Mike Wallace is doing the right thing

I'm not saying that I think he is like Randy Moss I am saying that I hope that he doesn't turn out to be that way. But when I see players in any sport that have ALREADY made millions complaining that they don't have enough it just rubs me the wrong way. If you can't live a comfortable life on a few million dollars then you are an irresponsible person. I do NOT begrduge success. But I do oppose EXCESS. But I congratulate all American's that attain financial success. All I'm saying is the PERCEPTION seems that they are divas to a lot of people.

 

So far he's accumulated what, like $2 million or something? I don't know. And he'll get another $2.7 million for this season. That's more than I've ever made or probably will ever make, and it makes him super rich. Don't get me wrong. But keep in mind he's shooting for a pay day in the $55-60 million range. And he only gets one. He needs to make the most of it. I would.

 

It's just hard for a guy from the east TN countryside to imagine that kind of money. I'm of the philosophy that star athletes are overpaid. How can a guy that just plays football be worth $100 million dollars? I know they help the NFL brand and generate revenue for the franchise but I help UPS daily and don't get paid a fraction of what they actually make. And even if I was the greatest UPSer of all time I couldn't see being worth that kind of money. I think it actually speaks to our society when you have a certain sect of people that resent CEO's for what they make but then celebrate athletes who make just as much and probably more. I'm just not sure why it's not ok for some office dude to make money but it's cool for Michael Jordan to make tons. But it's like I said I congratulate ALL American's when they make it honestly. But there's gotta be a point to where you should check your ego and just realize that there is such a thing as going overboard.

 

Okay, never mind, we are at different points in this conversation. They are all overpaid. I know that. Rookie benchwarmers don't deserve $400K, and Chris Kemoeatu didn't deserve $25 million. Hell, the very very best players don't deserve what they make. Not even close. It's insane and insulting to everyone with a job that no one buys tickets to see. That doesn't change anything I said before though. I would still max out if I was Mike and take what I could get. I wouldn't say, "You know, I could get X amount, but Y amount is more than I'll ever need, so I'll just be a nice guy and go with that." Screw that. Even if every extra penny I made over Y amount went to a charity of my choice, it would be well worth sacrificing camp.

 

One other thing I would like to say in fairness to Wallace I suppose, like most pros, he has an agent and that agent is telling him he is worth soooo much more. But in reality that agent knows the more he gets for Wallace is really the more he gets for himself. I'm sure there are other people in his ear telling him to play hardball. I will say it's probably a little unfair to blame all the athletes when really they have so many leeches hanging off of them it is ridiculous.

 

I believe that this is a hard thing for us fans to grasp. Collectively, we long for athletes to show up, give 100%, honor their contracts, make more money than (mostly) anyone of us can ever dream, shut their mouths, and play. This was (in general) how the NFL operated for many, many years. Players made their money and us fans got what we wanted...a team of athletes each of whom mortgaged the future of their body for the good of the team and the sport. We are all lucky in the fact that we are Steelers fans and we've gotten to witness unmatched success in this league in the Super Bowl era in the only statistic that matters...Lombardi trophies.
We now have to realize that the sport...and the athletes that make this game great...have changed. With all of the safety elements coming into play, your star athletes are not so ready and willing to put their body on the line without the financial security of the guaranteed money. Camp holdouts are becoming a norm. Such is the business of the sport.
On a personal level, do I wish that Wallace signed his tender, participated in OTAs and Mini camps, and came into training camp ready and willing to contribute to ring #7? Of course. Do I understand his reluctance to do so? Yes. Why? Because when he signs his tender and reports by game #1(which is being reported as a likely scenario)..and puts up even "pedestrian" numbers this year...800-1100 yards, 6-8 TDs, some team...be it the Steelers or somebody else...will offer him the security he is seeking. Barring a career ending injury (which for a non special teams, position player like him is very unlikely), he will get receive it. Even Javon Waker who tore his ACL after holding out before the 2005 season, received his payday in 2006 to the tune of 5 years, 40 million (15 million in bonuses), and then another contract in 2008, 6 yr 55 million, 16m guaranteed. Star players...especially WRs... are always attractive on the market. It is historically the one position (other than QB) that franchises believe will turn their team's fortune around.
He's playing his odds. He is betting that he will report and do what he did his first 3 years in the league...play at a very high level. Fans historically have short memories when it comes to hold outs...as long as the player "takes care of business" when he reports. Davon Jackson recently said he didn't give 100% last year in the hopes that he didn't get injured before cashing in. This has gotten very little press...mostly because it's the new norm.
I like Wallace...I liked him in college and I've enjoyed his time with the Steelers. I believe he will report and be ready by the opener this year, and I believe he will do good things in this offense. He obviously has a great rapport with our QB. If the worst thing that happens to our team this season is Wallace skipping meaningless preaseason games, I think we are all going to be happy come February.
Go Steelers!

 

People, these athletes don't give a rats ass about us fans. the ones that make for their unbeleivable
life styles that they live.They will always go to the highest bidder just as Mike Wallace will.
Most play for the money and that is about it. There are no loyalties, these guys play for cash money homey.
Most of them could care less about you and me.

 

I know you are so right. I would love to know the pecentage of players that actually do care about the fans. Sports is a one sided relationship. I suppose we all, on some level, like to think that our guys care about our opinions. But in realitity we know that care A LOT more about them then they ever will about us. We name our kids after them. How many of them name their kids after us? We follow their lives closely. How many of them will find us even mildly interesting? Just keeping it real.

 

Keenan Lewis (Mike's friend since childhood) says Mike will sign today, Antonio Brown says tomorrow. This from Ed Bouchette.

http://www.steelersdepot.com/2012/08/report-keenan-lewis-says-mike-wallace-will-show-up-today/

 

he already lost millions by staying out of camp............... the f.o. doesn't negotiate with people who don't show up, and they don't negotiate during the regular season..... if wallace had gotten his tail into camp sooner, he more than likely would've had a multi yr. deal work out by now............

 

How did he already lose millions? The Steelers will still negotiate a long-term deal with him as soon as he signs his tender. If they don't reach one, he'll get one somewhere else (if he doesn't get hurt), probably for more.

 

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap100000 ... witterfeed

 

well hes sure cutting it close and not giving much time for a long term deal here in the burg.. if he comes in tomorrow (tuesday) that leaves less then 2 weeks to get er done as they say..

HINES