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Reggie Wayne

Reggie Wayne On Interest, Colts, Health

April 2nd, 2015 at 9:08pm CST by Zachary Links

Back in March, the Colts announced that they would not be re-signing veteran wide receiver Reggie Wayne. No. 87 racked up 1,070 total receptions, 14,345 yards, and 82 touchdowns during his 14 seasons with the team, but the Colts ultimately decided to go younger at the position. The 36-year-old, meanwhile, told Mike Chappell of RTV6 that he still has plenty of football left in him. In fact, he says that he’s gotten “damned good” interest from teams, but declined to name them. Here’s a look at some of the highlights from Wayne’s interview..

On his health in 2014:

I was never 100 percent last year. That wasn’t me (in 2014), you know that. In hindsight, Wayne said he probably should have spent the rest of the season on the injured reserve list after tearing his triceps…But I wanted to be out there with my brothers. I felt like I could do something, even if I wasn’t the No. 2 guy. I wanted to help the team even though in some ways I was probably hurting the team.

On not being able to finish his career in Indy:

You want to have that storybook ending, you really do. I wanted to have that here. I wanted it to last one more year, then I was going to shut it down. That’s what I told them, but they told me they were going in a different direction.

On whether he was surprised by the team’s decision:

Was I disappointed? Yeah. But did it surprise me? I’m never surprised in this league. When they get rid of Peyton Manning, you know you ain’t nothing. When you see them get rid of Marvin Harrison, who am I? They got rid of Edgerrin James. But yeah, I was disappointed. Who isn’t disappointed when they’re told their credit card has been declined when they know they’ve got money in the bank. That was me. I knew I still could play, but I had been declined.

Owner/GM Quotes: Lions, Patriots, Colts, Seahawks

March 23rd, 2015 at 7:17pm CST by Ben Levine

The NFL’s owner meetings were held earlier today, giving the league’s various reporters an opportunity to talk to owners and general managers. We’ve compiled notable quotes regarding some of the offseason’s biggest moves, which you can find below…

Lions GM Martin Mayhew on his team’s outlook following Ndamukong Suh‘s departure (via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press):

“I think anytime you lose a quality player like that, especially in the short term, that is to your detriment. I think in the long term, I think we’re going to be glad we don’t have that contract on our books. But in the short term, that’s an issue.”

“There’s a lot of different ways to give somebody $100 million, so a lot of times the structure comes into play, too, and all those things matter. But I know we have some quality players on our team that we probably couldn’t keep if we had that deal on our books.”

“I couldn’t say we misjudged anything about (the situation). I think every step throughout the process I think we made a rational, thoughtful decision to move forward and then I think it got to a point where economically in terms of building a sustainable quality football team it didn’t make sense. And at that point, we decided that we weren’t going to continue to offer more.”

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Veteran WRs Drawing Little Interest

March 17th, 2015 at 9:49pm CST by Zachary Links

Some receivers have cashed in big this offseason, but that’s not the case for everyone. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk hears that there’s currently little or no market for some notable names, including Michael Crabtree and Hakeem Nicks. Meanwhile, there has been no buzz over Reggie Wayne and Wes Welker.

Last week, it was reported that Washington had interest in Crabtree while the Chargers appeared to be a “stronger possibility” for the 49ers free agent. Nicks, 27, hasn’t been on the pages of PFR at all over the past few months after a rather pedestrian season in which he caught 38 passes for 405 yards.

Both Wayne and Welker have said that they plan on playing in 2015, but it sounds like they’ve yet to hear much from teams that want to help facilitate that. Wayne, for his part, sounds open to joining up with another contender after learning that he won’t be welcomed back by the Colts.

Randall Cobb, Jeremy Maclin, and other wide receivers have found riches in the month of March, but several others find themselves still waiting by the phone as April approaches.

Reggie Wayne Wants To Play In 2015

March 7th, 2015 at 2:14pm CST by Rob DiRe

Reggie Wayne has put together a Hall of Fame case since being drafted by the Colts in 2001, currently ranking sixth all time in career receptions and eighth in receiving yards. Playing his whole career with the team, Wayne announced during the season that he hoped to retire with the Colts, but as the offseason progresses that seems less likely.

