ANDERSON, Ind. – When it comes to Reggie Wayne, Peyton Manning likes what he sees.
Then again, Manning – the Colts' 10-time Pro Bowl quarterback and four-time Associated Press Most Valuable Player – said he didn't expect to see anything not to like about Wayne, the Colts' four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver.
Wayne missed mini-camp and organized team activities because he was unhappy with his contract situation, but reported on time for training camp.
Manning said he has seen no difference in Wayne than past seasons.
“Reggie has come in with a great attitude and is in excellent shape and looks really fit,” Manning said Tuesday between a pair of 2010 Training Camp practices at Anderson University. “He has always trained extremely hard. All those Miami Hurricanes through the years have always trained hard.”
Wayne, the Colts' No. 1 receiver last season following the release of eight-time Pro Bowl selection Marvin Harrison – and realistically, the team's No. 1 receiver a year or two before that – remains very much in that role, Manning said.
“He’s the leader of our wide receiver group,” Manning said. “He is the guy that sets the tone for Pierre (Garcon) and Austin (Collie) and (Anthony) Gonzalez. He is a great leader at that position and he is going to have an outstanding year for us this year.
“There is no doubt about that in my mind.”
Manning on Tuesday also addressed:
*The team's wide receiver situation, where Gonzalez, Wayne, Collie and Garcon all likely will play significant roles: “In the seasons I’ve played, you’re always going to need a multitude of receivers, probably more than four to tell you the truth. Injuries, 16-game seasons, you have a guy nicked up here and there and we expect whoever is in there to pick up the slack and to not miss a beat. We are not going to call certain plays or take away certain plays just because a guy may be injured. We still have to run our offense and everybody who is on the team, it is their responsibility to know the plays and know the assignments. The more flexible ability and versatility you have at that position -- guys that can rotate, guys that can play slot, outside, inside-it definitely gives you more weapons. I think depth at the receiver position is extremely important.”
* The preseason: “We have not really talked about the preseason games yet, to tell you the truth, as far as playing time or anything like that. We are still just going Colts against Colts during practice and we are still working on certain parts of our offense. We pick a point of emphasis each day to emphasize whether it’s the goal line, the red zone or third-down conversions. We are still doing that, so as far as preseason games, I really haven’t been thinking about that."
* Playing the first preseason game: “For all of our rookies and first-year free agents it definitely is exciting.There is no question that coaches evaluate and there have been guys in the past that have looked great in practice, and then get on the playing field and it just hasn’t carried over. Yet there have been guys that just haven’t stood out at practice and they get on the playing field and all they do is make one-handed catches and return punts. It is a great opportunity for those guys and it is exciting. I think the veteran players can share in that excitement. I know we’ve always had our veteran players in the past when they have come out of the game, they are still excited when a young guy goes in there and makes a play, catches a touchdown or forces an interception. So you want to help those guys as much as you can. I can definitely remember being nervous, excited, and those things are real emotions. So it’s an exciting opportunity for those guys.”
(1 of 2) 1 | 2 NEXT
Comments