Tag Archives: Reggie Wayne
Surprise! Reggie Wayne re-signs with Colts
In an unlikely turn of events, the Indianapolis Colts have re-signed long time receiver Reggie Wayne to a new three-year deal worth $17.5 million. After the house cleaning last week to get under the cap, it seemed to everyone the Colts were ready for a complete re-build. Yet the Colts surprise everyone and bring back one of their own as the Colts look toward a new era in Indianapolis.
Would Reggie Wayne be a great fit for the Raiders?
With the 2012 NFL free agency about to begin in the next couple weeks, teams are evaluating their rosters, cap space, and contract issues that may be hindering the team’s success. The Oakland Raiders are no different, Coach Dennis Allen and GM Reggie McKenzie expressed that they are looking to improve the teams roster via free agency and also the draft. But with the team already skating on thin ice with the salary cap, and having spent most the teams draft picks already there isn’t a whole lot of room to improve without making important player contract decisions. The Raiders have already cut defensive back Stanford Routt to free up cap space, and more cuts or restructured contracts are on the horizon. In a press conference McKenzie said he wanted to get rid of the “out-of-whack” contracts, and build a roster of talent and discipline. The Raiders may also be looking to move a few players via trade to acquire upgraded players or draft picks.
Colts to Say Good-bye to Most Free Agents
No matter what happens with Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck, the Indianapolis Colts’ new management team are going to go through salary-cap hell this offseason. Since those two will tie up so much cash, the team will bring in few if any new faces, and will be forced to say good-bye to some familiar ones. Here’s a quick look at the Colts impending free agents, sorted by how many snaps they played last season:
Jeff Saturday C
Despite everything collapsing around him, Saturday put in another great season at center. As usual, he was the Colts’ most effective and consistent blocker. The 37-year-old has openly discussed retiring. His return will be based not just on the Colts’ ability to pay him, but also on the status of his old friend Manning.
Reggie Wayne WR
Wayne’s numbers were way down in 2011 (75-960-4), but still very respectable considering he was catching passes from Curtis Painter and Dan Orlovsky, not Manning. The Colts would love to have him back, but it appears as though the 33-year-old Wayne has decided to move on, already having cleaned out his locker in Indianapolis.
Pierre Garçon WR
Unlike Wayne, the Colts’ other starting wideout saw his numbers go up in 2011 (70-947-6). The Colts will do their best to keep Garçon, but might not be able to get into a bidding war for him. Garçon and his agent have expressed an interest in shopping his talents around the league.
Robert Mathis DE
The Colts’ only Pro Bowler this season, Mathis is one of the league’s top pass-rushers, and the Colts’ defense would suffer greatly without him. Compounding the problem is the fact that 2010 first-round pick Jerry Hughes, who many felt would be Mathis’ successor, has failed to develop. Mathis has been vocal about the Colts’ reluctance thus far to offer him a long-term deal, and he may well test the open market.
Jacob Lacey CB
The player the fans love to hate, Lacey was benched in 2011, but returned to play solidly the rest of the way. Although it would appall some fans, there is a chance Lacey could return because the team is so thin at the position.
Ryan Diem G
A longtime stalwart on the line, Diem’s salary has gotten bigger while his play has deteriorated. He almost certainly won’t be back.
Mike Pollak C
A second-round disappointment, Pollak has improved to the point at which he is a decent backup and spot starter. The Colts could well retain him if he fits the new coaching staff’s scheme and the price is right.
Tyler Brayton DE
This former first-round pick by the Raiders will never be a star, but he filled in adequately at end for the Colts in 2011. He also played some defensive tackle, but was not very effective inside. The only way he’ll be back is if nobody else wants him and he’ll work for the minimum.
Philip Wheeler OLB
Despite missing three games to injury, Wheeler had his most impressive season as a Colt. Whether he stays depends on the new coaching staff (he always seemed miscast in the Cover-2 base), and how much money he wants.
Ernie Sims OLB
A fan favorite, this former Lions’ first-round pick was pressed into duty, and his performances ranged for mediocre to atrocious. He probably will not be invited back.
Jamaal Anderson DE
Yet another former first-round pick who failed with his original team, Anderson repaid the Colts’ faith in him with good play against the run and at least a hint of pass rush. He will probably be invited to return.
Dan Orlovsky QB
Having shed his lovable loser image with two wins in three starts at the end of the season, Orlovsky seems to have proven himself a decent No. 2. Depending on what happens with Luck and Manning, Orlovsky could find a home in Indy.
