84 - Mike Wallace, WR

[phillyesq]

Anybody know anything about him?

[steelerkeylargo]

Boy I really wanted Duke Robinson here or if a Wr Louis Murphy!!! Ugh

[Eddie Spaghetti]

he's fast and can return kicks.

thats all i got.

[anjang86]

Second fastest 40 time in the combine (not sure what the number was). Good deep threat, good return man, lacks an intermediate game. Played at the senior bowl but don't really know if he made any sort of noticeable impact.

[frankthetank1]

nope i know nothing about him. i would have perferred tate from unc even if he likes to get high. him and tone would have gotten along well with each other

[Snatch98]

Analysis from NFL.com

Positives: Looks the part. Athletic build with room for additional mass. Rare straight-line speed. Eats up the cushion quickly and can blow by the defender. Smooth acceleration and has a late burst to pull away if being challenged. Can track the ball over his shoulder. Developing into a more reliable route-runner and pass-catcher. Has the foot quickness and balance to be a good route-runner and can sink his hips. Generally uses his hands to make the reception, though he still allows too many into his pads. Has some lateral agility to make defenders miss. Helped himself with a solid week of practice at the Senior Bowl.

Negatives: Still a work in progress as a route-runner. Learning to sink his hips and explode out of his cuts, as he has to gather himself too much. Struggles a bit against press coverage. Has to use his hands better to gain a quick release. Lets too many passes into his pads, resulting in some ugly drops. Doesn't consistently show the vision and elusiveness in the open field to truly capitalize on his pure speed. Needs an open lane as a returner to break off a big gain.

Copyright NFLDraftScout.com, distributed by The Sports Xchange.

I also remember Mayock talking about him at the Combine and having good things to say. He seems to have all the tools and needs some coaching to flourish. I like the pick.

Mayock just said "one of the fastest human beings I've ever timed"

[100$handshake]

ESPN is too busy slurping on the Cheatriots and Giants picks.

[steelers43]

Anybody know anything about him?

another great pick.

Fastest guy on the team the minute he steps into the lockerroom.

Faster than Santonio, similar hands, just not as developed. Better special team return man than Holmes. Instantly contributes.

[Snatch98]

ESPN is too busy slurping on the Cheatriots and Giants picks.


They just talked about him on NFL network. And Frankthetank Tate went the pick before to the Patriots.

[steelsnis]

Mike Mayock just said he's the fastest human being he's ever clocked. Had him at 4.28 on his stopwatch. Also said he instantly upgrades the speed and athleticism of the Steelers.

[frankthetank1]

ESPN is too busy slurping on the Cheatriots and Giants picks.

i think the pats have had an awful draft. why take brace they dont need a nt? and patrick chung that high? at least espn still thinks bellycheat is a genius because no one else does. wallace is 6 feet 180 so he isnt a small wr. wtf why not duke?

[Snatch98]

ESPN is too busy slurping on the Cheatriots and Giants picks.

i think the pats have had an awful draft. why take brace they dont need a nt? and patrick chung that high? at least espn still thinks bellycheat is a genius because no one else does. wallace is 6 feet 180 so he isnt a small wr. wtf why not duke?


Probably because he or Meredith can be had with our last pick in the 3rd.

[anjang86]

Even in his college days, Ben has always severly underthrown WRs that go deep. I'm a little worried about this pick just for that reason. The Steelers need to stop trying out new WRs in the deep threat role. What they need to do is talk to Ben and let him know to pull the trigger earlier instead of waiting for a WR to get obvious separation.

