Colts Anthony Gonzalez Very Upset Pierre Garcon Has His Job
by Brad Wells on Sep 7, 2010 10:55 AM EDT
in 2010 Colts News
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PrintWell, now that the official depth chart for Week One has come out, it's time for the elitists and the know-it-alls to start yapping about how the depth chart is 'meaningless,' and that people should just shut up about it. I guess that statement should apply to Colts wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez as well. See, he most certainly does not think the posted depth chart is meaningless; the reason being he's listed fourth at the wide receiver position.
And guess what? He isn't happy about it:
By all appearances and inferences, [Week One] 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.''
I guess we should have expected this from Gonzo, a first round pick who (for whatever reason) has problems staying healthy. He got injured in Week One of last season, and missed virtually all of 2009. While away, Pierre Garcon stepped in and had a remarkable season, culminating in an impressive run through the 2009 playoffs.
This off-season, right around the start of OTAs, Gonzo told the media that he'd been assured by the Colts coaches that he would get the opportunity to compete for his old job.
According to Gonzo, that competition did not take place during training camp or the preseason. Cue the fireworks.
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.''
Again, let's not beat around the bush, or try and tip-toe around the obvious here. Gonzo is, essentially, telling Indy Star reporter Mike Chappell (the author of the quoted article) that the Colts weren't truthful with him. Make no mistake about it, especially when you re-read this statement:
"All I wanted was an opportunity to compete,'' Gonzalez said. "That's it. That's what I was promised.''
Pretty much since April, I've been telling you that Pierre Garcon took Anthony Gonzalez's job, and that any other suggestion to the contrary was a load of crap. It was obvious to me, and to the people I get my information from, that the Colts saw more upside in Garcon. When OTAs started, and Gonzo told the media the coaches were going to let him compete for his job, some of you took that to mean that the Colts felt both Gonzo and Garcon were on even footing.
Sorry, wasn't the case. Gonzo was this team's fourth WR back in April, and he's their fourth WR now.
Because Gonzo seemingly feels he was demoted because of last year's injury, the former-Ohio State phenom is not a happy camper. He put in a lot of work this off-season, rehabbing his knee and running extra routes for Peyton Manning after practices. Despite all that work, his butt will most certainly be on the bench when the starting offense is on the field.
Now, I'm not going to jump all over Gonzo for rocking the boat and calling out the Colts, and neither should you. In fact, I applaud him. If he was promised something, and the Colts reneged on that promise, then such a thing is this thing we call 'news.' The Colts put up a front that they are 'player first,' and that they have an open policy with their players. They listen to them, and provide an atmosphere that allows any player who is excelling an opportunity to compete with another for a better job.
Bill Polian touched on this supposedly 'open' atmosphere back in June when asked a question about the offensive line:
Colts President Bill Polian earlier this off-season referred to the offensive line competition as throwing the linemen "into a pot."
"We'll play the five best players," Polian said. "Position doesn't really mean much."
Of course, this is a load of bull. People don't always earn their jobs with the Colts these days.
Even recently, when it was painfully obvious Tom Brandstater out-performed Curtis Painter in preseason, yet Brandstater was cut and Painter wasn't, the myth of 'open competition' should have been squashed as a silly falsity right then and there. When fans (and media) call out the Colts on this hypocrisy, snooty elitists enjoy saying, 'The Colts don't care what you think.' Well, it seems management and the coaches feel the same way towards Gonzo and his opinions.
I know some out there will see me writing about this as me 'bashing' the team right before the start of the regular season. Sorry, but this isn't 'bashing.' This is me highlighting a player who, in a very rare moment of vulnerability, let slip what many people already know but are reluctant to say publicly: That the Colts are full of sh*t. This is me highlighting the truth for you, and sorry, but the truth ain't always pretty.
Now, this small revelation doesn't mean that the Colts are some evil, back-stabbing den of deceit. However, what it does show is that which I have tried very hard to convey to you since my experiences after Week Sixteen and during my coverage of the Super Bowl.
The Colts aren't truthful to fans.
They aren't truthful to the media.
They aren't truthful to players.
They do all the things that other many, many, many, many others teams do, but do it behind a false mask of honesty and integrity. They aren't breaking NFL rules, or anything truly nefarious like that, but when you aren't truthful with a player (as Gonzo suggests in his comments) you are a person, or an organization, that cannot effectively go around talking about 'integrity.'
And make no mistake, Gonzo's words are directly pointed at Jim Caldwell and, possibly, Bill Polian.
When the dust settles, I don't think much drama will come from this slight revelation of truth from Anthony Gonzalez about the Colts and their lack of up-front truthfulness. Clearly, he sounds slighted. He sounds betrayed. Maybe he has a right to. What we might get is the team taking Gonzo aside, reading him the riot act (privately), and then the team lashing out at Mike Chappell for 'misquoting' Gonzo. It's not the first time the team has resorted to that kind of silliness.
It's also obvious Gonzalez will not be with this team after the 2010 season. Players don't make statements like that unless they see the writing on the wall. The Colts favor Garcon and Austin Collie more so than Gonzalez, and for good reason. Each offer more upside, and each were key players in the Colts dominate run through the AFC playoffs last year. But, for this year, the Colts have (arguably) the best four wide receivers on any one team in football.
