With the Indianapolis Colts' 2010 organized team activities sessions ongoing at the team's practice facility, Indy Football Report Editor John Oehser takes a daily look at the team's most-pressing issues . . .
One of the most-anticipated story lines of the Indianapolis Colts' 2010 Organized Team Activities is the return of WR Anthony Gonzalez.
With the return, comes questions that will shape the Colts' offense next season.
Is Gonzalez healthy?
Will he be able to play at a high level next season?
Just where will he play?
Gonzalez, always one of the most thoughtful, insightful Colts players, answered the questions best he could during the first week of 2010 OTAs, and while he said he is feeling as healthy as possible and is practicing with the Colts, he's not certain of the answer to the last question.
Just where will he play?
Gonzalez said he's not certain, and that's because it's really too early to know.
“The thing is everybody had such great years last year, so it will be interesting to see,” Gonzalez said recently during OTAS. “I don’t know what is going to happen. I’ve been told that I’m going to have the opportunity to compete for my job again, and that’s all that I really want is an opportunity. That’s all I’ve ever wanted.
“I think every one of the receivers is going to prepare like crazy and 'earn that spot,' whatever it is. That’s kind of my approach.”
That's really the only approach right now for Gonzalez or any of the Colts' wide receivers, a position at which the Colts may be as deep and as talented as they have been in QB Peyton Manning's previous 12 seasons as the starter.
Gonzalez, who missed all but one game last season with a knee injury, said last week he feels his speed and rout-running have returned.
“My speed is back,” he said Thursday. “My route-running feels like it is there. There is a little bit of rust there, but I think that’s just being out for a year, not necessarily having an injury. . . . The speed was really my big concern and that’s back, so that’s an answered question in my mind.”
Colts Head Coach Jim Caldwell agreed.
“I’ve had the chance to watch him here the last few weeks actually,” Caldwell said. “He’s moving well, and certainly catching the ball well, but also I just think he looks like he’s well-equipped to start right where he left off. I think he’s done very well at this point.”
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