Tag: Reggie Wayne

7 Colts among modern-era Pro Football Hall of Fame nominees

7 former Colts are among the modern-era Pro Football Hall of Fame nominees for the Class of 2023.

Seven former Indianapolis Colts are among the list of 129 modern-era Nominees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2023.

The list of nominees for the Class of 2023 consists of “67 offensive players, 50 defensive players and 12 special teams players. The list of Modern-Era Nominees will be reduced to 25 Semifinalists in November and, from there, to 15 Finalists whose names will be announced in early January.”

Here are the seven former Colts who are nominees for the Class of 2023:

 

Reggie Wayne: Matt Ryan ‘reminds me of Peyton so much’

Reggie Wayne has an interesting comp for Matt Ryan.

Indianapolis Colts wide receivers coach Reggie Wayne is stepping into a new role as a first-time coach, but he’s getting some familiar vibes from the quarterback position.

As the Colts move forward with veteran Matt Ryan to replace the one-year experiment with Carson Wentz, Wayne received some eerie vibes from his playing days.

Talking to reporters last week, Wayne said it’s hard for him not to see aspects of Peyton Manning when it comes to the leadership style of Ryan.

“Man, it makes me almost want to throw up, because he reminds me of Peyton so much,” Wayne said via Joel A. Erickson of IndyStar. “He’s the epitome of a leader. In the meetings, he’s vocal, he’s trying to get that connection with the receivers, trying to get extra (work) as much as possible.”

While the experiment with Wentz failed and some within the organization questioned his leadership style, the Colts quickly turned it into a net positive when they acquired Ryan during the offseason.

The Colts have been raving about Ryan’s leadership ever since he first stepped into the building in March. It has been a far cry from the way the team viewed Wentz just a year ago.

The Colts have a strong chance to in the division, especially after making the types of moves they did in free agency and the draft.

No one is asking Ryan to be Peyton but if he can bring back some shades of The Sherriff, the Colts may be in for an exciting season.

Like Colts Wire on Facebook
Follow Colts Wire on Twitter
Follow Kevin on Twitter (@KevinHickey11)

[lawrence-related id=71804,71801,71799]

[listicle id=71779]

Colts announce several changes to coaching staff

The Colts announced several coaching staff changes, including the hiring of Reggie Wayne.

The Indianapolis Colts officially announced the changes and additions made to the coaching staff for the 2022 season.

After former defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus took the head coach role with the Chicago Bears, the Colts hired Gus Bradley to fill the vacancy. The majority of coaching hires come under his rule.

The Colts also announced the hirings of a few offensive coaches, including the addition of legendary wide receiver Reggie Wayne to be the new wide receivers coach.

Here’s a look at the changes to the coaching staff:

  • Brian Bratton, offensive quality control coach,

  • Cato June, assistant linebackers coach,

  • Ron Milus, defensive backs coach,

  • Mike Mitchell, assistant defensive backs coach,

  • Nate Ollie, defensive line coach,

  • Richard Smith, linebackers coach

  • Reggie Wayne, wide receivers coach

  • Tyler Boyles, offensive quality control coach/assistant to the head coach

  • Parks Frazier, pass game specialist/assistant quarterbacks coach and

  • Matt Raich, assistant defensive line

We already knew most of the hires that were coming this way. There seems to be an emphasis on getting former players working under experienced coaches like Richard Smith and Ron Milus.

Wayne is the biggest name to join the coaching staff while Mitchell and June are former players who also appear to have the traits to be successful coaches.

Boyles, Frazier and Raich all stay with the Colts despite changes coming throughout the coaching staff.

Like Colts Wire on Facebook
Follow Colts Wire on Twitter
Follow Kevin on Twitter (@KevinHickey11)

[lawrence-related id=70104,70099,70082]

[listicle id=70087]

Report: Colts ‘strongly considering’ hiring Reggie Wayne as WRs coach

The Colts are ‘strongly considering’ hiring Reggie Wayne to be the WRs coach.

The Indianapolis Colts are reportedly “strongly considering” hiring legendary wide receiver Reggie Wayne to be the new wide receivers coach, per Zak Keefer of The Athletic.

After wide receivers coach Mike Groh took the same job with the New York Giants this offseason, the Colts have been searching for his replacement. Wayne’s resume as a player speaks for itself, and the Colts are certainly keen on hiring former players.