Interesting side note: When you compare Gonzo's attitude to Melvin Bullitt's (another veteran player who is going to the bench), you get an interesting contrast. Perhaps Gonzo took one look at the Melvin Bullitt situation with Bob Sanders, and didn't like the obvious hypocrisy. Like Gonzo, Bob Sanders is always hurt. In fact, Bob has missed for games the last two season than Gonzo. Like Pierre Garcon did at wide receiver last year, Melvin Bullitt stepped in for at safety after Bob went down (again) and played extremely well. However, when Bob (again, oft-injured) returned to OTAs this off-season, his job was seemingly waiting for him. This is in stark contrast to Gonzo's situation. He lost his job because of injury.
Makes you think.
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ugh
I wish I would have never clicked on this topic
by coltus on Sep 7, 2010 11:02 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Well..
it will be all fine and dandy when Garcon is making big play after big play, but when it comes down to 3rd and 7 in the Superbowl and the ball is thrown on the money, who do the Colts want at the receiving end? This is bullsh*t….I understand Garcon’s big play ability and his raw speed and power, however, I would take timing routes and sure hands over that any day of the week…Gonzo has a right to be upset…as much as I love Garcon, Gonzo would have NEVER dropped that sure/critical first down in a big game.
"There's only two things I hate in this world. People who are intolerant of other people's cultures and the Dutch. " - Nigel Powers
Here is my take on it
I don’t think we should bring Painter vs Brandstater into this conversation. Nothing was promised to Painter or Brandstater. Plus, Painter was not PS eligible, Brandstater was, hence the Colts wisely put Painter as #2 and Brandstater on the PS. If they wanted to hand it to Painter without any competition, they would not have claimed Brandstater after he claimed waivers to sign him to the PS. The Colts coaches will be shooting every player’s confidence (for an example, Moala, Donald Brown, Painter etc.) if they did not at least give them 2 years on the field after they drafted them to grasp everything they can about the system (offensive or defensive), that is how teams develop, with the coaches showing some patience though Caldwell does not show eternal patience like Dungy did, from what I have observed. If after 2 years, Moala and Painter do not pan out, they know their butt is on the line.
Now, back to topic, on Gonzo. I almost feel like the reporter wanted something out of Gonzo and Gonzo was obviously in a vulnerable situation to make those comments he made. Who knows, Gonzo is close to Peyton and maybe Peyton is not happy with Gonzo’s treatment either, and if Peyton says something, there will be more merit to it. Right now, Gonzo is not in an expedient situation, he should just let this light a fire under him and punt returner, or backup WR, he should make everything count and show the Colts coaches what he can bring. No more talking off the field, it does not help anyone right now.
by chad72 on Sep 7, 2010 11:10 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Im sorry, but what?
Gonzo is always hurt? What gave you that impression. You are bringing this up again and this got you so much heat for it. GONZO IS NOT ALWAYS F’ING HURT. He had a FREAK INJURY last season THAT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH DURABILITY. Marlin Jackson had two freak injuries. SHIT HAPPENS IN FOOTBALL. I don’t see where you think that Collie or Garcon has more upside than Gonzo. WE HAVEN’T EVEN SEE GONZO AT HIS BEST YET. It really annoys me that you just twist things to make it look like you were right, have all the inside sources with the Colts, and anything other than what you say is wrong. IT IS INFURIATING.
well..
he got hurt for a couple of games his rookie year…so i guess it depends on what you call ‘injury prone’…he’s played 3 seasons and has been able to play all 16 games in one of em…and think I remember seeing a special about him when he played at OSU…but im not for certain…
From what I saw
Gonzo didn’t light the world on fire during preseason to reclaim his job. He may have previously had soft hands and excellent route-running skills, but I seem to recall a couple of dropped passes and miscues.
Here’s to hoping that Gonzo puts his disappointment aside and proves during a game why he should be higher on the depth chart.
How can you not love a team that does this?
by LovinBlue on Sep 7, 2010 11:15 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
AGREE!
It is football people….coaches keep you when they feel they can’t do without you…Garcon has performed and AG isn’t surpassing that performance, not through preseason at least and not through the eyes of the coaching staff. At the end of the day, the Colts can do what they want with their team. They can run it into the ground just like many other teams do if they want…There are a lot of qualities and maybe intangibles that the coaches see in a player to chose one player over the other for depth placement. We, the fans, aren’t privy to all the information they use to make these decisions…
by HoosierDaddy68 on Sep 7, 2010 7:25 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree
Unless he has a Nixon-esque secretly taped message of Caldwell saying to BP: “Our evil plan is working, we successfully lied to him and we’re not giving him the opportunity to compete like we said…he he he [evil laughing]”, then how does he know he wasn’t evaluated fairly? Even if he suspects it, what does he have to gain by making those suspicions public? Making wild guesses with little inside information is OUR job – HEY he better not be trying to take our job!!!
Evaluation and competition for positions doesn’t end after camp breaks…he needs to take whatever opportunities he has on the field and make them want him more than Garcon. If he’s better, it will show.
"My goal is to be the person my dog seems to think I am."
"I'm all lost in the supermarket/ I can no longer shop happily/ I came in here for the special offer/ A guaranteed personaility."
