Wayne making Colts contract decision look brilliant

"It was gut-wrenching to let Edge go," Polian said. "But we felt we made the right decisions for our football team."

One other factor impacted the decision, which is that receivers take time to develop, far more than a rookie runner. Wayne is proof of that.

In his first two seasons, Wayne caught 27 and 49 passes. In seasons three through five he caught 68, 77 and 83 passes, developing into a real star opposite Harrison.

"This is an offense that you really have to learn to play in," Colts coach Tony Dungy said. "It took Reggie a couple of years. You have to know what you're doing against certain looks, certain defenses, what routes that have to be run. It took Reggie a while to understand the offense. But he was diligent in making it happen. It's not easy."

Harrison is on his way to the Hall of Fame. He is still among the best in football, and draws the top coverage every week. Last Sunday, Champ Bailey spent the day on Harrison, which left Wayne to abuse Darrent Williams, the other corner.

But the separation between Harrison and Wayne is growing smaller. The Colts now feel they have two Pro Bowl receivers, and the truth is Wayne probably should have gone to Hawaii last season.

"I think everybody focuses on Marvin because he's been so consistent for so long," Dungy said. "He's the Pro Bowl guy and most people think you can't have two Pro Bowl receivers. We played against Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce when I was in Tampa and they were both Pro Bowl guys. These two are every bit as good. I think you can have two Pro Bowl receivers."

Harrison leads the Colts with 44 catches, but he trails Wayne in yards (642-553) and touchdowns (five to three).

A big part of Wayne's emergence is the growth of his relationship with Peyton Manning. Harrison and Manning have a special feel of all the great quarterback-receiver combos. Now Manning and Wayne do as well.

"It's that and he's obviously learned to play the position well," Polian said. "He's done a great job of developing himself and conditioning himself to be a great player. There's no question he's an elite player."

And in the Colts offense, keeping him over James was clearly the right thing to do. Reggie Wayne's fast start is all the proof the Colts or anyone else should need of that.