What do we think of this little story?

[The Excellector]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/04/12/report-handful-of-teams-interested-in-mike-wallace-trade/

[NCRAVEN]

I don't make much of it. He'll be a Steeler this year, and most likely next.

[Ravenswintitle]

I don't think it's the pick that has teams shying aware from him. It's the fact that he wants insane money and he is kind of a dumbass.

[wickedsolo]

I don't think it's the pick that has teams shying aware from him. It's the fact that he wants insane money and he is kind of a dumbass.

:word

[leachisabeast]

I don't make much of it. He'll be a Steeler this year, and most likely next.

I don't think the Steelers will be able to come anywhere near his asking price next year after all the re structuring the Steelers have done this year.

[stevez51]

I thought they really want to keep Brown who is restricted next year.

[wickedsolo]

I don't think the Steelers will be able to come anywhere near his asking price next year after all the re structuring the Steelers have done this year.

That could be a possibility.

Get something for him while they can.

[GOTA]

It's very interesting. If a team signs Wallace to an offer sheet they have to give the Steelers their 1st round pick. Some teams are trying to see if the Steelers are willing to take less. What I wonder is if the Steelers aren't interested in for example a 2nd round pick for Wallace does that team then go ahead and decide to bite the bullet and sign Wallace to an offer sheet.

Pat Kirwin said that he did sign a RFA back when he was a GM. He waited until an hour before the deadline to do it just to try and put pressure on the other team. I could see that happening. Makes me very happy we extended Webb and won't have to deal with this.

[GOTA]

I don't think the Steelers will be able to come anywhere near his asking price next year after all the re structuring the Steelers have done this year.

They could just franchise him which would probably be less than the nutty amount Wallace wants.

[landspeed]

I don't make much of it. He'll be a Steeler this year, and most likely next.

Doubtful. Steelers dont really have a say in it. They have zero cap room for him this and next year. Also, he wants a very large contract.

He'll be gone

[madmikey]

That could be a possibility.

Get something for him while they can.

They'll get a decent comp pick even if he walks eventually (3rd or 4th). The Steelers hold all the cards. Wallace is pretty much screwed unless another team ponies up, which won't happen.

[lovefootball]

Looking like steelers have another player who believes in having a lot of drama going on. Steelers could implode this year with another drama queen. Ben won't be happy having the media fawning over wallaces problems. Can't blame wallace for getting whatever he can at his age. If another team pays up, the steelers still have brown and resigned cotchery. Next man up is the Ravens motto.

[GOTA]

They'll get a decent comp pick even if he walks eventually (3rd or 4th). The Steelers hold all the cards. Wallace is pretty much screwed unless another team ponies up, which won't happen.

True. That's even more reason for the Steelers not to take anything less than a 1st round pick.

[JAB1985]

True. That's even more reason for the Steelers not to take anything less than a 1st round pick.

2nd is still better than a 3rd and i could see a team throwing in a 4th or 5th in that case as well. I still dont think it happens because the guy just isnt worth the money he wants and a contract would have to be in place first before the trade.

[madmikey]

Looking like steelers have another player who believes in having a lot of drama going on. Steelers could implode this year with another drama queen. Ben won't be happy having the media fawning over wallaces problems. Can't blame wallace for getting whatever he can at his age. If another team pays up, the steelers still have brown and resigned cotchery. Next man up is the Ravens motto.

They also have Sanders. Losing Wallace would hurt them but it shouldn't cripple them. The Steelers have almost no reason to cave in this situation, especially with Brown and Sanders hitting RFA next year. It would set a bad precedent.

[GOTA]

2nd is still better than a 3rd and i could see a team throwing in a 4th or 5th in that case as well. I still dont think it happens because the guy just isnt worth the money he wants and a contract would have to be in place first before the trade.

I'd rather have the player for a year and get a 3rd than lose him and get a 2nd. Especially in a mediocre draft. It's very possible that a 2013 3rd pick will be a better quality prospect than a 2012 2nd round pick.

[JAB1985]

I'd rather have the player for a year and get a 3rd than lose him and get a 2nd. Especially in a mediocre draft. It's very possible that a 2013 3rd pick will be a better quality prospect than a 2012 2nd round pick.

good point. im just not sure hes worth the headaches if he pulls a desean jackson.

OT, how the hell did that guy get paid by the eagles after all that BS? horrible move.

[madmikey]

good point. im just not sure hes worth the headaches if he pulls a desean jackson.

OT, how the hell did that guy get paid by the eagles after all that BS? horrible move.

The Eagles didn't have the depth at receiver that the Steelers have. I'm not sure they had much choice but to give Jackson what he wanted.

