Mike Wallace
by LilMarioXD on Feb 22, 2012 3:15 AM PST
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PrintThe Pittsburgh Steelers, reportedly estimated to be $20m above the salary cap, face the ever-increasing possibility of losing their star wideout Mike Wallace. Rumours across the league have suggested that a late first-round pick would be enough to prise Wallace away from the Steelers. With the #30 overall pick, and a NEED at WR, the 49ers' problem at WR could be solved with the addition of Wallace. Many people believe the 49ers should target a big-bodied receiver to help them with last season's red-zone woes. Although Mike Wallace does not have the size many people covet, his elite speed alone may prove to be more valuable.
Here's a few reasons why Mike Wallace will be a great fit with the 49ers.
- A legitimate deep threat. Vernon Davis was the 49ers only deep threat last season. Similarly, Wallace can stretch the field and is a big-time playmaker. The 49ers did not have a playmaker at WR, Wallace fits this bill.
- Opens up play-action and the run game. Defenses constantly loaded the box to stop the 49ers power running game. This meant 1-on-1 coverage against the outside WR's. Leaving 1-on-1 with Wallace and no over-the-top help would be a very dangeorus game to play, he creates separation with his elite speed and showed us this season, once he's gone... he's gone. Safeties would have to respect Wallace's deep threat ability, dropping deeper in order to prevent the deep ball down the field. This means the box will be overcrowded, running lanes will appear and Gore could break out for bigger runs.
The 49ers should seriously consider Mike Wallace, given the current situation with the steeles, Wallace looks likely to be on the move. Will he end up in the bay?
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors.
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They will trade down
I think they will trade down before they give up the #30 pick. I would personnaly like to see an experianced WR to plug and play instead of having a rookie who takes a couple of years to get to know the proffesional game. Wallace would be a good fit but I do worry about Smith’s long range throwing ability. He can toss it down the field but doesn’t always connect.
Re: Smith
Wallace would be a good fit but I do worry about Smith’s long range throwing ability. He can toss it down the field but doesn’t always connect.
This is exactly why Wallace is one of the best options for us in FA. Wallace’s speed is enough to catch up to the balls that Smith overthrows; like in the NFCCG when he overshot Williams by 5 yards.
by 9thevolution on Feb 22, 2012 7:49 AM PST up reply actions
Why not?
Maybe elaborate next time, sport!
by 9thevolution on Feb 22, 2012 10:05 AM PST up reply actions
I agree
The 49ers WR’s are good possession-type WR’s. None of the WR’s on the current roster have that explosiveness or break-away speed Wallace possesses. I mean Wallace can catch a screen pass, break tackles, outrun the whole defence and take it to the house 50 yards later.
Technically, Kyle Williams can do that too...
but he’s not a WR the caliber of Wallace.
by 9thevolution on Feb 22, 2012 11:12 AM PST up reply actions
I wouldn't ever complain...
Matter of fact, I welcome it. Williams gets too much hate now because of a mistake by a guy who was essentially a rookie. Hell, Doug Baldwin probably has more NFL playing experience than Williams right now and people get down on him for a flukey play that could have happened to anyone.
by 9thevolution on Feb 22, 2012 12:41 PM PST up reply actions
I would make the trade for Wallace
But he would likely require a contract that would eat upmore cap space than I’d be willing to spend. Unfortunately, I think that’s how the Niners would looke at it too.
"SHUT UP MEG!"
- Peter Griffin
49ers have around $30m in cap space
If the 49ers have the sufficient cap space once all their current free-agents are signed up, I reckon a 4-5 year deal worth $60m and like $25m guaranteed, could be a deal Wallace would certainly fancy.
Big "if"
As you said:
If the 49ers have the sufficient cap space once all their current free-agents are signed up
“If” they resign Alex Smith.
“If” they resign Carlos Rogers.
“If” they resign or franchise Dashon Goldson.
“If” they resign Ahmad Brooks.
“If” they resign Josh Morgan.
Plus sign all their draft picks…they probably won’t have the available cap space to give Wallace
a 4-5 year deal worth $60m and like $25m guaranteed.
"SHUT UP MEG!"
- Peter Griffin
by kailuakid9er on Feb 22, 2012 11:00 AM PST up reply actions
They could alsodecide to part with some of them...
I know that Harbaugh has said the players have equity and all that; plus we like to re-sign our own guys first. However, I could seriously see the team letting Brooks and Morgan walk if they felt that they can realistically get Wallace and improve the team greatly. That would then leave us with two pressing needs in the draft at RG and OLB, and we wouldn’t be giving up future picks to get them.
by 9thevolution on Feb 22, 2012 11:18 AM PST up reply actions
They're going to re-sign the most needy.
