Top

Mike Wallace Steelers

February 23, 2012 by · Comments Off on Mike Wallace Steelers 

Mike Wallace Steelers, Steelers GM Kevin Colbert expects to keep WR Mike Wallace even if he’s not sure how he’s going to accomplish it. Wallace is a restricted free agent, meaning the Steelers could put the franchise tag on him (another team would have to surrender two draft picks to pry him loose under that scenario) or a first-round tender, which would cost only a single Round 1 selection, potentially an inviting price for a team with cap room.

Colbert said Thursday at the scouting combine that he is mulling which way he’ll restrict Wallace — the franchise tag would cost cap-tight Pittsburgh $9.4 million in 2012 — as he also ponders how to get the team into cap compliance by the time free agency begins next month. Colbert may have to clear space on Wallace’s behalf but sounds determined to do whatever he has to.

“Having a great player like Mike Wallace is not a dilemma,” he said.

“We’re gonna do everything we can,” to keep Wallace.

“We want Mike to finish his career with the Steelers … We think he’s only scratched the surface of what he can do.”

Wallace was a third-round pick in 2009, and Colbert admitted teams don’t bank on players drafted at the level to develop into Pro Bowl talents so quickly.

One of the league’s fastest players and a target that stretches defenses for QB Ben Roethlisberger, Wallace has averaged 66 catches and more than 1,200 receiving yards over the past two seasons.

Bottom