[srobert96]

It could get interesting if Wallace decides to hold out into training camp. I am assuming that the trade would be for a 2nd and a 5th or maybe a 2nd a 3rd next year. I don't see anyway that the Steelers hold onto him past this year. Not sure on how the cap numbers work with franchising a player for a 2nd year but I imagine the number is going to be around 9m. The Steelers pushed their cap issues out from this year to later years. In doing so they are not going to have too many players they can restructure again next year. Brown is going to get a first round tender which will probably be close to 3m like Webb this year. Probably a significant raise over this year as brown was a 6th rounder.

[GOTA]

It could get interesting if Wallace decides to hold out into training camp. I am assuming that the trade would be for a 2nd and a 5th or maybe a 2nd a 3rd next year. I don't see anyway that the Steelers hold onto him past this year. Not sure on how the cap numbers work with franchising a player for a 2nd year but I imagine the number is going to be around 9m. The Steelers pushed their cap issues out from this year to later years. In doing so they are not going to have too many players they can restructure again next year. Brown is going to get a first round tender which will probably be close to 3m like Webb this year. Probably a significant raise over this year as brown was a 6th rounder.

They didn't Franchise Wallace this year so that higher tag number for 2 years in a row won't be an issue.

[nickh0801]

Hensley doesn't see it happening (http://espn.go.com/blog/afcnorth/post/_/id/45847/not-buying-mike-wallace-trade-rumors).

[The Excellector]

When they have to tag him next year, that is when this will get interesting.

[madmikey]

When they have to tag him next year, that is when this will get interesting.

I don't think they will tag him. The Steelers have let other big receivers walk in the past and they've done fine. Plax left, everyone forecast doom and nothing really changed. Holmes left, same deal - everything was fine. They can live without Wallace.

I think they'll pay Brown and let Wallace walk next year (and take their 3rd round comp pick).

Wallace really can't win here. If he holds out or sulks, his stats take a hit and when he hits UFA next year he'll cost himself millions. Meanwhile the Steelers already have 3 solid WRs - they're better with Wallace but they're not crippled without him.

Since the Steelers would get a 3rd round pick when he walks as a UFA they're not going to deal him now for anything less than a 1st. It makes no sense.

If Wallace wants to go to another team he's going to have to convince that team to pony up the 1st round pick. And if they don't he'll have to sign his tender and have a great year to get his big deal next year.

Ultimately this is just a bunch of noise coming from his agent which will likely result in absolutely nothing.

[Section 502 Raven]

I don't think they will tag him. The Steelers have let other big receivers walk in the past and they've done fine. Plax left, everyone forecast doom and nothing really changed. Holmes left, same deal - everything was fine. They can live without Wallace.

I think they'll pay Brown and let Wallace walk next year (and take their 3rd round comp pick).

Wallace really can't win here. If he holds out or sulks, his stats take a hit and when he hits UFA next year he'll cost himself millions. Meanwhile the Steelers already have 3 solid WRs - they're better with Wallace but they're not crippled without him.

Since the Steelers would get a 3rd round pick when he walks as a UFA they're not going to deal him now for anything less than a 1st. It makes no sense.

If Wallace wants to go to another team he's going to have to convince that team to pony up the 1st round pick. And if they don't he'll have to sign his tender and have a great year to get his big deal next year.

Ultimately this is just a bunch of noise coming from his agent which will likely result in absolutely nothing.

if had a low draft pcik in the first round and in needed a WR i would take wallace. why take the chance wiht an unproven commodity when you can get a sure thing.

[bmorecareful]

if had a low draft pcik in the first round and in needed a WR i would take wallace. why take the chance wiht an unproven commodity when you can get a sure thing.

I've been saying for a while now that the Bengals need to make a play for Wallace. They need a bookend to start next to AJ Green, and Wallace is a great complement. He would make that offense very explosive and the Bengals have the cap room to do it.

Is Wallace worth the Bengals' 2nd first round pick? Absolutely! They're already targeting a skill position player with that pick anyway, so why not? They're also seriously hurting a division rival in the process. It's just a smart move for them, but maybe they know something I don't.

[HoustonRaven]

He will be playing for the Steelers.

And no way they'd let him go to Cincy. They'd match the offer without hesitation.

[The Excellector]

If the Steelers won't tag him, there isn't really a problem, except for having to play this year and keeping his fingers crossed that he does not get hurt. That, however, was going to happen anyway, because Pittsburgh was not going to pay him this year.

As for what money he'll get in FA, trust me, he'll get paid. A slip in his stats won't hurt him. Sometimes we forget how many desperate teams there are out there, until we see player X given Y amount of money.

[leachisabeast]

He will be playing for the Steelers.

And no way they'd let him go to Cincy. They'd match the offer without hesitation.