Letting Brooks go is highly likely, he would want a long-term deal, but I don’t think the 49ers are willing to give it to him. As with Morgan, it’s a tricky situation, again If the 49ers do end up signing Wallace, Morgan will walk. I see the 49ers draft another WR in the draft, possibly Stephen Hill in the 2-3rd round. I agree the O-Line + OLB will need to be addressed aswell. Don’t forget a CB aswell, really like Trumaine Johnson to fall to us in the mid-rounds too.
Johnson likely not getting past the 2nd round....
We really don’t need a CB if Rogers re-signs. Our more pressing need in the secondary is FS, but we can bring Goldson back for one year and then push for a better prospect in the draft next year to fill his spot when he walks in FA.
by 9thevolution on Feb 22, 2012 11:46 AM PST up reply actions
4-5 year deal worth 60m is crazy
especially for a WR…
And when we win, we want to dominate. We want to take guys out. We want to hurt guys. We want to win. We just want to dominate, hit them in the mouth. - Rathman
Follow @manraj76
Fitzgerald was 8 years 120 mill
and Wallace isn’t even close to the level on Fitzgerald. Sure Wallace is a good player but not to the level of Fitzgerald and other top WRs.
And when we win, we want to dominate. We want to take guys out. We want to hurt guys. We want to win. We just want to dominate, hit them in the mouth. - Rathman
Follow @manraj76
and if you can wait a year you can get Megatron for around that fitzgerald like contract
as he will be a FA in 2013 and because he is estimated to make 22m this year it would cost the Lions 27m to franchise tag him.
And when we win, we want to dominate. We want to take guys out. We want to hurt guys. We want to win. We just want to dominate, hit them in the mouth. - Rathman
Follow @manraj76
Lions will lock him up for the long-term
I don’t think they will let him go, but IMO, he probably would get an even bigger contract than Fitz did. The guy is the BEST receiver in the game.
I expect that too
But if he doesn’t. I call dibs.
And when we win, we want to dominate. We want to take guys out. We want to hurt guys. We want to win. We just want to dominate, hit them in the mouth. - Rathman
Follow @manraj76
by manraj7 on Feb 22, 2012 1:53 PM PST via iPhone app up reply actions
that's a huge payday
I bet Wallace would sign for a lot less than that. I suspect $50 million over 5 years with $15m guaranteed would do it. I can’t see the Steelers giving that much to keep him. They will need to sign Antonio Brown and Sanders next year. Sanders may not get that much unless he stays healthy and has a breakout season but another good year from Brown could put him in the same salary range as Wallace and I don’t think they can afford to put that much money into WRs.
anyone trying to contact me via my yahoo account should be aware it has been hacked
by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Mar 1, 2012 7:35 PM PST up reply actions
Wallace is a restricted FA...
It’s not exactly a trade, but it’s likely that he will get the 1st round tender. We make an offer and if the Steelers don’t want to match it and he signs the offer sheet, then we have to give up the tendered pick. Since he’s 26 and has shown the ability to be a true #1 WR, yes, you absolutely give up the pick in order to sign him.
Does that mean that we will? No, I think there’s no chance.
I agree with one of the beat writers
can’t remember which, that says after the 2011 draft, Baalke will be looking to draft the next Mike Wallace (who was drafted in the 3rd round) and wouldn’t waste a pick to get a “proven” player.
Barrows
It’s in the Nuggets this morning. I suppose I can agree with that, and his reasoning (we essentially lose two players or more for the price of one), but we would have a legitimate downfield threat on Day 1; and he should be a very good, productive player for 5-6 years.
I’m not going to hop on the “we can’t draft good WRs” bandwagon that some others are buying into, I just think adding Wallace alleviates any worry of us having a legit #1 WR the day camp opens. If we don’t, the competition for #1 becomes: Crabtree vs Morgan vs 2nd-tier FA WR vs rookie draft pick. That scenario isn’t as promising as having Wallace on the roster and saying he is “competing” for the #1 spot.
by 9thevolution on Feb 22, 2012 8:40 AM PST up reply actions
Yes
If we can sign him for $9M or less. Not sure he can be had that cheap, though. Maybe go as high as $10M.
I'd love to have him
But unfortunately giving up high picks for free agent WRs is not necessarily the best thing you can do in terms of building a roster for the long term
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us"
While this may be true....
We would be using that very same pick to draft (most likely) a potential #1 WR. If that guy busts, then we have wasted that pick. If we give up that pick for Wallace, there isn’t a chance he busts; he’s already proven.
