Steelers WR Mike Wallace deserves Larry Fitzgerald money

[hawaiiansteel]

Steelers Optimistic About Wallace Deal

Publish Date: July 14, 2012

[URL]http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=8166034&categoryid=2378529[/URL]

John Clayton talks about the Pittsburgh Steelers efforts to reach a long-term deal with Mike Wallace.

[hawaiiansteel]

Welker or Williams – Who Could Be Viable Option Over Steelers’ Wallace?

Jul 15th, 2012 by CraigSteelers

The Steelers may not be able to come to terms with their young speedster receiver, Mike Wallace. And if by chance that happens, the Steelers may (or very well may not) be on the market to pick up a viable #2 or #3 receiver to compete against the rest of The Core while in camp or even someone who could come along post-Wallace era.

While constantly thinking about the Steelers, I get to play a lot of ‘what if’s’ in my head. Some are pleasant, some would make a person shudder. The ‘what if’ currently swirling around the ol’ noggin’ is the Steelers deciding to let Wallace hold out AND take it a step further by looking for another receiver to compete in camp. There’s one in particular who’s available because his former team showed him the door this past Friday. The other potential receiver is not likely to sign a long term deal with his current team and will be forced to play with a franchise tag this year. Without that new deal, he will probably be a free agent next season and may get a good glance by the Steelers were it to come to that. But which one of these receivers – Mike Williams or Wes Welker – would be a viable option over Mike Wallace?

Mike Williams would be entering his 6th season in the NFL were he to play for another team. Williams had a shaky start to his career for the first few years and all but completely disappeared by 2007 when on the Tennessee Titans’ roster. But former college coach and now head coach of the Seahawks, Pete Carroll, signed Williams and got him back in action after Williams missed the 2008 and 2009 seasons. Williams quickly reached a potential everyone could get behind after catching 65 passes for 751 yards in his first season back. After Seattle snagged Sydney Rice from the Vikings, most folks thought that Rice and Williams would be a duo to fear. Williams is 6’5″ and runs a 4.5 40. Not lighting fast, but on par with most receivers. That tall frame and decent hands could snag bomb after bomb if given the chance. However, as most things that come Tavaris Jackson’s way, Williams had a hard time connecting with his QB. Williams’ production fell in 2011 by 500 yards and was shown the door this past Friday.

Williams could be an effective and make an immediate impact for the Steelers were they to sign him to a one year deal by camp. It certainly would show Mike Wallace that the Steelers are playing hard ball and playing for keeps. Everyone is replaceable. Sure, it could sour relations immensely between Wallace and the Steelers, but I can only assume that things aren’t really that great right now with Mike and the FO over this contract stalemate. Williams has a big frame and could be a nice compliment to Antonio Brown on the other side of the field. He’s not as fast as AB, but his size would play a huge advantage. Were the Steelers offense to have a formation that included Williams, AB, Leonard Pope and Heath Miller – that’s 3 out of 4 guys over 6 feet for corners and linebackers to cover. A recipe for big gains over the middle with quick screens and in-curls. Who needs to go big down the field when you can keep peppering a team with 15-20 yard gains every passing down? I think that Williams is far from being washed up. He had the potential in 2010 when he was with Matt Hasselbeck. You have to look at the context of his next season when playing with Tavaris Jackson – who is simply awful. Little Doug Baldwin was their best receiver with over 700 yards. The next top receiver had barely over 400 yards. Jackson and Charlie Whitehurst just killed the offense for these Seahawks. Williams can still cut it in the league and very well could be a good addition to the Steelers if they decide to ‘move on’ from Mike Wallace. Williams was supposed to get $3 million in 2012 and would be a steal.

Should Mike Wallace not sign a long term deal and only play one season with his tender (or no season at all), I could certainly see the Steelers deciding to call it quits with Wallace and not go after him as an unrestricted free agent. At that point, they will have no leverage. If Wallace doesn’t play at all, then we know he is dead set on big money and the Steelers will never offer it up to a guy who hasn’t deserved it yet. So who could be out there as a replacement. Well, regardless of Mike Williams being in the picture or not, there’s a current (and soon to be former) New England Patriot who could take Wallace’s roster spot.

Wes Welker got slapped with the franchise tag this offseason by the Patriots. Welker has been trying to work on an extension with the team this whole time and has until 4pm on Monday to get a deal done. If that doesn’t happen, then he will be forced to play 2012 with his tendered tag of $9.5 million guaranteed. My feeling is that if a long term doesn’t get done by then, then Welker probably won’t get signed at the end of the season by the Pats. There might be a bit of bad blood from all those drops against the Giants in the Super Bowl.

