The Indianapolis Colts are hosting the Oakland Raiders this weekend in the season opener. For wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey it is a chance to make his former team pay. The Raiders released Heyward-Bey to avoid paying him $7.7 million in salary. He signed with the Indianapolis Colts for $3 million and one year.
The Colts are thrilled with their investment so far.
“He’s been outstanding from the first day he walked in the building until this morning’s walk-through,” head coach Chuck Pagano said. “He’s been unbelievable. He’s an extremely hard worker who did not miss a day of our offseason program.
“I’d be shocked if he doesn’t have an outstanding season.”
“He’s a really awesome teammate. A tireless worker. It’s been very impressive,” quarterback Andrew Luck said on a conference call. “I think he’s going to do great things for us this season.”
In the preseason Heyward-Bey caught 7 passes for 75 yards. He was targeted 9 times and caught just about everything thrown his way. In Oakland he had 140 catches for 2,071 yard and 11 touchdowns.