By By Richard Dark / EMG staff writer
Sept. 16, 2002
NEW ORLEANS Spend a few moments around Nate Wayne and you'll quickly figure out this ex-police officer is a no-nonsense type of guy. That may explain his insistence on not speaking word one to either the media or his teammates until he is completely dressed, tied necktie and all.
The former Noxubee County and Ole Miss defensive stalwart even admonished a horde of TV reporters who were clogged up in front his locker trying to get at another player. "I asked ya'll nicely to move. Don't make me go through everybody. You know I can."
Yes, we do. Because he has been creating pure carnage ever since he came to the Packers three years ago. The cop has had to endure plenty of trials in his five seasons in the league since he left Oxford. He has had to fight his fair share of injuries.
His first two years with the Denver Broncos were largely unproductive and an overseas stint with the Barcelona Dragons proved unfulfilling, but Wayne's career has since been resurrected, coming over with Packers defensive coordinator Ed Donatell in the 2000 preseason.
Coming off his second straight 100-tackle season, and now judging his current output, that certainly seems accurate.
Last week, he led the team with 10 tackles and a pass deflection in the season opener. Against the Saints Sunday, he was second on the team in total stops with eight, only to Starkville native Antuan Edwards' nine. But, as anyone who knows Wayne would tell you, stats don't carry much weight with him, wins do.
But ask Wayne about those near and dear to him, and the general tone lightens a bit. "I have quite a few friends and family that came down to see me play," he said, finally breaking a smile. "I gave out 42 tickets this week. But it wasn't all about that," Wayne said of coming back to the area. "I wanted us to get the win, that's important. You do want to get a win in front of your loved ones."
Two of those tickets went to the Macon native's high school coach T. Thomas.
Wayne also had words of compliment for his ex-college teammate Deuce McAllister, that is after the two engaged in some friendly trash-talk during their collisions on the field.
And what of Nate's continuously growing upside? His position coach may have put it best earlier in the year.
Considering where he is now, that's a downright scary proposition.
Here's betting they are bursting.