Steady linebacker Wayne has become a playmaker
Tuesday, December 02, 2003
NJ.com
Tuesday, December 02, 2003
By JOHN NALBONE
Staff Writer
"Those guys in Philly don't know what they're doing. Those guys are crazy." - an NFL personnel executive, as quoted in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, after the Eagles signed free-agent linebacker Nate Wayne to a four-year, $13.2 million contract in March that included a $4 million signing bonus.
PHILADELPHIA - At the rate Nate Wayne is making plays for an Eagles' defense that continues to defy all statistical logic, $13 million and change is beginning to look like a bargain for a guy cut loose by the Green Bay Packers largely because of the plays he didn't make.
For the fourth consecutive week in Sunday's 25-16 victory over Carolina at Ericsson Stadium, Wayne had a hand in at least one key play during a pivotal point in the game. His clutch sack and forced fumble of Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme in the fourth quarter allowed Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb to find James Thrash for a 10-yard touchdown two plays later, a score which pushed the Eagles' lead from 16-10 to a decidedly more comfortable 22-10.
In the 17-14 victory over Green Bay Nov. 10 at Lambeau Field, Wayne intercepted Brett Favre in Eagles' territory and brought it back 33 yards. The Eagles didn't score, but that pick likely kept the Packers from extending a 7-0 lead.
With the Giants sitting pretty with a first-and-goal from the Eagles' 1 Nov. 16 at Lincoln Financial Field, Wayne stood up running back Dorsey Levens on the first play of that game's momentum-turning goal-line stand in the second quarter.
Against New Orleans the following Sunday, Wayne's sack and forced fumble of Aaron Brooks at the Eagles' 43 set up a Correll Buckhalter touchdown minutes later - a turning point of the Eagles' sixth straight victory.
"It seems like Nate is always making big plays and is always around the ball," says fellow linebacker Mark Simoneau, who credited Wayne for helping him sack and force Kerry Collins to fumble in the red zone with eight minutes left in the Eagles' improbable win at Giants Stadium Oct. 19.
Wayne has started all 12 games, is second behind Simoneau in both total tackles and solo tackles, leads the team with three forced fumbles and has three sacks and an interception. But keep it quiet.
Filling big shoes after the departure of Shawn Barber to Kansas City, Wayne almost prefers to be ignored. Not just by NFL offensive coordinators on Sunday, but also when it comes to his contributions to an Eagles' defense that continues to give up big yardage, especially on the ground, but one which clearly thrives in the red zone and has a knack for forcing turnovers.
"We're not looking for anybody to get credit," Wayne said. "As long as we win, that's all that matters. We've done a great job of pulling together as a group and supporting one another. We're gelling, and I'm just more comfortable with the defense. I'm not sitting back anymore. I can just fly around and be around the ball."
The steady linebacker play of Simoneau, Wayne and Carlos Emmons has served as the anchor while injuries tore through both the defensive line and secondary. Simoneau may well be on his way to the Pro Bowl, while Wayne and Emmons have quietly put together solid seasons.
The $4.53 million Wayne will earn this season is more than any other player on the defense, while his average yearly salary of $3.3 million ranks behind only McNabb, tackles Jon Runyan and Tra Thomas, and cornerbacks Bobby Taylor and Troy Vincent. Each of those five players was in the Pro Bowl last year.
While Wayne may not get to Honolulu this season, the biggest reward of all is still on the mainland. Super Bowl XXXVIII in Houston, Texas.
"This season has been fun from the start. Even when we were 0-2," Wayne said. "Every game has been a turning point. Now, it's December. In November and December, every game is a playoff game. I just know when my number is called I'm confident I can make plays."
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