Colts' Wayne awaits mentor's return

INDIANAPOLIS - Reggie Wayne stands among those who want Marvin Harrison back to full health, making stunning catches rather than dealing with surgeries and suspicions.

Wayne had his best year as an Indianapolis Colt, in terms of numbers, in 2007, when Harrison missed most of the season.

But the ending was unsatisfying.

“We feed off each other; I would much rather have him out there healthy,” Wayne said during the Colts three-day mini-camp, which ended Sunday. “As an example: He was healthy, I was healthy and we went to the Super Bowl. Our offense was - what do they say? - potent. As close as he can be to 100 percent, the better I'll be.”

Wayne makes it a point to try to drive his production up each season, a goal that turns tougher as he gets better. He set career bests in 2007 in catches (104) and yards (1,510) and had his second-best touchdown total (10, two short of 12 in Peyton Manning's record-setting 2004 season).

Driving him are his critics, real or perceived.

“There was always talk about, ‘Could I do it?' ” Wayne said. “A lot of times I would hear I'm good because of Marvin, which I am because he's helped me get better. But at the same time, I know what I can do, and I was able to prove it last year.”

Wayne, 29, enters his eighth season in the NFL, and he's added the role of elder statesman and role model to his resume. He's now the one who'll have to mentor the younger receivers, such as Anthony Gonzalez and Roy Hall. With Wayne's outgoing, vocal personality, he's better suited for the task in many ways than Harrison.

He credits Harrison with teaching him the finer points of pro football work ethic, including never missing a repetition during practice unless sidelined by injury.

“When I got here, I looked at Marv and he was taking every rep,” Wayne said. “I said, if that's what I have to do to be great, I'm going to take every snap, too. So whenever Peyton's out there, I'm out there. Hopefully, (Harrison) can come back. I think he'll be back and ready to go and I'm looking forward to it.”

Wayne said he has not talked to Harrison about the shooting in Philadelphia that remains unresolved. Police questioned Harrison and it has been reported that Harrison's gun was used in an incident in which a man was injured by a bullet, and a broken window from the same incident injured a child. Harrison assured Colts officials he was not involved in the incident.

Harrison attended the Colts mini-camp, the Colts said, but did not participate because of offseason knee surgery. Several other Colts, including Dwight Freeney, Bob Sanders, Gary Brackett and Ryan Lilja, did not participate for health reasons.

“Knowing Marv for eight years, I can tell you he's definitely hurting not being able to be out there,” Wayne said. “The only thing I've talked to Marv about is his health. That's the only thing that concerns me. I just want him to be healthy.”

Wayne, meanwhile, is the picture of perfect health.

Between now and training camp in July, he'll be staying in shape and figuring out how to raise his receiving standards once again.

(news-sentinel.com)