How would they match any offer? They have only 5 million in cap space, the Bengals still have tons, and are going to be in good position to make a bunch of splashes since next year you have to spend at least 90 % of your cap. The Steelers will be in a mess, with all the re structuring they've done, and most likely wont be able to keep many of their FA's.

[HoustonRaven]

By restructuring someone.

Pretty obvious since that's been their way the past few years.

[bmorecareful]

He will be playing for the Steelers.

And no way they'd let him go to Cincy. They'd match the offer without hesitation.

That literally can't happen. If Cincy offers him a contract with a huge first-year cap hit, the Steelers can't match it unless they cut several more veterans. They're restructured every contract they possibly can.

Pittsburgh really doesn't have any options at this point. Anybody who offers Wallace a contract with a first-year cap hit above 5m is going to get him as long as he signs on the line. Nothing the Steelers can do about it.

I don't really see the Steelers having any desire to TRADE Wallace, though. That I don't think will happen, since there's no incentive for the Steelers and very little incentive for another team to do it. Grabbing him as an RFA only makes sense for a team that feels like Wallace is worth a first rounder and a big contract. I think Cincy fits because 1) they have a huge need at WR, 2) they wanted to get more explosive last year, 3) they have an extra 1st rounder, and 4) they've never really valued draft picks all that much.

Again, there must be a good reason it isn't happening because on paper it makes sense.

[HoustonRaven]

Yet nobody is offering him that contract.

Will it hurt the Steelers to move money to re-sign him? Yes. But it isn't impossible and they'd certainly do it if the suitor was someone in the division.

[Ravenswintitle]

It's the money he's demanding that's stopping every team from moving forward. It's not the pick.

I believe he'll be in Pitt this year unless he holds out. Next year he's probably gone and they'll get a 3rd round conditional amd move on

[Purple nurple]

I could see the rams trying to give up one of their high 2's and maybe a later pick

[blacknpurplepain]

I remember steeler fans saying Webb was crazy when he stated wallace wasn't the best Wr on the steelers. I always thought brown was the all around better receiver when healthy. I would hate to see the steelers with 2 first round picks so I hope he stays this year. The question is, can brown put up big numbers without Wallace or being the #1 receiver

[Terpsfan82]

That literally can't happen. If Cincy offers him a contract with a huge first-year cap hit, the Steelers can't match it unless they cut several more veterans. They're restructured every contract they possibly can.

Pittsburgh really doesn't have any options at this point. Anybody who offers Wallace a contract with a first-year cap hit above 5m is going to get him as long as he signs on the line. Nothing the Steelers can do about it.

I don't really see the Steelers having any desire to TRADE Wallace, though. That I don't think will happen, since there's no incentive for the Steelers and very little incentive for another team to do it. Grabbing him as an RFA only makes sense for a team that feels like Wallace is worth a first rounder and a big contract. I think Cincy fits because 1) they have a huge need at WR, 2) they wanted to get more explosive last year, 3) they have an extra 1st rounder, and 4) they've never really valued draft picks all that much.

Again, there must be a good reason it isn't happening because on paper it makes sense.
Too bad Mike Brown doesn't care about winning. But if the Ravens were in Cincinnati's shoes, does Ozzie pull the trigger?

[leachisabeast]

Too bad Mike Brown doesn't care about winning. But if the Ravens were in Cincinnati's shoes, does Ozzie pull the trigger?

I wouldn't waste a first round pick and a bunch of money for him, even if I have the cap room Cinci does. Look at his attitude, I don't care how good he is, he is not worth that kind of money and a draft pick, Ozzie wants winners. Wallace isn't in the same class as Andre Johnson or Calvin Johnson.

I'd rather draft my own guy, like Kendall Wight and develop him along side AJ Green, both much more hard working guys with much better attitudes than Wallace.

[Terpsfan82]

I wouldn't waste a first round pick and a bunch of money for him, even if I have the cap room Cinci does. Look at his attitude, I don't care how good he is, he is not worth that kind of money and a draft pick, Ozzie wants winners. Wallace isn't in the same class as Andre Johnson or Calvin Johnson.

I'd rather draft my own guy, like Kendall Wight and develop him along side AJ Green, both much more hard working guys with much better attitudes than Wallace.

Even if you had a chance to weaken a division rival at the same time?

[leachisabeast]

Even if you had a chance to weaken a division rival at the same time?

I don't know about that because yes the Steelers will be without a top tier WR in the league, but at the same time they are losing a pre madonna and gaining a first rounder which could end up being a stud. Roethlisberger is good enough to make things happen without Wallace. So no I wouldn't do it personally.

[Doctor]

Pat Kirwin said that he did sign a RFA back when he was a GM. He waited until an hour before the deadline to do it just to try and put pressure on the other team.

