Mike Wallace: The Miami Dolphin’s Future Home-Run King
Nov 13, 2011; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Mike Wallace (17) during the first half against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports
The Miami Dolphins are starving for play-makers on the offensive side of the ball. Alright, I am done pointing out the obvious. It is starting to become a constant, though. Year after year, the Miami Dolphins “need” a big play wide receiver. Sure, the team had Brandon Marshall. But Marshall under-preformed greatly during his tenure with the aqua and orange (damn near couldn’t even catch a cold). Yes, Brian Hartline “broke out” last season. But Hartline is not a big play receiver. The team needs a big time play-maker.
Finally, the Miami Dolphins seem to be in a position to bring in a big name wide receiver via free agency. Pending free agents Dwayne Bowe (Kansas City), Greg Jennings (Green Bay) and Mike Wallace (Pittsburgh) seem to be the hottest candidates. Why? They are the best candidates on the market.
While everyone is poking at a Philbin-Jennings reunion in Miami – http://blacksportsonline.com/home/2013/02/greg-jennings-interested-in-the-miami-dolphins/ – or suggesting Dwayne Bowe will take a pay cut to come “home”, did we forget about Wallace? Now, now, now, I did not say I would be opposed to Bowe or Jennings in a Miami uniform – but Wallace is younger, faster and realistically a better player than both Bowe and Jennings, isn’t he?
What has Miami been missing for ages on offense? A “home-run” threat at the wide receiver position. Someone who can take the top off of a defense or can take a short pass and turn it into a huge gain. Tell me, is Greg Jennings going to take the top off of a defense? No. Can Dwayne Bowe beat a corner deep on a consistent basis? That remains to be seen. Bowe is notorious for being known as a “problem child” during his tenure with the Kansas City Chiefs and Joe Philbin will not tolerate his “me first” attitude (will he Brandon Marshall or Chad Johnson?). Point blank, Mike Wallace is a H-O-M-E-R-U-N threat!
Wallace, a former Ole Miss star, was drafted in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers after running a remarkable 4.33 forty-yard dash – for those of you that do not know, that’s pretty darn fast. A team starved for speed, such as Miami, may be willing to spend big for a receiver such as Wallace. Now am I saying he deserves a huge pay day? No. But he will get a nice pay check from a team literally frothing at the mouth because of the new dimension his speed could add to their offense.
For Wallace to land in Miami, Jeff Ireland and company will have to feel comfortable about Wallace as a potential “number one guy”. Sure, Wallace’s production took a bit of a dip this season. But, an injured Big Ben, a non-existent running game, and a shaky offensive line will do that to anyone (Unless your name begins with a Calvin and ends with a Johnson). In his most productive season with the Steelers he snagged 60 balls for 1,257 yards and 10 touchdowns (21.0 yard per reception). Even Wallace’s worst season (39 receptions 756 yards 6 touchdowns – his rookie season ) would be better than anything Miami’s current receivers have put together recently.
Wallace’s career ypr (yards per reception) average is an astounding 17.2. If that doesn’t scream “home-run” threat, then I really do not know what does.
Seriously, if you do not agree with me fellow Miami fans…Watch this quick six minute highlight clip. If that does not convince you, then I really do not know what will..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSOlJCoZmTI
Wallace possesses the break-away speed and the consistency Miami needs at the wide receiver position. The Miami Dolphins need Mike Wallace. Mike Wallace needs the Miami Dolphins. Come on, Jeff!
———-ALL STATISTICS TAKEN FROM ESPN.COM———-