Keefer noted that nothing has been finalized with the hire, but there appears to be a lot of interest.

While this would be the first time Wayne enters the NFL as an official coach, it wouldn’t be the first time he’s held a role like this in a similar manner.

The franchise leader in games played helped the Colts out during training camp in 2018. He certainly has the desire to enter the coaching sphere but admitted at the time it was all about timing.

The Colts wide receiver room is in some desperate need of help. Second-year breakout Michael Pittman Jr. led the team in almost every receiving category. He held a 25.7% target share while accounting for 30.1% of the team’s receiving yards.

Wayne’s knowledge of the wide receiver position knows no bounds. He’s a future Hall of Famer and if there’s anywhere to get his coaching career started, it’s with the horseshoe.

Like Colts Wire on Facebook
Follow Colts Wire on Twitter
Follow Kevin on Twitter (@KevinHickey11)

[lawrence-related id=69702,69700,69693]

[listicle id=69707]

Reggie Wayne misses out on 2022 Hall of Fame selection

Former Colts WR Reggie Wayne was not selected for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2022.

Former Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne was not selected as a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2022.

Wayne was one of the 15 finalists to be selected for the 2022 class but will have to wait at least another year. This was Wayne’s third time on the ballot. He has been a finalist for all three years.

Wayne will get in most likely sooner rather than later. His resume speaks for itself. His 1,070 career receptions are more than 13 wide receivers already in the Hall of Fame. His 14,345 receiving yards are more than 14 wide receivers already in the Hall of Fame. Those numbers are both 10th all-time among wide receivers in NFL history. Wayne was a six-time Pro Bowler and was a First-Team All-Pro selection in 2010.

He also holds the Colts’ franchise record for career games played (211). His 1,070 career receptions, 14,345 career yards and 82 career receiving touchdowns are all the second-most in franchise history behind Marvin Harrison.

Wayne will eventually get in and he’s going to be joined on the ballot in 2023 with a pair of legendary defensive ends in Robert Mathis—a semifinalist his first year on the ballot—and Dwight Freeney, who becomes eligible for the first time.

Like Colts Wire on Facebook
Follow Colts Wire on Twitter
Follow Kevin on Twitter (@KevinHickey11)

[lawrence-related id=69437,69435,69430]

[listicle id=69407]

Reggie Wayne, Robert Mathis headline semifinalists for Pro Football Hall of Fame

Reggie Wayne and Robert Mathis headlines the semifinalists for the 2022 Hall of Fame class.

Indianapolis Colts legendary wide receiver Reggie Wayne and defensive end Robert Mathis are semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2022.

This is Wayne’s third time on the ballot in total. He made it all the way to the finalist round of the voting in 2021 but didn’t make the cut. His former quarterback in Peyton Manning did. This will be Mathis’ first time on the ballot after announcing his retirement following the 2016 season.

Wayne will get in most likely sooner rather than later. His resume speaks for itself. His 1,070 career receptions are more than 13 wide receivers already in the Hall of Fame. His 14,345 receiving yards are more than 14 wide receivers already in the Hall of Fame. Those numbers are both 10th all-time among wide receivers in NFL history. Wayne was a six-time Pro Bowler and was a First-Team All-Pro selection in 2010.

Mathis is the Colts’ franchise leader in sacks (123) and NFL leader in forced fumbles (54), thanks to his elite strip-sack ability. He was a five-time Pro Bowler while earning an All-Pro nod in 2013 when he recorded a career-high 19.5 sacks. That also resulted in him winning the AFC Defensive Player of the Year Award.

Mathis is also enjoying his induction into the Colts’ Ring of Honor during halftime of the Week 12 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium.

The next step in the process will be trimming the semifinalists down to 15 finalists before the selection committee announces the official class right before the Super Bowl in February.

Like Colts Wire on Facebook
Follow Colts Wire on Twitter
Follow Kevin on Twitter (@KevinHickey11)

[lawrence-related id=66175,66173,66169]

[listicle id=66172]

Kenny Moore channels Reggie Wayne with training camp entrance

Colts CB Kenny Moore channeled his inner Reggie Wayne with his training camp entrance.

It’s been a while since the Indianapolis Colts have had a grand entrance from a player at training camp, but it seems Kenny Moore is trying to follow in the footsteps of legend Reggie Wayne.

