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/

[Mile High Mania]

Originally Posted by 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.

Geez - how could I forget Andre. Yes - those 3 are the only ones that I would call ELITE.

And, yeah - you could use the QB excuse and say that's why he's not on White's level... or Jennings, etc. But, until that changes - do you pay him based upon how he MIGHT play with a better QB?

Feel free to pay on upside - but, until it proves to be true...

[Epic Fail 007]

Well he forever has a bad name now as someone who cares only about mony and not play.

[RealSNR]

Must I show you the quote from me that at least three regular posters around here have added to their signatures regarding Bowe's play on the field?

[Mile High Mania]

Originally Posted by SNR

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.

Like the way you started off there.

And, I'm not disagreeing at all. I realize the QB thing is a problem here... but, until that changes - you're projecting, right? He's not a Greg Jennings or Roddy White at this point... he's close, but I just think he's more in line to get paid like the others we've mentioned.

I think Wallace will continue to improve... not likely reaching Fitz status, but certainly can become consistent like White and Jennings. I think they're both really good and have different attributes that make them great - I just don't know if I'd pay either that much more than the other at this point.

If Wallace wound up in Denver - I think his numbers would shoot through the roof. Not Calvin or Fitz - but, he could be very consistent and dominating. And, he may very well continue on that trajectory in PIT. Again, he's only entering his 4th season.

[Mr. Laz]

Originally Posted by Coogs

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

I think Bowe is asking for the same thing.

If he wasn't he would of already been signed and we would of tagged Carr.

JMO

[buddha]

I want more money than Larry Fitz. too. Do I get my own story too?

[Mile High Mania]

Originally Posted by SNR

Must I show you the quote from me that at least three regular posters around here have added to their signatures regarding Bowe's play on the field?

I suppose...

[vailpass]

Originally Posted by Bump

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

His agent does this thinking for him.

[mr. tegu]

Regarding Bowe vs Wallace you cannot just look at the numbers. Bowe goes deep, over the middle, and catches the short ones for the tough few yards needed. As others have mentioned Wallace relies on speed and basically just goes deep. Granted that is good, but it is certainly not worth #1 receiver money.

Wallace has played his whole career with Big Ben who has a huge arm and delivers a great deep ball, one of the best in the business. Wallace becomes average with an average with an average QB while Bowe is putting up great numbers with well below average QBs.

Its one of those cases where its hard to project how different players would do in different situations but I am completely confident Bowe is a second tier guy (with Jennings, White, Wayne, VJ I suppose, Welker?) behind Andre, Fitz, and Calvin. I think what prevents him from their calibur is his slightly less speed and a little bit more tendecy to drop some balls. JMO but to be in the top 2 tiers you need to be a more complete package and I just don't see it from Wallace or DJ.

[Coogs]

Originally Posted by Laz

I think Bowe is asking for the same thing.

If he wasn't he would of already been signed and we would of tagged Carr.

JMO

That's kind of what I am thinking.

[Mama Hip Rockets]

Originally Posted by rageeumr

What a coincidence, I would also like more money than Larry Fitzgerald.

[Mile High Mania]

Originally Posted by mr. tegu

Regarding Bowe vs Wallace you cannot just look at the numbers. Bowe goes deep, over the middle, and catches the short ones for the tough few yards needed. As others have mentioned Wallace relies on speed and basically just goes deep. Granted that is good, but it is certainly not worth #1 receiver money.

Wallace has played his whole career with Big Ben who has a huge arm and delivers a great deep ball, one of the best in the business. Wallace becomes average with an average with an average QB while Bowe is putting up great numbers with well below average QBs.

Its one of those cases where its hard to project how different players would do in different situations but I am completely confident Bowe is a second tier guy (with Jennings, White, Wayne, VJ I suppose, Welker?) behind Andre, Fitz, and Calvin. I think what prevents him from their calibur is his slightly less speed and a little bit more tendecy to drop some balls. JMO but to be in the top 2 tiers you need to be a more complete package and I just don't see it from Wallace or DJ.

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.

[mr. tegu]

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.

Yeah I agree and mentioned something to that effect in the previous post. I don't know that Bowe can vault into greatness as in top tier greatness because of the differences not related to qb play I mentioned between him and the top guys. But I do know he is a second tier guy who I think deserves more money than Wallace, although it will probably be very similar for both of them when they sign a deal. I would just imagine because of style of play Bowe gets more years since he does not rely on speed which is something you never know how long will last in a guy like Wallace.

[ThaVirus]

Originally Posted by rageeumr

What a coincidence, I would also like more money than Larry Fitzgerald.

As do I, sir. As do I.

I don't know what the **** Mike Wallace is thinking. He and his agent should be fired..... From life.

Oh, and it's Fitz, Megatron, Andre J at the elite level. They are big, strong, fast, and do everything well. Then you have the next level of guys that, in my mind, would include Marshall, Bowe, Welker, AJ Green, Dez Bryant, Steve Smith, Victor Cruz, Julio Jones, Jennings, VJ and Roddy White. All those guys have some type of weakness, whether it be lack of speed, size, or that extra "it" factor. Then you have the next step down, where I'd put guys like DeSean Jackson, Stevie Johnson, Colston, Nicks, Wallace, Harvin, etc.

Mike Wallace really just needs to be offed for even thinking that he would deserve more than 50% of Fitz's contract.

[Mile High Mania]

Originally Posted by ThaVirus

As do I, sir. As do I.

I don't know what the **** Mike Wallace is thinking. He and his agent should be fired..... From life.

Oh, and it's Fitz, Megatron, Andre J at the elite level. They are big, strong, fast, and do everything well. Then you have the next level of guys that, in my mind, would include Marshall, Bowe, Welker, AJ Green, Dez Bryant, Steve Smith, Victor Cruz, Julio Jones, Jennings, VJ and Roddy White. All those guys have some type of weakness, whether it be lack of speed, size, or that extra "it" factor. Then you have the next step down, where I'd put guys like DeSean Jackson, Stevie Johnson, Colston, Nicks, Wallace, Harvin, etc.

Mike Wallace really just needs to be offed for even thinking that he would deserve more than 50% of Fitz's contract.

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