Should Welker be available and the Steelers boot Mike Wallace into the big ocean of free agency, then I think the Steelers could sign Welker to a one year deal. Worth something close to $6 million. It’s a bit pricey and Welker is getting up there in years – will be 32 by next offseason – but, he has yet to show any signs of slowing down. Welker runs a 4.6 40 yard, but his size plays a huge advantage in slants and crossing routes. He is a very good technique football player and, aside from those drops in SB XLVI, has very good dependable hands. He is another version of Hines Ward minus the blocking. And, I would say he’s a cut above Jerricho Cotchery who plays a very similar game. At least right now he is.

I’m sure it’s a bit of a hard pill to swallow to think that the Steelers would sign a guy just like Hines Ward and almost just as old when the Steelers decided to release Ward. Depending on how Cotchery continues to pan out, and depending on how this offense evolves this season without Wallace (for the sake of this post), then Welker could be a good addition and short term solution. There’s no way the Steelers would sign him to anything more than a one year deal, but he could be worth the single season investment. It might be just the thing they need to be Super Bowl bound again. They just may want to bench Welker in February…. I kid I kid.

I honestly think that Williams is the better investment. Bigger frame, younger, and faster are three of his advantages over Welker. Which one would the Steelers go with? Hard to say since we are looking at two different periods in time. But, having to guess which one fits the Steelers offense better and could act as a better replacement over Mike Wallace – I’d have to go with the other Mike. I’m kind of sick of the Wallace ‘thing’ and wouldn’t mind the Steelers going with someone like Williams as a different option. Some sources think Williams could go to the Vikes – God love the irony, right Sydney? As always, we’ll see what happens in the coming weeks.

[URL]http://nicepickcowher.com/2012/07/15/welker-or-williams-who-could-be-viable-option-over-steelers-wallace/[/URL]

[Oviedo]

Welker or Williams – Who Could Be Viable Option Over Steelers’ Wallace?

Jul 15th, 2012 by CraigSteelers

The Steelers may not be able to come to terms with their young speedster receiver, Mike Wallace. And if by chance that happens, the Steelers may (or very well may not) be on the market to pick up a viable #2 or #3 receiver to compete against the rest of The Core while in camp or even someone who could come along post-Wallace era.

While constantly thinking about the Steelers, I get to play a lot of ‘what if’s’ in my head. Some are pleasant, some would make a person shudder. The ‘what if’ currently swirling around the ol’ noggin’ is the Steelers deciding to let Wallace hold out AND take it a step further by looking for another receiver to compete in camp. There’s one in particular who’s available because his former team showed him the door this past Friday. The other potential receiver is not likely to sign a long term deal with his current team and will be forced to play with a franchise tag this year. Without that new deal, he will probably be a free agent next season and may get a good glance by the Steelers were it to come to that. But which one of these receivers – Mike Williams or Wes Welker – would be a viable option over Mike Wallace?

Mike Williams would be entering his 6th season in the NFL were he to play for another team. Williams had a shaky start to his career for the first few years and all but completely disappeared by 2007 when on the Tennessee Titans’ roster. But former college coach and now head coach of the Seahawks, Pete Carroll, signed Williams and got him back in action after Williams missed the 2008 and 2009 seasons. Williams quickly reached a potential everyone could get behind after catching 65 passes for 751 yards in his first season back. After Seattle snagged Sydney Rice from the Vikings, most folks thought that Rice and Williams would be a duo to fear. Williams is 6’5″ and runs a 4.5 40. Not lighting fast, but on par with most receivers. That tall frame and decent hands could snag bomb after bomb if given the chance. However, as most things that come Tavaris Jackson’s way, Williams had a hard time connecting with his QB. Williams’ production fell in 2011 by 500 yards and was shown the door this past Friday.

Williams could be an effective and make an immediate impact for the Steelers were they to sign him to a one year deal by camp. It certainly would show Mike Wallace that the Steelers are playing hard ball and playing for keeps. Everyone is replaceable. Sure, it could sour relations immensely between Wallace and the Steelers, but I can only assume that things aren’t really that great right now with Mike and the FO over this contract stalemate. Williams has a big frame and could be a nice compliment to Antonio Brown on the other side of the field. He’s not as fast as AB, but his size would play a huge advantage. Were the Steelers offense to have a formation that included Williams, AB, Leonard Pope and Heath Miller – that’s 3 out of 4 guys over 6 feet for corners and linebackers to cover. A recipe for big gains over the middle with quick screens and in-curls. Who needs to go big down the field when you can keep peppering a team with 15-20 yard gains every passing down? I think that Williams is far from being washed up. He had the potential in 2010 when he was with Matt Hasselbeck. You have to look at the context of his next season when playing with Tavaris Jackson – who is simply awful. Little Doug Baldwin was their best receiver with over 700 yards. The next top receiver had barely over 400 yards. Jackson and Charlie Whitehurst just killed the offense for these Seahawks. Williams can still cut it in the league and very well could be a good addition to the Steelers if they decide to ‘move on’ from Mike Wallace. Williams was supposed to get $3 million in 2012 and would be a steal.

