Reggie Wayne's streak in trouble

The only number that matters in a lost season: one.

One win, perhaps today against the visiting Tennessee Titans, would keep the Indianapolis Colts from joining the 2008 Detroit Lions as the only 0-16 teams in NFL history.

On a personal level, here's another number with meaning: 252.

That's Reggie Wayne's target over the final three games -- 84 yards per game -- to tack up an eighth consecutive season with at least 1,000 receiving yards. That would tie Marvin Harrison's club record. In NFL history, only Jerry Rice (11) and Tim Brown (nine) had longer streaks.

Asked if the coaching staff realized he needed a boost to keep his streak alive, Wayne smiled.

"You might want to ask them that," he said. "Ask my offensive coordinator that. Tell my quarterback that and maybe they can help me out a little bit. I feel like I can get the remaining yards this game. But who am I? I'm no genie."

Wayne, 33, is in the final year of his contract, and his 11-year career with the Colts has been about being available and productive:

His 142 straight regular-season starts and 163 consecutive games played are the longest streaks among active receivers.

He's had a catch in 93 straight games, second to Harrison's club-record 190.

The string of 1,000-yard seasons, though, is in serious jeopardy. The absence of Peyton Manning and resulting revolving door and inconsistency at quarterback too often has rendered the passing game impotent.

Overall, the Colts have run the fewest offensive plays in the NFL (759) and the offense has suffered the highest percentage of three-and-outs (48-of-150, 32 percent). They are also last in time of possession (25:20).

Individually, Wayne has suffered with 56 receptions, 748 yards and two touchdowns.

"Snaps are down, passing opportunities are cut down," he said. "I faced reality a long time ago -- weeks ago, months ago -- that individual goals are probably not going to be reached. Right now, it's not even about that. We've got to go in with the mentality to win these last three games."
But, wouldn't 1,000 yards be nice?

"It would be great," Wayne said. "But if not, it was a good run. They say all records are made to be broken. All streaks are made to come to an end at some point. Just keep truckin', keep playin'. "



(indystar.com)