They terk-a jerbs!
Anonymity breeds inhumanity. In simpler terms, don't be a troll.
*nearly inaudible*
Herka durr.
Anonymity breeds inhumanity. In simpler terms, don't be a troll.
Gonzo appears to be confused
“opportunity to compete” does not mean “get the job”. It means that the coaches will evaluate the receivers and then make a decision based on skills, performance, etc. Not winning the position doesn’t mean that they failed to live up to their promise of competition, it means that he lost.
Now losing is a reason to be justifiably upset, but not at the coaches (assuming this was a fair competition), rather Gonzo should be having a heart-to-heart with Gonzo.
That's my take on it
I suspect there is miscommunication somewhere in there that the general public is not seeing.
If it was always just an “equal footing opp to compete” that was promised (with no winking or “don’t worry about it, Tony” as part of the deal) then he either had a fair shot or he didn’t. Hard to say. If he did have a shot, then he didn’t perform and is sounding a bit whiney. If he did not get a fair shot (did Garcon get 50% more reps? Was AG stuck catching balls from Painter all the time? Then yes, I’d be ticked.), it should surely be addressed. I’m not sure I’d call anybody a liar at this point.
I agree with the statements above that Gonzo is not injury prone. He’s not Jerry Rice, but has had only one real injury plus a broken finger. Nowhere in the same league, injury-wise, as Sanders.
Now to BBS’s subtext—it’s entirely possible that the Colts felt Garcon had the job secured and Gonzo was given the opportunity to outperform him and take it away. I may not agree with that, but I am not paid to run the team, so I’ll assume they are making the right calls. In that case, Gonzo would have had to clearly exceeed Garcon’s offseason efforts, otherwise the job goes to the pre-ordained starter. This might be the case, in which case, it really comes down to who said what and who interpreted what from that conversation. I am pretty sure that Gonzo is academically bright, but he may well have had wishful hearing syndrome when told he could compete and he interpreted it to mean (and repeated to the media) that it was 50/50 even competition, when in reality it may not have been.
Frankly, there is too much gray there to take sides and call anybody a whiner or liar. Gonzo probably should have been quiet about this and the Colts, after seeing his optimistic statement about a chance to compete, should have corrected him if that was NOT the case.
Maybe he’s just really overestimating his performance in the offseason….. would not be the first talented but delusional WR in the league. We WILL need his head screwed on right once the season starts.
I hate Joe Namath. That's how long I've been a Colts fan.
The results of this competition....
AG just doesn’t like how it turned out….albeit he competed for the job over the summer but he just didn’t win it back. Don’t hate on Garcon because he earned WR2 Gonzo….take it back from him. If AG owned the team, and his WR2 tore his knee up one season, rehabbed it and came back to play the next year, would he just hand it over to that person without any consideration for his performance? Any smart coach or owner is gonna evaluate the lot of WR’s and pick the best ones to be competitive. It is a business….loyalty has no place in professional sports.
by HoosierDaddy68 on Sep 7, 2010 7:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Garcon and Collie > Gonzo
I think that Gonzo had the opportunity to compete but failed to win the competition. When you compare his production, when healthy, with Pierre’s and Austin’s It really shouldn’t be that big of a surprise.
Pierre is faster and taller than Gonzo and in his play last season proved, at least in my mind to be much better than Gonzo at getting open. I think Gonzo is perfect for the slot receiver position but Austin Collie is, IMO, better and faster.
by NaptownMenace on Sep 7, 2010 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Garcon is not faster and taller than Gonzalez. People who don’t do their homework keep perpetuating this myth and it’s really annoying me.
by KingRichard on Sep 7, 2010 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Stats
According to Yahoo! Sports/Colts.com
Garcon – 6’0" – 210lbs
NFL Combine 40 yard time – 4.4
http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=72952&draftyear=2008&genpos=WR
Gonzo – 6’0" – 193lbs
NFL Combine 40 yard time – 4.4
http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=10414&draftyear=2007&genpos=WR
Even if this is not 100% accurate, they are pretty much dead even in the important respects….
I don't have the numbers,
but IIRC, Gonzo had an even better time at his Pro Day. He was only a hundredth of a second slower than Ted Ginn.
Anonymity breeds inhumanity. In simpler terms, don't be a troll.
"...but Austin Collie is, IMO, better and faster."
On what film in which universe is Collie faster than Gonzalez? Collie is the slowest receiver we have.
Anonymity breeds inhumanity. In simpler terms, don't be a troll.
yes
Collie is the slowest receiver we have by far…he’s the Mike Hart of the wide receivers lol
I’m hoping the Colts are using this apparent demotion to light a fire under Gonzo and make him come out guns blazing this season.
I don’t know where you got the idea that Garcon has more upside than Gonzo, I’d say it’s the other way around. Gonzalez is a better route runner, has better hands, and is just as fast as Garcon. It sucks that he got replaced because of that injury but shit happens. If he’s as good as he thinks he is and as good as I think he’s capable of being, he’ll earn the spot back before the season is over.
exactly
This is really kind of a non story. What NFL player doesn’t overrate himself and want more out of his job?
And when’s the last time we went through a season without a 4th WR seeing significant action?
