Reggie Wayne Blasts Indianapolis Colts’ Management for Team’s Struggles

NFL Network analyst and former Indianapolis Colts‘ receiver Reggie Wayne recently blamed general manager Ryan Grigson for the team’s struggles this year.

On Tuesday night, Wayne was one of the analysts on NFL Total Access. He was asked a questioned about if Colts’ quarterback Andrew Luck should be criticized more for the team’s struggles.

Wayne responded by saying he thinks Luck is playing well, and he believes people are not focusing on the real issue with the Colts right now:  general manager Ryan Grigson.

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"“I think that big problem is a lot of the front office decisions. Whether it’s draft picks or it is free-agent picks, they’ve missed on a lot of guys…”"

Wayne did not specifically mention Grigson’s name in his answer. However, Grigson is the key decision maker on player personal matters.

Wayne continued his criticism of the Grigson and the Colts’ front office by listing the numerous bad moves the Colts have made in the past four years. Grigson orchestrated all of these moves in one way or another.

"“They went in free agency they got LaRon Landry and got rid of Antoine Bethea who is a Pro Bowler; that was a swing and a miss. They had Arthur Jones who hasn’t found his way in there yet. You still have Trent Cole, who is now out, who hadn’t given them anything last year. You went and got his teammate Todd Herremans from Philly, also who didn’t give them anything. So they missed on so many guys and also picks in the draft. You have Bjoern Werner who is now out of the league. Khaled Holmes who was playing center from USC — he came and left. There were so many decisions that they made in there and they just missed. And don’t forget the Trent Richardson trade. They got rid of a first-round pick to bring in Trent Richardson who ended up not doing anything for them …”"

Wayne used great examples to point out Grigson’s and the front office’s shortcomings with player personnel decisions, and these are just the highlights. There are smaller deals the Colts have whiffed on (i.e. signing Nate Irving and trading Sio Moore).

It is always interesting when former players criticize their beloved franchise. Some people hate it, and other people like it. This scenario is no different.

Some fans probably agree with Wayne’s criticism of the Colts while others passionately disagree. In fact, a player Wayne listed as one of Grigson’s failures fired back on Facebook.

Cole earned 32 tackles and three sacks in 14 games in 2015 after joining the Colts on a two-year, $14 million contract. He went on injury reserve in Week 4 due to back troubles and only had three tackles in three games this season.

To be fair, the Colts did use Cole in a limited role, and he had a low snap count as a result. However, the Colts brought him in to be a pass rusher, and he has not delivered. So while Cole has a valid point, Wayne’s criticism of him is justified.

Absent from Wayne’s response is any mention of head coach Chuck Pagano. He has failed to develop players and struggles with in-game management situations.

It is very likely Wayne does not blame Pagano for two reasons. First, the two have known each other since their days at the University of Miami. Second, Wayne probably believes it is hard for Pagano to do anything right when Grigson keeps screwing up personnel moves.

Next: Indianapolis Colts vs Chicago Bears NFL Week 5 Preview

Overall, the Colts have shown little evidence they can resolve their problems any time soon. The result of their game against Chicago Bears this weekend could have drastic implications on the rest of the team’s season.