WR Anthony Gonzalez (2005 All B1G, US Congressman)

[Buckskin86]

Tuesday Conversation: Anthony Gonzalez

By Jason Cole, Yahoo! Sports
December 11, 2007

Indianapolis Colts rookie wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez had two roads picked out for his post-college career. Both of them figured to feature some intense training under some intriguing circumstances. If not for the NFL, where Gonzalez was the first-round pick of the Colts this year, he had hopes of attending Stanford Law School. Gonzalez, who has impressed veteran quarterback Peyton Manning with his study habits, scored the first two touchdowns of his career on Sunday night against the Baltimore Ravens during a 44-20 win. Overall, he had six catches for 134 yards against the Ravens, helping the Colts get through life without Marvin Harrison, for now:

Cole: Manning said you work pretty hard at the game. Do you spend time on your off-day studying extra?

Gonzalez: I come in on Tuesday and get treatment (Gonzalez is nursing a sprained left thumb which he has to tape for games right now) and then I spend about an hour on my off-day watching tape. It's not a lot, but enough to get started. I'll watch the game we just played and then a little of the team coming up. I'm looking for some different things at different times. The first thing I'm trying to get ahold of is what type of team they are, what type of coverages they play. Then, as the week goes on, I look at the different personnel they have and how those guys play.

Cole: So tell me about wanting to go to law school.

Gonzalez: I'm going to do it at some point after I'm done with my career, whenever that is. Hopefully, it will be awhile. I'm not sure what exactly I want to do, but I figure that's a way to make a difference. You can't do law school for a month at a time, so it's going to have to wait.

Tuesday Conversation: Anthony Gonzalez - NFL - Yahoo! Sports

 

[Buckskin86]

December 13, 2007

Gonzalez gets grasp on offense
When Colts receiver suffered injury, he used time wisely, has returned with big statistics

By Phil Richards
[email protected]

Over the past three weeks, rookie wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez has opened some doors, and some eyes. He has caught 13 passes for 261 yards and two touchdowns. The Indianapolis Colts have welcomed every one of them.

Impressive stuff: Since returning from a dislocated thumb, Anthony Gonzalez has led the Colts in receiving yards in two of three games. - SAM RICHE / The Star

"He'll be a big part of it from here on out," quarterback Peyton Manning said. "Nobody really has any clue around here about Marvin, what's going on there, so Gonzo's the guy."

Pro Bowl wide receiver Marvin Harrison has missed eight of the past nine games and the Colts have missed him. With inflammation from a Sept. 30 left knee injury still hobbling Harrison, Gonzalez's emergence has been most opportune. It has coincided with a run that has put the Colts (11-2) in position to clinch the AFC South and possibly the AFC's No. 2 playoff seed Sunday at Oakland (4-9).

Gonzalez caught six passes for 105 yards at Atlanta. He was limited to a single catch for 22 yards against Jacksonville but had a 4-yard touchdown reception nullified by a controversial offensive pass interference penalty. Then he caught six passes for 134 yards and two touchdowns to help the Colts batter Baltimore 44-20 on Sunday.

It was a breakout launched during the low days of a breakdown.
Gonzalez dislocated his left thumb on the first play from scrimmage of the Nov. 4 New England game. The thumb was quickly popped back into joint, but he couldn't grip the ball, couldn't catch the ball. He came out of the game after the second series and missed the next two games.
He made the most of it.

"It allowed me to take a step back and have a mini-offseason to look at where I needed to improve and how I needed to get better," Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez gets grasp on offense | IndyStar.com

 

[Buckskin86]

Published: December 15, 2007 11:35 pm

Drafted as slot receiver, Colts' Gonzalez finds himself trying to fill Harrison?s shoes

By Tom James
Tribune-Star Correspondent

INDIANAPOLIS ? A lot to learn in a short amount of time.

That pretty much describes the NFL career thus far for rookie wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez. The Indianapolis Colts? first-round draft choice last spring, Gonzalez has been forced to learn one of the league?s most complicated offensive systems at not one, but two different receiving positions.

Taken 32nd overall, the former Ohio State standout was primarily brought in to be the eventual long-term replacement for former Indianapolis slot receiver Brandon Stokley. But when veteran Pro Bowl receiver Marvin Harrison went down with a bruised left knee against the Denver Broncos, Gonzalez? workload was increased twofold.