Gonzalez will have plenty of opportunity to prove his value this season and will still play a big role in the offense. Unless he starts really acting out and seeking out opportunities to bitch (rather than a few quiet comments once while discouraged, which is understandable), this won’t really be a problem.
Cookie Cookie Cookie starts with C!
I don't understand how the Colts lied to him...
he was given the opportunity to compete for the job…he didn’t get it. That does not mean that he won’t be a major piece of the team this year…by the way…competition is season long, not just preseason. So Gonzo….what can you do?
"If me and King Kong went into an alley, only one of us would come out. And it wouldn't be the monkey."
"I don't really trust a sane person."
"I never met a man I didn't want to fight." The one and only Lyle Alzado
Down but not out
Not smart to suggest Gonzo will b gone after this season, after all this is the NFL, and we could lose a starting reciever anytime. Happened with Marvin, happened with Gonzo. I want all our guys healthy but in this league that’s a pipe dream. As Brackett has said before," you’re just sn ankle sprain away from being a starter"
I'd donate a kidney in exchange for Pdiddy and my colts to get 2 more Super Bowl rings...That's LUV
by Bama Blue on Sep 7, 2010 11:38 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
OH MY GOSH!
If Gonzo is injury prone then I guess Tom Brady is too! They both blew out their knee (I know the injuries were a bit different but stil they both had their knees blown to crap) but nobody says Tom is injury prone. You act like because he had to recover a long time he is injury prone! Yeah he had a setback in his rehabing but that happens. When the guy gets hurt continually then call me. He had two solid injury free seasons pal! And I didn’t see a lot out of him in preseason but idk what that can be attributed too. I didn’t pay attention to see how much he was on the field. I only remember seeing him when the ball was thrown his way. We all remember Garcon’s drops and if Gonzo is fully healthy he should have a fair shot at getting his job back. I’m curious as to what Peyton thinks. From all accounts Peyton LOVES Gonzo so this will be interesting for sure. All I know is I’d rather have sure hands (Gonzo) over potential (Garcon). All potential means is MAYBE. Maybe he’ll make plays. Maybe he’ll catch whats thrown to him. Whereas with Gonzo its pretty much a sure thing he’ll run good routes and almost always catch the ball.
We know what Manning thinks.
I throw the ball you catch it. Gonzo is 4th and the depth chart, but he will get in the game. He will have opportunities. Manning doesn’t care if he’s #4; just catch the damn ball.
Or you’re going to the port-a-potty.
by ActionOxford on Sep 7, 2010 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions
BBS please remember
who you are writing to.. “Colts are full of sh*t.” .. I know it is your opinion and i respect that, but insult after insult to our colts in a fan blog where your are the head blogger is a lil annoying.
Am I that homer that such words choosing annoys me? hell yes!
Sometimes i feel im reading a rival blog or a main stream blog. Maybe the same exact point could be delivered with better words.. Just my opinion. and not all your articles annoy me.
Now I think Gonzo didn’t do too much in pre season , he looked scared sometimes.. maybe by making him returning a couple punts is a way to erase fears from him, season is long there is no need for gonzo to whine now , it is time for him to prove he’s 100% back to form.. and not scared at all.
by thebossuzzi on Sep 7, 2010 11:43 AM EDT reply actions 4 recs
I was thinking the same thing, it’s honestly a little bit of a put off..
by Coltsinsider on Sep 7, 2010 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Agreed.
Frankly, I’m beginning to think he’s trying to get a job with TMZ.
"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007
by peytonsthebest on Sep 7, 2010 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions
LOL
Nah. Those guys are alright.
"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007
by peytonsthebest on Sep 7, 2010 6:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Stormfront
I don’t know what that has to do with the shit he’s been posting but it’s a place I would never go.
"Born to do it, even though all my friends are looking at me like 'Who knew it?'"
Gonzo isn't exactly a disinterested observer
He didn’t get the job he wanted. I’m not surprised that he’s wondering if he got a fair shake.
Garçon and Collie are both really good. Nobody’s ever disagreed with that. I’ve thought that Gonzo was better but I haven’t been in training camp to watch how Garçon and Collie have developed. It’s quite possible that they’ve both raised their game a notch since last season.
My complaint with Garçon was that he made the crazy circus catches while dropping some that looked like gimmes. It makes me wonder if it’s a mental problem, if sometimes he’s thinking about the endzone and not about catching the damn ball. Fix those drops and I’m completely happy with Garçon as a starter.
But what is with this jilted lover attitude toward the Colts leadership? Stop treating a handful of quotes like some kind of binding contract. Polian and Caldwell have made it clear that they want to win Super Bowls, period. They’re doing what they think is best to accomplish that.
It’s incredibly naive to hold up the words of one disappointed player as gospel truth and use them accuse the Colts management of dishonesty. Maturity is recognizing that you don’t always get what you want, even if you really really want it. Being disappointed doesn’t automatically mean that someone lied to you personally.
"The best defensive player is the sideline." - Trevor Pryce, on how to stop Peyton Manning
by szquirrel on Sep 7, 2010 11:45 AM EDT reply actions 2 recs
I agree.
