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Reggie Wayne used to be Peyton Manning’s other receiver; his number 2 behind Marvin “I got a Gun” Harrison. No longer. Reggie Wayne has come through the lingering shadow of Marvin with exceptional grace.
Peyton Manning is known to make receivers as Tom Brady is known to do in New England. Reggie Wayne performed his talent silently behind the highlight of the Manning & Harrison connection. Wayne drafted in 2001 by the Indianapolis Colts became number 1 to Manning after Marvin Harrison asked for and was granted his release. Ensuing a gun issue Harrison’s name was involved in… & I rather not go in to.
As did his former teammate at the U (University of Miami) Ed Reed; Reggie Wayne met with ESPN’s Ed Werder for a chat.
Wayne explained to Werder how his offseason has been since the lock out. “It’s been the same for me, been working out at the University of Miami.”
Jokingly, “Only show up to mandatory stuff; right now everybody is on my program. Now everybody gots to be their own judge… So easy to say ‘I’m not gonna’ work out today’ & miss a workout; compared to when you have to be at your facility workout at 9, or whatever the case may be & get fined.“
Ed Werder wanted to know how Wayne felt about working out at his home facility in the U & how it was different.
Wayne, expressing his comradery. “We all wanna’ see each other succeed. We all wanna’ do good, & we always pump each other up.” He continued, “the workouts, it is just what it is. A University of Miami workout; it’s tough out there in the heat, ILOVE IT, I’ve been doing it for 11 years.”
With a cliche, “If it’s not BROKE don’t try & FIX it…”
Wayne was questioned about his quarterback Peyton Manning’s surgeries on his neck and responded differently to the same question Werder asked Ed Reed of the Baltimore Ravens.
Related Article:
Ed Reed: A man with his priorities straight
Wayne responded, “I felt like he’ll be alright, I’m sure He can handle it… He’s been through the procedure once already, I’m sure he has the right guys behind him; therapy wise, that can get him READY TO GO.”Over my years of watching Peyton play, everybody knows he is ready despite having only 1 Superbowl ring; he & Marvin Harrison managed to beat out Steve Young & Jerry Rice’s record of greatest touchdown tandems.
Now, Peyton has another legitimate tandem evolving infront of the NFL fans’ eyes. Over the 7 years Reggie Wayne played along side Harrison he averaged 997.7 yards, 70.6 receptions & 6.7 touchdowns a season. The 2 years without Harrison & with a core of new young receivers he’s averaged 1309.5 yards, 105.5 receptions & 8 touchdowns.
Reggie Wayne is now surely the number 1 receiver in Indianapolis with a great tight end in Dallas Clark who Ed Werder referenced in the interview in regards to the injuries that plagued the Colts last season.
“When we lost Dallas (Clark), that was tough. (Austin) Collie concussion situations, was tough. It just meant everyone else had to step it up a lil’ bit more.”
Austin Collie suffered a couple of nasty concussions during the 2010-2011 season, the season of HEAD SHOTS. Wayne was asked about his concern of the Collie concussions.
Wayne with compassion, “Once you get one, it’s always easy to get another… I just hope it doesn’t shut him down earlier than he anticipated.”
He continued, “It’s tough to see a young guy (get hurt like that) who has all the potential in the world… Hopefully he can put all that stuff behind & get movin’ from it.”
Werder asked if Wayne would keep playing after the severity of the concussions suffered by Austin Collie, similar to the question he asked Ed Reed about Peyton Manning’s neck surgeries.
Wayne responded, “I’ve been doing this since I was 7 yrs old, man. Ya’ know, this is my bread & my meat; this is what I do.”
He finished, “I would keep going, as long as I could understand what is going on & I know all my kids names.”
The perspectives of the all the individuals playing in the NFL differ, we tend to forget they’re human too. They have their priorities & values as well.
Ed Reed of the Ravens & Reggie Wayne of the Colts both attended the University of Miami, but both played different positions, one defense, one offense. Reed drafted in ’02 & Wayne in ’01 also have different perspectives on the injuries that are almost sure to occur throughout a NFL players career. However, they are both great contributors to the game of football.
I conclude with “END THE DAMN LOCK OUT!”
Interview held by Ed Werder at ESPN:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjEwunFq-VI
It is what it is…
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