[phillyesq]

Here is what ESPN says about him in detail:


Scouts Inc. Player Evaluations
ProfileNewsESPN LocalBlog NetworkGrading Scale ConversationESPNDB
Overall Football Traits
Production 3 2004: Wallace signs with Oregon State but does not enroll or play football. 2005: Wallace enrolls at Mississippi 2005 and appears in 10 games that year. He returns four kickoffs for a total of 48 yards. 2006-'08: Wallace starts 28 of the 37 games he appears in catching a total of 101 passes for a total of 1,910 yards and 15 touchdowns. He carries the ball 11 times for a total of 97 yards and returns 56 kickoffs for a total of 1,343 yards and two touchdowns.
Height-Weight-Speed 2 Adequate height, adequate bulk and excellent speed.
Durability 1 Durability is not a concern to our knowledge.
Character 2 Majoring in African American Studies. There have been no off-the-field incidents to our knowledge.
Wide Receiver specific Traits
Separation Skills 3 Explodes off the ball and eats up cushions. Tempos routes well but a bit high coming out of cuts and needs to transition out of breaks better. Showed better-than-expected upper body strength at the combine but doesn't use hands well on film and going to have problems getting a clean release working against press coverage. Can get pushed around by bigger corners.
Ball Skills 3 Shows sound body control. Does a nice job of positioning body between defender and ball. Tracks the deep ball extremely well. However, lets the ball get to frame on occasion and can drop passes that should catch.
Vertical Speed 2 Goes from 0-60 mph extremely quickly and can run by most corners.
Run After Catch 3 Slippery open-field runner that can make defenders miss and flashes breakaway speed. However doesn't show great vision and won't break many tackles.
Competitiveness and Toughness 4 Does a nice job of going up and fighting for the ball. Willing to attack the middle of the field. However, needs to develop a mean streak. Effort as a run blocker is inconsistent.
Trait Scale
1 = Exceptional 2 = Above average 3 = Average 4 = Below average 5 = Marginal
INSIDE NFL

[feelthesteel]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gI10HFljUew


i'll take it. fast dude kr too

[frankthetank1]

ESPN is too busy slurping on the Cheatriots and Giants picks.


They just talked about him on NFL network. And Frankthetank Tate went the pick before to the Patriots.

oh i know i meant i wish he was available. i would have rather had tate than wallace, but i didnt know wallace can return play as a return man. that makes a big difference

[Flasteel]

I can't find any punt return stats. Please tell me we didn't take a guy who has no experience returning punts. My three areas of highest need going in were the interior offensive line, defensive end and a return specialist, so I'm very happy. But punt return is a more glaring need than kick return with Mewelde Moore on the roster. If Wallace isn't that guy, I think this is a pretty bad pick.

[Steel Life]

Height: 6-03/8 | Weight: 199 | 40-Time: 4.33
Strengths:
Outstanding speed...Excellent athlete...Dangerous vertical threat...Is quick and agile in space...Solid ball skills...Adequate height and bulk...Is tougher than he's given credit for...Also a terrific return man.

Weaknesses:
Average instincts and awareness...Not a great route runner...Doesn't have natural hands and drops some balls...Gives okay effort but isn't much of a blocker..Will struggle to beat the jam...Average production.

Notes:
First name is actually "Burnell"...A three-year starter in the SEC for the Rebels...Holds the Ole Miss records for single-game, season and career kickoff return yardage and ranks second all-time in all-purpose yardage...Led the SEC in yards per reception in both 2007 and 2008...Doesn't profile as a starter at the next level but he will keep defenses honest with his deep speed and contribute on special teams.

[Snatch98]

Even in his college days, Ben has always severly underthrown WRs that go deep. I'm a little worried about this pick just for that reason. The Steelers need to stop trying out new WRs in the deep threat role. What they need to do is talk to Ben and let him know to pull the trigger earlier instead of waiting for a WR to get obvious separation.


If you're watching the draft coverage they said he'll likely be used in the slot like a Wes Welker type and no doubt they snagged him up as a developmental guy behind Ward/Holmes/Sweed and will use him to return punts/kicks immediately.

[steelers43]

I can't find any punt return stats. Please tell me we didn't take a guy who has no experience returning punts. My three areas of highest need going in were the interior offensive line, defensive end and a return specialist, so I'm very happy. But punt return is a more glaring need than kick return with Mewelde Moore on the roster. If Wallace isn't that guy, I think this is a pretty bad pick.

