Mike Wallace anyone?

[derekshank]

I'm starting to worry that this FA class will get very thin very fast at WR.

With Routt going to KC, that frees up their franchise tag for Bowe. Welker will also likely get the franchise tag. That leaves guys like DeSean Jackson hasn't been great since his concussions... not to mention the diva issues that he shares with the likes of Vincent Jackson and Stevie Johnson. I doubt Colston leaves New Orleans, and Brandon Lloyd has not been shy about his desire to play in NE for Josh McDaniels.

If the Bengals want to improve the WR position via FA, they're going to have to overpay for either an over the hill or an unproven WR.

[Spor_tees]

The Packers weighing whether to sign FA Reggie White..."nah, what if he gets hurt? Better pass."

Is that seriously your position, spor tees?

Seriously?

You need to go back and look at Reggie White's contract before making a statement like that. He didn't get $20 million in up front money, and his big contract wasn't loaded with guaranteed cash. HUGE difference. I also think Reggie White was just a tad bit of a more proven player than Mike Wallace when he signed that contract. Just a 'tad.'

[HoosierCat]

PG's Ed Bouchette on the Wallace situation.

Kevin Colbert pretty much acknowledged on 93.7 The Fan the other day that the Steelers were in no position to franchise Wallace because they had salary cap problems. The Steelers are about $10 million over the cap now. Franchising Wallace at more than $9 million for 2012 would put them close to $20 million over the cap.

Here is another issue that is more important -- Does anyone think Wallace should get more than $9 million in 2012. And, once they do that, the Steelers would have to start there if they wanted to negotiate a longer-term deal. Wallace is good, but not $10 million annually good. So, they will make him the more reasonable restricted free agent one-year tender and see what develops. Other teams can sign Wallace to a contract after free agency begins . The Steelers would then have two options -- do nothing and receive a first-round 2012 draft choice in return from the team that signed him, or they could match the contract he signed with the other team and keep him.

The Steelers are willing to have Wallace test the market, and if indeed he signs a contract and they deem it too high, they'll take a first-round draft choice in return and have two first-round picks for only the second time since the 1970s NFL merger (the other was 1989). So what is Mike Wallace worth? His first three seasons have been rocket-like, with him climbing higher and higher. However, in the middle of what seemed to be his best and record-setting season, Wallace fizzled.

Through the first eight games, Wallace caught 43 passes for 800 yards, on pace for a 1,600-yard season that would have obliterated the team record by more than 200 yards. However, in the final eight games he caught 29 passes for only 393 yards. He averaged 18.6 yards a catch in the first half of the season, just 13.6 in the second half to finish with a career low average of 16.6 yards per catch.

He topped it off with a miserable playoff game in Denver, where he caught three passes for 26 yards.

Here's the question the Steelers and other prospective suitors in free agency must determine: Did defenses figure out Mike Wallace finally as the one-trick pony that Mike Tomlin long declared he was? Wallace is at his best running the "go" routes and outside flag patterns, where he has a chance to outrun someone. However, when faced with cover two defenses and safeties hanging deep, he's not as effective. He does not seem to fight for the ball at times and even gives up on some when covered.

During this slump by Wallace in the second half of the season, Antonio Brown emerged like a Jeremy Lin. He clearly was the team's best receiver in the second half of the season. Curiously, Brown's rise should have helped Wallace because Brown's best asset is taking a short to medium range pass and running with it.

Maybe all the final eight games and one playoff game merely was a slump for Wallace and he will return to the kind of production he had in the first half of 2011. But as teams turn on the tape, they have to be surprised at the difference between the first half Wallace and the second half Wallace of 2011.

[Wraith]

But Wallace is a RESTRICTED Free Agent which means that any team wanting to sign him would have to cough up a 1st rounder too. Are you saying that they won't even tender him?

[membengal]

Bouchette carrying a LOT of water for steelers management there. Wow.

[Spor_tees]

For the money they could spend on Wallace, they could build a practice bubble.

[Sea Ray]

I'm not sure Wallace is worth $9mill and one of our 1st rd picks but I hope another team thinks so.

[Sea Ray]

Here's an idea: how 'bout NE signing Wallace to an offer sheet? They need him as bad as anyone does and their 1st rd pick is about as low as it gets

[Kazkal]

Sign Ray Rice

Sign Mike Wallance

Find a Cornerback Via Free Agency

Finish First in the AFC North

Go to the Superbowl.

^.^

[HoosierCat]

Bills won't franchise Johnson.

/>http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/22/report-bills-wont-play-tag-with-stevie-johnson/

[UK Bengal]

Wouldn't want him he's trouble and we don't need distractions

[ArmyBengal]

Because the Bills know he's an inconsistent headcase.

We would be better off signing Simpson back than bringing him in.

[Scottishbengal]

Well I certainly hope some of the cap space is used wisely in picking up one or two real decent players in FA. That would give so many options in the draft and could set the franchise on a solid foundation for the next 5 years or more.

[ArmyBengal]

I'm still thinking Meechum.