Jacob Tamme TE
After languishing on the bench for a couple of seasons, Tamme filled in for an injured Dallas Clark in 2010 and looked great (67-637-4). Injuries, the presence of Clark and poor quarterback play limited Tamme in 2011 (19-177-1), but the word on him is that he’s got starting-quality talent. With the league’s current emphasis on pass-catching tight ends, Tamme would likely earn a huge payraise on the open market. Don’t expect him back.
Quinn Ojinnaka T
The book on Ojinnaka is that’s he’s a decent pass blocker who is a liability in the run game. That’s about how he looked in 2011 with the Colts as injuries forced them to sign him off the street. He could be invited back as a swing backup, but I bet they rather develop a younger guy.
Eric Foster DT
Foster suffered a horrifying injury last season, but should be ready for next. But will the new coaching staff have any room for a 265-pound defensive tackle who’s neither quick nor long enough to play end? I don’t think so.
Jerome Felton FB
Big ol’ Felton won’t do much with the ball in his hands, but his blocking really helped the Colts’ halfbacks at the end of last season. If the new coaching staff values the fullback position, they could easily find cheaper options than Felton, though.
Jamey Richard G
Read the report on Pollak, change the name to Richard.
Anthony Gonzalez WR
A huge first-round bust because of injuries (five catches over the last two seasons), Gonzalez will have to prove he still has talent in another city.
Kevin Bentley OLB
Signed due to injuries, this 32-year-old journeyman will not be invited back.
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2012 NFL Free Agency: 10 WR’s That Could Make a Difference
As we inch closer to NFL free agency teams will now decide what to do with some of their top players and difference makers. There are a number of high-caliber wide receivers that could land with new teams including DeSean Jackson, Wes Welker and Stevie Johnson but also some other veteran names such as Reggie Wayne, Vincent Jackson and Plaxico Burress that could search for new teams. Here are the top 10 choices for wide receiver in 2012 free agency.
1. DeSean Jackson (Philadelphia Eagles)
Is DeSean Jackson more trouble than he is worth? The jury still may be out but after causing a fiasco with the Eagles last season it could be the end of the road in Philly. The problem for the Eagles is that they don’t have anyone else to take his place. For a number of years the Eagles struggled at the WR position and now that they finally have someone worth something are they going to turn around and let that go? Jackson’s vertical ability has a great impact on the way defenses approach the Eagles’ offense and Michael Vick. Losing him would do more damage than just paying him the high salary he demands.
2. Wes Welker (New England Patriots)
If your name is not Tom Brady then chances of you obtaining a lucrative contract from the Patriots is very unlikely. Welker continues to set NFL records and could end his career with the Brady-led Patriots. At least that would be the smart thing to do. Previously with the Miami Dolphins Welker never produced the type of offense he does now. Is it the person throwing him the ball, or is it the system that he fits in. Welker is virtually impossible to cover out of the slot due to his quickness, intelligence, and hands. It would be hard to imagine that Welker looked elsewhere and Brady didn’t push for him to come back.
3. Stevie Johnson (Buffalo Bills)
Ryan Fitzpatrick has all but lifted up his shirt asking for Stevie Johnson to come back to the Bills but head coach Chan Gailey named a few conditions if he is to come back. There is no doubt he has talent but his actions, while funny, are hurting his team. The Bills need a flamboyant and exciting player. It is something they have not had in a good amount of time, but there is point in time to do it and Stevie doesn’t know that.
4. Dwayne Bowe (Kansas City Chiefs)
Dwayne Bow is a number one receiver that a team like the New York Jets, St. Louis Rams and Denver Broncos could use. Let’s not forget so can the Chiefs. His large stature, catching radius and work around the goal line make him a complete mismatch. He has also shown the propensity to make acrobatic catches on the fade and back shoulder passes.
5. Vincent Jackson (San Diego Chargers)
The Chargers have avoided a long-term extension with Jackson and even let him hold out with no response. Philip Rivers needs a go-to receiver and right now Jackson is the best option. Jackson turns 29 this winter and could be slapped with the franchise tag. Selected to only one Pro-Bowl during his career he also finished in the top fifteen and top ten in the NFL for receiving yards during the 2008 and 2009 seasons. After career-low numbers in 2010 he bounced back in 2011 with 1,106 receiving yards and nine touchdowns.
