Ravens sign Mike Wallace to a reported two-year, $11.5 million deal
The former Steeler, Dolphin, and Viking is now a Raven.
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2 min read
After jumpstarting his career with the Steelers and flaming out with the Dolphins and Vikings, Mike Wallace's next NFL destination is Baltimore.
Actually, Wallace is already there, meeting with Ravens head coach John Harbaugh. That's coming from the Ravens themselves.
WR Mike Wallace is in the building and is expected to agree to a contract this afternoon. He's with Coach Harbaugh right now.
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) March 15, 2016
Though the Ravens noted a deal would take place later Tuesday, CBS Sports NFL Insider Jason La Canfora reports the two sides have agreed to terms. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport first reported the news and ESPN's Adam Schefter provided the financial details, reporting the deal is for two years and $11.5 million.
Ravens have agreed to terms with WR Mike Wallace, who was visiting them. Deep ball target for Flacco to replace Torrey smith
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) March 15, 2016
Speaking of Torrey Smith, remember what Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti had to say when he compared Smith to Wallace just a year ago?
"The difference between what we can pay Torrey and what he gets on the open market, umm, Mike Wallace got $10 million. I don't think anyone thinks that was a good deal. And so there is always a team that has lots of money that wants to bring in playmakers and those guys are going to get those deals."
Welp. Now, the Ravens are replacing Smith, who left for San Francisco last offseason, with Wallace, who the Vikings cut a week ago. But, putting that year-old quote aside, the move does not not make sense (if that makes sense) -- at least from Wallace's perspective.
Yes, Wallace struggled after leaving Pittsburgh. During this past season in Minnesota, Wallace caught 39 passes for 473 yards and two touchdowns. In two years with the Dolphins, Wallace fared better (roughly 900 receiving yards per season), but he still struggled to consistenly produce as the home-threat he became in Pittsburgh.
Yet Wallace's struggles shouldn't be placed entirely on him. Instead, his struggles should've been expected when the speedy receiver joined two teams with two quarterbacks (Ryan Tannehill and Teddy Bridgewater) who don't throw the deep ball particularly well. Joe Flacco, on the other hand, will throw the ball deep. And that gives Wallace his chance to re-emerge as a home-run threat.
I'm not so certain this deal makes sense from the Ravens' perspective, though. Steve Smith will return for another season, Kamar Aiken was forced to handle most of the pass-catching duties last season and he'll be back for his third season, and Breshad Perriman should be healthy after missing his entire rookie year. Paying a receiver who'll turn 30 in August -- a receiver who is known for his speed -- might not be the smartest move. It might be entirely unnecessary.