Colts general manager Ryan Grigson announced that the team would not be re-signing their star receiver, although Wayne wanted to play one more season with the team, according to Mike Wells of ESPN.

Wayne will not be retiring just yet, and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports that he is currently open to playing one more season for another contender (via Twitter).

His 2014 season was marred by a triceps injury, after returning from a torn ACL in 2013. Both injuries have already been addressed this offseason, and will complicate his market in free agency, writes Stephen Holder of IndyStar.com.

Colts Won’t Re-Sign Reggie Wayne

March 6th, 2015 at 9:32am CST by Luke Adams

Reggie Wayne‘s long tenure with the Colts will come to an end this offseason. The team announced today in a press release that it will not be re-signing the veteran wideout, who is eligible to reach the open market next week.Reggie Wayne

“Everyone knows the greatness and history associated with number 87,” GM Ryan Grigson said in a statement. “He truly is one of a small handful of players who really define the Colts as an organization. He was already a Hall of Famer in the making when Chuck [Pagano] and I arrived in Indianapolis in 2012, but no one has contributed more, on the field and in this building, to our turnaround, our continued growth, and our overall success since then.”

Wayne, 36, recently underwent triceps surgery, and had been mulling the possibility of retirement. While there’s no indication yet on whether he intends to continue his playing career, the idea of playing for a team besides the Colts may dampen his enthusiasm about a potential return.

A first-round pick in 2001, Wayne appeared in a total of 211 regular season games for the Colts, and an additional 21 postseason contests. In the regular season, Wayne racked up 1,070 total receptions, 14,345 yards, and 82 touchdowns during his 14 seasons with the team. His résumé also includes eight 1,000-yard seasons and six Pro Bowl nods.

Wayne’s career totals place him just behind Marvin Harrison in the Colts record books — the former Miami Hurricane finished second in franchise history to Harrison by just 32 receptions and 235 yards. Among all NFL players, Wayne currently ranks seventh in career receptions and eighth in career receiving yards.

As for the Colts, they have one emerging star wideout on the roster, in T.Y. Hilton, and Donte Moncrief flashed plenty of promise as a rookie in 2014. With Wayne and Hakeem Nicks both set to hit the open market, however, the team will likely be in the market for receiving help.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Combine Pressers: Colts, Bengals, Falcons

February 19th, 2015 at 4:18pm CST by Luke Adams

The last of today’s head coach and general manager press conferences with the media are in the books, so let’s check in on the highlights for the noteworthy sessions that we haven’t already covered. Here’s the latest, with all links going to Twitter accounts for reporters on the scene in Indianapolis:

Colts general manager Ryan Grigson and head coach Chuck Pagano:

  • The team will take a look at all its options at the safety position, which may be an area of need. Grigson indicated that the Colts would like to re-sign Mike Adams, who “never played like he was long in the tooth.”
  • Both Pagano and Grigson stressed the importance of improving the team’s running game. Asked about the possibility of adding a workhorse back, Pagano said he’d love to have a player like that, but added that the club could get the production it needs with a committee approach.
  • Expect the Colts to always be on the lookout for pass rushers. Grigson said today that even if he had 12 pass rushers, he’d want a 13th.
  • Veteran wideout Reggie Wayne hasn’t yet informed the team if he wants to play in 2015. As Grigson notes, everyone knows what he means to the organization, so if Wayne does continue his career, it will almost certainly happen in Indianapolis — for now, he doesn’t have a contract for next season.

Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis:

  • According to Lewis, there have been no discussions yet about his contract, which is set to expire after the 2015 season.
  • Lewis didn’t exactly give a ringing endorsement for Jermaine Gresham when he was asked today if there’s a place on the Bengals for the free-agent-to-be going forward. The veteran tight end is considered likely to land elsewhere this offseason.
  • According to Lewis, the Bengals have made a conscious effort to draft high-character plays in recent years. The head coach acknowledged that in some cases he can’t “fix” a player with off-field issues, and he doesn’t want to waste his time dealing with the distractions.
  • Lewis confirmed that he has spoken to veteran defensive back Terence Newman, who wants to continue his playing career. It’s not clear yet if there will be a spot in Cincinnati for Newman, who will turn 37 in September.