Moore can return punts. IIRC, he led the league a few years ago in punt returns.

[anjang86]

Even in his college days, Ben has always severly underthrown WRs that go deep. I'm a little worried about this pick just for that reason. The Steelers need to stop trying out new WRs in the deep threat role. What they need to do is talk to Ben and let him know to pull the trigger earlier instead of waiting for a WR to get obvious separation.


If you're watching the draft coverage they said he'll likely be used in the slot like a Wes Welker type and no doubt they snagged him up as a developmental guy behind Ward/Holmes/Sweed and will use him to return punts/kicks immediately.

Maybe. But I think Holmes is a better option if you want to run Wes Welker plays. I still like the pick though. We need somebody athletic on the offense.

[Steel Life]

MIKE WALLACE STATS Receiving
Statistics No Yds Avg TD
2008 39 784 20.1 7
2007 38 716 18.8 6
2006 24 410 17.1 2
Career 101 1,910 18.9 15

[Mister Pittsburgh]

Even in his college days, Ben has always severly underthrown WRs that go deep. I'm a little worried about this pick just for that reason. The Steelers need to stop trying out new WRs in the deep threat role. What they need to do is talk to Ben and let him know to pull the trigger earlier instead of waiting for a WR to get obvious separation.

I think you are looking at it wrong. Holmes isn't effective because he can burn people deep. He is effective because he can catch the quick slant, make one guy miss, and take it for 6. He can catch the curl, make one guy miss, and take it for 6. Plus, he can burn people and catch the deep ball. Good pick by the Steelers since he can also return punts/kicks.

[Flasteel]

I can't find any punt return stats. Please tell me we didn't take a guy who has no experience returning punts. My three areas of highest need going in were the interior offensive line, defensive end and a return specialist, so I'm very happy. But punt return is a more glaring need than kick return with Mewelde Moore on the roster. If Wallace isn't that guy, I think this is a pretty bad pick.

Moore can return punts. IIRC, he led the league a few years ago in punt returns.

I believe you do remember correctly 43 and that's one of the reasons I was excited to get him (Moore) last year. That said, he couldn't separate himself for us and we even went with Holmes for a spark in that area.

I was just really hoping for an electric punt return guy and he's never even sniffed a return...disappointing from that perspective. What happened to that midget from Arizona?

[frankthetank1]

has he ever returned kicks at least? i cant find any punt return or kick stats for him

[steelers43]

I can't find any punt return stats. Please tell me we didn't take a guy who has no experience returning punts. My three areas of highest need going in were the interior offensive line, defensive end and a return specialist, so I'm very happy. But punt return is a more glaring need than kick return with Mewelde Moore on the roster. If Wallace isn't that guy, I think this is a pretty bad pick.

Moore can return punts. IIRC, he led the league a few years ago in punt returns.

I believe you do remember correctly 43 and that's one of the reasons I was excited to get him (Moore) last year. That said, he couldn't separate himself for us and we even went with Holmes for a spark in that area.

I was just really hoping for an electric punt return guy and he's never even sniffed a return...disappointing from that perspective. What happened to that midget from Arizona?


Tomlin needs to stop bouncing players around. It's his biggest downfall imo. He moves the OL around like ping pong balls, returners, corners, etc. You have to let them develop and get in rhythm, especially on the OL, secondary and returning.

Moore will be fine or Wallace. Just make a freaking decision and stick with it.

[phillyesq]

I can't find any punt return stats. Please tell me we didn't take a guy who has no experience returning punts. My three areas of highest need going in were the interior offensive line, defensive end and a return specialist, so I'm very happy. But punt return is a more glaring need than kick return with Mewelde Moore on the roster. If Wallace isn't that guy, I think this is a pretty bad pick.

Moore can return punts. IIRC, he led the league a few years ago in punt returns.