We’re frothing here over who’s number what. We haven’t even seen them in a real game, yet. The order of Garcon, Collie, and Gonzo isn’t set and I expect to see adjustments. I think the most telling quote from the article is when Gonzo is told he’s the PR. He’s response is “really? I didn’t know.” Dear Colts Org, if you won’t take your depth chart seriously neither will I. We can argue about this all day, but me, I think I’ll just wait till Sunday to see who plays.
by ActionOxford on Sep 7, 2010 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions
In what way?
Faster? Probably. Better hands? NO! Better Route Runner? NO
by MachoColtsFan on Sep 7, 2010 12:06 PM EDT up reply actions
More physical, for what that's worth
I’d still love to see a lineup of saturday snapping to manning, and manning choosing from among his nine targets. Sure he’d be in the hospital shortly after his 11-TD/9-sack performance, but it would be interesting….
I hate Joe Namath. That's how long I've been a Colts fan.
Well,
Sanders is a better player than Bullit so when you compare Sanders vs Bullit, Garcon vs Gonzo, that’s what the Colts think .
by codrutc on Sep 7, 2010 11:49 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Stampede Blue...
where you get hit over the head with a hammer so hard and often, you forget what you came here to read in the first place!
by Collin McCollough on Sep 7, 2010 11:55 AM EDT reply actions 3 recs
INTERESTING SIDENOTE
Last year, someone on Polians radio show questioned “why Garcon doesnt return punts, being he had done so in college” Polians reply was “taller punt returners tend to get injured at a more rapid rate” Isnt Gonzo approx same height as Garcon?
Another example of Polian saying and not doing.
All of our WR are listed as 6'0"
I still don’t think Gonzo will be our PR. I think it will be Moore who is 5’9".
by ActionOxford on Sep 7, 2010 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions
Maybe that's why Roy Hall was always hurt
Now THERE is a guy who was truly injury-prone.
Maybe BBS is just confusing the two of them. Both teammates at OSU and drafted the same year….
I hate Joe Namath. That's how long I've been a Colts fan.
preseason
He looked scared to me and because of it he dropped a couple.. concentration is key to make the catch nothing to do with the physical hands.. therefore great hands are not guaranteed to stay forever. I dont think he’s got his concentration back , maybe returning punts and avoiding hits will sharpen his concentration again, he’s not that good if he drops em.
Wow...
BBS, normally I like the way you throw things down. You’re generally a shoot from the hip, love me or hate me kinda guy. However, generally you back your view point with good background, even if it’s not always 100% fact. You always know how to get a good discussion/debate going..
Today though, your article stinks.
1.) As much as I agree that Brandstater was a better QB than Painter, there was no way the Colts were going to skip him above Painter with as limited time he has had in the offense. It’s simply not going to happen. Short of him coming in and performing like the second coming of Dan Marino, the kid is just too raw. Sorry, but your opinion is getting in the way of simple common sense. Whether Painter is the better player is irrelevant, he’s the better backup option simply due to his knowledge of the offense. And no, I don’t want him as our backup either.
2.) When did Gonzo actually EARN the #2 position? He was given it by DEFAULT!!!!! He never earned the position. He was the best WR on the team behind Wayne when Harrison went down and was eventually cut. Ironically, the guy who came in behind Gonzo won the job with his on the field performance. Gonzo is a fantastic WR, but the guy never went into camp and won his job. He simply showed up and got it. More to the point, and as I said in a previous blog posting, Garcon has continued to improve over last year making it all the more difficult for the Colts to demote him. So how did Gonzo ever lose a job he never earned?
3.) Comparing Bullitt to Gonzo is also again, a bad choice. Bob Sanders when healthy is an All Pro, Pro Bowl safety. He’s earned his position, although I will agree the guy at some point has to have a line drawn for him with his injuries. What exactly is Gonzo? He’s essentially a 2 year player with very little to show for his career. Bullitt at the very least can argue his case because he’s quietly been one of the top 10 safeties in the league when given the chance to play…
Like I said before, I generally agree with most of what you post. Today just isn’t one of those days…
I'd also like to add
Even if the guy was promised a shot to compete, who said he didn’t get that shot? Showing up in practice, training camps, OTA’s, and preseason are all your SHOT! To be honest, I’ve seen nothing that would even get him promoted ahead of Garcon….
So simply put, the guy hasn’t shown them enough either to inspire confidence in him either..
by DevilsReject on Sep 7, 2010 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Agree with DevilsReject
Not a big believer in the transitive properties of competition. Garcon vs. Gonzalez is not the same as Melvin Bullitt competing with a one time NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
I also don’t know if Painter and Brandstetter were playing the same levels of competition when on the field in the preseason. Like everyone else, I am underwhelmed by Painter, but am willing to give the Colts the benefit of the doubt on this…as I think they’ve earned that much.
My only expectation is that the best players are on the field. I don’t see why the Colts would have any motivation to do otherwise.
Perhaps...
However, there’s the phrase….“Trial by fire” Garcon came in and played beyond expectations. He then went into camp and earned the right to be the #2 WR for this season.
Based on that, I would say Garcon has “earned” his position.
