BlitzburghRockCity
01-12-2012, 11:05 AM
Going into 2011, we all expected a huge season from Mike Wallace. He did finish with 72 catches for 1,193 yds., that equates to a 16.6 ypc average and 8 TD's to boot. Not a bad years work for the 3rd year receiver that found it more difficult to get open in the 2nd half of the year than the first. Teams rolled coverage his way and arguably he did have some trouble adjusting. That's to be expected though, it takes time to evolve your game after having so much success the first 2 years. When teams play you differently you have to adjust, and I certainly think he can and will.
Antonio Brown was a beneficiary of the extra attention defenses paid to Wallace; just like Wallace benefited from the attention that Ward got last year. can he elevate his game next year? Realizing as well that a healthy Big Ben will play a significant role in that too.
The Steelers will most definitely tender him the highest amount possible so they are assured the chanced to match any offer he gets elsewhere once free agency starts. The thing we have to wonder is, how much money will the Steelers pay to their receivers now. Wallace will either get a new contract this offseason or at least sign his tender offer. You also have to decide what to do with Jerricho Cotchery and Hines Ward. Chances are good that one of them return but not both. If Cotchery comes back, Ward may go elsewhere even though he says he wants to stay. If Tomlin doesn't bring back Cotchery then it's a safe bet Ward returns for sure. As much as we love Wallace, Sanders, and Brown you want to have some quality players behind them because as we saw this year you're going to need them.
Ed Bouchchette (http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/12012/1202980-66.stm#ixzz1jG6nXj9G)wrote an article in the PG as well talking about this.
Hines Ward will not be the only receiver in danger of leaving the Steelers before the 2012 season begins.
One of the Young Money trio's contract expires, and, whether Mike Wallace returns, could depend on several factors inside and outside the organization.
Wallace becomes a restricted free agent in March, and, while the Steelers partially can protect their rights to him by offering him a one-year tender, there is no guarantee another team might see more value in him and try to sign him.
The Steelers likely will tender him a contract high enough -- those numbers have yet to be determined by the league -- to guarantee that, if someone else signs him, the Steelers would receive a first-round draft choice in return or be able to match the contract and keep him. They also could negotiate a long-term deal with Wallace before he becomes a restricted free agent.
Veteran Jerricho Cotchery, who signed a one-year contract with the Steelers in August after asking for and receiving his release from the New York Jets, is a different case. Cotchery will be an unrestricted free agent and, while the Steelers would like him back, they will not offer him big money, and he could look for a team on which he could start.
Losing Ward, Wallace and Cotchery would be a blow to a receiving corps that blossomed in its transition over the past two seasons. Chances are good, however, that they will be able to keep Wallace. Antonio Brown, whose unexpected and phenomenal season earned him the MVP vote from his teammates, will return along with Emmanuel Sanders for their third seasons.
"We know the direction in which we are going with the receiving corps," Sanders said.
Antonio Brown was a beneficiary of the extra attention defenses paid to Wallace; just like Wallace benefited from the attention that Ward got last year. can he elevate his game next year? Realizing as well that a healthy Big Ben will play a significant role in that too.
The Steelers will most definitely tender him the highest amount possible so they are assured the chanced to match any offer he gets elsewhere once free agency starts. The thing we have to wonder is, how much money will the Steelers pay to their receivers now. Wallace will either get a new contract this offseason or at least sign his tender offer. You also have to decide what to do with Jerricho Cotchery and Hines Ward. Chances are good that one of them return but not both. If Cotchery comes back, Ward may go elsewhere even though he says he wants to stay. If Tomlin doesn't bring back Cotchery then it's a safe bet Ward returns for sure. As much as we love Wallace, Sanders, and Brown you want to have some quality players behind them because as we saw this year you're going to need them.
Ed Bouchchette (http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/12012/1202980-66.stm#ixzz1jG6nXj9G)wrote an article in the PG as well talking about this.
Hines Ward will not be the only receiver in danger of leaving the Steelers before the 2012 season begins.
One of the Young Money trio's contract expires, and, whether Mike Wallace returns, could depend on several factors inside and outside the organization.
Wallace becomes a restricted free agent in March, and, while the Steelers partially can protect their rights to him by offering him a one-year tender, there is no guarantee another team might see more value in him and try to sign him.
The Steelers likely will tender him a contract high enough -- those numbers have yet to be determined by the league -- to guarantee that, if someone else signs him, the Steelers would receive a first-round draft choice in return or be able to match the contract and keep him. They also could negotiate a long-term deal with Wallace before he becomes a restricted free agent.
Veteran Jerricho Cotchery, who signed a one-year contract with the Steelers in August after asking for and receiving his release from the New York Jets, is a different case. Cotchery will be an unrestricted free agent and, while the Steelers would like him back, they will not offer him big money, and he could look for a team on which he could start.
Losing Ward, Wallace and Cotchery would be a blow to a receiving corps that blossomed in its transition over the past two seasons. Chances are good, however, that they will be able to keep Wallace. Antonio Brown, whose unexpected and phenomenal season earned him the MVP vote from his teammates, will return along with Emmanuel Sanders for their third seasons.
"We know the direction in which we are going with the receiving corps," Sanders said.