Photo: saberdragon.at11.clyx.com
- Adam ParkerIt's a scenario that no member of Steeler Nation wants to consider -- the idea of potentially losing Mike Wallace to free agency leaves an unimaginably sour taste in my mouth.
After trading Santonio Holmes to the Jets for a fifth-round pick in 2010 because of troubles with the law, Wallace became the clear-cut number one wideout in the Steel City. Averaging 66 catches and more than 1,200 receiving yards over the past two seasons.
However, Wallace, a third-round pick in the 2009 draft out of Ole Miss, could be donning a new jersey for the 2012 season if the cap-strapped Steelers are unable to manufacture the funds necessary to keep him around.
Steelers' general manager Kevin Colbert expects to keep Wallace, even if he's not sure at this moment how he's going to accomplish it.
Wallace is a restricted free agent, meaning the Steelers could apply the franchise tag, (meaning another team would have to surrender two draft picks, likely two first-rounders, to pry him loose). Or a first-round tender, which would cost only a single round-one selection if the Steelers choose not to (or are unable to) match the competing offer for Wallace. That scenario would be far more inviting for a team with cap room.
Colbert said Thursday at the scouting combine that he is mulling which way he'll restrict Wallace -- the franchise tag would be the safest bet, but also would cost the cap-tight Steelers $9.4 million in 2012 -- as he also ponders how to get the team under the cap by the time free agency begins next month. Despite what he might have to do, Colbert is determined clear space on Wallace's behalf.
"Having a great player like Mike Wallace is not a dilemma," he said, "We're gonna do everything we can. We want Mike to finish his career with the Steelers ... We think he's only scratched the surface of what he can do," said Colbert.
Colbert admitted that Wallace's progression to Pro-Bowl talent was something he wasn't expecting to occur so early on in his career, hence the sticky contract situation of keeping him around.
Wallace is arguably the greatest deep threat in football today, so you can safely assume that he'll garner serious interest on the free agent market if the Steelers can't lock him up long-term.
So are some possible destinations for Wallace if he were to enter free agency?
Wallace visited SiriusXM NFL Radio on Wednesday to discuss his pending trip to restricted free agency. Specifically, he was asked if he'd be interested in playing for the San Francisco 49ers or New England Patriots, two teams in dire need of a vertical threat like him.
"Most definitely. Those are two playoff-caliber teams. Super Bowl-caliber teams," said Wallace, who averaged 18.7 yards per catch in his first three NFL seasons. "I think that the right person or the right piece for those guys could put them over the top. All they need is one more piece ... most definitely, those are Super Bowl-contending teams."
But before my fellow Steelers fans go crazy over those comments, two things should be of note.
Wallace didn't suggest San Francisco and New England as landing spots. He was asked a question about those two particular teams, and he answered honestly. He also later added, "I wouldn't want to go anywhere and leave the situation where I am at with a great quarterback, a great organization or go somewhere where I don't feel like I could succeed."
It sounds to me like Wallace wants to remain with the Black and Gold. Nevertheless, he also noted, "I definitely want to get my money."
Will the Steelers somehow be able to pull of another off-season of salary cap magic and secure Wallace to a long-term deal?
For the sake of the team and all of Steeler Nation, I certainly hope so.
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