Reggie Wayne was at Conseco Fieldhouse to play basketball Saturday evening, but he took a moment to talk football. Indianapolis Colts players report to training camp at Anderson University on August 1 and Wayne's timely arrival is an open question.
"I want to be there on time but we're just going to do our part and let them do all the negotiations," the Colts' four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver said before the Amp Harris & Reggie Wayne "Saving Our Youth" Celebrity Basketball Game. "We done talked a little bit but it's just talk. That was it."
Wayne is dissatisfied with his contract, a six-year, $39 million deal that has two years to run with base salaries of $5.47 million this season and $5.95 million in 2011. He did not participate in the club's offseason voluntary organized team activities or mandatory minicamp.
That doesn't mean he won't play this season -- even if he doesn't get a new contract.
"I play football. That's what I do," he said. "I love the game. It goes deeper than contract talks; I like doing this. I ain't getting any younger and football is my passion."
So are splashy entrances.
In 2006, Wayne reported to training camp wearing former Colts teammate Edgerrin James' Arizona Cardinals jersey. In 2007, he wore military camouflage and last year he showed up in a dump truck, hardhat on his head, lunchbox in hand and announced the Colts were "under construction for the Super Bowl."
"I've always got something planned," Wayne said. "Hopefully everything falls into place and I end up at Anderson on time."
While some wide receivers can rightfully be called divas, Wayne has never fit into that category. Given his generally good character, it's hard to see his contract situation becoming a major issue, but Wayne may not live up to his draft position this year with the emergence of guys like Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie. He won't be a total bust, but he might not be able to anchor the wide receiver position for fantasy teams the way he did in the past.
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