Wayne's first pupil? Bears' Aromashodu

INDIANAPOLIS -- Before Reggie Wayne began mentoring Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie, the young wide receivers who combined for 274 yards in today's AFC Championship Game victory over the New York Jets, he was working with a young receiver named Devin Aromashodu.

Aromashodu's stay with the Colts, which included a role on the practice squad in Super Bowl XLI, was a short one. But Wayne can say now that he saw long ago what the Bears found out about Aromashodu late in this season. Armoashodu had seven catches for 150 yards and a touchdown in the Week 16 victory over Minnesota and scored two touchdowns in the season finale at Detroit. Wayne knew he just needed a shot.

"I think he can make it as a starter and a big-time guy in this league because he works hard," Wayne said. "They just have to give him the opportunity. If they give him the opportunity, he'll be able to show everyone what he can do."

Aromashodu also spent 2007 in Indianapolis and appeared in six games, making seven receptions. He was originally a seventh-round pick of the Miami Dolphins in 2006, and the Bears signed him off the practice squad of the Washington Redskins in 2008.

"I absolutely saw (what he did at the end of the season) in him when he was here and that's why I worked with him every single day, because I saw the potential in Devin," Wayne said. "I'm just happy for him to be able to get somewhere and show what he is able to do. Hopefully, they stick with him."

Wayne said he talks to Aromashodu all the time. He's proven to be a pretty good teacher based on the seasons Garcon and Collie enjoyed. He still helps Aromashodu whenever he can. He couldn't say if Aromashodu having to wait nearly the entire season was challenging for the young player.

"I have no idea, man. I don't have a clue about that," Wayne said. "I'm just happy he got a chance at the end of the season."

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(chicagobreakingsports.com)