In a recent Trib-Live article we learned that "Cast Iron" Mike Wallace drops balls this year because, "that’s the type of offense this is. We’re spreading it around, so you’re not going to get as many targets." In loose translation, he’s not being involved so he is not able to remain focused. Really Mike? Really??? Let’s take a look at "Cast Iron" Mike’s career stats:
| Year | Game | Rec | Rec/G | Yd | Yd/Rec | Yd/G | Targets | Tgt/G | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2009 |
16 |
39 |
2.4 |
756 |
19.4 |
47.3 |
72 |
4.5 |
6 |
|
2010 |
16 |
60 |
3.8 |
1257 |
21.0 |
78.6 |
102 |
6.4 |
10 |
|
2011 |
16 |
72 |
4.5 |
1193 |
16.6 |
74.6 |
114 |
7.1 |
8 |
|
2012 |
12 |
52 |
4.3 |
616 |
11.8 |
51.3 |
93 |
7.8 |
6 |
What you will notice in the stats above is that Mike has not been targeted less – in fact he has been targeted more than in his entire career. Dictionary.com defines a prima donna as "a temperamental person; a person who takes adulation and privileged treatment as a right and reacts with petulance to criticism or inconvenience." Can this definition fit Mike Wallace any better? This is a man who, in a year of restricted free agency, held out because he wanted elite receiver money. You think you’re at a Larry Fitzgerald level, Mike? Larry still has more catches and yards in the NFL’s bottom feeding offense and whose entire quarterback roster might not beat out our third string QB. More importantly, Larry gives max effort (something I’m sure Mike will need to Google to understand). Wallace believes he is owed respect and huge money and damned be anyone that criticizes him. All you need to do is look at the Trib-Live article above; his performance is not his problem, it’s Todd Haley’s fault. Way to own it, Mike.
In reality, let’s look at his 2012 season in summary:
- The Holdout: The holdout was as productive has his game play this year. He held out for more money in a year in which the offensive coordinator was changed. What did this help? Nothing. In the end he signed the same contract he was offered before the holdout and gained not one single penny. Theoretically his time away ensured that he wouldn’t get injured in his big contract year but getting injured would require him being involved in the game of football and as we’ve seen this year, he is not.
- The Effort: Coach Tomlin likes to call receivers that battle for and make tough catches in traffic "combat catch guys." What, in an honest moment, would he call Mike Wallace? A "club med catch guy?" Wallace is unwilling to get grass stains on his uniform to dive for an underthrown but catchable first down ball. He doesn’t make an effort to get his ducked-footed clompers down inside the end zone to put six points up on the board. He NEVER fights for a jump ball EVER. And, more importantly, he won’t even fight to break up an interception attempt on a jump ball he won’t win. What a workman! What a team player!
- The Results: The results speak for themselves. His performance is tapering again. He’s again disappearing into the shadows instead of stepping up and all of this is in a contract year! Wow! Gutless!
Above: A ball clang's off of Captain Skillet Hand's mitts
"Cast Iron" Mike Wallace has cast iron hands but a mental fortitude forged in a nice warm bubble bath with a tasty glass of wine on the side. Too bad we can’t reverse the composition of his hands and mental makeup. Then he might (*might*) be worth the money he thinks he’s worth.
Maybe all of this recent criticism will wake up Captain Skillet Hands, but I for one am not holding out hope. Thanks, Big Mike, I’m glad you booked your ticket out of town because I for one don’t want to see you, your skillet hands, your lack of effort or your excuses ever again.
Like to be like Mike? Plain and simply… no!