SB Nation - Anthony Gonzalez

Anthony Gonzalez Doubtful

John B — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 14:15:10 -0000

It's not clear how long we'll see many Colts starters on Sunday. One we probably won't see at all is wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez.

The availability of Anthony Gonzalez for the Indianapolis Colts' final two regular-season and the postseason remains in doubt after the third-year receiver did not practice Wednesday.

Gonzalez, the team's 2007 first-round draft pick, has not played since spraining a ligament in his right knee in the Sept. 13 season opener against Jacksonville. He suffered a setback during his initial rehabilitation and underwent arthroscopic surgery Nov. 5.

Gonzalez went through the Colts' light workout Monday, and team president Bill Polian said on his Monday night radio show the plan was for Gonzalez to practice Wednesday. Barring a setback, Gonzalez was expected to be a game-time decision for Sunday's game against the New York Jets.

The Colts have homefield advantage clinched. While they may play everybody who is healthy through the whole game, they aren't going to rush back anybody less than 100%.

Vinatieri plans to play this weekend; Gonzalez might be done for 2009

BigBlueShoe — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 12:54:26 -0000

More photos » by Michael Conroy - AP

2 months ago: FILE -- In this Oct. 4, 2009, file photo, Indianapolis Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri kicks against the Seattle Seahawks in the first quarter of an NFL football game in Indianapolis. Vinatieri is out four to eight weeks after having arthroscopic surgery on his right knee to remove a piece of cartilage. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)

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Despite a season which has featured several young and talented players stepping up and making significant contributions in the face of veteran players going down with injury, for a team making a playoff run it is vital that all hands back on deck. For much of this season, future Hall of Fame kicker Adam Vinatieri and budding wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez have been on the shelf. Gonzo strained a knee tendon in Week One against the Jaguars, and after a set-up during rehab, he had surgery to scope the knee. Vinatieri, meanwhile, had been bothered by hip and knee problems. He had hip surgery this off-season, and during the season this year had the knee scoped.

This week, both men returned to practice, but the progress for both seems to be going in opposite directions.

According to John Oehser, via Twitter, Adam Vinatieri will play this weekend against the Jets. Because of the uncertainty of Vinaiteri's knee, the Colts will likely hold onto Matt Stover, the veteran kicker who the Colts signed while Vinatieri was on the mend. Stover has played extremely well in Vinaiteri's absence. While teams like the Cowboys, Redskins, and even Stover's former team, the Ravens, have struggled with kickers this season, the Colts have been able to sally forth sans Vinatieri mainly because Stover (at age 41) is still a clutch field goal kicker.

However, having Stover on the team is a bit of a double-edged sword.

The Colts have not seen Vinatieri make a clutch kick in several months. Will his knee hold up moving into January? Does he still have the range and distance to kick 50+ yard FGs to win games, as we saw him do last year? And, if Matt Stover is released, he will most certainly get scooped up by another team vying for playoff position. A team like the Ravens, Cowboys, or maybe even the Jets will certainly be interested in Stover.

It is not out of the realm of possibility that the Colts could keep both kickers on the playoff roster. With so much uncertainty surrounding the health of Vinatieri, and with Gonzo's season looking more and more like it is done (explained later in this article), keeping three kickers while heading into post-season play is not that bad of an idea.

The pro of keeping Vinatieri and Stover on the roster is you guarantee the Colts will not see Stover again this off-season kicking for an opponent. Plus, just from a sentimental point of view, Stover deserves to stay on this roster. His performance, and the leadership he has shown, have made his signing one of the under-the-radar feats of genius we are so accustomed to seeing from Bill Polian. He is well-liked and respected by the team, and he is also well-liked and respected by Vinatieri.

If there are still lingering doubts about Vinatieri's durability, the Colts could keep Stover and have him kick FGs of 45 yards or less. Stover has struggled kicking FGs over 45 yards in recent years while Vinatieri has not, especially in pressure situations. Also, if (heaven forbid) something were to happen to Pat McAfee, the Colts would not only be without a punter, they'd be without a kick-off specialist. Asking a 41-year-old player to kick-off and make FGs is a bit too much. So, keeping Vinatieri as a back-up for kick-off duties makes sense as well. Plus, in a pinch, Vinatieri could punt.

