A.Gonzo (1 Viewer)

[Mustang Man]

Is A.Gonzo a worthy fantasy starter with Clark back on the field? I think he is starting to earn some serious playing time even with Clark on the field. I would think Manning wants him out. Any thoughts?

 

[ffball-novice]

Is A.Gonzo a worthy fantasy starter with Clark back on the field? I think he is starting to earn some serious playing time even with Clark on the field. I would think Manning wants him out. Any thoughts?

I wouldn't get terribly enamored. But let's review the situation last week. Colts had TE1 and TE2 both out with injuries. When he was picking up yards 4 of 5 OL positions were at 2nd or 3rd string level. I suspect they were keeping TE in to block more than normal. Clearly forced to not use the 2 TE sets and use Gonzo in the slot.Looking forward I think it's and individual game decision. - What is condition of OL? - Is Tamme also back fro 2 TE sets? - How good is opposing nickle back?IN general will he be a serviceable WR3/4? yesHow high is up. Colts will continue to use short drops to overcome OL problems I think that adds value to AG I doubt he will average last weeks production.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

I saw AGonz lining up a lot wide, I have a feeling he's very close to Mannings 1A with Wayne, not Harrison, and I think we may start to see reflected in number of snaps. I dont think AGonz loses much value at all with Clark back, and soon we might be asking if Harrison loses value with Clark in the lineup, not AGonz.

 

[travdogg]

With the exception of obvious passing situations when Clark is on the field Gonzalez is not. That has a huge effect on Gonzo as despite ideas to the contrary Gonzalez is nowhere near pushing Harrison aside.

Bottom line, when Clark is healthy Gonzalez is unlikely to top 50 yards which makes him very risky even as a flex play.

 

[flooredyas]

With the exception of obvious passing situations when Clark is on the field Gonzalez is not. That has a huge effect on Gonzo as despite ideas to the contrary Gonzalez is nowhere near pushing Harrison aside. Bottom line, when Clark is healthy Gonzalez is unlikely to top 50 yards which makes him very risky even as a flex play.

So from week 1 that is what you see? Look at week 2 and inform me just what Harrison did for you to ascertain that?Now with Dallas back you're saying that everything from week 2 should be dismissed. I disagree completely.

 

[identikit]

I saw AGonz lining up a lot wide, I have a feeling he's very close to Mannings 1A with Wayne, not Harrison, and I think we may start to see reflected in number of snaps. I dont think AGonz loses much value at all with Clark back, and soon we might be asking if Harrison loses value with Clark in the lineup, not AGonz.

They've been playing Wayne in the slot a lot.And it's just starting to be effective.When Harrison has been the target, he's showing little/no separation. Sad to see from a future Hall-of-Famer but it had to happen at some point.Gonzo/Wayne/Clark: I see this as the primary weaponry for Manning.I'm betting they move in this direction.

 

[dawrecker]

With the exception of obvious passing situations when Clark is on the field Gonzalez is not. That has a huge effect on Gonzo as despite ideas to the contrary Gonzalez is nowhere near pushing Harrison aside. Bottom line, when Clark is healthy Gonzalez is unlikely to top 50 yards which makes him very risky even as a flex play.

Can't agree with you. Gonzo is lining up out wide most possessions as Bloom mentioned above. Wayne is actually lining up in the slot most of the possessions on the same side of the field with Harrison. I actually have an offer on the table to get Harrison and the owner has A gonzo too and I was planning on trying to take him instead of Harrison. If the Colts offense can get back to normal Gonzo will end the season ranked in the teens.

 

[travdogg]

With the exception of obvious passing situations when Clark is on the field Gonzalez is not. That has a huge effect on Gonzo as despite ideas to the contrary Gonzalez is nowhere near pushing Harrison aside. Bottom line, when Clark is healthy Gonzalez is unlikely to top 50 yards which makes him very risky even as a flex play.

So from week 1 that is what you see? Look at week 2 and inform me just what Harrison did for you to ascertain that?Now with Dallas back you're saying that everything from week 2 should be dismissed. I disagree completely.

No, week 2 should not be dismissed, neither should week 1 and I think week 1 is a more accurate assessment. Also, Minnesota and Chicago both put their top corner on Harrison so defenses still think he's a top threat. I'm not saying Gonzalez will be worthless by any means, just that what he did against the Vikes is unlikely to happen when Clark is healthy unless he takes Harrison's job and there is no evidence(only speculation, and not from anyone tied to Indy) that will happen any time soon. I like Gonzalez and would like to see what they could do if they went 3-wide plus Clark full-time. The coaching staff doesn't seem to want to do that, with the o-line troubles they like having a blocking TE in there at almost all times and that seems unlikely to change as well.