As Colts veterans arrived at the Grand Park Sports Complex in Westfield on Tuesday, Moore stole the show by showing up being escorted by 2018 IndyLights champion and 2020 Indy 500 Rookie of the Year Pato O’Ward.

Take a look at the entrance from Moore on Tuesday as he channeled his inner Reggie:

Moore has a history with the Indy 500. In May, the 25-year-old rode with Mario Andretti for a few hours at Indianapolis Motor Speedway ahead of Fast Friday

It’s starting to finally feel like football season again as the Colts arrived for training camp. Hopefully, this becomes a tradition for Moore, who has firmly established himself as a leader in the locker room and one of the best slot cornerbacks in the NFL.

[lawrence-related id=59930,59924,59922]

Reggie Wayne: DeVonta Smith is the Rookie of the Year

NFL legend Reggie Wayne believes that DeVonta Smith is not only the Rookie of the Year for the 2021 season, but will also be a massive …

Former Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith was selected No. 10 overall by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2021 NFL draft. He was the third wide receiver to be selected in the draft, but the Eagles wanted the Heisman winner so bad, they were willing to trade up the two spots from No. 12 to No. 10 to secure him.

Smith was the offensive weapon that set Alabama apart from other teams.

Now, he will begin his professional career in Philadelphia alongside other Crimson Tide products, Jalen Hurts and Landon Dickerson.

Former NFL wide receiver and Indianapolis Colts legend Reggie Wayne has a strong belief that Smith will be the Rookie of the Year.

Along with that claim, Wayne states that he thinks Smith is a very special wide receiver and can be a big help to the Eagles offense.

Reggie Wayne inducted into Senior Bowl Hall of Fame

Another accolade for Reggie Wayne.

Former Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne was inducted into the Senior Bowl Hall of Fame as a part of the 2021 class, announced by the Senior Bowl on Thursday.

Ahead of the 2001 NFL draft where Wayne went to the Colts at No. 30 overall, he attended the Senior Bowl where he felt that helped his draft stock immensely.

“I believe my experience at the Senior Bowl turned me from a mid-second or third-rounder into a first-rounder in the 2001 draft,” Wayne said in a statement. “I am truly honored to be inducted into the Senior Bowl Hall of Fame. Playing in this game ended up being the best decision of my life.”

Following the Senior Bowl and the selection at No. 30 overall, the rest is history. He led the NFL in 2007 with 1,510 receiving yards while adding 10 touchdowns. He was named a first-team All-Pro in 2010 and a second-team All-Pro twice (2007, 2009).

Wayne is second in Colts history in receiving yards (14,345), receptions (1,070) and touchdowns (82). He leads the organization in career games played (211).

Wayne is a member of the Colts’ Ring of Honor and the University of Miami Hall of Fame.

[lawrence-related id=57292,57289,57279]

Cameron Jordan selected for the Senior Bowl Hall of Fame

New Orleans Saints DE Cameron Jordan added a new career accomplishment, joining the Senior Bowl Hall of Fame in its class of 2021.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbyahgz6p2j3xp7 player_id=none image=https://saintswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

The Senior Bowl announced its Hall of Fame class of 2021 on Thursday, with one prominent member of the Saints earning big recognition: defensive end Cameron Jordan. Jordan joined New Orleans native Reggie Wayne and other NFL greats like Patrick Surtain, Joe Staley, and Fred Taylor in the Senior Bowl’s Hall of Fame.

Jordan, 31, is one of many players to participate in the annual all-star game and end up joining the Saints, who selected him with the 24th overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft. He’s gone on to climb the team record books as one of its best-ever defenders; Jordan currently ranks second-best in Saints history with 94.5 career sacks, trailing only Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Rickey Jackson (115.0).

A six-time Pro Bowler who earned a All-Pro first team nod in 2017, Jordan is also the only active player in this year’s Senior Bowl Hall of Fame class. He shared a statement in a press release announcing the news, saying:

“I had teammates that were older than me at Cal like Tyson Alualu and Alex Mack go to the Senior Bowl and watching those guys ahead of me become first-rounders was proof of how important the Senior Bowl really was.  Getting the invite to the Senior Bowl was checking off the list of being acknowledged as one of the nation’s best.  When I got the Senior Bowl it allowed me to prove myself and eliminate any self-doubt versus the nation’s best players.  Playing in the Senior Bowl reinforced what I should’ve already known — that I was fully prepared to go to the NFL.”

[listicle id=44314]