The only con I can think of is that people might get a little squirmy about using three roster spots for kickers. My response to that is the Colts have kept three roster spots for kickers all season, and they are currently 14-0. If it worked to get you this far, why alter things?

While the kicking situation seems reasonably sturdy, the situation with Anthony Gonzalez is anything but. All season long, Gonzo has worked and fought to get himself healthy. According to PhilB at the Indy Star, this is the week Gonzo needed to prove he was ready to play again. He practiced some on Monday, but it was the Wednesday practice that would likely determine how healthy he is.

On Wednesday, Gonzo didn't practice... like, at all. He also didn't talk to the media about it. Not good.

As most know, Gonzo didn't practice on Wednesday. He participated Monday, but that was a light workout. I cautioned in the chat that we would know more on Wednesday. And I think we do. That he didn't practice Wednesday is obviously not a good sign. Colts coach Jim Caldwell, when asked yesterday about Gonzalez, said, "Today, we'll see, but his road hasn't been an easy one." That is also obviously not promising.
I thought it odd at the time, after Gonzalez went down early in the season opener, Polian came out on his radio show and referred to the wide receiver as a "slow healer." I can't help but think this ticked Gonzo off.

Some could say his inability to return would back up Polian's position.

The "slow healer" tag Polian seemingly tossed on Gonzo is not something I remember from one of his radio shows this year. Anyone else hear about that?

Regardless of such an odd remark from Polian (especially since Gonzo sleeps in a friggin oxygen tent to accelerate healing), the fact of the matter is Gonzo must play against the Jets, or the Colts will likely IR him. It's certainly not fun to see one of my favorite players (and a guy who has averaged 13.2 yards a catch in his career thus far) struggle to get back on the field, but Gonzo needs at least two full games of real contact football before we can determine that he is playoff ready. We've been saying this for weeks, but I'm glad PhilB said it as well:

Nobody wants to see another Marvin Harrison-like playoff moment, when the injured receiver tried to make more out of a long gain against San Diego, with the Colts ahead 7-0 and seemingly driving in for another score, only to have the WR fumble away the scoring chance at the end of his run two years ago. Everybody remembers that well.

Based on the statements PhilB quotes from Jim Caldwell, for me the situation reads that if Gonzo is unable to play against the Jets, he will be IRed. I'd rather have that than have to deal with the uncertainty of Gonzo's health heading into the post-season. Also, factor in that Pierre Garçon and Austin Collie have developed into excellent wide outs in Gonzo's absence, and Hank Baskett (who plays mostly on special teams) is certainly no slouch either.

I hope Gonzo is able to get into another practice and hopefully suit up for the Jets game. However, if he doesn't, his 2009 season should be over. As I said with the Bob Sanders situation, the distraction of "will he, won't he" when it comes to playing while returning from an injury can often adversely affect a football team. Sometimes it is better to set a deadline for recovery, and if the player cannot meet that deadline, IR him and move on.

I think that is what Indy will do with Gonzo this year, but I still hold out some hope he will return soon.

Week 16: Wednesday Colts Injury Report

shake n bake — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 22:46:20 -0000

9 players missed practice today, 15 others on the report, including two returning from injuries that sidelined them for a significant period. Unfortunately Anthony Gonzalez was among the 9 missing practice despite working out on Monday. Gonzalez's window to return is closing fast. He needs to get on the field soon or else the season will be totally lost.

In brighter news Adam Vinatieri and Aaron Francisco are back at practice after being sidelined for extended periods. Donald Brown went from missing several games, to not even on the report (unless the second time they listed Bullitt was suppose to be him).

Did Not Participate: Keyunta Dawson (knee), Dwight Freeney (abdomen), Pierre Garcon (hand), Anthony Gonzalez (knee), Charlie Johnson (foot), Freddy Keiaho (personal), Robert Mathis (quad), Jerraud Powers (hamstring), Clint Session (knee)

Full Participation: Joseph Addai (knee), Antoine Bethea (foot), Gary Brackett (foot), Melvin Bullitt (chest)*, Mevlin Bullitt (shoulder), Ryan Diem (foot), Aaron Francisco (ankle), Mike Hart (ankle), Tim Jennings (ankle), Jacob Lacey (bicep), Peyton Manning (glute), Jamey Richard (shoulder), Chad Simpson (chest), Tony Ugoh (knee), Adam Vinatieri (knee), Reggie Wayne (foot).