[walzav29]

Anyone else find it disheartening that Wallace said he could be the missing piece for New England or Baltimore? It always makes me wonder what really goes on in Cincinnati. It makes me feel that the Bengals really aren't close. Is it assumed they won't pay? I'm sure they could put together the biggest contract. It seems of all teams. Logically the Bengals would have the best shot with an extra #1 and 60 million under the cap. But we all feel it won't happen. For the record. I'd rather get Meachum. Use those 2 picks for Guard and Corner.

[membengal]

Well the patriots and ravens made the afc champ game, so seems natural his thoughts would atart there.

As for ravens, I dont think they have the coin fkr.a serious pursuit, and ozzie unlikely to give up their only first round pick.

[derekshank]

If the Patriots get him, the rest of the AFC is in trouble.

They went to the Super Bowl with nothing but possession WRs and TEs. Add the best deep threat in the NFL to go along with Welker, Gronk, and Hernandez... and NE becomes the best offense in the NFL.

The Bengals should probably try to grab Wallace, if for no other reason... to block him going to NE.

[cincyhokie]

Make an offer that the Bengals feel is the best value. Go no higher. At least put it out there.

Then go after Meachem. Big time.

[derekshank]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/23/colbert-we-want-mike-wallace-to-finish-career-in-pittsburgh/

It sounds like if the Bengals want Wallace, they'll have to pry him from the Steeler's cold dead fingers. I'm starting to think they really are going to franchise him... which result in a lot cap casualties this offseason.

This might be my favorite off-season ever.

[cincyhokie]

/>http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/23/colbert-we-want-mike-wallace-to-finish-career-in-pittsburgh/

It sounds like if the Bengals want Wallace, they'll have to pry him from the Steeler's cold dead fingers. I'm starting to think they really are going to franchise him... which result in a lot cap casualties this offseason.

This might be my favorite off-season ever.

This is going to be fun to watch all the way around.

[HoosierCat]

Hobson on Wallace-to-the-Bengals speculation: No way, Jose! Why not?

The Bengals are seeking a running mate for Pro Bowl rookie A.J. Green at wide receiver, but with Green looking at franchise numbers himself after the 2013 season, Cincinnati isn't going to engage in that kind of mega deal for a wideout.

So, since they will need to pay Green in TWO YEARS, no can spend now!

So, what FA will they chase instead? Answer: NONE!

The Bengals could find their No. 2 receiver in the first couple rounds of the April draft while keeping the decks clear at that spot in the anticipation of Green's big deal.

Gotta "keep the decks clear" for that big deal in TWO YEARS! Time to use another high pick on a wideout! How high?

With there some discussion there may not be a cornerback or running back good enough at Nos. 17 and 21 after the first wave, could what was supposed to be a defensive first round go wide receiver/guard or guard/wide receiver?

That's right, folks, a FIRST ROUND PICK.

SSDY.

[volcom69]

Hobson is messed up this year FA wideout class is huge they will be dumb not to address it there

[COB]

Hobson on Wallace-to-the-Bengals speculation: No way, Jose! Why not?

The Bengals are seeking a running mate for Pro Bowl rookie A.J. Green at wide receiver, but with Green looking at franchise numbers himself after the 2013 season, Cincinnati isn't going to engage in that kind of mega deal for a wideout.

So, since they will need to pay Green in TWO YEARS, no can spend now!

So, what FA will they chase instead? Answer: NONE!

The Bengals could find their No. 2 receiver in the first couple rounds of the April draft while keeping the decks clear at that spot in the anticipation of Green's big deal.

Gotta "keep the decks clear" for that big deal in TWO YEARS! Time to use another high pick on a wideout! How high?

With there some discussion there may not be a cornerback or running back good enough at Nos. 17 and 21 after the first wave, could what was supposed to be a defensive first round go wide receiver/guard or guard/wide receiver?

That's right, folks, a FIRST ROUND PICK.

SSDY.

Mike will never change. If they use one of those first round picks on a wide receiver, it better be a home run because they need help all over the field. I never even considered the possibility that they would go WR with one of the first round picks, but now that I read it, it fits. Grotesquely.

[ArmyBengal]

I've already said it numerous times where there is rationale for taking another WR in the first and Floyd is the guy I would want if that were the case.

I still don't honestly believe it will work that way, but it is what I thought it would be, at least a consideration.

With the thought of DeCastro gone, Kirkpatrick gone, you are left with Glenn and Jenkins. Both have their issues that would have to leave the door open to consider Floyd if he were still there. Again, I don't think it will work that way, but if it does, I won't be nearly as upset as I think many here would be.

Don't get me wrong, i'm not saying we NEED another WR more than OG, CB, or even other positions, but if the argument is taking the BPA Floyd would represent a definitive option as opposed to a 5'9 CB in Jenkins. I understand the thought process.

Now go get Meechum when FA kicks off and forget that sh*t...

[cHaD711Johnson]

If WR is going to be addressed in the 1st round I'd want Kendall Wright. If he's not available then I'd just wait until later in the draft.