If we had to do the old scenario where it costs a 1st and 3rd, then it would be a bit harder to jump in headlong. However, for a 26 year old, proven WR, I think the reward is basically staring you in the face. He can remain productive for the duration of a 5-6 year contract and contribute at a high level.
by 9thevolution on Feb 22, 2012 10:05 AM PST up reply actions
Free agent busts do happen
You get a “proven” player who has been in the same system, on their rookie contract. They get the big free agency contract and they decide that they don’t need to play the same way anymore. I’m not saying that this will happen with Wallace and I would actually like to see an attempt made to get him, and with the 49ers pick being at #30 I wouldn’t have a problem with that being traded for him.
I know it happens...
It’s happened to us and not even with guys who are superstars. FAs who were expected to minimally increase production from poor to mediocre, and they completely bottomed out once they got here. I just don’t think it will happen with Wallace; though we will see a decrease in his stats because we don’t sling the ball like the Steelers of late with Cheeseburger under center.
by 9thevolution on Feb 23, 2012 12:51 PM PST up reply actions
Voted absolutely Yes , there would be very little unknowns by doing so ...!!
I'm your " Huckelberry "...it's just my game ..( .AleX ) was asked , what do you think about all the game manager talk ... AleX i guess i just managed myself a VIctory ... Extend the Man ...!!
Wallace on possibly joining the 49ers or Patriots
"Most definitely. Those are two playoff caliber, Super Bowl caliber teams. All those teams need are that one more piece of the puzzle to put them over the top…I wouldn’t want to go anywhere and leave the situation I’m at, with a great quarterback and a great organization, and go someplace where I don’t feel I can compete (for a championship)"
Trade the pick!
TO was a 6th round pick our of Tennessee-Chatanooga. Jerry Rice was a 3rd round pick. The last receivers the niners picked in the first round, Crabtree and Rashaun Woods, haven’t turned out to be who we want them to be. The niners can improve significantly at other positions and get a receiver in a later round. Maybe the next Wallace, Cruz, or Nicks? The cost for Wallace is just two high.
TO was actually a 3rd round pick and Rice was a 1st round pick.
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us"
by FearTheTree on Feb 22, 2012 12:50 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Rice was the ONLY 1st or 2nd round pick that Bill Walsh ever used on a Reciever.....
His philosophy was that you only draft a receiver that early if you don’t need anything else… otherwise those early picks are better spent elsewhere…..
I think we have to ask ourselves if we are really just one receiver away form being a complete team…. I don’t think that is the case…
That being said, trading the first for Wallace is a different case and much less risky then spending a first on an unproven college receiver…. to me, if the staff takes a look at him and sees him as a number 1 then I go get him…..
Ultimately, it looks like the Steelers are on a grand restructuring tour and will do everything they can to keep Wallace there.
If that is the case and we keep our pick I would rather see it spent at guard or at OLB, maybe DE….
by thatguywiththebeardandthebanjo on Feb 24, 2012 5:14 AM PST up reply actions
Allow me to retort, Baalke did state there is depth at WR, which makes me think this isn’t possible. There has only been 1 WR close to Rice, since said draft, so, that is unlikely to happen anyway. Now, when you look at the offense, it needs OL depth and starter and a WR that demands a double team. Baalke also said the draft is deep with lineman, so, its not a bad idea, just an unlikely one.
Gonna make the WR position relevant again? When?
Moss?
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us"
by FearTheTree on Feb 25, 2012 10:09 AM PST up reply actions
Errr..
Owens was a 3rd round pick. Jerry Rice we traded up into the first round to get.
Every time Jamie Dukes says something enlightening and informative about football Jerry Rice and I mount up on our flying grizzly bears and claim pirate treasure from the moon. That's how often it happens.
by Ougadas on Feb 22, 2012 12:50 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
You guys are correct. Thanks for the update.
I must have my receivers confused.
You may be actually confused by J.J. Stokes
In ’95, the year before they drafted Owens, the 49ers traded up several spots in round one to select UCLA wide out J.J. Stokes. (Who a few years later was residing in the “where are they now” category.)
Wallace would be perfect for the 49ers.
I don’t think it will happen, but if they traded their first rounder for wallace, and got a possession-type receiver like McNutt or White later in the Draft, it’s hard to imagine the wr position being a problem in 2012.
We have possession receivers...
that’s all we have. Bring back Morgan and have him, Crabtree and Williams compete for 2-4 on the depth chart. That would settle the WR position quite well.
by 9thevolution on Feb 23, 2012 12:53 PM PST up reply actions
I think we should go after Wallace
and then draft Quick in the 3rd. He can be the red zone threat that also has the ability to help stretch the field a bit
I agree.
Some people seem freaked out about giving up a 1st rd pick, but it basically the same thing as drafting a WR there. Wallace is a young, established talent that will demand respect from oppossing defenses. That will only open things up for Crabs and VD. It will back the safties up and open up running lanes also.
