Colbert: "Wallace a Steeler for life"

Today, as reported by NFL.com (http://blogs.nfl.com/2012/02/23/colbert ... line_stack):

Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert assertively answered a reporter’s question Thursday about the “dilemma” surrounding restricted free-agent WR Mike Wallace.
“Having a great player like Mike Wallace is not a dilemma,” Colbert said.

And

“We’re going to do everything we can to make sure that Mike Wallace remains a Pittsburgh Steeler, and I think that’s Mike’s belief as well,” Colbert said. “Usually when you’ve got two parties who share the same goal, it’s easier to achieve that goal.”

and

“The thing I can say for sure about Mike is that we want Mike to finish his career with the Steelers,” Colbert said. “And I’m very confident that Mike wants to finish his career with the Steelers and play with a great quarterback like Ben Roethlisberger and the other receivers we have to compliment him."

 

That's as good as indication as ever that he will be staying in my opinion. When they make statements that strong I believe them.

 

And my apologies for starrting another Wallace thread. Just thought this was significant enough not to get buried on page three of the other Wallace topics on the board.

 

Good stuff. I hope Mike Wallace remains a Steeler. This gives an indication that he will.

 

I doubt he even comes close to hitting the open market

 

Colbert also said pretty strongly that he believes Casey Hampton will be with the team this year, and that that injury to a NT is not the same as to a RB...

We still need Casey's replacement to spell him this season even if that is the case.

 

Hampton could be back if he puts in the work he almost didnt even need surgery

 

Does Wallace have a choice to not sign another teams offer if the Steelers put a first round tender on him? Or is he automatically gone if the Steelers do not match the offer whether Wallace likes it or not

 

If this is the case they better do something about his HUGE cap number...he is not worth THAT much money...no offense to Casey but I'm sorry $8-9 mil no way. On top of that not knowing how he will be after this injury (regardless of what he thinks), no thanks.

 

He doesnt have to sign the offer sheet but if he does the steelers have to match

 

O.K. My head is spinning. I just finish reading a thread entitled "WALLACE IS GONE!" and now I'm Reading one entitled, Wallace a Steeler for life.

Is there any way for him to be both?

 

We run a play action and the secondary bites. They turn around to find Wallace is GONE into the endzone with the ball

 

They have no choice on Casey, he's on IR they can't cut him

 

Hes not on ir they could cut him but he could get an injury settlement

 

That must go against the cap too right? Otherwise teams would be settling with guys all the time.

 

I still fear that we will not sign a contract with him before he hits the market.....To all the Wallace fans I know it was good to hear Colbert talk,but I wouldn't bet on Wallace staying just yet.....

The 49rs. GM stated yeah Wallace is a guy we could bee interested in,I also think the Bengals will get in on it and maybe another Team or 2.........I guess the question is if he hits the market just how high will his stock go and at what point would the Steelers consider a no buy?

I think we might offer him a reasonable Offer in the next few weeks if he fails to take it I can still see him leaving......I would guess somewhere in the 7 Mil a year range I can't see us going much higher.....

Question for you guys ?What would you think his Steeler worth is ?And what do you think he is worth in a bidding war on the open market?

 

we can cut him without a settlement than he will fill the grievance that if pay doesn't count vs the cap

 

I don't see them doing that at all, I have to find the info on that, but I thought that was expressly forbidden by the new agreement.

Again otherwise they would just wink and nod at the players and get them to buy off on this way of cutting cap space.

 

How can you be on I.R. during the offseason?

 

I think if bye the 4th if no deal is done they will put the franchise tag him like woodley to buy more time. From what colbert said i really dont see him hitting the open market

 

i read somewhere is possible anyway we can't pay hampton 8 milion , even if he is healthy

 

I hope so.

 

Yo... Wallace a Steeler for life? Please!!!! If they can't step up to the plate right now and say the same thing for Ward I have a hard time believing that. Ward has always been an all around better receiver than Wallace.

Let's be real. Wallace has the extra gear, but once he loses it he they will quickly show him the door.

 

He's only what -- 25? He won't lose a gear for at least 3 or 4 years, and even then he'll still be fast enough to be a deep threat. Unless we're signing him to an 8 year contract, I don't see why re-signing him is a risk as far as speed goes.

Look at Ike Taylor. He was once the fastest man in the league, and now that he's finally lost his extra gear, he's still fast enough to stick with the fastest receivers.