Anthony Gonzalez and Donald Brown return to practice
by BigBlueShoe on Dec 22, 2009 10:23 AM EST
in Colts News
17 comments
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.
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That’s what I needed to hear. I actually saw Donald Brown at lunch the other day and I wanted to ask him when he was getting back on the field.
This had to be the week they returned if they wanted some meaningful reps, especially Gonzo to get in sync again. The friendly confines of The Luke is where we need the reps with these 2, because a potential ice-bowl freeze-fest in Buffalo is not where I’d want to “work out the kinks”.
The next question is what do we do about the Stover and Vinatieri situation. I don’t think we’d carry both into the postseason and Stover is doing fine right now. If we were to IR Adam, what position would we pick up?
I'm starting to think
there was some method to the madness of holding Brown out so long when his injuries did not seem all that severe. We forget sometimes that rookies just out of college are used to playing a 12-13 game season, and now play football full time for 17-19 weeks. Addai was playing great, Hart and Simpson provided enough relief as backups, so there was no need to rush Don back onto the field. Polian knows this is a Super Bowl contender (f***ing duh) and knows that Donald Brown is a guy that can be a deadly weapon for us in the playoffs. By holding him out an extended time, maybe the reason was to keep him as fresh as possible for a postseason run. Having him and Powers recooperated, fresh and healthy is an excellent postseason strategy. They kind of get their second wind, and explode back out.
Of course this is just my theory and if Polian read that, he may laugh at the stupidity of that opinion, but I’m just playing the speculation game.
"A lot of times, Kenny, we have no idea what we're doing. But the DEFENSE doesn't know that we don't know what we're doing.....and that's next level." -Peyton Manning
I actually agree
It would make sense to keep rookies that have playmaking ability – but have capable backups for the regular season – out for just about any reason so that they are fresh for a playoff run. I hope that all the players that are going to play in the playoffs see the field for some time the next two games(maybe 15-20 snaps a game)
I also wish I had time and motivation to blog at Speed Blue Nation
Status Adam Vinatieri
No one is saying anything on the status of Adam. It seems Matt Stover is good for PAT’s and short field goals. In the playoffs, a long field goal could be critical. Adam coming back healthy could be the most important addition of all. Any status on this ?
from the indystar
Etc.
WR Anthony Gonzalez and RB Donald Brown practiced Monday, when Colts president Bill Polian said on his radio show that the club hopes Gonzalez can be ready to play against the Jets. Polian added that K Adam Vinatieri will do some kicking later this week to see if he might be ready to go.
The Shogun of Harlem
Dropsies
The only thing to consider is that Collie and Garcon have not shown the surest of hands in big time games this year. Caldwell even said that he thought they were nervous in the New England game, which led to some of those drops. In all fairness, Garcon came back strong with that TD late in the game, but still, it’s something to think about. Hopefully that NE game (and the Denver game) kinda prepared them for the playoffs, but it sure would be nice to have the always calm and cool Gonzo back for the playoffs. If he doesn’t get the necessary reps, I would say you are right in not starting him. However, I don’t know about keeping him off the playoff roster. Should Garcon and/or Collie go down in a game, I think I would rather have him coming in than Baskett.
The Shogun of Harlem
Collie only had one bad drop
in the New England game. He has played VERY solid all year and has shown to be extremely reliable. I don’t see were he keeps getting the occasional “butterfinger” mantra from.
I love Anthony, so I'm looking forward to seeing him on the field this Sunday.
I’ve had such high hopes for him and I would love for him to contribute in the p
layoffs? Don't talk about... layoffs??
Are you kidding me? layoffs? I’m just hoping I can get a job!
GONZO is an excellent back-up!
That is the role he should be in, regardless…let’s not mess up a good thing here.
Also, is Matt Stover gonna get canned right before the playoff run? I tink that Vinateri should have been IRed along with Gonzo….If either of these guys screw this up for us…..
i know people have reffered to parts of it but here is the full article on what polian said about gonzo, brown, and viny
GO COLTS!!! 09 IS OURS!!!
by TheAngelsColts on Dec 22, 2009 12:59 PM EST reply actions
oops here it is
http://indyfootballreport.com/index.php/archives/4813
GO COLTS!!! 09 IS OURS!!!
by TheAngelsColts on Dec 22, 2009 12:59 PM EST up reply actions
Gonzo, hooray.
I’ve loved him so much as a receiver, and he looked WICKED sharp in the pre-season. He was ready to explode, and then he went down and manning had to throw a ROOKIE into the starting lineup. (BTW, this is why Collie is ROTY and Peyton is MVP.) And if Gonzo’s back like ALL THE WAY back, they said he did extra work today, then it’s fucking game over honestly. Peyton will just go 4-wide and dump all over teams with his excellent receivers.
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