Mike Wallace wants more money than Larry Fitzgerald

[-King-]

Report: Mike Wallace told 49ers he wants more than Larry Fitzgerald

Posted by Michael David Smith on March 22, 2012, 9:52 AM EDT


Mike Wallace is the best free agent available right now, but it appears that he’s going to need to lower his asking price significantly if he wants to do anything other than play for the Steelers on the one-year restricted free agent tender this season.

That’s the word out of San Francisco, where the 49ers had interest in signing Wallace until they found out how much money he wanted. Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee reports that Wallace wants a contract that surpasses the eight-year, $120 million deal that Larry Fitzgerald signed with the Cardinals.

If that’s what Wallace is going to demand of every team that shows interest, it’s hard to see any team signing him to an offer sheet, which would also require the team to give the Steelers a first-round draft pick if the Steelers choose not to match. (And the Steelers surely would choose not to match an offer sheet that gave Wallace more money than Fitzgerald.)

Wallace may end up deciding that unless some team offers him a monster contract, he’s better off staying in Pittsburgh on the one-year, $2.74 million restricted free agent tender and then becoming an unrestricted free agent next year — especially considering that the Steelers might not franchise him because Antonio Brown, last year’s team MVP, is set to become an unrestricted free agent next year, too.

As great a deep threat as Wallace is, he’s not as productive a receiver as Fitzgerald: Wallace’s career high in catches was 72 last year; Fitzgerald has had seasons of 80, 90, 96, 97, 100 and 103 catches. Wallace’s career high in yards was 1,257 two years ago; Fitzgerald has had four seasons of more than 1,400 yards. It’s not realistic to think Wallace will get more money than Fitzgerald. At least, not unless he has a great 2012 and becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2013.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...ry-fitzgerald/

[Chiefs=Champions]

Originally Posted by Mile High Mania

I don't think they make the move at all, especially not for Fitz money.

As I mentioned previously, Wallace (as is Bowe) are right in line with the type of contracts that DeSean and Vincent recently signed. 5 Years / $55-60M - something that averages $10-11M annually.

I agree. I think its just a marriage of convi for the media, but you never know.

[Mile High Mania]

Originally Posted by Chiefs=Good

Fitz >>>> bowe but bowe>>>>wallace ..

I don't know that anyone really knows that for sure... all you can do is compare their first 3 seasons and Wallace > Bowe in that regard. Bowe has had 2 good seasons since then and that's what Wallace has to do now.

I think both are solid #1 WRs - Bowe is a bit bigger, but I don't know that one is that much greater than the other at this point.

[Mile High Mania]

I haven't seen it written anywhere, but I've heard people say in recent weeks that the team salary caps are expected to jump quite a bit in the next 2-3 years.

So, I wouldn't be against the idea of locking in a young and proven WR like Wallace for big money (not Fitz level) and back loading some of it... if the cap is indeed going to make a considerable jump.

If Denver had Wallace, Thomas and Decker... that would be a fine trio for several years.

[Chiefs=Champions]

Originally Posted by Mile High Mania

I don't know that anyone really knows that for sure... all you can do is compare their first 3 seasons and Wallace > Bowe in that regard. Bowe has had 2 good seasons since then and that's what Wallace has to do now.

I think both are solid #1 WRs - Bowe is a bit bigger, but I don't know that one is that much greater than the other at this point.

Well ive watched them both and imho bowe is the better wr. Hes much more of a complete player.

[Mile High Mania]

Originally Posted by Chiefs=Good

Well ive watched them both and imho bowe is the better wr. Hes much more of a complete player.

That very well could be ... I think both are more complete than DeSean Jackson and I think they're potentially better than Vincent Jackson. I think I'd rather have VJ than DJ... so, considering those guys have very similar new contracts and all these guys have fairly similar production... the contracts should be in the same ballpark and it's not near Fitzgerald Field.

[O.city]

So far, Wallace has shown to be a one trick pony. Its all about speed with him. Not sure I'd wanna give him a huge contract at this point.


Same with VJ.

[Mile High Mania]

Originally Posted by O.city

So far, Wallace has shown to be a one trick pony. Its all about speed with him. Not sure I'd wanna give him a huge contract at this point.


Same with VJ.

Well, let's say it's so... the one trick is a dominating one trick. And, if he were in Denver with Manning for the next 2-3 years, with Thomas and Decker... that would be a sweet trick and a very productive trio.

Outside of Bowe's one season with 15 TDs... he's really just a good WR. I don't know that you can say that he's any more dominating that some of the others. And, yes... I realize he's had Huard, Thigpen, Cassel and Orton.

But, it's not like every other WR has ideal QB situations. Sometimes, it just is what it is... and Bowe is a really good WR that deserves a contract in line with what DJ and VJ signed.

[Chiefs=Champions]

Originally Posted by Mile High Mania

That very well could be ... I think both are more complete than DeSean Jackson and I think they're potentially better than Vincent Jackson. I think I'd rather have VJ than DJ... so, considering those guys have very similar new contracts and all these guys have fairly similar production... the contracts should be in the same ballpark and it's not near Fitzgerald Field.

