My offseason prediction for Mike Wallace

[BigRob]

So true, a lot of contracts are up and others will be torn up and the Steelers will decide if they want all three. Any one remember years ago when the discussion was about keeping Timmons, Harrison and Woodley and they all received huge contracts. They will and can keep who the choose to.

How did that work out? I would say Steelers haven't exactly gotten their money out of those deals over the last two years. The only one who has performed is the one everybody dogs (Timmons).

[Oviedo]

When you are coming off back-to-back 12-4 seasons, a team is more likely to hold on to veteran starters to continue their successful run. However, when you are coming off an 8-8 season and missing the playoffs, a team is more apt to skew more toward youth that has a long-term future over aging players that have no long-term future.

With this in mind, I think the team does what it takes to keep Lewis and Wallace on board (even if many fans on message boards planned to rejoice when Wallace signed elsewhere). They might even try to bring back Mendenhall (who has even less support on Steeler message boards than Wallace).

In order to make this happen, they may have to make some tough calls on popular Steeler stars (something that Tomlin did once upon a time with Joey Porter). Folks here may not like moves like this, but locking up young talent and parting ways with older pricey players has long been a Steeler staple. Now that a bit of time has passed since our last Super Bowl appearance in 2010 and our last Super Bowl victory in 2008, the front office may go back to this youth-centric way of business as opposing to continuing to hold on to Super Bowl heroes.

I hope they can keep Lewis and Wallace but there is going to have to be a seismic shift in the roster for them to do that. I completely agree that when you finish 8-8, and look bad doing it, that everything needs to be looked and no option not considered. The reality is I think we are entering a period much like we had at the late 90s where we have a couple of substandard seasons to restock the roster with the players who win another championship or two. We will then win a championship or two to send out Ben at the end of his career like his hero Elway went out.

[Ghost]

He may be "taking his talents to South Beach".... Phins have $40+ million in cap space to use. Could be looking to make a splash (dolphin pun not intended).

[BigRob]

He may be "taking his talents to South Beach".... Phins have $40+ million in cap space to use. Could be looking to make a splash (dopphin pun not intended).

They also have a very Snyder like owner in Stephen Ross. I could see them trying to get Wallace to pair with Tannehill.

[Steelhere10]

Do you guys realize that only Brown and Cothery are the only wr that's under contract along with Gilreath and the season that Sanders had I just can't see the Steelers letting him walk.

[Steelhere10]

Think about this, the ones saying Wallace don't want to stay because of Haley or jealous of Brown or what ever the reason if the Steelers offered him the right amount, do you really think he would leave.... Would you? I say He'll no!

[Oviedo]

Wexell is a very credible reporter.

I agree. He IMO is the best of the beat writers.

[BigRob]

Think about this, the ones saying Wallace don't want to stay because of Haley or jealous of Brown or what ever the reason if the Steelers offered him the right amount, do you really think he would leave.... Would you? I say He'll no!

I agree its about the money. Someone will offer him more to ply his services elsewhere than the Steelers would to stay. Plain and simple.

[lloydroid]

My guess is the Steelers or 49ers, I don't know why people are assuming that they still don't won't to work out a contract with each other. If they wanted to before the season I don't think they just all of a sudden changed their mind.

It is hardly "all of a sudden." Since before last season, all Wallace did was hold out all through camp, gripe and moan, ask for an out-of-this-world contract and then suck on the field all season long. Do you really think new attitudes were formed "all of a sudden?" You are kidding, right? This team had bad chemistry, and Wallace was one of the major roots to cause it. Get the frick out of town, you punk.

[Ghost]

I agree its about the money. Someone will offer him more to ply his services elsewhere than the Steelers would to stay. Plain and simple.

I agree with Rob. It's not that the Steelers don't want him or don't think the team is weakened by his leaving; it's a matter of realistically dealing with their cap situation as well as the number of teams that have a huge amount of space, some of them willing to throw a ton of $$ at the fastest WR in the NFL. Love to be wrong, but just not seeing how PGH will compete. I don't think it will be a $1 or $2 million a year difference. Can't fault MW for taking the chance to take care of generations of his family.

[Sugar]

It is hardly "all of a sudden." Since before last season, all Wallace did was hold out all through camp, gripe and moan, ask for an out-of-this-world contract and then suck on the field all season long. Do you really think new attitudes were formed "all of a sudden?" You are kidding, right? This team had bad chemistry, and Wallace was one of the major roots to cause it. Get the frick out of town, you punk.

When did Wallace gripe and moan?? How do you know what he wanted in his contract when neither side was discussing that in public? What is it that makes you think that he was a cause of bad chemistry in any way?

[Steelerphile]

The only really good reason, IMO, for lack of effort is bad health. Wallace was probably one of the healthiest players they had, so I would say his obvious malaise, in the effort dept., would be considered when the Steelers think about whom to sign. Wallace wants the big bucks, and I think he feels slighted by the amount given to Brown. The Steelers simply cannot offer him as much or more than they did Brown because they would then be rewarding lack of effort. That is generally not how they do things. So the only way I see them signing Wallace is if the open market completely falls apart for him and no one else wants to pay him much.

Contrast that to Lewis, who stayed on the practice field during Training camp when he was injured. Who set personal highs and really excelled and who tried to compete during the playoff drive when he was gimpy.

I think Mendenhall would also be considered to resign because even if sometimes dances and doesn't produce as much as fans want, I think he plays hard. You may question his attitude over not showing up for a game. Possibly was a misunderstanding. I don't see him as having a chronic bad attitude. He always seems extremely mellow.

[supersteeler]

Does anyone think the Steelers rushed to sign A. Brown? He got the money and wasn't the same WR as the year before, where Mike STILL led all receivers even having a bad year to his standards.

I agree too, that deep down the Steelers would still like to sign Mike but he wants the best offer he can get. I still think he is valuable and if he leaves anyteam that signs him will be better. Brown had that good year before this one on account of Wallace, no ones going to double cover Brown like they do with Wallace.

You know whats scary, if the Patriots would sign him.

[feltdizz]

They didn't rush to sign Brown.. they need to lock up a WR and IMO Brown is the better option. Sure the stats don't prove it but Nate Washington made big money running go routes and Sweed could have made big money if he had hands running the go route.

[JUST-PLAIN-NASTY]

Lock up Lewis first...Then worry about Wallace. Lewis earned a new contract. Wallace may have damaged his value but I'm sure someone will pay him on his 2010-2011 production. I don't want Wallace to go anywhere but I believe Lewis will be locked up & Wallace will go elsewhere.