Reggie Wayne makes 146th straight start on Sunday

Reggie Wayne was quick with advice for whichever quarterback the Colts turned to last season. "Look left."

That's where Wayne generally was situated whether Kerry Collins, Curtis Painter or Dan Orlovsky was under center.

The veteran receiver said he'll be less specific Sunday with his pre-game advice to rookie quarterback Andrew Luck. The Colts open against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field.

"Just throw it to the open guy," Wayne said, pausing. "And I will be open."

Luck, he added, has "done well preparing. He's eager to play, too, I believe. It's time to let it unwind a little bit, get the training camp out of the system and get ready to play some real good opponents.

"No more preseason. It's for real now and that's exactly what I told the young receivers. It's going to move even faster now. You really got to come prepared to go into a hostile environment and be ready to play."

Wayne's is the voice of experience. He's 33 and entering his 12th season. He'll make his 146th consecutive regular-season start, the longest streak among active receivers, and has had at least one reception in 96 straight games.

Wayne enters the season tied for 15th in league history with 862 receptions, 22nd with 11,708 yards and tied for 30th with 73 receiving touchdowns.


(indystar.com)