Gonzalez in Manning’s Doghouse?

According to Peter King of Sports Illustrated  Anthony Gonzalez has been falling out of favor with quarterback Peyton Manning, and possibly slipping down the depth charts.  

I think the most significant single play of the weekend could well have been the right-in-his-hands drop by Colts wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez late in the first half at Detroit. The Colts are trying to give Gonzalez one of two jobs — Marvin Harrison’s right wide-receiver spot, or the slot receiver job. But Peyton Manning and offensive coordinator Tom Moore are waiting for Gonzalez to raise his game and grab one of the jobs. After the Gonzalez drop, Manning threw six more passes, none to Gonzalez, and Dallas Clark was back in the slot, his comfort zone with Manning.

Manning’s going to throw to players he trusts, and with Gonzalez dropping a ball like that one — and not making enough plays otherwise in the preseason — he could well make Manning lean on Clark and rookie Austin Collie more inside, and Pierre Garcon outside. That really solves all your fantasy problems with the Colts, doesn’t it?

Thus far, Gonzalez has only tallied 4 receptions for 21 yards and one touchdown, and with the fourth preseason game often showcasing mainly backups, it looks like we have seen just about all we will from Gonzalez this preseason. Although he has not produced like many expected, it is not likely that Gonzalez will drop on the reciever depth chart. 

After watching Gonzalez last season, as well as, this preseason I do not think that Pierre Garcon nor Austin Collie can offer the Colts anything more than what Gonzalez has to offer. Garcon has the tools to be a good reciever, however, he has been plagued by inconsistent starts and dropped passes. Collie has also shown promise and has proven that he is a very reliable option, but doesn’t appear ready to become a number 2 receiver yet. All three of these receivers are very young Gonzalez 24, Collie 23, and Garcon 23, and all three still have much to learn and room to grow. Although all are young, Gonzalez clearly has more experience than Garcon and Collie and this gives him a significant upper-hand. In two seasons Gonzalez has posted 94 receptions for 1,240 yards and 7 touchdowns. Keep in mind Gonzalez only received 11 starts in 2 years, and played in limited role behind Harrison and Wayne.

In an offense orchestrated by Peyton Manning it is essential that everyone be on the same page, and it is especially important that Manning and the receivers are thinking the same way. Constant audibles and checks make it crucial for receivers to always know what is going on, and be able to adjust on the fly. With this in mind I find it hard to believe that either Collie (rookie) or Garcon (4 career receptions) will be able to oust Gonzalez out of the number two receiver spot. 

I have a tremendous amount of respect for Peter King, and would never bet against something he says. However, Anthony Gonzalez is the smartest choice and best option to fill the role left by Marvin Harrison’s departure, and him being on the field gives the Colts the best chance to succeed. 

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