 

[AngryPatriot]

The last Colts game was one shown in this area. Manning keyed on AG a lot and he played extremely well. Just about caught everything, behind him or not. My gut is telling me that his performance was pretty much the beginning of a great thing. There are a lot of weapons on that team and like years past, it almost seems that they take turns with big games BUT I wouldn't be surprised if AG starts to be the most consistent wideout for IND.

 

[travdogg]

With the exception of obvious passing situations when Clark is on the field Gonzalez is not. That has a huge effect on Gonzo as despite ideas to the contrary Gonzalez is nowhere near pushing Harrison aside. Bottom line, when Clark is healthy Gonzalez is unlikely to top 50 yards which makes him very risky even as a flex play.

Can't agree with you. Gonzo is lining up out wide most possessions as Bloom mentioned above. Wayne is actually lining up in the slot most of the possessions on the same side of the field with Harrison.

1 game, and a game Clark was gone. In game 1 it was Harrison to the right, Wayne to the left and Clark in the slot until Clark got hurt. Harrison had 8 catches that night. This Wayne in the slot stuff is a nice wrinkle by Indy, but I think it was/is more a temporary fix while Clark is out because Wayne is their best WR in traffic.

 

[dawrecker]

With the exception of obvious passing situations when Clark is on the field Gonzalez is not. That has a huge effect on Gonzo as despite ideas to the contrary Gonzalez is nowhere near pushing Harrison aside. Bottom line, when Clark is healthy Gonzalez is unlikely to top 50 yards which makes him very risky even as a flex play.

Can't agree with you. Gonzo is lining up out wide most possessions as Bloom mentioned above. Wayne is actually lining up in the slot most of the possessions on the same side of the field with Harrison.

1 game, and a game Clark was gone. In game 1 it was Harrison to the right, Wayne to the left and Clark in the slot until Clark got hurt. Harrison had 8 catches that night. This Wayne in the slot stuff is a nice wrinkle by Indy, but I think it was/is more a temporary fix while Clark is out because Wayne is their best WR in traffic.

If you go back and watch the game tape from week one Wayne was in the slot just as much if not more than Gonzo. They kept going to wayne on quick slants from the slot because there was no time to operate. I was there and was frustrated at the line not giving us time to make a look downfield.

 

[travdogg]

If you go back and watch the game tape from week one Wayne was in the slot just as much if not more than Gonzo. They kept going to wayne on quick slants from the slot because there was no time to operate. I was there and was frustrated at the line not giving us time to make a look downfield.

Yes, Wayne was in the slot more than Gonzo was. Gonzo is not a slot WR for them. That's not the point I'm arguing.

 

[menobrown]

In week one Gonzo was targeted 5 times in the first quarter alone, all before Clark left the game. With 4 options in the passing game Gonzo will deliver the occasional dud but I think more often than not he's someone you can feel comfortable putting in your lineup every week.

 

[menobrown]

BTW- not sure if you all saw this quote from Dungy regarding the formations:

Wide receivers Anthony Gonzalez and Reggie Wayne alternated working from the slot Sunday in the Indianapolis Colts' three-wide receiver sets.

Gonzalez, who usually plays inside, caught nine passes for 137 yards and seven first downs to help the Colts beat host Minnesota 18-15. Wayne, who more often has split wide, had five receptions for 93 yards and a touchdown.

"It was our best way to go based on the injuries we had, how they were playing, how the game developed," coach Tony Dungy said Monday. "We'll continue to look at that. All those guys can play anywhere. The three-wide group really helped us (Sunday)."

The Colts went mostly with two-tight end sets during the first quarter, when they totaled 24 net yards. Their take was 297 yards over the final 45 minutes, when they operated almost exclusively in three-wides, with Wayne, Gonzalez and Marvin Harrison.

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/arti...5/1058/SPORTS03

 

[Mustang Man]

Hey good discussion here. Good points on both sides but I think what we are seeing here is AG being the starter by next year and putting up mid to high level wr3 #'s this year. Wayne and Gonzo can be lethal together. Harrison can't go forever. This may be his last hurray as a low end wr2 fantasy option.

 

[ffball-novice]

You may be right but I tend to think it's a function of the decimated OL and TE situation leaves them with offensive plays that don't fit Harrison's strengths as well as the old deeper drops.They are lacking both stretch plays and deeper drops for most of this offense. They have gone from a play action pass based stretch the field deep style to a slant oriented game plan.

Hey good discussion here. Good points on both sides but I think what we are seeing here is AG being the starter by next year and putting up mid to high level wr3 #'s this year. Wayne and Gonzo can be lethal together. Harrison can't go forever. This may be his last hurray as a low end wr2 fantasy option.

 

[Mookie Blaylock]

Anyone have an update on Clark's status?

 

[ffball-novice]

Anyone have an update on Clark's status?

According to the Thursday injury report listed at coltpower neither Clark nor Saturday were listed. I think that indicates they both fully participted on Wed andThurs practice. Still looking for Friday update info.