Falcons head coach Dan Quinn and general manager Thomas Dimitroff:

  • We covered Dimitroff’s presser earlier this afternoon, but the GM also spoke to local media off to the side, and addressed a few more topics. Among them: Dimitroff said the Falcons would like to get a deal done quickly with kicker Matt Bryant, who is eligible for free agency.
  • We heard this morning that the Falcons haven’t opened negotiations yet on a contract extension for Julio Jones, but Dimitroff was adamant today the club wants to keep the standout receiver in Atlanta for years to come.
  • Both Dimitroff and Quinn are high on running back Devonta Freeman, whom the GM thinks could be a full-time back in Kyle Shanahan’s offensive scheme.
  • According to Dimitroff, Quinn’s philosophy is that you don’t have to pay a huge amount for a pass rusher. The GM added that he believes the free agent class has some depth at that spot, and it’s worth noting that Quinn’s defense in Seattle frequently rotated part-time specialists in and out as a way of pressuring the quarterback.
  • Cornerbacks Desmond Trufant and Robert Alford should be scheme fits for the Falcons’ new system, per Quinn.

South Notes: Saints, Wayne, Buccaneers

January 21st, 2015 at 8:59pm CST by Zachary Links

Years ago, Saints owner Tom Benson designated granddaughter Rita Benson LeBlanc as his handpicked successor. Tonight, he told Jeff Duncan of The Times-Picayune that he will instead transfer ownership of the city’s two major pro sports franchises (Saints and the NBA’s Pelicans) to his wife, Gayle, when he dies. As for LeBlanc, her offices at the teams’ Metairie headquarters recently have been vacated and her company-issued Mercedes-Benz and cell phone have been seized. More from the South divisions..

  • Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne still isn’t sure if he’ll return for another season as Zak Keefer of the Indy Star writes. “Once I hit Nashville, I’ll figure out the rest,” the wide receiver said. “I’ll make my outline and go from there. I don’t have a plan. I’ve never had one. I just gotta make a couple phone calls, say a couple of prayers and see what route the good Lord sends me.” While it’s uncertain whether the Colts want the aging wideout back, Wayne reiterated on several occasions late in the season that he can’t imagine himself suiting up for any other team.
  • The Saints are just two hours from the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama, but no member of the team’s coaching staff is in attendance to scout potential draft prospects, writes Evan Woodbery of The Times-Picayune. “He has his hands full in New Orleans,” Loomis said of head coach Sean Payton. “It’s just the normal activity that you would do,” Loomis said. “Sean felt like the staff would be better served to stay in New Orleans and work on those aspects as opposed to being here.”
  • Heavy-hitting linebacker Denzel Perryman could be a target for the Buccaneers in this year’s draft, Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times writes. The University of Miami standout, who is just shy of 5’11”, could potentially be in the mix for Tampa Bay at No. 34. Perryman is often knocked for his pass coverage skllls, but he says he’s determined to show off his improvement in that area.

Extra Points: Allen, Wayne, Eagles, Bears

December 31st, 2014 at 9:01pm CST by Zachary Links

Washington GM Bruce Allen held his year-end press conference today and was put in a position where he more or less had to defend his job, as Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk writes. At the presser, Allen defended the signing of free agent defensive end Jason Hatcher and putting the franchise tag on linebacker Brian Orakpo. Orakpo was given the franchise tag despite a serious injury history and Hatcher was given a lucrative deal despite mild production prior to his walk year. Here’s more from around the league in our New Year’s Eve edition of Extra Points..

  • If pressed for a decision, Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne says he’d come back for 2015, ESPN.com’s Mike Wells writes. “If I had to answer that question today, I’d say I’ll be back… as long as the Colts would have me,” he said on his weekly radio show on WNDE-1260 AM in Indianapolis on Tuesday.
  • The Eagles released Tom Gamble, their vice president of player personnel, earlier today. The move adds weight to speculation that coach Chip Kelly and general manager Howie Roseman have not seen eye to eye over the last year, ESPN.com’s Phil Sheridan writes.
  • The Bears have requested to interview five GM candidates, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter): Chris Ballard (Chiefs), Lake Dawson (Titans), Eric DeCosta (Ravens), Brian Gaine (Texans), and Ryan Pace (Saints).
  • Colts backup Matt Hasselbeck isn’t under contract for 2015, but he’s also not thinking about retirement, writes Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star. Neither he nor the Colts have discussed a return just yet, but he sounds very open to the idea.
  • The Buccaneers like Falcons offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter, but they could have competition for his services, according to Alex Marvez of FOX Sports. A source says that Koetter is held in high regard by two other head coaching candidates: Seattle defensive coordinator Dan Quinn and San Francisco defensive line coach Jim Tomsula.
  • Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap looked ahead at what’s in store for the Titans this offseason.
  • Vikings defensive tackle Tom Johnson declined a plea bargain on an October arrest, as Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press writes. Johnson becomes a free agent in early March and has said that he will seek a multi-year deal.

