Wallace back by week one, according to ESPN

http://espn.go.com/nfl/trainingcamp12/s ... ources-say



Have at it.

 

If he's not planning on sitting until he HAS to come back mid-season... He needs to get there now. I know he's staying in shape but A. He won't be in "football shape" (see Chris Johnson last season), and B. He's not going to know the new offense.

 

Somebody get this dude to a barber and quick. He might need that more than he needs football.

 

Here is more information along the same lines.... It quotes the ESPN article but also adds some more to it. I still do not understand what Wallace has accomplished by this "statement" other than to be way behind others in learning a new offense. I just do not get it!


Mike Wallace Reportedly Expected to Rejoin Steelers Before Season Starts
By Brian Mazique August 14, 2012

The Pittsburgh Steelers need Mike Wallace on the field when the games count, and it appears they will have him—signed tender offer or not.

Per ESPN, Wallace will be in uniform and available for action, despite his unsettled contract situation.

The article states:

The wide receiver, who hasn't signed his tender offer from the Steelers as he wants a long-term contract, is expected to report to the team before the regular season begins, people who have spoken to him told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter on Tuesday.

It's a tremendous boost to the Steelers' passing game, as Wallace stretches the field like few other players in the NFL. The 26-year-old went to the Pro Bowl last season after snagging 72 receptions for 1193 yards and eight TDs.

Still, the Steelers have said they won't negotiate a new contract unless Wallace is with the team, and he signs his tender.

This feels like Wallace is the one giving in here. The Steelers drew a line in the sand with the deal to Brown, and Wallace may be loosing his grip in this power struggle.

Wallace deciding to report to the team certainly shows some give on his part. He has earned more than the measly offer the Steelers made to him.

Pittsburgh's offer of a one-year tender for $2.7 million was a bit low for a receiver of Wallace's caliber. In his career, Wallace has 171 receptions, 3206 receiving yards and 24 TDs, and that has come in just three NFL seasons.

There is no wonder he believes he deserves a long-term deal. I'm not implying he should be paid in the same ballpark as Calvin Johnson or Larry Fitzgerald, but I would have a problem with the tender offer as well.

What could be even more insulting to Wallace is that the Steelers gave Antonio Brown a five-year, $42 million contract, and Wallace is a more accomplished player. It's as if the Steelers are attempting to pay him like a one-dimensional receiver, but Wallace has proved he's more than that.

The Steelers have refused to be held hostage by the demands of a holdout, and I don't blame them either. This is business, and slowly but surely, it seems the Steelers are going to come out on top in this one.



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Don't the Steelers typically have a no negotiating during the season rule? If so, combined with the no negotiating unless your here rule, would seem to indicate that the sooner Mike Wallace reports, the more chance he has at getting his long term deal done before the season starts. Thus this year not next.

 

Yeah, but I think unlike the "no negotiating unless you're here" rule, the "no negotiating during the season" rule can be bent for the right circumstances.

 

I feel the same way as you do. I'll be glad when gets his butt in here, and hope its a long term deal. But right now hes acting like a little kid who couldnt have what he wanted !!

 

I thought the Steelers assigned him the top tender. Was that only the first round part? I thought they gave him the maximum amount they could.

 

Ditto.... What is the upside for him to wait till then?

 

He has to realize that if he doesn't come in before week 1 he is hurting both himself and the team. He can help them get to the playoffs, where anything is possible. As for himself, he needs to be putting up the numbers from week one. He's not going to make the probowl sitting at home. His stock value is not going to increase by having ESPN, NFLN, etc talking about all the other wide receivers putting up stats instead of him. He needs to be on the field and be in the top 5 of yards, catches, and TD's to get him the payday he wants. Can't do that at home.

 

So calling the offer made by the Steelers "measley" is going to accomplish what? ESPN writers need to stop taking themselves so seriously. Just my reaction to any 'news' from that source.

 

Exactly. And it's as if they are implying that the Steelers tender was the ONLY option he was given. At this point it's the only option left it sounds like, but I also think he blew his shot at a long term deal. Most likely by overvaluing himself.

 

no way they bend the rules for him. he has showed them no respect and they will not reward him. If he comes in and signs his tender, he plays for that. he is only hurting hisself. he is giving the team no chance to sign him long term if he does not show up. I say they will not make an exeption for him the way he has acted

 

Totally agree with above poster. There is no way in hell the Steelers give into this joker. No exceptions. Period. If they ever caved on this the precedent set would be a very dangerous one indeed

Bman

 

If you're talking about the same one we are, they've already caved on it before by signing people during the season. And it's not really caving after he comes back. It's keeping him on the team. In my opinion it's only a cave if they give him a deal before he shows up... which will not happen.

 

I was referring to the part in red. I dont believe the organization will deal with him until he shows up

Bman

 

As I've stated before, this all seems like an excuse for Mike Wallace to not have to attend camp. Call it selfish, stupid, idiotic, careless, whatever. Bottom line is, like so many other players, Wallace wanted to avoid camp at all costs. Happens all the time, in various forms. Perfect example: Brett Favre, who made sure he didn't "announce" he was coming back until camp was half over.

 

Everything you said is spot on plus, he has a chance to win a SuperBowl with this Steelers team which is something that doesn't happen with a lot of other organizations. Who knows what team he will play for next if he doesn't get a long term deal done with the Steelers. He needs to show and tell no matter what the circumstances are to get the money he desires.

 

I forget who posted it but "Are we really going to tie up 100 mill in two WRs?"

 

I worry that he comes back and throws the whole offense out of wack. You know they are prepping Brown for the #1 role in case Wallace doesn't come. You bring him back and throw Brown back to the #2 and everyone else slides as well. All the practice gets thrown out the window per say.

 

Yes I think we will have $100 million in signed WR's once Wallace gets back. The organization knows how important he is and how his speed affects the rest of the players on offense and how defenses have to prepare for him. I fully expect once he gets to camp there will be a long term deal worked out with Wallace.

 

I don't think that's how it works.

 

i made a thread on this very subject a while back. if he waits until the week before game 1 he could throw off alot of work that's been done by the guys here and ben very easily. being a new offense to really adds to the timing on plays, and how each receiver runs those routes from which position and which side of the field. i hope he gets here soon, so we can get this show on the road. it's time to get into season form. enough with these camp battles. i want red zone TD's,and i wanna see the bomb to wallace in our arsenal.

 

Wallace who?