Setting the Table, Week 1: Three quick thoughts on Indianapolis Colts-Houston Texans (p2)

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2.On Gonzo. One of the more unusual Colts stories of recent weeks is wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez expressing concern over his early-season role this week. What's unusual isn't that Gonzalez is concerned over his role, but that he spoke about it publicly, something Colts players rarely do. Mike Chappell of the Indianapolis Star wrote this week that Gonzalez was unsure of his role, but that “by all appearances and inferences, it won't be what Gonzalez anticipated” after his return from a knee injury that cost him all but one game last season. “Until Sunday,'' Gonzalez said Monday, "I don't think it's worth speculating.
"I have an idea what it's going to be.'' Gonzalez declined to be specific about that idea, but when the Colts released their depth chart on their Web site later that day, he was listed as the No. 2 wide receiver behind Pierre Garcon and as the No. 1 punt returner. "What I wanted and what I was promised was an opportunity to compete for a job,'' he said. Chappell asked Gonzalez if that didn't 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. . . . All I wanted was an opportunity to compete. That's it. That's what I was promised.'' Chappell's story on the interview did a good job portraying the tone of the conversation. Gonzalez wasn't seething and he wasn't irate. He didn't lash out at the team. He expressed uncertainty and perhaps some unhappiness at his situation, but in no way implied he didn't want to play for the Colts or would give less effort than he had given in the past. The interview was understandably dissected and discussed extensively on the blogosphere, and it's an intriguing topic worth discussing, but the feeling here remains the same – that while Gonzalez may not be thrilled right now, he will remain a critical part of the team's offense. Garcon is not only too big a threat to not have on the field, he is most effective on the outside, as is four-time Pro Bowl selection Reggie Wayne. Gonzalez, for his part, can play inside and in the slot and has played both positions effectively in three NFL season. Colts Head Coach Jim Caldwell spoke recently about the Colts' versatility at the receiver position. It's the return of Gonzalez that gives the Colts' receivers that versatility – and what makes them potentially a special group.

3.A Few More Tweaks. One of the biggest issues of the NFL preseason was again addressed by the league office this week, when the league sent a memo to team further tweaking the new umpire placement policy. “All 32 teams were told in a memo from the league Tuesday that the umpire will position himself 12 yards from the line of scrimmage when the ball is snapped instead of approximately 15 yards, which was used during the preseason,” Michael Marot of the Associated Press wrote. “The umpires must now only get beyond the deepest running back — not established in position — before the ball can be snapped. . . . Officials will now have the discretion to issue a warning before enforcing the 5-yard penalty for an illegal snap. Clear violations, the memo said, will continue to be penalized without a warning. Umpires also will continue to be positioned in the middle of the defense, their old position, during the final two minutes of the first half, the final five minutes of the game and when the offense is at, or inside, the opponent's 5-yard line. The league made that change for last week's preseason finales. The memo also points out that the head linesman or line judge can signal when the ball can be snapped instead of having quarterbacks checking with referees, something that was changed after the league's competition committee approved the new rule in March.” There had been concern around the Colts, and voiced on occasion by quarterback Peyton Manning, that the change in umpire position could hurt the Colts' ability to run their quick-tempo offense. Colts players were off Tuesday. It wouldn't be surprising to hear a bit more on the is$sue Wednesday.

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