I believe you do remember correctly 43 and that's one of the reasons I was excited to get him (Moore) last year. That said, he couldn't separate himself for us and we even went with Holmes for a spark in that area.

I was just really hoping for an electric punt return guy and he's never even sniffed a return...disappointing from that perspective. What happened to that midget from Arizona?

I think there is a chance that the guy from AZ could be available in the fifth. He seems like he could be a decent fit as a possession/slot guy, and in the late 5th, I wouldn't be opposed to the Steelers taking a shot on another WR with return ability.

I think that Wallace will likely return kicks from day one. I'm not sure about him as a punt returner, but I've very comfortable with Moore returning kicks.

[Steel Life]

Courtesy: University of Mississippi
Release: 01/29/2009

CAREER: Holds Ole Miss records for single-game, season and career kickoff return yards ... Ranks second all-time in all-purpose yardage ... Stand third all-time at Ole Miss in TD receptions and fifth in receiving yards ... Recorded seven career 100-yard receiving games, second-most by a Rebel ... Topped the SEC in yards per reception in each of his final two seasons ... Competed in the 2009 Under Armour Senior Bowl and totaled two catches for 41 yards and a TD and returned one kickoff 21 yards ... 2008: Named second team All-SEC as both a wide receiver and kick returner by Phil Steele ... Established Ole Miss single-season records for all-purpose yards (1,737) and kickoff return yards (861) ... Equaled the Rebel record for 100-yard receiving games with four ... Piled up the fifth-most receiving yards in school history (784) ... Led the SEC and ranked third in the NCAA (among top 100 WRs) in yards per catch (20.1) ... Led team and was sixth in the SEC in receiving yards per game (60.3) ... Finished third in the SEC in kickoff return average (24.6)

[frankthetank1]

wow thats very impressive!!!! i like that pick a lot :Cheers

[steelerkeylargo]

I dont mind the pick....I just think Louis Murphy or Juaquin Iglesias (who I think plays alot like Hines) would have been better choices. :2c

[feltdizz]

I can't find any punt return stats. Please tell me we didn't take a guy who has no experience returning punts. My three areas of highest need going in were the interior offensive line, defensive end and a return specialist, so I'm very happy. But punt return is a more glaring need than kick return with Mewelde Moore on the roster. If Wallace isn't that guy, I think this is a pretty bad pick.

Moore can return punts. IIRC, he led the league a few years ago in punt returns.

I believe you do remember correctly 43 and that's one of the reasons I was excited to get him (Moore) last year. That said, he couldn't separate himself for us and we even went with Holmes for a spark in that area.

I was just really hoping for an electric punt return guy and he's never even sniffed a return...disappointing from that perspective. What happened to that midget from Arizona?


Tomlin needs to stop bouncing players around. It's his biggest downfall imo. He moves the OL around like ping pong balls, returners, corners, etc. You have to let them develop and get in rhythm, especially on the OL, secondary and returning.

Moore will be fine or Wallace. Just make a freaking decision and stick with it.

I can't really say Tomlin bouncing guys around is a bad thing since we just won a SB....

People said Holmes at PR was a bad thing.. but look how it helped us in the playoffs...

I think Tomlin is smart enough to know that in this NFL... you have to be flexible.

[pittpete]

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/559250

[flippy]

Kid sounds like Nate Washington II

[Mel Blount's G]

I love this pick if he can be a return man as a rookie. Genius pick if thats the case

[phillyesq]

Kid sounds like Nate Washington II

That comparison makes a lot of sense, except this guy also has return ability.

[RuthlessBurgher]

What is the difference between Wallace, taken in the third round, and Darrius Heyward-Bey, who was taken 7th overall?

[frankthetank1]

What is the difference between Wallace, taken in the third round, and Darrius Heyward-Bey, who was taken 7th overall?

i dont think there is much difference. i have seen a lot of bey over the years and i have never been too impressed. i thought he was a bit of a reach late in the first round nevermind the 7th overall pick

[RuthlessBurgher]

What is the difference between Wallace, taken in the third round, and Darrius Heyward-Bey, who was taken 7th overall?

i dont think there is much difference. i have seen a lot of bey over the years and i have never been too impressed. i thought he was a bit of a reach late in the first round nevermind the 7th overall pick

That is what I thought as well. And we get Wallace 77 picks after Bey. Top 7 money vs. 3rd round money too.