And throw in the fact that shortly after moving into the starting lineup as Harrison?s replacement as the team?s flanker, he proceeded to suffer a dislocated left thumb against New England and was sidelined for two weeks.

But ever since returning from the injured list against Atlanta three weeks ago, the learning curve for the 23-year old Cleveland, Ohio native has come along quickly. While he?s still not quite at the level that he wants to be, and with Harrison not expected back for at least another week, Gonzalez is becoming more and more acclimated to his surroundings and to his spot in the pecking order of Indianapolis offensive threats.

?He?s gotten more repetitions out there obviously in practice. And he did a good job [last week] against Baltimore [catching six passes for 134 yards and hauling the first two touchdown passes of his pro career]. But he needs to keep working and he knows that,? said Colts quarterback Peyton Manning.

Terre Haute News, Terre Haute, Indiana- TribStar.com - Drafted as slot receiver, Colts' Gonzalez finds himself trying to fill Harrison’s shoes

Published: December 16, 2007 6:00 a.m.
Colts-Raiders capsule
Gonzalez steps up for ailing Harrison
Justin A. Cohn

INDIANAPOLIS ? As the status of Marvin Harrison has become increasingly murky, teams have concentrated more and more on shutting down Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne.

Wayne has drawn double teams, been held, grabbed and clotheslined, basically received the kind of attention reserved for Harrison, who has missed the last seven games with a knee injury.

So how has the Colts? passing game continued to chug along? Rookie Anthony Gonzalez is a big reason.

In last week?s 44-20 victory over Baltimore, Gonzalez had six catches, a career-high 134 receiving yards and his first two touchdowns.

With 28 receptions for 468 yards, he?s helped offset the loss of Harrison.

?He?s been solid the whole time. It?s great as a receiver, especially a rookie receiver in this offense, to get as many looks as (he has),? tight end Dallas Clark said. ?He?s made a great leap of improvement from the first day, and that?s exactly what you want to see. He makes mistakes but doesn?t get down on himself.?

With the Colts (11-2) facing the Oakland Raiders (4-9) today and Harrison again out of the lineup, they?ll need another strong performance from Gonzalez.

The Colts have the sixth-ranked passing offense, with an average of 252.5 yards pergame, and the Raiders have the fifth-ranked pass defense, allowing 192.2 yards per game.

Gonzalez steps up for ailing Harrison | The Journal Gazette

Gonzalez nice catch for Colts
BY MARK CURNUTTE | [email protected]

Former Ohio State wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez is part of a rookie tandem that has made a big difference this season for the Indianapolis Colts' high-powered offense.

Gonzalez, who had a dislocated thumb, returned along with rookie left tackle Tony Ugoh (shoulder) to help the Colts rebound from a 1-2 stretch when both players were out of the lineup.

Gonzalez, the team's first-round pick out of Ohio State, scored his first two NFL touchdowns at Baltimore last Sunday night. He had six catches for a season-high 134 yards. Since returning three games ago, Gonzalez has 13 receptions for 261 yards and has helped to make up for the loss of Marvin Harrison, whose knee bruise has forced him to miss eight games. According to The Indianapolis Star, the Colts plan to hold Harrison out as long as possible to ensure he is healthy for the postseason.

Gonzalez, who has said he is increasingly comfortable in the offense, has 28 receptions for 468 yards (16.7) and the two touchdowns

The Enquirer - Gonzalez nice catch for Colts

 

[BuckeyeNation27]

Gonzo's TD today was pretty damn impressive. You have to have great body controll to do what he did.

 

[NFBuck]

Like has been said, Gonzo is in the perfect position to become a star in the league and he seems to be making the most of his opportunity.

 

[osugrad21]

Link

Colts groom thoroughbred
Young receiver learns from QB
By Daniel Brown
Mercury News
Article Launched: 12/17/2007 01:36:46 AM PST