I'm not certain what the rules were at the time Kirwin says he waited until the last second, but a rule of the restricted market is that there is a seven-day period for "right of first refusal" eliminating the possibility to "pressure" another team with a truncated time frame to make a decision.

[bmorecareful]

I wouldn't waste a first round pick and a bunch of money for him, even if I have the cap room Cinci does. Look at his attitude, I don't care how good he is, he is not worth that kind of money and a draft pick, Ozzie wants winners. Wallace isn't in the same class as Andre Johnson or Calvin Johnson.

I'd rather draft my own guy, like Kendall Wight and develop him along side AJ Green, both much more hard working guys with much better attitudes than Wallace.

But Kendall Wright has never stepped foot on an NFL field. Mike Wallace is ALREADY one of the very best deep threats in the league. He's not at the Calvin Johnson/Larry Fitzgerald/Andre Johnson level, but I would argue he is right below that. He's realistically a top 10 WR in the league, and Wright is not. Wright is 3 years younger than Wallace, but it's not like Wallace is old. He's only 25 and he stands to get better if he can hone his route running a bit.

If you could choose between Kendall Wright and Mike Wallace for the same CONTRACT, I think it's a no-brainer that you choose Wallace. As others have said, the problem looks to be that teams simply don't want to pay Wallace's price at all, draft picks notwithstanding.

[leachisabeast]

But Kendall Wright has never stepped foot on an NFL field. Mike Wallace is ALREADY one of the very best deep threats in the league. He's not at the Calvin Johnson/Larry Fitzgerald/Andre Johnson level, but I would argue he is right below that. He's realistically a top 10 WR in the league, and Wright is not. Wright is 3 years younger than Wallace, but it's not like Wallace is old. He's only 25 and he stands to get better if he can hone his route running a bit.

If you could choose between Kendall Wright and Mike Wallace for the same CONTRACT, I think it's a no-brainer that you choose Wallace. As others have said, the problem looks to be that teams simply don't want to pay Wallace's price at all, draft picks notwithstanding.

My argument isn't on Kendall Wright vs Wallace, of course I know who the better player is right now. But 10 million a year for Mike Wallace? No thanks. The argument isn't between who you would chose between Wright and Wallace at the same contract, my argument is that you should never spend that much money on a pre modonna WR. Kendall Wright was just an example btw, because by the time the Bengals are picking he's probably the only receiver worth taking at #17 or #21.

[DkBlue]

My argument isn't on Kendall Wright vs Wallace, of course I know who the better player is right now. But 10 million a year for Mike Wallace? No thanks. The argument isn't between who you would chose between Wright and Wallace at the same contract, my argument is that you should never spend that much money on a pre modonna WR. Kendall Wright was just an example btw, because by the time the Bengals are picking he's probably the only receiver worth taking at #17 or #21.

Assuming you mean Prima donna, it is a pointless knock as Wallace has never been a problem or distraction. He is worth what the market says he is worth and worth much more than an untested draft pick.

[The Excellector]

I remember steeler fans saying Webb was crazy when he stated wallace wasn't the best Wr on the steelers. I always thought brown was the all around better receiver when healthy. I would hate to see the steelers with 2 first round picks so I hope he stays this year. The question is, can brown put up big numbers without Wallace or being the #1 receiver

We'll see what Brown can do when the double team starts coming his way more frequently.

[lovefootball]

We'll see what Brown can do when the double team starts coming his way more frequently.This is what I think will happen. Players who succeed get more attention from the opposing defense. Plus, ward is gone, he helped wallace and brown with crossing routes that often took a player covering them get blocked out slightly, enough for brown or wallace to get open. Ward was good at interfering with the defensive players ablity to stay with the receiver on a crossing play. Brown or wallace have played now for several years and there are tapes available to study them.

[madmikey]

This is what I think will happen. Players who succeed get more attention from the opposing defense. Plus, ward is gone, he helped wallace and brown with crossing routes that often took a player covering them get blocked out slightly, enough for brown or wallace to get open. Ward was good at interfering with the defensive players ablity to stay with the receiver on a crossing play. Brown or wallace have played now for several years and there are tapes available to study them.

Ward barely played last year. Sanders and Cotchery were the 3 and 4 guys. Ward finished the season as the 5th receiver. Losing Wallace could impact Brown, but losing Ward will have absolutely no effect.

[madmikey]

Too bad Mike Brown doesn't care about winning. But if the Ravens were in Cincinnati's shoes, does Ozzie pull the trigger?

I don't think Cinci would or should. They're going to have Green to take care of down the road. He's going to make a boatload of money. Do they really want two $10 million+ receivers on the team? It would restrict what they could do with the rest of their roster.