[flippy]

What is the difference between Wallace, taken in the third round, and Darrius Heyward-Bey, who was taken 7th overall?


good call

[Mister Pittsburgh]

http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d80f354dd

[NorthCoast]

Kid sounds like Nate Washington II

Spot on! Tomlin said during a draft interview that he was Nate's replacement, "a guy who can stretch the field for us".

[Mister Pittsburgh]

Funny to dig into the archives. These are comments from when we drafted Wallace.

[flippy]

Funny to dig into the archives. These are comments from when we drafted Wallace.

Now we know his weakness was he was a real douche when it comes to his money. Not that I fault him personally for that. Just sux for our team.

[DukieBoy]

And Mike Wallace makes himself known in twitter-world, now.

[hawaiiansteel]

And Mike Wallace makes himself known in twitter-world, now.

Mike Wallace Reacts To Jason Collins Coming Out As Gay, Tweets 'I Just Don't Understand It'

The Huffington Post | By Chris Greenberg
Posted: 04/29/2013
http://i.huffpost.com/gen/1111071/thumbs/r-MIKE-WALLACE-large570.jpg?6

The list of professional athletes expressing their support for Jason Collins' decision to come out as gay included Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, Mardy Fish and Chris Kluwe.

Mike Wallace is not on that list.

Unlike some of his more enlightened peers who offered encouragement and applauded Collins, the 26-year-old Miami Dolphins wide receiver sent out a pair of tweets sharing his confusion regarding homosexuality on Monday.

"I'm not bashing anybody don't have anything against anyone I just don't understand it," Wallace tweeted, via NFL.com. "All these beautiful women in the world and guys wanna mess with other guys SMH..."

Wallace would soon delete the tweets but they had already been retweeted many times.

Not long after deleting the tweets, Wallace tweeted again, claiming he never "said anything was right or wrong" and sort-of apologized.

While Wallace's remarks were in the minority on Monday, they do reveal some of the attitudes facing closeted athletes considering coming out.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/29/mike-wallace-tweets-jason-collins-gay_n_3179633.html

[Sugar]

Mike Wallace Reacts To Jason Collins Coming Out As Gay, Tweets 'I Just Don't Understand It'

The Huffington Post | By Chris Greenberg
Posted: 04/29/2013
http://i.huffpost.com/gen/1111071/thumbs/r-MIKE-WALLACE-large570.jpg?6

The list of professional athletes expressing their support for Jason Collins' decision to come out as gay included Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, Mardy Fish and Chris Kluwe.

Mike Wallace is not on that list.

Unlike some of his more enlightened peers who offered encouragement and applauded Collins, the 26-year-old Miami Dolphins wide receiver sent out a pair of tweets sharing his confusion regarding homosexuality on Monday.

"I'm not bashing anybody don't have anything against anyone I just don't understand it," Wallace tweeted, via NFL.com. "All these beautiful women in the world and guys wanna mess with other guys SMH..."

Wallace would soon delete the tweets but they had already been retweeted many times.

Not long after deleting the tweets, Wallace tweeted again, claiming he never "said anything was right or wrong" and sort-of apologized.

While Wallace's remarks were in the minority on Monday, they do reveal some of the attitudes facing closeted athletes considering coming out.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/29/mike-wallace-tweets-jason-collins-gay_n_3179633.html

So, applauding that particular lifestyle makes one "enlightened." Whatever... :rolleyes:

[DukieBoy]

Well, The Onion is all over it, too.

[flippy]

Wally was probably just trying to get free Chick-Fil-A sammiches or something?

Glad his immaturity is gone.

[SidSmythe]

HaHa!! He's an idiot.