Should Mike Wallace not sign a long term deal and only play one season with his tender (or no season at all), I could certainly see the Steelers deciding to call it quits with Wallace and not go after him as an unrestricted free agent. At that point, they will have no leverage. If Wallace doesn’t play at all, then we know he is dead set on big money and the Steelers will never offer it up to a guy who hasn’t deserved it yet. So who could be out there as a replacement. Well, regardless of Mike Williams being in the picture or not, there’s a current (and soon to be former) New England Patriot who could take Wallace’s roster spot.

Wes Welker got slapped with the franchise tag this offseason by the Patriots. Welker has been trying to work on an extension with the team this whole time and has until 4pm on Monday to get a deal done. If that doesn’t happen, then he will be forced to play 2012 with his tendered tag of $9.5 million guaranteed. My feeling is that if a long term doesn’t get done by then, then Welker probably won’t get signed at the end of the season by the Pats. There might be a bit of bad blood from all those drops against the Giants in the Super Bowl.

Should Welker be available and the Steelers boot Mike Wallace into the big ocean of free agency, then I think the Steelers could sign Welker to a one year deal. Worth something close to $6 million. It’s a bit pricey and Welker is getting up there in years – will be 32 by next offseason – but, he has yet to show any signs of slowing down. Welker runs a 4.6 40 yard, but his size plays a huge advantage in slants and crossing routes. He is a very good technique football player and, aside from those drops in SB XLVI, has very good dependable hands. He is another version of Hines Ward minus the blocking. And, I would say he’s a cut above Jerricho Cotchery who plays a very similar game. At least right now he is.

I’m sure it’s a bit of a hard pill to swallow to think that the Steelers would sign a guy just like Hines Ward and almost just as old when the Steelers decided to release Ward. Depending on how Cotchery continues to pan out, and depending on how this offense evolves this season without Wallace (for the sake of this post), then Welker could be a good addition and short term solution. There’s no way the Steelers would sign him to anything more than a one year deal, but he could be worth the single season investment. It might be just the thing they need to be Super Bowl bound again. They just may want to bench Welker in February…. I kid I kid.

I honestly think that Williams is the better investment. Bigger frame, younger, and faster are three of his advantages over Welker. Which one would the Steelers go with? Hard to say since we are looking at two different periods in time. But, having to guess which one fits the Steelers offense better and could act as a better replacement over Mike Wallace – I’d have to go with the other Mike. I’m kind of sick of the Wallace ‘thing’ and wouldn’t mind the Steelers going with someone like Williams as a different option. Some sources think Williams could go to the Vikes – God love the irony, right Sydney? As always, we’ll see what happens in the coming weeks.

[URL]http://nicepickcowher.com/2012/07/15/welker-or-williams-who-could-be-viable-option-over-steelers-wallace/[/URL]

Not sure Welker fits what they need. Williams would be interesting. The bottomline is that Wallace is not irreplaceable. If he doesn't show up for camp on July 25th then it is time to trade him. Let him be someone elses headache and move on.

[D Rock]

Not sure Welker fits what they need. Williams would be interesting. The bottomline is that Wallace is not irreplaceable. If he doesn't show up for camp on July 25th then it is time to trade him. Let him be someone elses headache and move on.

Can't trade a player who is not under contract.

[Oviedo]

Can't trade a player who is not under contract.

I thought his tag becomes his de facto contract for 2012 as of today unless they renegotiate a new one.

[Slapstick]

Can't trade a player who is not under contract.

Sure you can!

On draft day, 2004, the Giants traded Philip Rivers and other draft picks for Eli Manning...neither Eli nor Philip were under contract...

IIRC, as long as a team holds the rights to a player, that player can be traded...

[D Rock]

Sure you can!

On draft day, 2004, the Giants traded Philip Rivers and other draft picks for Eli Manning...neither Eli nor Philip were under contract...

IIRC, as long as a team holds the rights to a player, that player can be traded...

As far as I know, they traded the exclusive rights to sign Manning/Rivers. Those were negotiating rights only. Drafted players can choose not to sign and sit out to re-enter the draft the following year.