6. Reggie Wayne (Indianapolis Colts)
There has been talk of Reggie thinking this may be his last season in Indy, but odds are that also lies if Peyton is coming back. Hard to imagine the Colts would leave Manning without his number one target. One of the most interesting quotes from Wayne, is that he feels younger due to the lack of quarterback for the Colts. In fact, he thinks he bought himself a few more years. Reggie Wayne put on his hard hat for 11 seasons for the Colts, but the packed boxes in the locker room indicate he’s moving on.
7. Marques Colston (New Orleans Saints)
When healthy Colston is a nightmare match-up for a corner, but the Saints have proved they can win without him. Picking up Colston could be a risk with his injury history. In his sixth NFL Season in four of his. This is Colston’s sixth NFL season. In five of those years he’s gone over 1,000 yards. Teammate Roman Harper stated, “He doesn’t draw a lot of attention to himself; he goes out there and he makes the hard catches. Goes across the middle, takes the hard hits, and doesn’t complain. He makes plays for us, and he doesn’t ever cause trouble. It’s simple: If you get more players like Colston, you have a great team.”
8. Pierre Garcon (Indianapolis Colts)
Drafted in the 6th round in the 2008 NFL draft by the Indianapolis Colts, Garcon has shown flashes of brilliance but could lack the overall number one ability. Targeted a team high 134 times in 2011 Garcon fell just short of reaching 1,000 yards.
9. Brandon Lloyd (St. Louis Rams)
Lloyd is a bit of a mystery playing for five different teams in his brief NFL career, but drafted in 2003 and traded by the Denver Broncos to the St. Louis Rams expectations were high. Lloyd was one of the few bright surprises for the Rams this season finishing with 51 receptions for 683 yards and five touchdowns since coming over from the Broncos in Week 5. What makes Lloyd’s numbers even more impressive is that starting QB Sam Bradford was injured for a large part of that 11 game stretch.
10. Plaxico Burress (New York Jets)
Burress only secured 45 of 95 targets this year, gaining 612 yards on those receptions. His eight touchdowns bailed his season out somewhat, but it’s hard to expect a repeat of that next year, given that he turns 35 in August. Someone will still take a chance on the veteran due to his size and red zone threat.
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Who’s Got Next: 5 Players Could Reach 1,000 Receptions
In light of Hines Ward reaching the 1,000 career catch milestone today, here’s a list of five of the most likely names to join the short list that includes: Jerry Rice, Tony Gonzalez, Marvin Harrison, Cris Carter, Tim Brown, Terrell Owens, Isaac Bruce, and aforementioned Ward.
1. Reggie Wayne (WR Indianapolis Colts) – Age: 32, Receptions: 862
Before the injury that ruined the season for Peyton Manning, and the entire team for that matter, I would say that there would be no doubts that he would reach this mark by as soon as next season. If he can stay healthy and the Colts have an able-bodied quarterback, either Manning or Andrew Luck, throwing him the ball, then he should have no problem.
2. Andre Johnson (WR Houston Texans) – Age: 29, Receptions: 706
This guy has been a stud since he was drafted in the first round out of the University of Miami. Similar to Wayne, if Johnson wasn’t hampered by injuries we could possibly see him meet this mark in two years. Now I’d give it three or four at most with Matt Schaub evolving into an elite quarterback and the best Corner in his division is Cortland Finnegan…
3. Jason Witten (TE Dallas Cowboys) – Age: 28, Receptions: 689
Not only does he have quite a few more years before he even thinks of retiring but he is also consistently one of the most targeted guys in the league. Even if Jerry Jones decides to bring in a new coach and/or quarterback, Witten should still get a ton of passes thrown his way.
4. Larry Fitzgerald (WR Arizona Cardinals) – Age: 27, Receptions: 693
Considered by some of the greats like Jerry Rice and Cris Carter as the best receiver in the league, he should reach this milestone with ease. He has the job security with the extensive contract he was awarded by the Cardinals, and as long as health and the development of Kevin Kolb work in his favor we should this happen before long.
5. Brandon Marshall (WR Miami Dolphins) – Age: 26, Receptions: 495
Ok, it isn’t the first name that comes to mind, especially ahead of some the great names that would seem obvious, but it’s true. The former UCF Knight and Denver Bronco has had a very productive tenure in league so far. However, there are a few major contingencies to be noted. Marshall has had problems with the law and very strange occurrences have happened involving the player off the field. In addition, he is inadvertently in a valley career-wise due to the non-existent stability of the Miami Dolphins. He has everything on his side and hopefully him and the Dolphins can right the ship and have success sooner rather than later.
