Pete Prisco: Wallace ready to prove worth

[gafin]

DAVIE, Fla. -- Mike Wallace's jersey was soaked, sweat rolled off his forehead like a small waterfall, and the thick, cut-it-with-a-knife humidity hung in the air, even though we were under the cover of shade from the hot, afternoon Florida sun.

"You mind if I kneel down?" Wallace asked as we readied to chat.

Wallace, the Miami Dolphins' speedy receiver, looked beat. He had just spent the afternoon running deep routes, crossing routes, slants and many other routes, working hard to overcome that dreaded label he has been given:

Waste of money.

So the critics pounded and pounded and pounded, and Wallace was the clear winner as the choice as worst free-agent signing of the year in most eyes.

"It comes with the territory," Wallace said of the critics. "People have a job to do. Fans watch the game how they watch it. I can't worry about any of that. I just have to go out and keep grinding."

Grinding is what he is doing more of now. He stays after practice to work on the JUGS machine. He has added five pounds of muscle to get stronger, yet says he hasn't dropped any of his speed.

The route running is better, more precise. The adjustment of being on a new team, playing with new players, is also behind him.

Wallace took a short cross and turned it into a 65-yard touchdown catch-and-run because of his speed. The threat of running those types of routes would help the deep-passing game.

"They're giving me a chance to work on my YAC [yards after catch] here," Wallace said.

With his great speed, teams play off of Wallace a lot. The variety of routes will help to change that.

"Running slants, stuff like that, I always want to do that," Wallace said. "That's going to be there for me because people are always playing in off coverage. Lazor is going to do a good job exposing that."

I asked Wallace about number goals for the season. He said he just wants to be All-Pro because it would mean he's doing everything he could for the team.

I threw out 80 catches and 1,400 yards as numbers that would help get the doubters off his back.

"That would be pretty good," he said.

He then hesitated for a second.

"And it's doable," he added.

Seeing him work and seeing the new offense, I wouldn't bet against him.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/writer...camp-deep-threat-wallace-ready-to-prove-worth

 

[finfanatic13]

Talk is one thing. Doing is another. Time for him to step up and prove his worth. This offense is tailored to fit his skill set and he seems much happier being in it. Make it happen this year Wallace and the doubters will go away.

 

[Chubby]

:couch3:

 

[psfign]

Impossible. Everyone on FH knows Wallace is lazy and complacent. He's not working to get better. He obviously thinks that he's good enough as it is. So this Pete Prisco gentleman must be a loon.

 

[NBP81]

Impossible. Everyone on FH knows Wallace is lazy and complacent. He's not working to get better. He obviously thinks that he's good enough as it is. So this Pete Prisco gentleman must be a loon.

This article is actually a continuation of what is being said about Wallace... He thinks its not his fault, and there`s a lot of truth to that. But just shut up about it and be accountable, this is how you get better at what you do... when you start the blame game, it just crooks you into thinking that you were fine and makes you think you can just wait for the refs to start throwing those flags, for the QB to get his **** together,for the OL to block properly... And only then you ll achieve all-pro status... Its all BS obviously and life doesn't work like that.

 

[J. David Wannyheimer]

Mike Wallace isn't lazy. He definitely seems to lose focus sometimes, but that's not the same as being lazy.

I definitely think that there are players who have come to Miami for a two year well paid vacation, but I don't think that's his problem.

 

[FinfanInBuffalo]

If objective observers are noting that Wallace is working hard in practice and maintaining a good attitude, I have no reason to doubt it. It is great news. I hope he catches 200 passes for 3000 yards.

IMO, he'll never be Calvin Johnson or Larry Fitzgerald, but if he can be the DeSean Jackson of last season, sign me up.

 

[datruth55]

There are a lot of guys on this team that need to prove their worth and Wallace is not at the top of my list...that spot is reserved for Wheeler.

 

[So Be]

I'm not down on Wallace, and believe he will have a VG season. I do have a few problems on what he has done/not done this off season.

He said he was going to work out with Tannehill, aside from camp, and did not. He was in no way obligated to, other than by what he said. Matthews was there, an it has helped him.

He said he did not want to stay after practice, as some have done, as it would be a strain on his legs, and maybe a possible injury. In 2 preseason games, he has been in for a grand total of 15 snaps, being thrown to 3 times, with 0 catches and a drop. Again, no obligation but, are much less than what they used to be, and it does not seem like a lot to ask or do after some of the softer practices, especially when the team is paying you $12M a year.

Now, he's sweating bullets and talking again. Wonder how our 300+ pounders are feeling after practice in this "feels like 100 degree heat" or the DB's covering him. JMO

 

[So Be]

There are a lot of guys on this team that need to prove their worth and Wallace is not at the top of my list...that spot is reserved for Wheeler.

Wheeler is going to have a good year. Said the blind squirrel, looking for an acorn. :)

 

[Phins117]

I dont care what you have to say wallace. Just catch the ball.

 

[dlockz]

Im not a Wallace fan never have been. This is what missing in the draft so much does to your team. You are forced to overpay for guys that are not even top 10 level talents at wr and such.
No matter which of the top free agent receivers we would have signed that year none were worth the money or as good enough to be top 10. Its almost never when a top level wr becomes a free agent.
Teams keep those guys. This is the reason that Pitt didn't go crazy trying to sign Wallace to more than they felt he was worth. If we had drafted Dez Bryant instead of scrutinizing his parents we would have been better off.
At some point you have to pay him but at least he has given you plenty of value before that point.

---------- Post added at 04:14 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:12 PM ----------

Wheeler is going to have a good year. Said the blind squirrel, looking for an acorn. :)

We have a lot of linebackers that need to prove their worth. The only one that seems to be of value in his old position is Misi.
We were pure idiots for bidding 2 million more per year than the RAven on Ellerbee and even then they know they dodged a bullet

 

[johngarryvo]

words words words words words.. pfffft!

 

[Roman529]

Wallace always talks a nice game, but the proof is in the pudding...how he plays on the field. Up to now, he hasn't come close to living up to his contract.

 

[Mike13]

Mike Wallace isn't lazy. He definitely seems to lose focus sometimes, but that's not the same as being lazy.

I definitely think that there are players who have come to Miami for a two year well paid vacation, but I don't think that's his problem.

Then maaybe he should take adderall? Oh wait...