Belichick has no preconceived notions on Wayne deal

Bill Belichick is quite familiar with free agent wideouts in the twilight of their careers. So it's no surprise he's tempering expectations for the Patriots' new acquisition, 37-year-old Reggie Wayne.

"I think he has a lot of versatility, obviously he has a lot of experience so we’ll have to see how it goes," he said via WEEI.com.

After eight 1,000-yard receiving performances in nine years, Wayne has looked a little more human of late, and New England seems very aware of that given the one-year deal they offered the veteran. But with Brandon Gibson on IR and no youngsters stepping up to the challenge, Wayne seems like a solid fit in a system that will likely get creative to get him the ball -- if he stays healthy.

READ MORE

Follow AFC East Daily @AFCEastDaily

Patriots still wary of old foe Reggie Wayne

BY NICK ST. DENIS

The New England Patriots will be up against an old foe in receiver Reggie Wayne when they take on the Indianapolis Colts Sunday night.

Now in his 14th year, Wayne has been relegated primarily to the slot, though the Colts still use him on the perimeter when needed. Patriots coach Bill Belichick knows that no matter where the veteran pass-catcher is, he's still a threat.

"Yeah, he’s still really good at everything," Belichick said last week, via CSNNE.com. "[He’s] obviously a real smart and experienced guy. Knows how to set up routes, make all of his routes look the same.

Man-to-man with Wayne means Cro will move a lot

BY NICK ST. DENIS

If the New York Jets plan on using cornerback Antonio Cromartie in a straight-up man-to-man role on the Indianpolis Colts' No. 1 receiver this week like they would with Darrelle Revis, Cromartie will be very active before the snap.

Cro is slated to go up against veteran wideout Reggie Wayne, who has taken on a more all-around role in the Colts' offense. He's not just strictly an outside receiver.

“Reggie is in the slot now and we move him around a lot more so that (Cromartie) can’t just be focused on a wide receiver playing bump and run all the time," Colts interim coach/offensive coordinator Bruce Arians said this week, according to the Colts' website. "If that’s the matchup they want to play, then he’ll have to follow him and run all over the field in a different position than he’s normally used to.”

Cromartie did a stellar job Monday night locking down Houston Texans receiver Andre Johnson, who was limited to just one catch for 15 yards.

Wayne: Combo with Manning, Marshall and self 'can be dangerous' ... "The league might not want that"

(Photo: Omar Phillips, Flickr) 

BY SEAN DONOVAN

Colts star wide receiver Reggie Wayne would be very open to playing for the Dolphins. Especially if there's a Manning involved.

The five-time Pro Bowler played for the University of Miami and has lived in South Florida since he was drafted. Signing with the Dolphins could potentially reunite him with quarterback Peyton Manning, whose release from the Colts was formally announced in a press conference Wednesday.

Miami is the heavily-favored landing spot for the future Hall of Fame quarterback, at least according to many prominent NFL prognosticators. Even Las Vegas odds-makers have tabbed the Dolphins as the team most likely to sign Manning.

A Wayne-and-Manning signing with the Dolphins could recreate the chemistry that led to 67 touchdowns from 2001-10. Wayne would be paired with Brandon Marshall to form an imposing receiver corps, an idea he got excited about when speaking to Michael Irvin of WQAM radio in Miami.