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/

[The Franchise]

Wallace will never be a Fitz type of WR. Wallace is more on par with Desean Jackson.

[Coogs]

Scary thing about this is, makes you wonder what Bowe is thinking/asking.

[Mile High Mania]

Originally Posted by Pestilence

Wallace will never be a Fitz type of WR. Wallace is more on par with Desean Jackson.

I dunno... I think there is more depth with Wallace, DJ is more of a burner to me. All or nothing type of receiver with the style he plays. I think Wallace is more well rounded, but I could be wrong. I do agree though... he's no Fitz or Calvin.

[Dartgod]

Originally Posted by Pestilence

Wallace will never be a Morley Safer type of journalist. Wallace is more on par with Geraldo Rivera.

FYP

[Bump]

What the hell has wallace done to make him think that? what a dumbass

[Mile High Mania]

Originally Posted by Coogs

Scary thing about this is, makes you wonder what Bowe is thinking/asking.

70 / 995 / 5
86 / 1022 / 7
47 / 589 / 4

203 rec / 2606 yds / 16 TDs

Bowe's production through the first three was less than the others (mainly on yds and TDs). But...

72 / 1162 / 15
81 / 1159 / 5

Bowe's 4th and 5th seasons were strong - that 4th year may have been a fluke from a TD perspective, who knows.

But, I'd say he's on par with the Mike Wallace's of the world - not Fitz. There's no doubt he (like Mike) wants Fitz money though, and they may get it, but I don't think they are that level yet.

[Chiefs=Champions]

Go ahead denver trade for him. then watch manning under throw ur 100 million wr. i would love to see them make this move

[Mile High Mania]

Originally Posted by Bump

What the hell has wallace done to make him think that? what a dumbass

Well, he's making what this year on his 1 year deal ... $9-10M?

Fitz is averaging $15M... there's not a huge gap there, but it is pretty significant. My guess is that Wallace and Bowe should be making about the same at this point.

Vincent Jackson signed for 5 years $55M right... he's the same age as Fitz (28), but not near the production. DeSean signed for 5 years $51M.

I'd say they're all right there in that same area - Wallace, Bowe, VJax, DJ...

[Chiefs=Champions]

Originally Posted by Mile High Mania

70 / 995 / 5
86 / 1022 / 7
47 / 589 / 4

203 rec / 2606 yds / 16 TDs

Bowe's production through the first three was less than the others (mainly on yds and TDs). But...

72 / 1162 / 15
81 / 1159 / 5

Bowe's 4th and 5th seasons were strong - that 4th year may have been a fluke from a TD perspective, who knows.

But, I'd say he's on par with the Mike Wallace's of the world - not Fitz. There's no doubt he (like Mike) wants Fitz money though, and they may get it, but I don't think they are that level yet.

I know this is a much loved example on cp. But rapesburger >>>> than any qb bowes had. By a large margin.

[Mile High Mania]

Originally Posted by Chiefs=Good

Go ahead denver trade for him. then watch manning under throw ur 100 million wr. i would love to see them make this move

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.

[Mile High Mania]

Originally Posted by Chiefs=Good

I know this is a much loved example on cp. But rapesburger >>>> than any qb bowes had. By a large margin.

The leading QBs for Fitz were McCown, Warner and Leinart in his first 3 seasons.

[J Diddy]

Originally Posted by Mile High Mania

Well, he's making what this year on his 1 year deal ... $9-10M?

Fitz is averaging $15M... there's not a huge gap there, but it is pretty significant. My guess is that Wallace and Bowe should be making about the same at this point.

Vincent Jackson signed for 5 years $55M right... he's the same age as Fitz (28), but not near the production. DeSean signed for 5 years $51M.

I'd say they're all right there in that same area - Wallace, Bowe, VJax, DJ...

According to the article he would make $2.74 million by signing the restricted free agent tender.

[Mile High Mania]

Originally Posted by J Diddy

According to the article he would make $2.74 million by signing the restricted free agent tender.

I was asking about Bowe.

[Chiefs=Champions]

Originally Posted by Mile High Mania

The leading QBs for Fitz were McCown, Warner and Leinart in his first 3 seasons.

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

[J Diddy]

Originally Posted by Mile High Mania

Well, he's making what this year on his 1 year deal ... $9-10M?

Fitz is averaging $15M... there's not a huge gap there, but it is pretty significant. My guess is that Wallace and Bowe should be making about the same at this point.

Vincent Jackson signed for 5 years $55M right... he's the same age as Fitz (28), but not near the production. DeSean signed for 5 years $51M.

I'd say they're all right there in that same area - Wallace, Bowe, VJax, DJ...

Sorry hard to tell by how you worded it.

Originally Posted by Mile High Mania

I was asking about Bowe.