It is amazing how quickly things can change for an NFL franchise.  When the 2008 season ended, the Marvin Harrison era came to a close and the door flew wide-open for third year wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez.  Then, without even getting touched, Gonzalez went down with a season-ending knee injury on the Colts first offensive possession as he exploded off the line to get into his route.

No one could have foreseen the insane physical development of Pierre Garçon, nor the lightning quick learning curve of Austin Collie.  Many thought that once Gonzalez went down with his injury the team’s hopes for a playoff berth were diminished and that the offense would take a lot of time to get back in sync.

On the contrary, Colts fans watched Garçon break out with a critically important 48-yard touchdown reception to seal a tough road win in Miami.  The following week he would reel-in three receptions for 64 yards and another touchdown in Arizona.  The second-year receiver from Division III Mount Union was developing into the hottest new name in football.

What separated Garçon from Gonzalez and the other Colts receivers is the mind-boggling physical development that turned him into the most physically imposing Colts receiver in a very long time.  The way he abused Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie in Arizona, stiff-arming him, burning him deep, using his speed and size to out-class the proven corner gave good reason for fans to get excited.

In week four of the 2009 season, Austin Collie made his presence felt.  Collie caught six passes for 65 yards and scored his first NFL touchdown.  He then used the next two weeks to gain another 133 yards and pick up three more scores.  For a rookie receiver to be playing out of the slot, and be reserved to Manning’s fourth option on most passing downs, to still manage to put up nearly 200 yards and four touchdowns in just three weeks (after taking only three weeks to get acclimated to the NFL) is astonishing.

Throw in Dallas Clark having his first official Pro Bowl season, generating 1,106 yards receiving, with 100 receptions, and 10 touchdowns and you have the second rated passing offense in the NFL.

All of these things combine to make it relatively understandable that Anthony Gonzalez, former first round draft pick (2007), could be downplayed, dismissed, forgotten, or even seen as a “bust” because he has missed an entire season worth of football in his first three years.

With summer workouts, organized training activities, and training camp ramping back up for the 2010 season, however, it’s crucial that these silly sentiments are corrected and that fans rediscover their appreciation for Anthony Gonzalez. Without it, there is no way to fully realize the depth of talent in the Indianapolis Colts receiving corps.

http://blog.masslive.com/patriots/2008/11/large_62ee5d4f1a314711bf9ebc9031dc4a53.jpg

More >