STEELERS '13 - Talent Evaluation and Need - WR

Not exactly sure what the Steelers will bemissing in the 2012 version of Mike Wallace?  They had hom andhe did next to nothing in stretching the field often enough to make a difference.  He dropped several key passes, 4 by PFT.com's claculations for TDs.  And he appeared disinterested in playing for the team, andmore interested inpouting that AB got his contract.

Well, first of all, why does Wallace in 2013 have to be the Wallace of 2012?

Second, even though he dropped passes and wasn't his usual self, as a coach, you have to appreciate what his threat poses to a defense.  #3 makes a valid point...how many times is Brown or Sanders open because they are facing single coverage because Wallace is drawing the double coverage?  What happens to Brown when he becomes the focus of the defense?

Obviously, Mike Wallace wasn't the same guy in 2012 that he was in 2009 and 2010 and 2011.  I get that.  He didn't seem as focused and I'm sure his contract situation contributed to that.  Am I happy about it?  Of course not!  In a season where it seemed like the difference between winning and losing games was extraordinarily thin, you have to wonder what a more motivated and focused Mike Wallace could have done for this team.  So, yes, it ticks me off a bit that he let his contract affect him so much...if that's, indeed, what caused his poor play.

However, if he'll take a contract that is reasonable and go back to being the dangerous player he was for his first three years in the league, why wouldn't we want him on this team?  THAT Mike Wallace, paired with Brown, Sanders and either Cotchery or Burress, would be a hell of a receiving corps.

I agree, though, that if he isn't capable of putting the contract stuff behind him or willing to take a reasonable deal, then he should absolutely be playing elsewhere in 2013.

Agreed, the Mike Wallace we all game to love in 2010 and 2011 would be welcomed with open arms by a majority of Steelers' fans.  The Mike Wallace who said he felt "distant' and some times lost focused DURING GAMES" is the guy NO COACH wants anywhere near his team.  Nothing says Wallace can't return to his former self except his greed/need to get paid.  I won't begrduge anyone their just pay day, just don't let it become you and you on-field performance suffers because you allowed it to consume and define you.  He is not fully to blame, Colbert could've have bent a touch more, but he now believes himself to be genius because Wallace's performance showed he wasn't worth $12 mil a year.

Yes - I would love MW to stay in black and gold, if it were going to be a full heart and souk MW. 

Personally hoping to see Cordarrelle Patterson in Black and Gold. Big, Fast, Strong, and versatile.

And the stories that were told about him early in the season about maturing during his time in Junior college sounded very encouraging. Maybe he could help bring back the hardworking mentality to the WR core that seemed to be severely lacking this season.

I guess one of the questions would be if they could afford one top free agent signing would we want it to be a WR or RB?

I guess one of the questions would be if they could afford one top free agent signing would we want it to be a WR or RB?

No question it is has to be a franchise running back.  But that's another thread entirely.