Tag Archives: indianapolis colts

NFL

Gonzalez, Anthony

sco09 agonzalez dor&s09 agonzalez l

Cards: Score 2009, Donruss Rookies & Stars 2009 Longevity
Acquired: TTM 2015, C/o Home
Sent:  12/21    Received:  1/15  (25 days)

Anthony was a 1st round pick of the Indianapolis Colts in the 2007 draft.  With a run on receivers early on, Anthony would be the 6th receiver taken off the board with the 32nd selection.  Gonzalez was thrown right into the starting lineup while injuries were taking their toll on future Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison.  Anthony saw 51 targets in 9 starts, catching 37 passes for 576 yards and 3 touchdowns in a solid debut.  In 2008 Gonzalez saw action in all 16 games, starting 2 and notching career highs in virtually every category with 57 receptions for 664 yards, 4 TDs, and a 58 yard long.  As the Colts were counting on Anthony for the 2009 season, he went down in the season opener against Jacksonville.  The worst part about it was a non contact play. He’d be lost for the entirety of the season with a  PCL injury in the right knee.

In 2010, Anthony suffered a high right ankle sprain in regular season opener vs. Houston and missed the next 5 games. He returned to action in Week 8 vs. the Texans, snagging four catches for 55 yards before suffering a torn PCL in his left knee on a hit by Texans safety Bernard Pollard, ending Anthony’s season.

As the Colts crumbled into chaos with a possible career ending injury to starting quarterback Peyton Manning in 2011, the team struggled mightily in his absence.  Anthony suffered from a myriad of injuries, suited up for 8 games, but made no catches. He’d sign as a free agent after the season with the New England Patriots, but didn’t make the team.

Gonzalez soon thereafter enrolled in the Stanford Graduate School of Business and officially moved on from the NFL.

G/GS 40/12     REC 99     YDS 1307       AVG 13.2     TD 7    LG 58

NFL

Hughes Jr., Jerry

sco10 hughesCards: Score 2010
Acquired: IP, Aaron Williams Lone Star Showcase 2015

So I went to the local card shop to find a card of Jerry Hughes Jr off of his short card list, only to have been beaten there by a friend who was also going to the event. Kindly enough he offered me this Score 2010- a set that is thoroughly unappreciated, and a nice transition from the well designed Score 2009.  Hughes was approachable enough, and signed every card that was placed in front of him with a huge smile. We talked briefly about the Bills, and I told him that Rex Ryan has me the most excited about the franchise since the 90s. We then confirmed the mantra that, “You gotta believe,” with big Kool-Aid sharing smiles.

Hughes has always been battling uphill for respect, despite his natural athleticism and production. Jerry was shifted to defensive end when he arrived at TCU in 2006.  It’d be  in 2008 when Jerry settled in, with 52 TT, 19.5 TFL, 15 Sacks, and 2 interceptions- one of which he returned for a TD. He returned to TCU for his Senior season and again had a banner year with 58 TT, 16.5 TFL, and 11.5 sacks.  The Colts made Jerry the first Horned Frog to be Drafted in the first round since LT, with the 31st overall pick in 2010.

Jerry didn’t play that much for the Colts over his first three seasons. The Colts liked to use their defensive ends as tweeners, and had him set up at OLB. In 2013, he was traded to the Buffalo Bills. With that chapter closed of his career, Hughes had 5 sacks and 31 tackles in 3 seasons with the Colts.

Given the opportunity to play with the Bills was just what Jerry needed. The change of atmosphere allowed him to blossom into a solid pass rusher alongside Mario Williams. In 2013, Jerry had 10 sacks, 32 tackles, and 2 forced fumbles, playing in all 16 games.  Allowed to start all 16 games, Jerry had 36 tackles, 10 sacks, and a pick for 18 yards that he returned for a TD against the Cleveland Browns, in 2014.

 

NFL

Herron, Dan ‘Boom’

poff12 herronCard:  Playoff Contenders 2012
Acquired: 2014 BB, Target Autographed Memorabilia

Daniel Herron went to Ohio State University, where he had 1,155 yards and 16 TDs on 216 carries in 2010. Among the talented corps of starters who were suspended, culminating in the resignation of longtime coach Jim Tressel – Herron returned to the Buckeyes just in time to rush for 678 yards and 3 TDs during 2011.

He signed with the Bengals after the 2012 draft, but was off and on the roster. Eventually he worked his way onto special teams, where he finished the season with a blocked punt and 4 carries for 5 yards. Dan signed with the Colts in 2013 where he was quickly buried on the depth chart. Of note he made his first NFL catch- a 57 yard reception. In 2014, the Colts were leaning on their runningback by committee approach of Trent Richardson and Ahmad Bradshaw, when Bradshaw went down with a season ending injury.

Herron stepped in and took over for Bradshaw racing for a 49 yard TD gallop against the Redskins. It’d be the first of his career. Dan finished with 351 yards on 78 carries, and haul in 21 receptions for 173 yards as the Colts made the playoffs in 2014.