It's Wayne's world

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. -- The whispers finally should have been silenced last year.

In his mind, Reggie Wayne used the 2007 season to quiet any skeptics who thought his emergence in the Indianapolis Colts offense was due in large part because he was Marvin Harrison's sidekick.

Last season, Harrison, an eight-time Pro Bowl selection and a future Hall of Famer, was not around for 11 games. Wayne was, and generated a career-best 104 receptions for a league-high 1,510 yards and 10 touchdowns.

"That was an opportunity for me to shut everybody the hell up because there was still people out there saying I'm in Marv's shadow and I'm just doing all this because of Marv," Wayne said Tuesday as he relaxed in a golf cart during a break in training camp at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. "That was my opportunity to slap them in the face.

"I still hear it. And that's cool because that motivates me. I'm driven to prove everybody wrong."

Year after year.

First it was the University of Florida, where his speed and potential as a deep threat were questioned despite a stellar prep career at New Orleans' John Ehret High School. Spurned by the Gators, he became a record-setter at Miami.

Then local fans wondered why the Colts would take another receiver in the first round of the 2001 draft when the team's defense needed help.

"I'm driven to prove everybody wrong," Wayne said. "It's personal."

Even after he made his first Pro Bowl appearance in 2006, many stuck to the notion he owed much of his success to Harrison's magnetic on-field presence that routinely drew extra defensive coverage.

"Hey, I'll take that," Wayne said. "I'm glad I've got a Hall of Famer on the other side. Helps me out."

But when Harrison suffered a left knee injury against Denver in last season's fourth game, the focus immediately shifted squarely to Wayne.

He embraced the challenge.

"I wanted to prove to everybody last year that I can be a top dog in this league," Wayne said.

The result was one of the best single seasons by a receiver in club history, arguably one that rivaled Harrison's league-record 143-catch output in 2002. That year, Harrison averaged 12 yards per catch and ranked second in the league with 14 receptions for at least 25 yards. Last season, Wayne averaged 14.5 yards per catch and led the league with 16 catches of at least 25 yards.

Coach Tony Dungy said the Colts have had "two No. 1 receivers" the past four or five seasons. His appreciation of Wayne is rooted in year-after-year progress and consistency. Wayne has been a 16-game starter each of the past five seasons and can become the first player in NFL history to increase his receptions total in eight straight seasons.

"He is one of those guys you don't worry about," Dungy said. "You kind of pencil in 85 to 90 catches and 1,200 yards and 10 touchdowns. That's what we expect and that's what he's delivered."

For much of '07, Wayne delivered without Harrison, or any other established receiver support. When the Colts dropped a 23-21 decision at San Diego, Wayne had 10 receptions for 140 yards. Harrison was injured. So were tight end Dallas Clark and rookie receiver Anthony Gonzalez. Wayne's supporting cast included tight end Bryan Fletcher and receivers Craphonso Thorpe and Aaron Moorehead. None currently is on an active roster.

"It's a little like a guy that hit 25 home runs for five years and drove in 95 runs," team president Bill Polian said, "and then all of a sudden the guy that hits in front of him isn't there and he hits 40 home runs and drives in 125 runs.

"Is he any different (a) player? Not really. He's just getting more opportunity."

So, has Wayne not only silenced a group he sarcastically labels "my doubters," but also supplanted Harrison as the Colts' No. 1 receiver?
Wayne smiled, and laughed.

"I don't buy into that. Marv's still O.G. (Original Gangster), man. Marv's still the Don. Marv's a Hall of Famer. Check his stats. He's been there and done that. I'm trying to get where he's at."

(indystar.com)