I have one question for everybody here
Why the debate about gonzo vs garcon? gonzo could have been #3 right? why a debate about #2 vs #4 when gonzo vs collie is not being touch? If gozo is 100% back then he should’ve be at least our #3
Look Gonzo needs to Shut tha hell up
This article forgot to mention 1 very important persons point of view…# 18…. If gonzo outplayed Garcon or Collie… He would have seen it.. and best believe he wud make sure he is on the field,Peyton doesnt care who u are as long as u are performing.. Also dont underestimate the usage of more 4 wr/ 1 te sets or different formations like that… Caldwell mentioned that earlier in the offseason… If he wants a shot at his spot back then wen he DOES play.. catch every damn ball thrown to him and make plays.. and the rest will work itself out… P.S- can we please go a day without mentioning the words Painter or Brandstater? Yea Painter sucks we kno this ,Branstater outplayed him.. but neither is the future of the franchise and i dont about any of u but i dont wanna see any 1 of them behind center in a meaningful game so lets jus drop it and get ready for sunday
by Chikzluvkooljay on Sep 7, 2010 12:35 PM EDT reply actions
It's not a good point.
Manning doesn’t write the depth charts.
How about instead you watch where he throws the ball, and in which situations.
Anonymity breeds inhumanity. In simpler terms, don't be a troll.
bashing
To me, bashing is going out of your way to paint someone in a negative light. IMO that is what you are doing here. The crux of this matter is that a second stringer is disappointed that he is not starting. Hold the presses! Man bites dog! Gonzo was fairly circumspect in what he said. He said we will see on Sunday. I took that to mean if he gets the playing time to show he is healthy and can contribute, the promise would be fulfilled. He is obviously concerned that he wont get that opportunity but he isnt the first guy to be Wally Pipped. It is obvious what he feels and yet he had the maturity level to be circumspect when answering questions. You found it necessary to fill in blanks in what he said with things you cannot possibly know unless you read his mind and chose to do it in a bombastic, critical manner. Fits MY definition of bashing. Fact is that the coaching staff saw whatever he showed them this preseason. He got his chance. That is all that any player is owed.
And this is from someone who not only agrees with your assessment of Polian but is way in front of you. I called Dungy and Polian out for lying to and disrespecting the fan base during the successful super bowl run. They repeatedly said the defense only needed the players to execute and didnt need any tweaks. In the real world they injected a series of schematic adjustments from the time they inserted Morris at OLB continuing with adjusting DB coverages and the pass rush routes. I had no problem last year with the decision to rest starters but every time subsequently that Polian opened his mouth, I felt more and more outraged at being disrespected and lied to. Apparently you feel the same, so perhaps you will understand that I feel similarly when I read you bash the team while protesting that you do no such thing. With Dungy gone there is no holier than thou attitude here any longer. Polian is still dismissive and imperious but he has always been that. And whatever you think of them, we show a measure of loyalty to players. We dont trade guys who gave blood sweat and tears to the team to league wasteland as NE did to Richard Seymour. It is a cutthroat business and each team has to decide where to draw the line. I think on this front, the Colts do much more than most teams in terms of loyalty to players.
by Lucky Horseshoe on Sep 7, 2010 12:51 PM EDT reply actions
Nice response, but this bit is unrealistic:
They repeatedly said the defense only needed the players to execute and didnt need any tweaks. In the real world they injected a series of schematic adjustments…
Would you rather they announce the situational coverage schemes at the pre-game pressers? Or maybe a better question is, why in god’s name would you ever believe everything that you hear anybody say at a press conference? Press conferences are for dissemination and shaping the narrative.
This probably sounds much more critical than I intend it to be.
But honestly, I don’t believe half of what Manning himself says at press conferences. I can’t imagine why anyone would.
Anonymity breeds inhumanity. In simpler terms, don't be a troll.
Is that the soothing sound of axe grinding???
Geez, BBS, not too anxious to prove the Colts are scheming nefarious liars and scoundrels, are we? Really, where’s the proof of the big conspiracy? AG himself doesn’t even know if the “promise” wasn’t kept; when asked he says: “I don’t know”.
Perhaps they’re not as open and transparent as you’d like, and I’m sure that’s frustrating for someone in your position, but calling them liars without providing the smoking gun, is just wrong. And no, random, out-of-context quotes and conjecture doesn not qualify as proof.
The season can’t start soon enough!!!!!
"My goal is to be the person my dog seems to think I am."
"I'm all lost in the supermarket/ I can no longer shop happily/ I came in here for the special offer/ A guaranteed personaility."
Speaking of disgruntled wr’s
"When you have done so much and put so much work in, it kind of feels like I am not wanted," Moss said in his first comments since training camp began. "I am taking that in stride and playing my final year out and whatever the future holds is what it holds, but it is kind of a bad feeling — feeling not wanted. It is not like my production has gone down. I am speaking from an individual standpoint. I don’t know about Tom (Brady’s) or whoever else’s contract. I am a little older and understand the nature of the business — the older you get the more your skills supposedly diminish, but I think I am getting wiser in how to use my physical skills. That’s the frustrating part when you put so much heart and desire into things and feel like you are not wanted."
sounds like someone needs a hug
and a warm cookie.
"My goal is to be the person my dog seems to think I am."
"I'm all lost in the supermarket/ I can no longer shop happily/ I came in here for the special offer/ A guaranteed personaility."
But pretty articulate and carefully phrased
I did not know that about Moss.
I hate Joe Namath. That's how long I've been a Colts fan.
