STEELERS SUSPEND TALKS WITH WALLACE

It's hard to tell with Tomlin sometimes. Eric Green held out in '94 and ended up signing a 1 year deal just before the season started so the situation isn't unprecedented.

 

I don't think he is happy that the situation has become a distraction for his training camp. I think he wants Wallace in camp and working but you can tell by his comments on Sanders he is happy to work with the guys who showed up. Take that however you want to take it but to me several of the statements he made came across as, these are the things I personally care about, how I approach contracts and such and what I would do. He makes the statement that the game is bigger than the two of them and the game of football will move forward. So to me I think there is some, I don't want to say anger,(yet) but disappointment maybe.

 

I obviously don't know how NFL contract negotiations go between management and agents but I have to wonder how many times the organization has hinted and/or stated that their client is just a one trick pony who wants out of his league money. Sorry Mike if you want Fitz money. It's not going to happen from either the Steelers or any other NFL team out there with half a brain.
I know. He has a family to feed somewhere.

 

Don't think they would even attempt to use the franchise tag next year and have to match someones offer on him. I don't get the feeling they'd jeapardize loosing Brown and Sanders, depending on how the season goes if he decides to not sign until wk10.

 

Yeah, I didn`t necessarily feel that Tomlin was "angry", with Wallace, he understands the business side of the game, but I feel he WAS delivering a stern and serious message to a young athlete, that NO ONE is irreplaceable, himself, included.
Notice the phrasing of "the game is bigger than either of us"... "someone will catch the balls, someone will make the tackles", etc.
I think he was just making a blunt, and obvious statement, that we will work with what we have, and there is no shortage of talent here.
What I don`t understand, is what Wallace hopes to gain, by holding out.
He hasn`t been here long, but surely long enough to know that they don`t negotiate with players who aren`t in camp, so how can he further his cause, by making it a situation where the front office won`t talk with his agent?
And for that matter, How did Hines manage to get a long term deal done, by holding out, if the Steeler`s policy is not to negotiate with players who aren`t present in camp?
That`s a little fuzzy to me, even tho it was only about 5 years ago or so.
There must be some details I`m not understanding, like the bit where he can sit out till the tenth week of the season, then play?
What? Does this assume he signs the tender we offered him, that he is currently refusing? And gets the entire amount for playing 6 regular season games, instead of 16?
I hate the financial side of the game. I don`t care how many times I hear it is a "business", and I understand, that it is a HUGE business with sickening amounts of money involved, but to me... BULL****!!!
It is still just a GAME, that these people are priveledged enough to be compensated for playing, with amounts of money that any soldier, fireman, or teacher could never DREAM of making, over their entire lives.
O.K., Sorry, just went on a bit of a rant there.
Personally, I think Wallace should get his ass to camp, and start learning the new offense A.S.A.P., But I don`t begrudge him the opportunity of trying to take advantage of the cash cow, that all the other players, league wide, do.
I would just remind him, as I think Tomlin, not so subtly did, that he ain`t the only player that can do the job.
Wallace should remember who he plays for, and maybe offset the amount of dollars he can get, with the cahnce to go to the Bowl, almost each and every year.
Just my 2 cents. Would love to have him, but wouldn`t break the bank for him, and I`m sure we won`t.
What I am still confused about, tho, is when, and if, any progress can be made on signing him, if he continues to hold out?

 

Wouldn't surprise me one bit if Wallace shows up the last week of camp. His "holdout" may simply be an excuse for not attending. From what I've read, players tend to hate camp--really, really, really hate camp.

 

Not having to attend camp. That's what he might be hoping to gain.

 

But with a brand new offense to learn?!?!
I have heard rumors that he has gotten the playbook from players who ARE tending to their responsibilities, but still...
Wouldn`t it be better to actually be there, and practice this new stuff with your teammates?
I dunno, I don`t hate the guy, but he sure isn`t making it easy to like him, when you have pretty much the opposite attitude, in Antonio Brown, at least for now, and, at least from what has been in the media.
Am I the only one who thinks these players hire a public relations manager, along with an agent, as soon as(or before), they get drafted?
If so, Wallace could use a new pair of them, IMO. (pun only half-way intended).

 

As I have mentioned in other posts and others have said here, Wallace and his agent just does not seem to understand is "This is not how the Pittsburgh Steelers do business!" Hines Ward even told him at the end of last year to come to camp and not hold out and he would have his best chance of getting a new contract done. He also told Wallace directly that he felt holding out was the worst thing he ever did. Wallace's behavior shows me that he is selfish and does not truly understand the Steelers are not the type of organization to try and get in a power struggle with. He will not win! At this point, I say let him sign his tender in Week 10 but then keep and sit him on the bench. Let him have no numbers to show off to other teams next year. If he is going to think of only himself over the team and passionate fans, then we can find someone else to catch the ball. Let's lock up A. Brown with the money we were going to give Wallace. The Steelers acted in good faith by not punishing him for not signing his tender, and this is how he shows his good faith?