*I think that's supposed to be Donald Brown. It's in the right place alphabetically and that Melvin is listed with Brown's injury (chest).

Colts.com link

Anthony Gonzalez and Donald Brown return to practice

BigBlueShoe — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 15:23:00 -0000

More photos » by Tom Strattman - AP

Indianapolis Colts running back Donald Brown (31) (AP Photo/Tom Strattman)

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Key to any playoff run in the NFL is a team getting healthy at the right time. In 2005, the Pittsburgh Steelers looked like complete and utter dog meat heading into the post-season. They lost at home to the Cincinnati Bengals, thus losing hold of the AFC North, prior to the end of the season. They were hurt, tired, and were picked as an early round exit in the playoffs. Then, prior to the playoffs, players like Jerome Bettis, Willie Parker, and Troy Polamalu got healthy. They entered the playoffs, surging ahead in part because of Kimo von Oelhoffen blasting Carson Palmer's knee on the Bengals first offensive play. They were able to blow out the Bengals, barely squeak by the Colts, destroy the Broncos, and eventually embarrass the Seahawks in the Super Bowl.

Health is everything in the post-season. Everything.

If "momentum" meant anything, the Patriots would have won 19 games in 2007. Instead, they lost in the Super Bowl to a NY Giants teams that, like the 2005 Steelers, looked like dog meat heading into post-season play.

Because health is so important, and because it is vital that certain big-play players get back 100% healthy and fully ready to contribute, the news that wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez and running back Donald Brown have returned to practice is very positive.

Their participation in practice was categorized as "short." I'm optimistic that both will play this Sunday against the NY Jets, but until I hear that Brown and Gonzo are practicing in pads, my optimism is guarded.

One thing I do know: If Gonzalez does not play in either the Jets or Bills game, he should not be on the playoff roster. I absolutely do not want a Marvin Harrison circa 2007 re-occurring. Pierre Garçon and Austin Collie have developed wonderful timing with Manning. Collie, by the way, is a legit Rookie of the Year candidate. Both he and Garcon have earned the right to play slot and flanker ahead of Gonzalez, who has not played full speed, competitive football in over three months. It is vital that Gonzo play, and play well, in these next two games. If not, his 2009 season should be ended.

That said, it is a positive sign that he and Brown are back at practice. Having both these guys back and healthy for post-season play would be a significant boost to this team.

Tip to npb1985

Great Colts of the Decade: 2000-2009

BigBlueShoe — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 17:53:32 -0000

More photos » by Gail Burton - AP

about 1 month ago: Indianapolis Colts' Matt Stover celebrates his go-ahead fourth-quarter field goal during an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009, in Baltimore. The Colts won 17-15. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)

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This week, we will be writing a ton of articles on the possibility to playing starters for four quarters against the Jets, Peyton Manning's seemingly inevitable fourth MVP award, Jim Caldwell possibly winning Coach of the Year, and other goodies as they pop up in the news (like Anthony Gonzalez possibly returning this week).

But, I also wanted to take the time to offer up some opportunities to vote on some all-decade Colts players, coaches, and moments. As the 2000s come to a close, it is important to take stock of just how wonderful this decade has been to Colts fans. We have been fortunate to watch teams that we were proud to follow and cheer for. Equally important is to recognize the people and the moments that have made this decade so special for us.

Now, since some categories really don't require voting (Best Colts QB of the decade seems pretty silly to me, unless someone is misty-eyed about the one snap Mark Rypien took in 2001 after Peyton Manning broke his jaw against the Dolphins), I think we can narrow down the fields to the following:

Best Colts running back of the decade
Best Colts wide receiver of the decade
Best Colts linebacker of the decade
Best Colts assistant coach of the decade
Best Colts moment of the decade (The comeback against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on MNF, the Super Bowl again the Chicago Bears, AFC Championship against the New Engalnd Patriots, etc.)
Best "Manning Moment" of the decade
Best play of the decade
Best individual performance of the decade by a Colts player

If you can think of other categories, toss them into the comments. We'll vote on them just prior to New Year's.

Week 15: Wednesday (Final) Injury Report

shake n bake — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 21:12:53 -0000

Finally we get a really look at who will be sitting Thursday Night.