LOOKING AT IT POSITIVELY
Maybe gonzo did compete for the job and maybe he didnt win it back… thats a possibility too… maybe the other two performed better than he did.. who knows… theres no need to assume that gonzo never even had the chance to compete… The colts didnt promise him his job back.. they promised him an opportunity to compete.. and its possible that he lost the competition
I can
see where Gonzo is coming from. I mean, where was Garcon all preaseaon? Hurt? Gonzo never had a chance to compete with Garcon, because Garcon was not playing.
Aslo, Colts gave Brandon James more chances then Moore and Fisher at returning the ball. I just didn’t think that whole process was fair at all.
I’m glad Moore got the job, I did not like James back there.
It actually doesn't seem to me that Gonzo is saying the team lied at all
More so just saying that he’s disappointed that he didn’t get his job back.
That being said, I 100% believe that Gonzo is the second best WR the Colts have, and he will end up winning his position back.
Dallas Clark: Some tight ends catch. Some block. Clark just owns.
Few things wrong with this article
1.) For one, how do you know that the Colts didn’t give Gonzo a chance to regain his starting job. Gonzo didn’t exactly play like a probowl wideout this preseason. He had a few drops, deflected a few passes, didn’t get open all that much, and was responsible for a pick six. Does that show you that he should have been the number 2 receiver to start the season? no, of course not.
Now I will not back down from my belief that Gonzo still has a chance to be the number 2 receiver. If he excells in this limited role and Garcon has a myriad of drops. I could easily see Gonzo unseating him as the number 2.
2.) For as much as I love Austin Collie, He really doesn’t have a lot of room to grow. He has nearly maxed out his potential already. He is technically sound in his technique, but doesn’t have a lot of raw, physical talent like Garcon or even Gonzo. That’s not saying he wont be a solid player anymore, its simply saying he wont ever have mind blowing numbers.
3) .Finally, Gonzo’s run here isn’t writing on the wall. His attitude could change, he could sign at an affordable contract. If he regains his number 2 position and have a breakout year, what makes you think Polian would hesitate to resign him. Anything can happen. We all sure as hell didn’t see Gonzo go down with a freak knee injury last year, so foreseeing the end of Gonzo in indy is a ludicrous. Let things play out before you come to a definitive conclusion.
4.) One final note actually, the Colts never lied to fans about the perfect season. The reason why is because they NEVER CLAIMED THEY WERE GOING FOR IT! You can’t lie about something you never said
by metal_militia on Sep 7, 2010 1:46 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Very good points on Gonzo shared
When it’s all said and done, I agree with BBS’s principle argument that communication should be clear and direct with players to give them a TRUE picture of where they stand laced with no bs…btw, take a look at Raheem Morris’ stance this yr on player evaluations. “Players don’t have to like it” as I imagine passionate professionals often times won’t. However, as Morris said, “players are there to please the coaches not the other way around.” Moving forward, to a man, I think we all can agree that truthful, direct conversation with players can be appreciated so that a player knows 1). his role 2). where he currently stand in the big picture 3). what he has to show/improve upon to possibly change that picture and increase his chances of earning that coveted roster spot. It’s really that simple. Now, in terms of Gonzo’s situation, let’s clear the air on a few things:
1). Gonzo is not as sure handed as you Colt fans think. Like Metal militia mentioned, remember Peyton’s pick against Buffalo this preseason? Gonzo whiffed and deflected an on time pass into the hands of a Buffalo defender for a pick 6. I can assure you that doesn’t inspire confidence from your qb or hc. The fact is Gonzo is a good receiver with limited upside as a true No.1 or No.2 receiver (this was his knock coming out of college). Also he does have a history of dropping catchable balls. Just go back in your look at footage and you will find those mental lapses. I know some of you are ready to argue about Garcon’s drop rate. Yeah I agree but the eye is on what Garcon can become as he develops. Like it or not, the fo is more forgiving for an emerging talent like Garcon (from a Div III school drafted in the 6th round) to grow through those pains of being an NFL receiver than a first rounder with limited upside to have a case of occasional oopsies. Gonzo needed to be stellar if not perfect and he wasn’t and is not. Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad to have the guy on the roster, but in the context of this debate, he didn’t do enough to crack the number 2 spot. I like him in the slot.
2). Gonzo is a victim of a deep roster. I submit that Gonzo could truly compete for the Z receiver on other teams but he’s not with other teams. He’s a colt. Moreover, if he was Bob Sanders like in his play, I assure you, he would’ve had his spot waiting on him much like Harrison and Bobzilla did when they returned the following year. However, these are great players at their positions not good players. They accomplished great success and received tons of accolades and for their performances. Simply put, therein lies the difference and the truth with Gonzo. He’s good not great and based on what he’s shown…he needs to work his way though this challenge.
3). Gonzo is not as injury prone as he is being labeled. He is a documented slow healer but he is a relatively reliable player. The only other injuries that I can recall is a dislocated thumb (NE game his rookie season) and an occasional hamstring. I won;t knock the guy unnecessarily. In the end Gonzo, pick up your bottom lip and go to work. Put it on film and let the rest happen.
Nicely said, but the advanced metrics at Football Outsiders disagree with your #1 point
Comparing Gonzo’s first two years to Garcon’s 2009, Gonzo is way way ahead. At least the Gonzo of 2008 would be….