AFC South Links: Jaguars, Wayne, Titans

December 13th, 2014 at 5:30pm CST by Ben Levine

Jaguars rookie Storm Johnson is finally going to get an opportunity to be the team’s featured running back. The seventh-rounder has been inactive for the past six weeks, but an injury to Denard Robinson has forced the 22-year-old into the lineup. Even without the injuries, the coaching staff was trying to find a way to promote their talented young player. Via Hays Carlyon of The Florida Times-Union:

“We were trying to find a way, regardless of the injury to D-Rob, to get Storm up,” said coach Gus Bradley. “I think it’s been based on the last couple weeks of practice. That’s what I’ve been talking to him about. It wasn’t because of injury that you’re getting this opportunity. We were talking to him about it anyway. He’s earned it.”

Johnson, who has compiled 64 rushing yards and two touchdowns this season, appreciated the recognition:

“It meant a lot that my hard work has been noticed. People have been watching me. It makes me want to work harder and do what I’ve been doing.”

Let’s see what else is happening in the AFC South…

  • ESPN.com’s Mike Wells can’t envision the Colts letting go of Reggie Wayne at the conclusion of the season. Instead, he suggests the team should let the veteran make his own decision, since he’ll likely retire when his tenure with the Colts is finished. “This is what I am. This is what I believe in,” Wayne told Wells. “I’ve been here this long, I just don’t see myself anywhere else. This is where I want to finish. At the end of the day, when it’s all said and done, whenever that day is, I just want to be wearing blue and white. That’s just what I want to do.”
  • Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com previews the Titans‘ tops needs in free agency, focusing on a pass-rushing linebacker and help on the offensive line. The writer adds that the team will not be afraid to spend.
  • John Glennon of The Tennessean collects the opinions of various NFL pundits regarding the future of Zach Mettenberger. All of the analysts believe the rookie will certainly be in the running to be the Titans quarterback of the future. However, none would be surprised if the team pursued a veteran in free agency or another young player in the draft.
  • Following news that offensive lineman Michael Oher was placed on the injured reserve, Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean tweets his belief that the tackle’s tenure with the Titans is over.

AFC South Notes: Wayne, Jaguars, Titans

December 12th, 2014 at 1:42pm CST by Luke Adams

As the Colts prepare to try to lock up the AFC South by defeating the Texans this coming Sunday, let’s round up a few Friday notes from out of the division….

  • If Reggie Wayne retires after this season, he’ll stay retired, as Zak Keefer of the Indy Star writes. “Whatever the decision is, that will be the decision,” the Colts wide receiver said. “I won’t do the whole Brett Favre thing.“
  • The Jaguars are in no rush to move running back Denard Robinson to injured reserve, even though his season is over, since any call-up would be inactive this Sunday anyway, says Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union (Twitter links). Robinson will likely be placed on IR before next week’s game against the Titans, allowing Jacksonville to see if there are any positions requiring additions following Week 15’s game against the Ravens.
  • There are no easy answers for the Titans, but declaring Zach Mettenberger the Titans’ No. 1 quarterback for 2015 based on his body of work would be foolish, opines David Climer of The Tennessean. Climer would rather see the Titans be open to the draft or the free agent pool, even if the offseason’s crop of available QBs is not all that appealing.
  • With injuries to their top two right tackles, the Titans could wind up starting Terren Jones, who was signed last week off the Ravens’ practice squad, or Jamon Meredith, who signed as a free agent earlier this week, writes John Glennon of The Tennessean.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

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