Reggie Wayne on Watch for Big Season

ANDERSON, Ind. — Reggie Wayne paused Tuesday to meet with the media and answer one of the burning questions of the Indianapolis Colts’ 2011 training camp.

Why, exactly, has the Pro Bowl wide receiver been wearing a garish red watch throughout practice?

“Like I told you, man, to make sure I’m right on time before I run right by you,” Wayne told the media at Anderson University to a chorus of laughter. “If I run in there and score a touchdown, I want to make sure what time it is. I want to make sure I’m right on time, right on schedule. That’s what it’s about.”

Wayne certainly has been on schedule so far.

He said he hasn’t felt this good since his rookie season, and he’s looking forward to Saturday’s preseason opener at St. Louis.

But his best timing Tuesday was comedic.

Wayne said he has four or five “colorful” practice watches that he’s worn over the years. But he’s developed a bit of a superstition around the red model this time around.

“I normally rotate them,” he said. “But this camp, there’s something about this red watch that’s been standing out. I’m keeping it going. I’ve had a good camp so far. So if it’s not broke, don’t fix it.”

Does that mean Wayne might be tempted to continue wearing the watch once the regular season begins?

“Nah,” he said. “As much as I want to, I don’t want Mr. (NFL commissioner Roger) Goodell to give me a little letter. But if I could, I would.”

He’s found a far more effective accessory anyway.

New wide receivers coach Frank Reich was a quarterback for 14 NFL seasons, primarily with the Buffalo Bills. He’s best known for leading the largest comeback in league history, erasing a 35-3 second half deficit to beat the Houston Oilers 41-38 in overtime during a playoff game following the 1992 season.

Reich also completed the first touchdown pass in Carolina Panthers history in 1995. The recipient was current Colts offensive line coach Pete Metzelaars.

And Wayne already has fallen under his spell.

“Him being a quarterback, he understands a lot of things,” Wayne said. “He understands what’s kind of tough to do as a receiver and what’s not tough to do, and a lot of coaches aren’t able to display that or give you that. But I love Frank. He’s come in and really helped me get better, already, and once again I’ve got to make him look good. That’s what it’s all about.”

Reich has a quote, “Plant the seed for speed,” that already has become something of a motto for Wayne during this camp.

And he said he’s not going to allow the absence of quarterback Peyton Manning to slow him down.

The offense has a job to do no matter who is under center, and Wayne’s not about to look for reasons not to get the job done.

“This is not my first rodeo,” he said. “So if it’s Peyton in there or (Curtis) Painter or Coach (Jim) Caldwell, it doesn’t change. I know where to line up. I know what to do. I know what’s expected of me. We just need to gel together and just play together. Just play Colts football, that’s basically it.”

Click here to order Reggie Wayne’s proCane Rookie Card.


(heraldbulletin.com)