Reggie Wayne Happy For Brady, But Focused On Getting Ready For Week 1
BOSTON (CBS) -- While nearly all of the Patriots first-teamers got Thursday night's preseason finale off, 14-year veteran Reggie Wayne was hard at work getting acclimated to his new team.
Wayne signed with New England less than two weeks ago, and he's hitting the playbook like a college kid preparing for a final exam. As many veterans Thursday's tilt from the sideline, or from home in a few cases, Wayne was getting in some much-needed work with the regular season just a week away.
With Ryan Lindley throwing the passes, Wayne was targeted 10 times against the Giants on Thursday night. He hauled in a pair of catches for 24 yards, including a nice 18-yard grab to move the chains for New England on a 3rd-and-1 play.
The 36-year-old admits that he has a lot of work left to get up to speed with his new team, but is confident he'll be ready when the 2015 season kicks off next Thursday against the Steelers.
"I don't have a choice. The season is going to be here whether I'm ready or not," he said with a laugh. "There is a lot of stuff I can learn from tonight and I still have a week to get ready."
Wayne said it didn't matter that Lindley, who likely won't have a job in New England come the weekend, was the one throwing the passes on Thursday night. It's the receiver's job to go up and catch the ball, no matter who is throwing the passes.
But still, Wayne admitted he was happy when the team learned Brady's four-game DeflateGate suspension had been vacated Thursday morning.
"Yeah, that's my quarterback so I am [happy]," said Wayne, adding, "And now I have to do my job."
Further pressed on what Judge Richard Berman's ruling means for future punishments by commissioner Roger Goodell, Wayne turned the focus back on what he needs to accomplish over the next week.
"I have enough on my plate. I'm excited he's available, but now Reggie has to take care of what Reggie has to take care of," he said. "That's get in my playbook, correct the mistakes I had tonight and get better. I've only been here a week-and-a-half, so I'm behind the eight-ball. I'm excited he's available but I have to do my job."