Agreed. And to show you im not a homer i think u guys have the next special wr.. Providing he can stay healthy... lets hope he thinks he fitz

[RealSNR]

Originally Posted by Mile High Mania

Well, let's say it's so... the one trick is a dominating one trick. And, if he were in Denver with Manning for the next 2-3 years, with Thomas and Decker... that would be a sweet trick and a very productive trio.

Outside of Bowe's one season with 15 TDs... he's really just a good WR. I don't know that you can say that he's any more dominating that some of the others. And, yes... I realize he's had Huard, Thigpen, Cassel and Orton.

But, it's not like every other WR has ideal QB situations. Sometimes, it just is what it is... and Bowe is a really good WR that deserves a contract in line with what DJ and VJ signed.

Some WRs don't have ideal QB situations.

No WR has Bowe's QB situation that he's had to put up with for his ENTIRE career.

Who are some of the worst QBs to start games in the past 5 seasons? Give me your 5 worst. Bowe has played with at least 2 of those 5.

[Mile High Mania]

Originally Posted by Chiefs=Good

Agreed. And to show you im not a homer i think u guys have the next special wr.. Providing he can stay healthy... lets hope he thinks he fitz

Yeah, health is the concern with Demaryius. Great size (6'3 / 230) and appears to be solid in his skill set. It's just hard to judge him at this point as he missed most of his rookie year (starting in 2 of 5 games played) and looked good last year starting n 5 of 11 games played).

The upside is great - health is the concern. I think Decker can be a great #2/3 option - very solid WR.

[O.city]

Originally Posted by Mile High Mania

Well, let's say it's so... the one trick is a dominating one trick. And, if he were in Denver with Manning for the next 2-3 years, with Thomas and Decker... that would be a sweet trick and a very productive trio.

Outside of Bowe's one season with 15 TDs... he's really just a good WR. I don't know that you can say that he's any more dominating that some of the others. And, yes... I realize he's had Huard, Thigpen, Cassel and Orton.

But, it's not like every other WR has ideal QB situations. Sometimes, it just is what it is... and Bowe is a really good WR that deserves a contract in line with what DJ and VJ signed.

Oh he's a great deep threat, he has great speed.


I'm just saying I'm not giving that much money to a guy who has shown, so far, that that's the only thing he has going for him.


IMO he's more Desean Jackson than Fitz.

[Mile High Mania]

Originally Posted by SNR

Some WRs don't have ideal QB situations.

No WR has Bowe's QB situation that he's had to put up with for his ENTIRE career.

Who are some of the worst QBs to start games in the past 5 seasons? Give me your 5 worst. Bowe has played with at least 2 of those 5.

I totally agree that his situation may be there worst, but are you suggesting he could be more like Fitz? That part I don't know if anyone can say for sure... could he be more like Wayne? I dunno.

I just think he's in that next tier down from the truly great WR threats.

I'm not sure how I would tier them actually...

Are Calvin and Fitz the elite WRs? I'm struggling with who I may be failing to put in their group?

After them...

You have a slew of people like Welker, Marshall, White, Jennings...

Does that list end there? I don't know that I put DJ, VJ, Bowe, Wallace, Nelson, Nicks, Colston, Smith at that 2nd tier. It's a tough one and lots of gray.

[Mile High Mania]

Originally Posted by O.city

Oh he's a great deep threat, he has great speed.


I'm just saying I'm not giving that much money to a guy who has shown, so far, that that's the only thing he has going for him.


IMO he's more Desean Jackson than Fitz.

And, that's been the bulk of my commentary here too... I just feel Bowe is still in that group as well.

[O.city]

Desean is a speed guy as well. VJ, IMO, is alot better than you give him credit.


IMO, Bowe is in that second tier group of guys. I'd put him next to a Roddy White.


Fitz, Megatron, and Andre J. are a notch better.

[RealSNR]

Originally Posted by Mile High Mania

I totally agree that his situation may be there worst, but are you suggesting he could be more like Fitz? That part I don't know if anyone can say for sure... could he be more like Wayne? I dunno.

I just think he's in that next tier down from the truly great WR threats.

I'm not sure how I would tier them actually...

Are Calvin and Fitz the elite WRs? I'm struggling with who I may be failing to put in their group?

After them...

You have a slew of people like Welker, Marshall, White, Jennings...

Does that list end there? I don't know that I put DJ, VJ, Bowe, Wallace, Nelson, Nicks, Colston, Smith at that 2nd tier. It's a tough one and lots of gray.

This might sound like Knowmo to you, but very few WRs can do what Bowe can do physically. His speed isn't the greatest, but it's not shit either. He can outrun a lot of coverages usually.

With a semi-decent QB Bowe is a top 5 WR. No question. If Cassel gets injured this year and Quinn/Stanzi step in and produce right away, you'll start to see that I imagine.