When receiver Mike Wallace got to the NFL, he blew opposing defenses away with the Pittsburgh Steelers. After four years there, he took advantage of the name he built up and signed a big contract with the Miami Dolphins. But the Dolphins didn’t get the player the Steelers had.
So after a couple of years of nothing, they traded him to the Minnesota Vikings. And instead of getting better, things got much worse for Wallace when he went to the Vikings in 2015. He finished the season with career lows in every statistical category there is.
So what happened?
Did he lose a step or two?
It may be the places he went.
With the Steelers, he easily hooked up with big armed QB Ben Roethlisberger down the field. But with the Dolphins, he was with Ryan Tannehill, who was still trying to find himself as a QB. Then with the Vikings, Wallace didn’t fit because Teddy Bridgewater doesn’t throw a good deep ball.
But now, with the Baltimore Ravens, he expects to be back on top of his game with big armed QB Joe Flacco. He realizes that his production has gone way down in his last few years, causing many to doubt him. But he fully expects to prove them wrong with the opportunity he has in Baltimore.
He told ESPN.com, “I think I’ve gotten better, even though the numbers don’t say so,” Wallace said. “I think I’ll get better this year, and I’ll show some people I have a lot up my sleeve.”
Wallace has shown enough in spring workouts to win over his teammates. S Eric Weddle, who’s in the secondary Wallace has caught passes in this spring, is impressed. He sees Wallace still has deep-threat speed but also runs good routes and can come down with the contested 50-50 balls.
“He told ESPN.com “There’s a reason why he was one of the best wide receivers in the league a few years ago. Because he’s talented, he can run fast, he’s committed, he’s eager. He’s eager to prove himself, he’s motivated.
“You get a guy like that, it makes for a great season for him and for this team.”
We will soon see!