can get around some of those issues if you stay mentally into it.?

The receiver had career-highs with 57 receptions for 664 yards and four touchdowns in 2008, and he is hoping his nonstop work over the last year pays off big in 2010.

The Official Website of the Indianapolis Colts

 

[Buckskin86]

Austin Collie became a very effective replacement for Anthony Gonzalez last season, but I get the feeling Manning will be more comfortable with Gonzalez in the slot if both are healthy opening day. Gonzalez, coming back from a knee injury, benefited from spending three days with Manning early in July.

Read more: Indianapolis Colts training camp postcard - Peter King - SI.com

 

[Poe McKnoe]

Tim Tebow, Big House show why college football blows away NFL - Austin Murphy - SI.com

Earlier that week, I'd spoken with then Buckeyes wideout Anthony Gonzalez, whose father had played for Schembechler at Michigan but lost his scholarship after getting injured.

Did his father leave on bad terms with Bo? "My dad?" said Gonzo. "He has great things to say about Bo. Great things."

Gonzalez, now an Indianapolis Colt, was a philosophy major with a 4.0 GPA nearly every academic quarter. I remember his admonition when I confessed that I'd never read Plato: "You've got to read The Republic."

I saw Gonzo a few months later at the NFL's annual scouting combine, so named, I suspect, because it combines elements of a beauty pageant, a cattle auction and hard-core interrogation sessions. Like all other prospective draftees, he was dressed in an NFL-issued gray sweatshirt, on which was stamped his league-assigned four-character code. We chatted while he was shuttling between physical and psychological tests. He was bemused, I recall, by some of the Bizarro World questions posed to him by the grim-faced NFL personnel "experts." "Whatever you do," I advised him, "don't mention Plato."

 

[Buckskin86]

Two Colts adjust to changing roles
Expected move to 4th receiver frustrates healthy Gonzalez
By Mike Chappell
Posted: September 7, 2010

Anthony Gonzalez hinted Monday that he was not given a chance to win back his starting receiver role. - Robert Scheer / The Star

Monday, it was clear the Indianapolis Colts' 2007 first-round draft pick wasn't totally pleased with how the recently concluded preseason had unfolded. That had nothing to do with an injury to his right knee that forced him to miss virtually all of 2009.

"Body feels great,'' Gonzalez said. "Knee feels great.''

The issue is Gonzalez's role as a receiver in the Colts' offense, and how it was determined.

"Until Sunday,'' he said of the Colts' season opener at AFC South rival Houston, "I don't think it's worth speculating.

"I have an idea what it's going to be.''

By all appearances and inferences, it won't be what Gonzalez anticipated after he completed his comeback from surgery to repair ligament damage in his right knee sustained in the first quarter of the '09 opener.

"What I wanted and what I was promised was an opportunity to compete for a job,'' he said.

Did that not occur?

"I don't know,'' he said. "All I wanted was what was promised to me. I'm not sure either way that it did.

"I'm probably not the person to ask, really. Whether a job is open or competition takes place, is something that is determined by coaches, not players.''

Gonzalez's sentiments came during the Colts' open access period, after coach Jim Caldwell had addressed the media.

Gonzalez worked as the No. 3 receiver as a rookie in '07 and again in '08 behind Reggie Wayne and Marvin Harrison, then settled into the No. 2 outside spot opposite Wayne last season following Harrison's release. That lasted less than a quarter.

In Gonzalez's absence, Pierre Garcon took over and took off (47 receptions, 765 yards, four touchdowns) as the second outside starter and rookie Austin Collie excelled out of the slot (60, 676, seven).

Gonzalez still was rehabilitating the knee during minicamp but expressed optimism he would have every opportunity to regain the No. 2 role.

Prior to the injury, he had caught 94 passes for 1,240 yards and seven touchdowns in 30 regular-season games.

It appears the primary alignment at Houston might be the same as it was during the Super Bowl loss to New Orleans: Wayne and Garcon on the outside, Collie in the slot. That would leave Gonzalez as the interchangeable backup.

Until then and perhaps even after that, he's choosing his words carefully.

"All I wanted was an opportunity to compete,'' Gonzalez said. "That's it. That's what I was promised.''

The team's initial depth chart lists Gonzalez as its punt returner.

"It's possible,'' he said. "I have no idea.''

Two Colts adjust to changing roles | IndyStar.com | The Indianapolis Star

 

[Buckskin86]

Wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez (back), defensive back Jacob Lacey (head) and linebacker Cody Glenn (hamstring) also were listed as questionable. Gonzalez participated in parts of practice today. Lacey and Glenn did not practice.

Colts' Jeff Saturday, Charlie Johnson questionable for Sunday | IndyStar.com | The Indianapolis Star

WR Anthony Gonzalez (back) -- Limited participation the second consecutive day. I expect him to play, perhaps mostly as a punt returner, but you never know who will be hot at WR.

IndyStar.com | Bounce It Off Phil B. | The Indianapolis Star

 

[Bucklion]

One wonders if the team is or will use his "injuries" to keep him buried on the chart. Much easier to keep a guy on the bench when you constantly list him on the injury list. I have no idea obviously, but from what he is intimating, they don't want him playing well enough or often enough to threaten Collie or Garcon.