After Indianapolis squeaked past the Raiders with a late touchdown Sunday, receiver Anthony Gonzalez reasoned that it was good for the Colts to play a nail-biter. Doing so, Gonzalez argued, will pay off for the Colts at playoff time.
Upon hearing the rookie's assessment, Peyton Manning was greatly amused.
"So, our 14-game veteran is a spokesman now?" the quarterback said, holding back a guffaw.
In other words: Take it easy, kid. Leave pronouncements to those who ought to know.
Manning and his fellow veterans bring the wisdom that comes with five consecutive AFC South titles and five consecutive 12-victory seasons (an NFL record). The Colts clinched both those things, as well as the No. 2 seed in the playoffs, with a 21-14 win at McAfee Coliseum.
The good news for Manning is that Gonzalez is coachable. The quarterback taught the first-round draft pick a lesson earlier in the day - one that fueled the Colts' comeback in the first place.
This is what happened in the first half: Gonzalez bolted down the right sideline but figured he was too well-covered for Manning to throw the ball to him and gave up on the play. "I screwed up," Gonzalez admitted.
On the sideline, Manning pulled the former Ohio State standout aside immediately to explain he could defuse such coverage by under-throwing the ball. The quarterback said he would aim for the receiver's back shoulder, allowing Gonzalez to shield the defender as he turned his

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body to make the catch.


Cont...

 

[osugrad21]

Link

Rookie receiver a catch for Colts

Anthony Gonzalez, a big contributor this season, scores the winning TD.

By Paul Gutierrez - [email protected]

Last Updated 1:15 am PST Monday, December 17, 2007
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C8

OAKLAND ? This is all new to Anthony Gonzalez ? the grind of an NFL season, becoming a key piece of an NFL juggernaut, being asked questions on hot-button topics.
And the Indianapolis rookie wide receiver is not shying from any of it.
"This is what you play for," Gonzalez said after the Colts' closer-than-expected 21-14 defeat of the Raiders on Sunday, a game in which the Ohio State product caught the winning touchdown pass.

"I'd rather have games like this than games like last week," he added, referring to Indy's 44-20 blowout of Baltimore. "It's exciting; it gets the blood flowing. (The Raiders are) a tough team. I know their record doesn't show it, but they come after you pretty good."
As his teammates were sure to do on the flight home.
"Gonzalez, our 15-game veteran, is a spokesman now?" wondered quarterback Peyton Manning.
At least Manning didn't call him an "idiot kicker," as he derisively, and famously, did Mike Vanderjagt a few years back.



Cont...

 

[Buckskin86]

December 17, 2007
Gonzalez shows he learns from mistakes
By Phillip B. Wilson
[email protected]

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Marvin Harrison's replacement learns fast.

Indianapolis Colts rookie receiver Anthony Gonzalez was a hot target again in Sunday's 21-14 victory at Oakland, but the first-round selection's adjustment to an early mistake enabled him to catch the game-winning touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter.

Quarterback Peyton Manning threw a "back shoulder" pass early that Gonzalez didn't adjust to catch.
"Going down their sideline, we tried it and I wasn't ready for it," Gonzalez said. "We came off and (Manning) said, 'Be alert for the back shoulder.' When it came up again, it was just a matter of being ready for it."

Trailing 14-13 but in scoring position at the Raiders 20, Gonzalez drew tight man-to-man coverage from cornerback Fabian Washington. Manning stepped up in the pocket, read it and threw the pass behind Gonzalez, who came back for the catch and broke free for a 20-yard touchdown with 4:49 remaining.

Last week, Gonzalez caught his first two touchdowns in the NFL. This week, he caught his first game-winning touchdown.
"That was neat," said Gonzalez, who had a game-high seven catches for 86 yards.

Gonzalez shows he learns from mistakes | IndyStar.com

 

[Buckskin86]

January 2, 2008
Rookie WR gives Colts more than they expected
By Mike Chappell
[email protected]

Anthony Gonzalez's role was spelled out shortly after the Indianapolis Colts latched onto him with the final pick in the first round of the April draft.

The shifty, speedy slot receiver out of Ohio State was viewed as a valuable complement to quarterback Peyton Manning's already well-stocked offense. He was considered a great "fit'' as well as someone who would be able to fit in with a cast that already included Pro Bowl receivers Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne, tight end Dallas Clark and running back Joseph Addai.

"He's used to being part of a great offense,'' coach Tony Dungy said at the time.

The pressure would be for Gonzalez to carry his share of the load, not carry the offense which has been a burden heaped upon many first-round draft picks across the NFL.

As the Colts close the door on a 13-3 regular season and focus on repeating as Super Bowl champions, they have no complaints regarding Gonzalez's rookie season. And they have every reason to believe he'll continue to make a difference.

Despite missing two full games and part of another with a dislocated left thumb and the regular-season finale with an injury to his left foot that won't keep him out of the playoffs, Gonzalez managed 37 receptions for 576 yards and three touchdowns. His receptions rank fourth on the team. Only Wayne (a league-best 1,510) and Clark (616) generated more yards through the air.

