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/

[whoman69]

Originally Posted by Mile High Mania

Saying that Wallace becomes average with an average QB is kinda ... I dunno, easy since there's no way to know really. Who says his production drops? Who says he can't be more than what they have asked of him?

Who knows if Bowe vaults into greatness status with a better QB?

I think the debate is fun and there are lots of valid points, but for right now... reality says, that the guys we've mentioned - considering their situations are all about equal and are due to be paid on the same level.

Imagine Wallace with Cassel. You should already have an idea since we have seen Cassel with Moss.

[ThaVirus]

Originally Posted by Mile High Mania

I'll let you have Bowe there... but, you can't put a rookie there yet... guys like Cruz - not yet.

Fair enough. All the guys you bolded were borderline. It wasn't so much about stats to me, more about watching them myself and placing my own value on their skills. I think it's obvious that AJ Green and Julio Jones are going to be crazy good. I'll go with you on Victor Cruz too. He only did it for one year, but based on what I see, I think he'll continue to be a great one. And VJ I put in there because of his size and speed combo. You don't see 6'5'' guys at 230 with his speed all that often.

The only one I'd argue with you is Dez Bryant. If you've ever watched him play, that guy is a monster. Based on talent alone I'd put him in that second tier of guys. Plus he has good size. Aside from the fact that apparently he's an idiot thug, he's a great player.

[Coogs]

I do think with Orton's passing abilities compared to Cassels, we got to see what could happen with Bowe when other components of the passing game started clicking. Especially in the first half against the Broncos.