The Colts run such a well-managed, tight ship that it’s alarming to hear a player griping about anything, like wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez did to the Indianapolis Star.
The 2007 first-round pick was hurt all of last year. He enjoyed a healthy training camp, but suggested he didn’t get a fair chance to win his old starting job back from Pierre Garcon. Gonzalez said he has “an idea” what his role will be against Houston Sunday, and didn’t sound excited about it.
“What I wanted and what I was promised was an opportunity to compete for a job,’' Gonzalez told Mike Chappell.
So was he given that chance?
“I don’t know. All I wanted was what was promised to me. I’m not sure either way that it did,” Gonzalez said before hearing a little voice that sounds like Peyton Manning in the back of his head. “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.’'
The Colts have a good problem here. They can play it safe with Gonzalez, who they can’t trust yet to stay on the field. Peyton Manning arguably has more weapons this season than he’s ever had and we suspect Gonzalez will get his turn to shine. Even if he’s not happy now.
“All I wanted was an opportunity to compete. That’s it. That’s what I was promised.’'