Player Review: Anthony Gonzalez

Unfortunately these do not take into account plays that end up a yard short of a first down. As in, on 3rd and 8 running a route that takes you 7 yards. He has a bad habit of that.

Okay realistically this is probably more of a coincidence and it’s better than the WR who doesn’t make the catch at all. I’m looking forward to having Gonzo around for a while and he is awfully cheap for his value.

A question to throw out there – what kind of WR would you call him? Who do you compare him to?

He’s quick but not a burner. He’s got great hands so maybe he’s a possession receiver but I feel like he’s got enough agility and moves to be more than that. Overall he just seems like a good received but I have a hard time putting him into any box. Ideas?

DYAR and DVOA do. They account for pretty much everything.

As to who he’s like? Well, I’d say he’s similar in style to Boldin and Jennings, moreso Jennings. And actually, he’s by far the most physically gifted receiver we have on the team. Well, by far is an stretch, but according to his combine and stats he is. And I’ve seen him play, I think he’s excellent after the catch. I think he’s our best YAC after Dallas. Well, I’m just going to paste what I put up yesterday and you can read it.

"Gonzo showed significant improvement this year, especially considering he’s been learning the NFL system from the slot. But he’s starting to bring the skills that made the Colts take him in the 2006 draft and implementing them from what he’s learned about being a receiver in the NFL. The guys recognition of blitzes and pulling off routes is awesome. And I just have a feeling that if you throw the ball within the vicinity of him, he’ll catch passes he has no right catching. He’s deceptively quick and fast. He has the sixth fastest time ever recorded in the 3-cone drill. I believe it’s more important than 40 yard times in assessing WRs potential. It focuses on changes of direction and bursts of speed coming out of cuts more than straight line speed that focuses way too much on reaction time and great starts. But if you were interested, his combine 40 was 4.44 which is impressive, but he’s been clocked in the 4.36-4.38 range multiple times. Not to mention he has a 38 inch vertical.

So what’s my point? I’d actually like to see if putting Marvin in the slot, with his phenomenal route running that he still has, and Gonzalez out wide left and Wayne wide right, like they did in Jacksonville, would improve the offense. I think we’re wasting a high 4.3 40 player with great hands, great route running, and the ability to go up and get the ball. His natural position is either flanker or split end, and I actually see them going to this if they keep Marvin or if they bring someone else in. Marvin actually had most of his best passes on crossing routes and looked great in the slot. I mean, what’re teams going to do if you put him there? You can’t pull a CB into the middle and leave Gonzalez on a safety, he’ll torch him. And I’ll take Gonzalez one on one against a corner, I like his chances. Harrison in the slot would be a huge mismatch."