Vincent Jackson: Impact on Wallace

[phillyesq]

According to PFT, the Bears, Bucs and Redskins are all prepared to break the bank for Vincent Jackson. I couldn't help but think that this may impact the Steelers ability to keep Wallace.

I can't imagine the Bucs giving up #5, and the Redskins are absolutely not giving up #2 for Wallace. Would the Bears give up #19 if they strike out on Jackson? And, if so, would you want #19 overall for Wallace?

I'm in favor of keeping Wallace, but most of that consideration has been based on potentially getting a very late first round pick. From #19, I think the Steelers have a very good chance of getting a premium lineman, either from 19 or moving up a few slots. They could then use #24 in a variety of ways -- Hightower, trade down and take a NT, trade down and stockpile future picks, etc.

Thoughts?

[Oviedo]

i would take the #19 pick in a nonosecond!!!!! Having two Round 1 picks would give us options we hsaven't seen in decades and would allow us to reinvent the roster effected by the recent cuts.

[squidkid]

gimme any 1st round pick for him and his huge salary demands

[Chadman]

"Thoughts?"

Fans seem to think Wallace is easily replaced. That without Mendenhall, Ward & Wallace that the Steelers will be able to produce an offense as effective, if not more-so with a small 6th round WR, an oft-injured 3rd round WR & an undrafted RB.

Chadman isn't convinced- even with 'the 19th pick'.

In the end- Chadman expects that wallace will wear Black & Gold despite the wishes of many fans.

[steelblood]

I won't be thrilled if Wallace is not retained. But, I also do not like wrapping up all that money in a frail, duck footed receiver. I worry he will be injured. These pure speed guys often have short careers.

[Chucktownsteeler]

I won't lose ant sleep if we get a #1 for Wallace. I think he is a great player, but another #1 could be used to trade down, garner some picks from rounds #2 - #4 and shore up both lines for the next 7 to 9 years. Sanders, Brown, Crotchery, and Miller can get the job done with a little Batch out of the backfield.

C-town

[williar]

With Wallace, I think we have a great receiving core up there with GB and NYG (with Manningham). Without Wallace, I think our receiving core is average. I don't want an average receiving core. I am quite surprised at how quick some people want to ship out an exciting, proven playmaker on the rise to draft some unknown player that your probably going to have to wait 2 to 4 years for them to develop and pay any dividends. By that time they will be ready to move on.

[Chadman]

With Wallace, I think we have a great receiving core up there with GB and NYG (with Manningham). Without Wallace, I think our receiving core is average. I don't want an average receiving core. I am quite surprised at how quick some people want to ship out an exciting, proven playmaker on the rise to draft some unknown player that your probably going to have to wait 2 to 4 years for them to develop and pay any dividends. By that time they will be ready to move on.

Completely agree

[ikestops85]

I'm not sure why so many are so cavalier about the possibility of Mike Wallace leaving. We haven't had a big play guy like Wallace since the days of Swann and Stallworth. There are a lot of very fast wide receivers in this league but the only one who comes close to having the same effect as MW is maybe DeSean Jackson and he is a head case. Just because a guy is fast doens't mean he can make plays. Look at Chad Jackson, a guy I wanted instead of Santonio , who was extremely fast but isn't even in football anymore. I think Willie Reid was supposed to be a speedster ... what happened to him?

Wallace has the football smarts to use his speed to get open. He knows how to play angles to give Ben a better target. He has pretty good hands and isn't afraid to go over the middle. Can he improve? Certainly, but he is still young and is still learning. I'd love to see him get more aggressive going to the ball when it's in the air. He will draw many more pass interferences when he learns how to do that. He is also one of the hardest workers on the team. The guy has a shot at being a great player and I don't want to lose him.

[Oviedo]

Many continue to miss the point of many on the Wallace subject. I have heard no one say they WANT Mike Wallace to leave. This discussion falls into two camps:

1. Those who think that the Steelers will resign Wallace, who many believe will want Top 5 WR money to the tune of $7-8M per year.
2. Those who don't think the Steelers will pay $7-8M per year on a WR and after next year we would lose Wallace for nothing but a comp pick in 2014.

Those in "1" are optimistic that the Steelers will do something they have never done for a WR because Wallace is such unique talent. Those in "2" don't think that they will and that getting a #1 to replace Wallace this year is far better than a comp pick in 2014. I think, and include me in this group, that those in "2" do want Wallace to stay but also think it is unlikely that if he does the Steelers will also be able to keep Antonio Brown who most in "2" believe is already a more complete player that Wallace. Because of his return capabilities in addition to his receiving capabilities, one could argue that Brown is actually more valauable.

I think that this really gets down to who do you think brings more total value on game day...Wallace or Brown. No one however has ever said they hope Wallace leaves.

[ikestops85]

Many continue to miss the point of many on the Wallace subject. I have heard no one say they WANT Mike Wallace to leave. This discussion falls into two camps:1. Those who think that the Steelers will resign Wallace, who many believe will want Top 5 WR money to the tune of $7-8M per year.2. Those who don't think the Steelers will pay $7-8M per year on a WR and after next year we would lose Wallace for nothing but a comp pick in 2014.Those in "1" are optimistic that the Steelers will do something they have never done for a WR because Wallace is such unique talent. Those in "2" don't think that they will and that getting a #1 to replace Wallace this year is far better than a comp pick in 2014. I think, and include me in this group, that those in "2" do want Wallace to stay but also think it is unlikely that if he does the Steelers will also be able to keep Antonio Brown who most in "2" believe is already a more complete player that Wallace. Because of his return capabilities in addition to his receiving capabilities, one could argue that Brown is actually more valauable.I think that this really gets down to who do you think brings more total value on game day...Wallace or Brown. No one however has ever said they hope Wallace leaves.

I think you are wrong about that. Many have said they would rather have the extra first rounder instead of Mike Wallace. If my boring conference call continues to drone on I will look for some examples.

[Chadman]

Conversely Ovi, the "1" group has been trying to point out that Brown only achieved his success once Wallace started drawing the extra coverage, opening up the field. Without Wallace, Brown isn't as effective as his 2011 form. In fact- no Steeler WR will be until they can find another way to replace a Mike Wallace.

Is Wallace worth the money, as an individual player? Probably not. But when you combine his ability to open the field for the other guys to the abilities of the other WR's on the roster, he's worth the money.

Chadman has seen the argument that Wallace isn't "in Fitz/Calvin Johnson/Andre Johnson" class. Yet his stats will show that he has been just as effective in his first 3 years- more so in fact- than nearly all your supposed "Top 5" WR's. Is he as complete? No, not at all.

But he's just as dangerous.

[Slapstick]

If Antonio Brown starts the year as the flanker, I don't think he will continue to return punts and kicks as frequently...

[grotonsteel]

1. Those who think that the Steelers will resign Wallace, who many believe will want Top 5 WR money to the tune of $7-8M per year.
2. Those who don't think the Steelers will pay $7-8M per year on a WR and after next year we would lose Wallace for nothing but a comp pick in 2014.

6-8 million dollar for Mike Wallace would be a good deal for Steelers. I hope Steelers sign him long term if Mike Wallace asking price is in 6-8 million dollars/yr range.

[Slapstick]

I heard the same argument with Ward and Burress...

After Burress was gone, Ward was still good...I believe it will be the same with Brown...