Of course, the ultimate authority on who is best for the team is not FO, or me, or you.
Time to paraphrase the immortal Eric Bogosian from “Sex Drugs and Rock & Roll”: “Anthony, do you like what you do? Do you like your job? Yes? Great. All I want is for you to be happy, so shut up and get back to work.”
I hate Joe Namath. That's how long I've been a Colts fan.
Why do you think
that a team focused on winning a Super Bowl this year would favour an emerging, inconsistent talent over a proven reliability?
Anonymity breeds inhumanity. In simpler terms, don't be a troll.
LoL
Wow not only did he lose his spot… Hell he lost his old one as well… I wonder if Gonzo will be carrying Collies pad at practice now?
No really though.. I thought fore sure he would be the 3rd WR.. Looks like I need to drop Gonzo and pick up Collie..
by PeytonsForeHead on Sep 7, 2010 2:50 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
BBS?
So, to take it all and assimilate it, what is you are saying? I got 4 things from this post.
1) You were gloating about the Gonzo controversy. You’re right, I’m wrong.
2) Bob Sanders and Gonzo are deserving of the same treatment from Jim Caldwell and Bill Polian.
3) Bill Polian is anti fan, media and player.
4) Bill Polian is a liar, manipulator and elitist.
5) Jim Caldwell is an accomplice to Bill Polian and his shell game(open competetion for jobs)
6) Curtis Painter sucks. An oldie but goodie, from the BBS vault.
Please, I’m trying not to inflame you. So, let me know what it is you were trying to accomplish with this post? Is it, to gloat? Is it to troll? Is it, to invoke a reaction? Let me know. Thank you.
If Russia attacked Turkey from the rear, Do you think Greece would help?
This is the best article Gregg Doyel has ever written.
Anonymity breeds inhumanity. In simpler terms, don't be a troll.
by linkish on Sep 7, 2010 5:41 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
No one said Gonzalez would win the job right back
We said that he would get it back later in the year because he’s a superior player to Garcon, which is 100% true and you’re kidding yourself if you disagree with that.
"Born to do it, even though all my friends are looking at me like 'Who knew it?'"
Uhm
By both players training, both running routes with Peyton in the off season, both players spending some time playing (when healthy, Garcon having soreness in his legs isn’t exactly the Colts lying) the Colts did give him an opportunity to get his job back.
Maybe it wasn’t as perfectly fair and even an opportunity as the Colts could provide, but to suggest they flat out lied to him seems ludicrous.
Gonzo is going about this the wrong way, hes going to get time against Houston. Play better than Garcon and win the job back. In the Superbowl the Colts receivers made some big drops and were far from perfect, the opportunity is still there. Pierre stepped up last season, Gonzo needed to show himself to be significantly better for the Colts to be willing to change what worked for them last season.
Thanks
for being right all offseaon, BBS. there are a few enormous dbags posting the same crap against you all the time, and one thankfully went away and started a crappy blog and the other is named after a squirrel. they were all wrong about gonzo. shocker.
by Rocky Top Manning on Sep 7, 2010 11:33 PM EDT reply actions
How does BBS's dick in your mouth taste?
Soaring, is this allowed?
by Colts Homer on Sep 7, 2010 11:43 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Seriously?
What, are you like 5?
Whether he’s kissing ass or not, there’s no call for that….. if the guy agrees with BBS that’s his right….
For all the negativity that you accuse BBS of, how does this make you any better?
by DevilsReject on Sep 8, 2010 10:21 AM EDT up reply actions
A 5 year old would ban productive members for doing nothing
And only leaving the asskissers.
Soaring, is this allowed?
listen cupcake, i imagine starting random blog fights has served you well with the ladies in your lifetime, but the man stood by hs guns for 3 months and was dead right.
and if your measure of intellgence is grounded in posts in a colts blog, then, well, i don’t know what to say.
by Rocky Top Manning on Sep 7, 2010 11:58 PM EDT reply actions
It's not random
And he wasn’t right because no one said Gonzo would come out and be the starter immediately. He will get the job in time because he’s the better receiver. It’s damn hard to win a job in 4 weeks coming off of injury.
Soaring, is this allowed?
This is Rediculous
Anthony Gonzalez’s statements, as well as any dramatization made by the media regarding these statements, is rediculous.
Melvin Bullitt isn’t upset. Why is that? Because hes not stupid. He knows he will still have every opportunity to make plays and prove that he is an exceptional player. People get hurt. People get tired. This is where opportunity comes, and it comes VERY frequently in the NFL.
If Gonzalez thinks he was demoted because of his injury, thats rediculous also. Anyone who has watched both Garcon and Gonzo play knows that Garcon has shown more upside.
This shouldn’t piss off Gonzo, it should make him hungry to come out and prove himself an elite receiver. NOT be another T.O., a whiny, petulant child. The NFL doesn’t give guarantees buddy. What have you done for me lately Gonzo?
Purdue Boilermaker and Indianapolis Colts fan since 1995
by Spiral Boiler 41 on Sep 8, 2010 10:24 AM EDT reply actions
Rediculous things are ridiculous.
*Cass’d
Anonymity breeds inhumanity. In simpler terms, don't be a troll.
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