"He's done probably more than we thought originally,'' Dungy said. "We had hoped to just get him grooved in the slot, and because of injuries he's had to play left side and right side. It's tough coming into the offense. It's tough coming into the National Football League as a receiver.''

Rookie WR gives Colts more than they expected | IndyStar.com

 

[osugrad21]

Dispatch

NFL: Gonzalez hitting stride with Colts as playoffs begin

Friday, January 4, 2008 2:54 AM
By Michael Marot


Associated Press


INDIANAPOLIS -- Former Ohio State standout receiver Anthony Gonzalez walked into his first NFL training camp with bright eyes and big hopes. Then his head started spinning.
The rigors of learning the Indianapolis Colts' extensive playbook, the no-huddle offense and the audibles Peyton Manning makes was frustrating -- even to a self-proclaimed fast learner.
But in the past two months, Gonzalez has settled in and settled down, emerging as an increasingly important cog in the offense and becoming a vital part in what the Super Bowl champions hope is a playoff run to defend their title.



Cont...

 

[Buckskin86]

January 11, 2008

Colts rookies not anxious about playoffs
Told by veterans that it's a new level, 1st-year players say it won't intimidate them

By Phillip B. Wilson
[email protected]

Gonzalez, who caught the game-winning touchdown pass at Oakland in Week 15, is not one to get caught up in the playoff hype.

"I don't think you need anybody to really explain it to you in words," Gonzalez said. "I don't think words will be adequate in a lot of ways because it's such a unique situation, from what everybody's told me. Just the level, the intensity level.

"Having never played in a playoff game, I don't know what it's going to be like. I know this: I'm more excited for these playoffs than I have been for anything."

Colts rookies not anxious about playoffs | IndyStar.com

 

[jwinslow]

Tremendous 55 yd catch and run by Gonzo today in the playoffs. Too bad the Indy D could not maintain that TD as the winning score.

[FONT=arial,helvetica] Anthony Gonzalez #11 of the Indianapolis Colts scores on a 55-yard touchdown reception against the San Diego Chargers during their AFC Divisional Playoff game at the RCA Dome on January 13, 2008 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Chargers won 28-24. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)[/FONT]

 

[Bestbuck36]

Excellent rookie season for Gonzo! He fell into the perfect situation in Indy. He should have a long and productive career barring injury and Manning just might get him to a few Pro Bowls.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

Don't light up cigar because Castro is gone, former Buckeye says

Wednesday, February 20, 2008 7:13 AM
By Tim May


THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

The news yesterday that longtime Cuban leader Fidel Castro was giving up control of the government was more a reason for reflection and hope than for fireworks, second-generation Cuban-American Anthony Gonzalez said.
Gonzalez, a former receiver for Ohio State who just finished his first year in the NFL with the Indianapolis Colts, always has been proud of the background of his father Eduardo, who fled Cuba as a 7-year-old with his parents two years after Castro seized power in 1959. Anthony Gonzalez has been a student of developments in that island nation and its totalitarian Communist regime.
As he noted, Fidel might have stepped down, but he handed the power to his younger brother, Raul.
"The thing is, with his brother likely taking over, it probably is going to be more of the same, at least for now," Gonzalez said by phone from Indianapolis. "Raul Castro is 76 years old, so I don't know how much longer he has.

Continued.....

 

[Buckskin86]

Gonzalez helps Colts reload
Posted by: Anthony Bialy on February 21, 2008

Being the last pick of the first round usually leads to a rookie season spent watching a good team play. But Anthony Gonzalez lucked out: He not only joined a perennially successful franchise but also actually got on the field with regularity, catching passes from Peyton Manning, no less. Drafted as a potential eventual replacement for the team's current star wideouts, Gonzalez ended up complementing them, growing fairly fast into a valuable role for a team renowned for its air power.

Instead of treating this past year like a daunting apprenticeship, Gonzalez emerged looking like a pro, collecting 37 receptions for 576 yards in 2007 while only playing 13 games. That works out to an impressive average of 15.6 yards per catch, a testament to the rookie's speed and ability to threaten the field's deep areas.

Throw in a fair three touchdowns, and the Ohio State alum can be said to have had about as good a first campaign as could be hoped, considering that even breaking into the lineup was an accomplishment. Even if it was thanks to the lead's injury, the understudy did a good job once on stage.

Indianapolis Colts "Anthony Gonzalez helps team reload"- Realfootball365.com