Concern with Wallace?

Aug 29, 2013; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins Mike Wallace on the bench in the fourth quarter in a game against the New Orleans Saints at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

When your team starts 3-1 concern is a relative word, but should we be concerned with Mike Wallace?

Everyone knows the story, the Miami Dolphins spent $60 million on free agent Mike Wallace during the offseason in hopes that he would be a true number one receiver. Amongst other things, Wallace was a true deep threat—being one of the fastest receivers in the league—and the hope was he would take the top off the defense and often draw double teams.

Though Wallace has been taking the top of the defense he and quarterback Ryan Tannehill have yet to connect on a deep pass. The first time the offense even ran that play was on Monday Night, but Wallace dropped the pass (or you could argue the ball was underthrown and Wallace was forced to slow down, but I digress).

In the team’s first four games, Wallace has had only had one 100-yard game and caught one touchdown. In that game, against the Colts, Miami was truly utilizing Wallace as a number one receiver. The other three games and have found Wallace permanently lined up on the right side. The offense has shown little versatility with this and its shown in Wallace’s production.

While Wallace has admitted to dropped passes (there have been a few in the last two games), he told the Miami Herald he isn’t losing confidence.

So why am I so concerned? Well, because we can’t only blame this on a lack of chemistry with Tannehill. Brandon Gibson was also an offseason acquisition and he has found a stride with Tannehill in a way Wallace hasn’t. It appears that Tannehill looks to his favorite man Brian Hartline and Gibson before he targets Wallace (some could argue even TE Charles Clay is getting more love).

How long do we wait? This week’s matchup with Baltimore is a game Wallace is all too familiar with from his time in Pittsburgh. He knows this Ravens team well and plans to exploit its weaknesses.

I think this weekend is a do or die opportunity for Wallace. He had a chance on Monday night in his homecoming, but fell short. This is the chance to show the doubters that he is beginning to play up to his big contract. Let’s wait and see.