Out: Donald Brown, Aaron Francisco, Anthony Gonzalez, Jerraud Powers, Adam Vinatieri

Questionable (practices): Eric Foster (1), Dwight Freeney (0), Charlie Johnson (0), Robert Mathis (0)

That's 9 players total in doubt, 8 who didn't practice at all. It's a pretty solid bet that those 8 will be your inactives.

Probable: Joseph Addai, Antoine Bethea, Gary Brackett, Melvin Bullitt, Keyunta Dawson, Kyle DeVan, Ryan Diem, Pierre Garcon, Kelvin Hayden, Tim Jennings, Jacob Lacey, Peyton Manning, Daniel Muir, Jamey Richard, Tom Santi, Clint Session, Chad Simpson, Tony Ugoh, Reggie Wayne.

Week 15: Tuesday Injury Report

shake n bake — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 22:49:11 -0000

First actual report of the week. Everyone that the Colts estimated would have practiced yesterday practiced today, so expect them to go.

"Back" at Practice: Joseph Addai, Gary Brackett, Raheem Brock, Melvin Bullitt, Keyunta Dawson, Kyle DeVan, Ryan Diem, Pierre Garcon, Kelvin Hayden, Tim Jennings, Jacob Lacey, Peyton Manning, Daniel Muir, Jamey Richard, Tom Santi, Clint Session, Chad Simpson, Tony Ugoh, Reggie Wayne

Still Out: Antoine Bethea (foot), Donald Brown (chest), Eric Foster (back), Aaron Francisco (ankle), Dwight Freeney (abdomen), Anthony Gonzalez (knee), Charlie Johnson (foot), Robert Mathis (quad), Jerraud Powers (Hammy), Adam Vinatieri (knee).

Personally I expect most, if not all the guys that missed today to sit, and everyone that practiced today to go.

Ten Buckeyes submit NFL Draft paperwork

Mocking Dan — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 22:03:27 -0000

More photos » by Jay LaPrete - AP

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The Associated Press is reporting that 10 Ohio State juniors submitted paperwork to gauge where they might be selected in the 2010 NFL Draft.

Head coach Jim Tressel wouldn't say which players submitted paperwork, but he did say they were all starters.

That would include defensive ends Thaddeus Gibson and Cameron Heyward, linebackers Ross Homan and Brian Rolle, cornerbacks Chimdi Chekwa and Devon Torrence, tailback Brandon Saine, wide receiver Dane Sanzenbacher and offensive linemen Bryant Browning and Justin Boren.

"I've gotten a little bit of an early indication and shared it with the kids," Tressel told the AP. "We tried to do that before they went home for Thanksgiving. The NFL was good and got us some early things (so) that way the kids could get home and talk a little bit with their folks."

Clearly the two most intriguing players on Ohio State are Gibson and Heyward. Gibson, who has four sacks, projects as a 3-4 outside linebacker because of his agility and size. For those same reasons Heyward is considered one of the best 3-4 defensive end candidates in the nation.

Heyward leads Ohio State with 5.5 sacks this season and has been impressive against the run.

After the defensive linemen, Boren looks like he is the most ready for the NFL. A transfer from Michigan, Boren is a powerful and nasty interior lineman. He is Ohio State's best run blocker and would be one of the first three or four guards taken.

Saine had somewhat of a breakthrough season with 926 rushing yards, but should return to Ohio State. As it stands, he would likely be taken outside of the top 100 picks.

Sanzenbacher is an intriguing player. He has shown flashes of being a very good receiver this season with 27 receptions for 506 yards and six touchdowns. His hands are solid and he runs good routes. But he only topped 100 yards once in 2009 and had just four catches over the final three games of the year.

Still, Ohio State has a good history of putting out NFL talent at wide receiver. While Ted Ginn and Brian Robiskie haven't had the success some expected, Brian Hartline and Anthony Gonzalez have exceeded expectations.

The remaining players should return to Columbus for another season. They all look like they have pro potential but are raw – particularly the defensive backs.

Austin Collie Update

sroufe — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 14:00:30 -0000

More photos » by Darron Cummings - AP

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Austin Collie (17) is chased by Houston Texans cornerback Glover Quin after a reception during the first quarter of an NFL football game in Indianapolis, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

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BYU's all-time greatest wide receiver, Austin Collie, was drafted 127th overall last April. The Indianapolis Colts selected him in the 4th round after 19 other receivers had been picked. The Colts drafted Collie after releasing 36 year-old All-Pro Marvin Harrison. Harrison had accounted for over 600 yards receiving in 2008 and the Colts' rookie wideout Pierre Garcon had only made 4 catches all last season. Indianapolis hoped Collie could provide some much needed depth behind All-Pro Reggie Wayne and Anthony Gonzalez.

