Reggie Wayne & Devin Hester Intrguing Players of Week 9

Reggie Wayne — When you watch this master craftsman ply his trade, it's almost inconceivable that he was considered something of a disappointment early in his career. Wayne was a first-round draft pick in 2001 but didn't become a full-time starter for the Colts until 2003, and he didn't have a 1,000 season until 2004. Now, he's working on a sixth consecutive 1,000-yard season and is on pace to record career highs in catches, receiving yardage and TDs. But Wayne's excellence goes beyond the numbers. To watch him is to appreciate just how brilliant he has become. Wayne has neither exceptional size nor track speed, but he knows every nuance of his position, and it seems as if he and QB Peyton Manning have some sort of supernatural telepathy between them. The Colts host the Texans this week, so Wayne will get to compare his skills to those of Andre Johnson in a game that should add new fuel to those best-receiver-in-the-league debates. And here's another debate worth having: When Manning's career is over, who will be considered the best receiver he ever played with - Wayne or Marvin Harrison?

Devin Hester — Compared with his exploits as a kick returner, Hester's steady development as a receiver has drawn relatively little notice. Over his last three games, Hester has hauled in 21 passes for 265 yards. He leads the Bears in receptions and receiving yards, he has become QB Jay Cutler's favorite target, and obviously, Hester is capable of taking it to the house any time he's on the field. However, lousy blocking has been the Bears' bête noir this season, limiting the team's offensive success. If Cutler has time to throw against the Cardinals this week, he and Hester should be a productive pitch-and-catch tandem. If Cutler's protection against Arizona is lousy, all bets are off.



(profootballweekly.com)