And Ovi...I don't think a tag can automatically become a contract unless it is signed, but I could be wrong on that. You may be referring to the franchise tag, which today becomes the contract and the team can no longer extend a player long term - which is what is going on with Wes Welker - but I'm not sure that applies to the restricted free agent tag. Wes Welker had already signed the franchise tender, he was under contract for this year but wanted an extension. Wallace is not under contract.

[RuthlessBurgher]

That article made my head hurt. Wes Welker ain't leaving New England and Mike Williams sucks.

[grotonsteel]

Mike Williams to replace M-Wallace??? Seriously?????

Mike Williams is a bust well he had a one good season with SeaHawks.

[Oviedo]

Mike Williams to replace M-Wallace??? Seriously?????

Mike Williams is a bust well he had a one good season with SeaHawks.

Williams can't replace wallace as an individual but adding a piece to a Wallace-less WR group he would be a good add and add another dimension. Antonio B. would be the Wallace replacement.

[RuthlessBurgher]

Mike Wallace, Steelers WR, is most underpaid in NFL
By Brian McIntyre
Around the League writer
Published: July 10, 2012 at 07:48 p.m.
Updated: July 10, 2012 at 08:46 p.m.

"Around the League" is taking a look at each team's salary-cap situation heading into training camp. Next up: The Pittsburgh Steelers.

Adjusted cap number: $121.195 million

Cap room remaining: $3.734 million

Best bargain: If Mike Wallace plays the 2012 season under the "first-round" restricted free agent tender, he could be looking at $2.742 million in non-guaranteed base salary. Wallace ranked in the top 25 in terms of receptions last season and was tied for 11th in both receiving yards (1,193) and touchdowns (eight). With Todd Haley replacing Bruce Arians as offensive coordinator, there is no reason to think that the Steelers are going to throw the ball less. Yet Wallace's RFA tender currently ranks 46th among NFL wideouts in terms of cash compensation in 2012.

Potential camp casualty: The great roster purge of 2012 has already happened in Pittsburgh. The Steelers parted ways with Bryant McFadden, Arnaz Battle, James Farrior, Chris Kemoeatu, Aaron Smith and Hines Ward. If the young nose tackles or inside linebackers show progress in camp, veterans in the final years of their contracts, such as Casey Hampton ($2.8 million base salary) and Larry Foote ($3 million in base salary), could be released to free up some cap space for this season or next.

Contract issue looming in 2013: It's all about Wallace, the only restricted free agent this offseason who has not yet signed his one-year tender. He could be headed for the franchise tag (projected value of $9.692 million if the cap remains flat, as is expected) in 2013. Fellow receiver Antonio Brown, who caught 69 passes for 1,108 yards and went to the Pro Bowl as a return specialist, will be a restricted free agent next offseason, as well.

[URL]http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d82a75f6a/article/mike-wallace-steelers-wr-is-most-underpaid-in-nfl[/URL]

[RuthlessBurgher]

Mike Williams to replace M-Wallace??? Seriously?????

Mike Williams is a bust well he had a one good season with SeaHawks.

And his "one good season" consisted of 65 catches for 751 yards and 2 TD. Wallace had 756 yards and 6 TD's as a rookie while only starting 4 games (not to mention the 2450 yards and 18 TD's that he has scored in the 2 seasons since then).

Last season, in 10 starts, Mike Williams had 18 catches for 236 yards and 1 TD. He was outdueled by both Emmanuel Sanders (22 catches for 288 yards and 2 TD's) and Jerricho Cotchery (16 catches for 237 yards and 2 TD's) in spite of the fact that both Sanders and Cotchery dealt with lingering injuries for most of the season and had ZERO starts between them.

[Oviedo]

[URL]http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d82a75f6a/article/mike-wallace-steelers-wr-is-most-underpaid-in-nfl[/URL]

Some may feel he is underpaid but if you don't have the cap space to pay him as the article points out, it is moot. We won't have the cap space next year to "franchise tag" him unless we cut some significant salary or restructure a large number of contracts which we have done a lot the past couple of years. Also next year we will be putting a "Transition tag" on Antonio Brown to the tune of about $3M. Sometimes the math just doesn't work for a guy who may want $10M per year.

[Sugar]

Some may feel he is underpaid but if you don't have the cap space to pay him as the article points out, it is moot. We won't have the cap space next year to "franchise tag" him unless we cut some significant salary or restructure a large number of contracts which we have done a lot the past couple of years. Also next year we will be putting a "Transition tag" on Antonio Brown to the tune of about $3M. Sometimes the math just doesn't work for a guy who may want $10M per year.

Maybe he's hoping someone gets hurt in camp and clears some space for him?

[Oviedo]

Maybe he's hoping someone gets hurt in camp and clears some space for him?

As long as it isn't him. I heard he is making lots of trips to Lowe's and Home Depot for bubblewrap.