Not only has Collie provided the necessary depth team President Bill Polian and General Manager Chris Polian were looking for, but he has turned into one of Peyton Manning's primary targets. Collie has scored a touchdown in each of the past two contests and ranks among the NFL's top rookie receivers. You could easily argue that Collie and Minnesota rookie receiver Percy Harvin (drafted 22nd overall) have been the two best rookie receivers in the league this season.

Of course, it doesn't hurt that they are each catching passes from two of the greatest passers in league history. Still, after the Colts lost Gonzalez for the season in Week 1, Collie and Garcon have each stepped in and performed exceptionally well. And now, with the Colts having clinched home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs and possibly resting players like Wayne and TE Dallas Clark, Collie could get even more touches in the last few games.

NFL writer Don Banks of Sports Illustrated released a "Draft Redux" re-projecting the first round of the 2009 draft. Where does Collie fall? How about in the first round, 26th overall (to Green Bay), and as the 4th receiver taken.

Here's a brief look at where Collie ranks this season:

Category*	Total	Rookie Rank	NFL Rank
Receptions	50	1st	40th
Yards	540	6th	56th
Average	10.8	10th	83rd
Touchdowns	6	Tied - 1st	Tied-17th

*Among all players with at least 25 receptions

Here are also some links detailing more of Collie's success as a rookie:

An early take on Colts' No. 3 receiver - ESPN (8/12)
Anthony Gonzalez still not ready to practice ... - Stampede Blue (12/8)
Austin Collie, Colts... - FanHouse (10/12)
Austin Collie makes his move among NFL rookies - The Hazean (10/29)
Collie a pleasant surprise for Colts - Deseret News (10/19)
Collie's TD doom Titans - Indianapolis Star (10/12)
Colts' Collie getting some love from "The King" - Stampede Blue (8/26)
Garon, Collie don't miss a beat in Colts' offense - Indy.com (10/8)
Oak Ridge's Collie running with the Colts - ESPN Radio, Sacramento (10/13)
Rookie of the Year: Austin Collie? - Stampede Blue (11/5)

Collie Highlights from Colts v. Seahawks in October (including Collie's first touchdown reception):

Monday "Practice Estimation"

shake n bake — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 22:20:19 -0000

Thursday night game means that to comply with the leagues requirement of 3 injury reports teams need to give a "Practice Estimation" on Monday, reporting which players they'd expect to hold out of practice if they were conducting a practice today. As you'd expect for the day after a game, the lists are long. Really it's more telling to look at who isn't listed. In the Colts case that list is actually shorter and we'll start with that.

Players Not Listed (count on them playing)

Curtis Painter, Mike Hart, Jacob Tamme, Gijon Robinson, Dallas Clark, Austin Collie, Hank Baskett, Micheal Toudoze, Mike Pollak, Jeff Saturday, Ryan Lilja, Antonio Johnson, Fili Moala, Erwin Baldwin, Philip Wheeler, Freddy Keiaho, Ramon Humber, Cody Glenn, T.J. Rushing, Jaime Silva, Devon Hall, Justin Snow, Pat McAfee, Matt Stover

Players that would've rested (likely playing)

Dwight Freeney, Antoine Bethea

The Injured (who knows?)

Joseph Addai (knee), Gary Brackett (foot), Raheem Brock (back), Donald Brown (chest), Melvin Bullitt (shoulder), Keyunta Dawson (knee), Kyle DeVan (shin), Ryan Diem (hamstring), Eric Foster (back), Aaron Francisco (ankle), Pierre Garçon (knee), Anthony Gonzalez (knee), Kelvin Hayden (knee), Tim Jennings (ankle), Charlie Johnson (foot), Jacob Lacey (Biceps), Peyton Manning (glute), Robert Mathis (quad), Daniel Muir (hamstring), Jerraud Powers (Hamstring), Jamey Richard (Shoulder), Tom Santi (hand), Clint Session (calf), Chad Simpson (back), Tony Ugoh (hip), Adam Vinatieri (knee), Reggie Wayne (foot).

Colts.com link