Reggie Wayne's acrobatic catches make his offensive coordinator a fan

For a few seconds during a preseason game, Pep Hamilton forgot he was the Indianapolis Colts’ offensive coordinator.

He joined the Reggie Wayne fan club.

Hamilton’s brief role adjustment occurred during the first quarter of Sunday’s game against the New York Giants. From the left slot, Wayne moved into the flat, reached back for a pass from Andrew Luck that was slightly behind him snatched it with his right hand.

The result was a 3-yard gain. The degree of difficulty was off the charts.

“It’s funny,” Hamilton said Wednesday, recalling the play. “I try to not watch our play. I’m focusing on the defense and we’ve got to be ready as coaches to make adjustments on the fly.

SEE REGGIE WAYNE’S CATCHES HERE

“But I caught myself just a moment. I was somewhat in awe of the one-handed catch and I wasn’t really focused on the next play call, and I had to just gather my thoughts quickly and move on to the next play.”

Three plays later, another Wayne highlight.

Giants cornerback Aaron Ross failed to secure an interception near the goal line and batted the ball behind him. Wayne was waiting. He tipped the ball with his right hand, turned, then made a diving catch near the right side of the end zone.

Asked to rate the two catches against the Giants, Wayne shrugged.

“Just so so,” he said.

Hamilton disagreed, especially on the touchdown.

“That was a great play,” Hamilton said. “I think Reggie Wayne is a living legend in a sense that you don’t have the career he’s had up to this point and consistently display the ability to make the great catches over the years without having a special intuitive gift.

“It’s like he can see the rotation of the ball. Everything’s slow to Reggie as far as how the game is played. He always finds a way to make the catch regardless of where the ball is.”

Luck insisted he has never taken for granted Wayne’s ability to make the tough catches.

“Those catches are special,” he said of Wayne’s work against the Giants. “Just because they happen — it seems over and over again now — it doesn’t make it lose its luster. I guess you do sort of come to expect it from those guys.

“I still get excited. I don’t know if it makes me look good or bad. It’s still a completion. That’s what matters.”


(thestarpress.com)