TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (AP) -When Anthony Gonzalez needed advice about his new role with the Colts, he turned to an old mentor – Marvin Harrison.
The typically quiet Harrison didn’t have to say a word.
Gonzalez went into the film room, borrowed the tapes from Harrison’s record-breaking 2002 season and studied Harrison’s nuances to get a better understanding of what made the Colts’ career receiving leader so effective.
“It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a while, and I think it makes sense,” Gonzalez said. “That year was arguably the most productive by any receiver in NFL history and, fortunately, he did it with the Colts. If it was Jerry Rice, I don’t know that I could have gotten the 49ers tapes, though I’m sure they have them.”
ions that year with 143 catches. He had 1,722 yards – 60 short of No. 2 all-time – and a career-high 15 touchdowns.
Gonzalez also understands that the stakes have increased dramatically this season.
When the Colts released Harrison, the league’s No. 2 all-time receiver, to save about $6 million under the salary cap, Reggie Wayne became the uncontested No. 1 option and Gonzalez, the Colts top draft pick in 2007, moved from No. 3 to No. 2. He’ll play in Harrison’s old spot on the right side.
There’s little doubt Wayne will excel in his role. He’s been to the Pro Bowl the past three seasons and has steadily become a more vital cog in the Colts’ high-scoring offense.
Though Gonzalez emerged as a consistent threat last year, fans are curious to see whether he can match Harrison’s lofty standards. Harrison and three-time league MVP Peyton Manning formed the most productive passing tandem in NFL history.
Gonzalez doesn’t believe those comparisons are fair to him or his friend.
“The reality is that Marvin Harrison is no longer here, and I’m not him,” he said. “I’m not trying to be him. I’m trying to be a better version of me.”
Gonzalez is pretty darn good doing his own thing.
eceptions, 664 yards and four touchdowns – almost identical numbers to Harrison’s 60, 636 and five.
And season No. 3 is traditionally when young Colts receivers break out.
Wayne caught 27 and 49 passes in his first two years with the Colts, then jumped to 68 in 2003. Tight end Dallas Clark had 29 and 25 in his first two seasons before catching 37 in Year 3.
The explanations vary.
“In this league everything is so even in terms of talent that it requires a good understanding of schematics, particularly the ones that you face week in and week out,” coach Jim Caldwell said. “It takes a while to get to the point where you can excel in that arena.”
Gonzalez contends it’s a matter of trust.
“It does take a while to earn it,” Gonzalez said.
If the trend continues, Gonzalez could be headed for his biggest season yet even though Manning has acknowledged he will probably look more to the left side, where Wayne customarily lines up.
Gonzalez has spent the offseason working to become a more explosive receiver off the line of scrimmage. If he has questions, Harrison is only a phone call or text message away.
“Marvin was a guy I was really close to,” Gonzalez said. “He sat next to me in meetings and I bounced ideas off of him. So personally, it has been a little weird not having him there.”
ut Gonzalez, a self-described student of the game, is leaving nothing to chance.
He said he found intricate details on the tapes that should help him improve this season. Exactly what he found remains a secret.
“I can’t tell you that,” Gonzalez said with a smile. “Looking at those tapes is something I didn’t do going into my first or second years, and I wanted to make sure I wasn’t missing something.”
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