We are a young team, and alot of our core guys are locked up. I think we did what we did in FA last year cuz it made sense then. I don’t think one big move this year will hurt the team long term. We have money to spend.
Quick is an interesting prospect. Like what I’ve seen.
It's not about giving up a first
It’s about giving up a first plus having to outbid everyone else for his services resulting in a very large contract that will drastically overpay for his services.
First you have to outbid everyone else, then when he accepts your bid Pittsburgh gets to take a look at it and decide if they want to match it or not. If they don’t, then they get your first and you have to pay. They can decide to match it and you can do nothing.
Every time Jamie Dukes says something enlightening and informative about football Jerry Rice and I mount up on our flying grizzly bears and claim pirate treasure from the moon. That's how often it happens.
I wouldn't expect the Niners to get into a bidding war with everyone else...
I would think they bring him in and give him an offer that they feel he is worth to the team. Then they would tell him to go and explore other options if he wants to try to get more. If he agrees to our offer, then the ball goes back to the Steelers. If they match it then oh well; if they don’t, then we’ve got a #1 WR.
I wouldn’t expect them to drop a ridiculous contract just to ensure they get Wallace. They’re more likely to target someone like Meachem right off the bat and give him a little bit extra to ensure they get him before he signs elsewhere.
by 9thevolution on Feb 24, 2012 8:01 AM PST up reply actions
If we go into it like that
We won’t even be in the running for Wallace.
Which I will be very happy about.
Every time Jamie Dukes says something enlightening and informative about football Jerry Rice and I mount up on our flying grizzly bears and claim pirate treasure from the moon. That's how often it happens.
If they offer him something that he is worth then I don't see why not...
I wouldn’t want them to try and throw $12m/yr at him just to block the Steelers or anyone else from trying to sign him. That would just be bad business and I’d rather make a play for Marshawn Lynch or Forte if we’re just going to throw money at free agents. At least their production on this team would be almost 100% guaranteed; while Wallace’s is highly dependant on Smith throwing the ball where he can catch it.
by 9thevolution on Feb 24, 2012 10:18 AM PST up reply actions
I don't think he'll even consider what he is worth.
But that’s just my opinion. I could be wrong but I can’t remember the last time a high profile wide receiver accepted what he was actually worth on his first free agent contract.
Every time Jamie Dukes says something enlightening and informative about football Jerry Rice and I mount up on our flying grizzly bears and claim pirate treasure from the moon. That's how often it happens.
Very true....
Likely this will be his only big contract, so he’s gonna want to be paid. Oh well, if it was affordable, I’d give up the pick required to sign him and let Pitt have to deal with the sorry crop of receivers this year.
by 9thevolution on Feb 24, 2012 10:40 AM PST up reply actions
He wants to play for a contender, that leaves, Ravens, Pats and the 9ers
Pats won’t do it, the Ravens need to resign Flacco and Rice, so they are out, which leaves the niners. Baalke won’t pull the trigger, but its a brilliant idea. Bog Ben restructured to keep him so the Steelers will get it done.
Gonna make the WR position relevant again? When?
Everybody wants to play for a contender
At least until they start counting zeroes — that’s how players end up in Tampa Bay.
Every time Jamie Dukes says something enlightening and informative about football Jerry Rice and I mount up on our flying grizzly bears and claim pirate treasure from the moon. That's how often it happens.
I wouldnt say yes get in a bidding war. Make the offer and leave it at that.
Konz did 18 bench reps…..trade up?
Gonna make the WR position relevant again? When?
Little disappointing there. I'd have liked 6 more
But play on the field says more than bench reps. Maybe that makes him slide a couple spots and at least past the Lions
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on Feb 24, 2012 8:16 PM PST up reply actions
Zeitler did 32.
Bout what I expected there. DeCastro did 34
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on Feb 24, 2012 8:17 PM PST up reply actions
Orson Charles (TE)
is beastmode with 35
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on Feb 24, 2012 8:19 PM PST up reply actions
Yeah
I think we’ll make an offer and it’ll quickly get topped and we will leave it at that.
I’m patient. I probably wait to see if he falls. If he doesn’t I take Zeitler.
Every time Jamie Dukes says something enlightening and informative about football Jerry Rice and I mount up on our flying grizzly bears and claim pirate treasure from the moon. That's how often it happens.
We would be crazy...
not to pursue this guy. He is defnitely worth the first round pick this year. Imagine having Wallace, Crabs, VD, Delanie Walker, and Josh Morgan (coming back on a cheap contract) and potentially still only your fourth best receiver.
"The year we beat Miami in the Super Bowl, ... do you know how many defensive linemen were in our rotation? Nine, and we used them all quite a bit. We just wore the Dolphins out."
Bill Walsh quote
by Iupati_like_its_1999 on Feb 28, 2012 3:00 AM PST reply actions
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