Of course, there are other players that are close enough to mention but these are the players that barring a horrible situation arising, like the Mayan theory of the world ending before the end of next season, for them to not reach this rare statistical landmark.
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Colts Veterans Ready to Move on
The house-cleaning has apparently begun in Indianapolis. Veteran wide receiver Reggie Wayne, scheduled to become a free agent after the season, has taken the nameplate off his locker and sent it and all the locker’s contents to his home in Miami, according to The Indianapolis Star’s Larry Wilson. When Wilson asked him the significance of the move, Wayne Tweeted back: “It just takes all the mystery out of it. You know? All I gotta do is say ship down here to Miami, and we move on.”
Wayne is still a top-notch receiver, but at 33, it’s unlikely the rebuilding Colts will pay the kind of money it would require to bring him back. Besides, it’s well know that Wayne was angered by the way the Colts’ brass handled the many crises the team has faced this year, and it would be difficult to convince him to come back. Complicating matters in the fact that Pierre Garçon is also a free agent. But history has shown that when given the choice, the Colts will go with the younger player.
Similarly, Gary Brackett posted a photo of himself with some other veteran Colts with the text “Last of the Mohicans. Might be the last thurs meal wit OGs. If it is it’s been a great run!” on Twitter. Brackett is not a free agent, but is 31, well past his peak, coming off injured reserve and has been ably replaced by young Pat Angerer. Besides, Brackett is due $5 million in 2012 and $6.6 million in both 2013 and 2014, and Angerer works better for a lot less. Cutting Brackett would result in a major one-time salary cap hit, but would make sense in the long run.
There are a few other prominent Colts veterans who may not be back in Indy next year. Former first-round pick Anthony Gonzalez – a talented wide receiver who just can’t stay healthy – has worn out his welcome. Tight end Jacob Tamme is tired of taking Dallas Clark’s scraps in Indy, and will most likely get a substantial increase in both salary and playing time elsewhere. Jeff Saturday may want to reunite with Peyton Manning for old time’s sake, but he’d have to sign a very cap-friendly one-year contract. Colts fans have been begging the team to get rid of offensive lineman Ryan Diem and his giant contract for years, and now that he’s a free agent, they will almost certainly get their wish. Phillip Wheeler has never fit the Colts system, and will probably be worth more to a team that plays a different type of defense. And Jacob Lacey, the little defensive back Colts fans love to hate, will also probably not be invited back.
The only major free agent the Colts will probably be negotiating with will be defensive end Robert Mathis, whose presence is essential to the team’s success. But Mathis has been vocal about the fact that the team has not offered him an extension already. Of course, if Mathis were to hit the open market, it would be much harder (and more expensive) to sign him. But until the team sorts out its financial mess – especially as regards its quarterbacks – it isn’t really that free to negotiate with Mathis.
Whether they manage to lure Mathis back or not, the 2012 Colts will look a whole lot different than they did in 2011.
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Reggie Wayne Prepares to Say Goodbye to Indianapolis
With all the talk surrounding the eventual status of Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts fans may also be saying goodbye to Reggie Wayne who stated to today he thinks he may be leaving the Colts as well.
Asked by a reporter whether Thursday night against the Texans will be his last home game with the Colts, Wayne said that’s entirely possible.
“Well, it could,” Wayne said, in comments distributed by the team. “I am well aware of that and I’ve come to the conclusion that in every athlete’s career they are going to be faced with this decision at some point in time, whether it is a long career or a short career.”
Reggie has been with the Colts his 11-year NFL career since being selected in the 2001 NFL Draft to complement the Colts other wide receiver Marvin Harrison.
He has not missed a game since his rookie year, but the 33 year-old veteran may be searching for another team next season as the Colts look to younger players.
If Wayne is done in Indianapolis, he says he’ll miss the local fans.
“I truly appreciate them,” Wayne said. “They come out with the Reggie signs, and no matter what the situation is they are always there cheering and it could be a little tough. Everybody said it would be a little emotional for me.”
In 2006, Wayne signed a 6-year, $39.5 million contract, and went on to catch 86 balls for a then career high 1,310 yards and 9 touchdowns. As a result, Wayne was selected to his first Pro Bowl. Wayne helped the Colts defeat the Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XLI with a 53-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter.
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