 

HInes held out and made his statement and then came to camp and the deal got done in short order.

 

Couldn't have said it better. Even if he did play, don't expect him to come in week 10 with new system to learn to light it up either though. He really is in sort of a losing situation. Even better yet reduce the tender offer to (what is it like 60% of the 2.4 million) like they can.

 

Two things come to mind here and bleedsteel you touched on one of them. People call this a business all the time and it really isn't. Players and Management have turned it into a business but deep down it is a GAME. Its a game a lot of us played and some of us wish we still could. We discuss player transactions and salary caps but aren't we mostly interested in what happens on Sunday during the season? It is hard for me, as a fan, to appreciate any player that doesn't list a love for the game as a reason for playing. 2nd point - Yes, I understand that a football player's career is short and that they try to make as much money as they can before it ends. Some of them seem to do that and forget or don't understand that they risk losing the respect of the very people that make it possible for them to receive all that money in their quest to "get paid". Besides, don't most of these guys get a scholorship to play football in college. Aren't they supposed to receive a degree while going to said college. We as fans give the players all this respect and yet forget that we are rewarding a lot of them for failing to get educated. I guess my point is that some of us defend a player for trying to make all the money he can while playing and seem to forget that they were given an opportunity to be educated and have a chance at a career outside of football. Wouldn't it be great to get a free ride through college for oh, lets say, eating (obviously I'm hungry right now). While competing in eating I receive a degree in business administration. I get drafted to eat in the pros and make millions. When I am done I am able to go and find a job with my degree. Not all of us are that lucky. I think these athletes should cry a little less and play a little more!

 

Say you are a carpenter and make 28/HR, but the going rate for your talent, is lets say
is 35/Hr. Will you want your employer to pay you what the competition is making?
He wants De sean Jackson money, the Steelers have Antonio Brown, Jericho Cotchery,Manny Sanders
on the squad plus others (Clemons hometown guy) had to get that one in. I would
say with Antonio Browns contract coming up next year the Steelers have to make a choice.
Can we afford to keep both? Cap gurus need to answer this one.

 

I think this is what a lot of the problems come down to. Smart as Mike is (say players and coaches), I doubt he's making all the financial decisions himself.

I hope that in 3 or 4 weeks we will have forgotten any of this every took place.

 

It's really difficult to know if this is Bus Cook his agents tactic and advice or Mike refusing to agree with his Agent. Some of these Agents are ruthless but they make it hard on the fans and the other team players who are actually part of the collective good of the team.

I think its a bad strategy because it puts the organization on the defensive and pursuing and considering other options ( Sanders, Brown) I love this organization because you cannot hold them for a kings ransom. If Mike thinks the FO wont move on he is crazy. The Steelers have a history of going with whatever they have available and making the best of it which is what makes the Steelers the best team in the NFL

BMan

 

I think the Steelers need Wallace, I'm a huge Brown fan and I think he has all the talent in the world, but in the NFL today you need two great WR's, I like Sanders but he is very injury prone and I don't really have any faith in him staying healthy. As far as being able to afford them past this year, I think they can, but not without letting go some high paid vets such as Hampton and Harrison.

 

I'm glad to see the posts above discussing Mike's agent. That guy's been bothering me for some time. Does anyone here know who else Cook represents or has represented? More importantly,does Cook have any real experience dealing with Steelers ownership and management? Tactics that work on an owner willing to spend anything to get the guy they think will help take them all the way might work. That doesn't happen here, as we all know. I'd just like to know what this guy's accomplishments have been for other players. Oh, and if he's dealt with the Steelers before.

 

Hi grannieBurg,

Yes cook represented Jay Cutler and we know what happened there .. Calvin Johnson as well. Thats all I know

I think there are two problems. Mikes ego and that of his agent.

After I posted this I found this article which is quite telling http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/w ... index.html

Bman

 

Thanks, Busman.

Edit: Read the article at that link.Gives a really good perspective and few of us'll be surprised at the reminders of those previous stand-offs. I agree with Busman's comment -- it's both of those guys' egos.

 

I'm very disappointed! Mike was given his shot at negotiating a deal that was good for both himself and the team. That time is up and it's now time to get to work.He's pissing around and trying his hand at a battle he has zero chance of winning. He's also all but alienated himself with the fan base. Not a smart move AT ALL.

You can't win this one Mike. This is the wrong family to mess with. Do the right thing and get your a$$ to camp!

 

typical full of him self wide receiver in the NFL. Another Randy Moss in the making.

 

So was ward considered another randy moss