[Sugar]

HaHa!! He's an idiot.

OK, based on what??

[DukieBoy]

Wally was probably just trying to get free Chick-Fil-A sammiches or something?

Glad his immaturity is gone.

Made me laugh out loud, Flip. Thanks. My wife thinks I'm manic now. :D

[Djfan]

Nice find, MP.

Fun to see some of those names. Key Largo was a pretty active poster. So was snatch. I really miss Flippy.

[Mister Pittsburgh]

Glad he is a Dolphin.
http://ftw.usatoday.com/2013/04/dolphins-wideout-mike-wallace-doesnt-understand-why-jason-collins-is-gay/

[phillyesq]

Look at the ignorant guy who started the thread - didn't even know who Mike Wallace was. :D

[hawaiiansteel]

Ryan Tannehill: Mike Wallace is the fastest guy I’ve thrown to

Posted by Michael David Smith on May 12, 2013

http://nbcprofootballtalk.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/350x-712-e1351902890334.jpg?w=208

Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill has been working with new Miami receiver Mike Wallace, and he likes what he sees.

“Everything I heard about him coming in has proved to be true – he’s as advertised,” Tannehill told the Miami Herald. “He’s the fastest guy I’ve ever thrown to. It’s exciting.”

Tannehill said that when they first started working together, Tannehill threw Wallace a few passes and then suggested that Wallace should slow down to half speed while they got their timing right. Wallace replied, “I am going half speed.”

In addition to working with Wallace, Tannehill has been studying tape of his own rookie season and seeing a lot of areas where he can get better.

“There were a lot of throws where my feet were not set, fundamentally not sound, and the ball isn’t as accurate as you want it to be,” he said. “You look at the reasons for that and I hope to correct it, so it’s not an issue going forward.”

With that offseason work and the arrival of Wallace, Tannehill might be able to fulfill the Dolphins’ expectations that he’ll be the most improved quarterback in the NFL.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/05/12/ryan-tannehill-mike-wallace-is-the-fastest-guy-ive-thrown-to/

[Oviedo]

Ryan Tannehill: Mike Wallace is the fastest guy I’ve thrown to

Posted by Michael David Smith on May 12, 2013

http://nbcprofootballtalk.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/350x-712-e1351902890334.jpg?w=208

With that offseason work and the arrival of Wallace, Tannehill might be able to fulfill the Dolphins’ expectations that he’ll be the most improved quarterback in the NFL.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/05/12/ryan-tannehill-mike-wallace-is-the-fastest-guy-ive-thrown-to/

Until Wallace "loses focus"

[Slapstick]

Until Wallace "loses focus"

Or, he gets shut down by the double team and Brian Hartline catches all those passes...

[Mister Pittsburgh]

It's nice that he is the fastest you have thrown to. He is also one of the softest so that time you trust him and throw the ball down the field to him expecting him to actually get a little physical, don't be too disappointed when he gets throw to the side like a 4 year old girl or when he just stands and watches the defender pick your pass of making no attempt to bat it away. Basically, unless you can throw it deep enough, and have enough field for him to burn the CB and run under it, he is pretty worthless to your offense. It's no coincidence that once you were inside the redzone he was worthless.

[feltdizz]

I agree Mister P...

Too often Wallace is so concerned with winning a footrace he forgets to adjust tot he football.

[flippy]

It's nice that he is the fastest you have thrown to. He is also one of the softest so that time you trust him and throw the ball down the field to him expecting him to actually get a little physical, don't be too disappointed when he gets throw to the side like a 4 year old girl or when he just stands and watches the defender pick your pass of making no attempt to bat it away. Basically, unless you can throw it deep enough, and have enough field for him to burn the CB and run under it, he is pretty worthless to your offense. It's no coincidence that once you were inside the redzone he was worthless.

Just hit him in the breadbasket and everything will be fine. I heard Wally covers his belly in Stickem. Might be hard to conceal in the Dolphins' white jerseys.