Mike Wallace to SF?

[Flyingiguana]

he doesnt get seperation on his breaks, that shows a lack of quickness. he doesn't have the same quickness he showed in college.

 

[Crimsoncrew]

smith is developing, consistency comes with it when a qb goes through the amount of change smith has had to endure. people are remembering a few throws that he should have made, but long passes are not 65%+ for most qb's if any. u look at some of the drives smith has led and last year he performed almost everytime we needed a score late in games. harbaugh is gonna have to allow smith the chance to make plays, but others around him need to step up. losing edwards and morgan was a huge blow to our passing game.

i think the talent is there, not sure if others agree with me. with healthy recievers and his first full offseason with the same staff/playbook can smith play to his potential?

crabtree is consistent in running poor routes and not getting seperation. he lacks the short area quickness to even have a chance to ever be a pro bowl reciever.

See, this is one of the areas where we differ. I didn't see the team's seemingly conservative approach in the middle of games as a reflection of Harbaugh's conservatism, but rather of Smith's reluctance to risk a mistake. We attempted plenty of would-be big plays this season, in the beginning, middle, and end of games. Now, in fairness, our supporting cast was not well-suited for that. However, we had chances and Smith either didn't take them or missed them, or our receivers didn't come down with the ball.

My impression is supported - I think - by Smith's greater success late in games. When we absolutely have to move the ball, Smith will cut loose and make throws he otherwise wouldn't. But that's Smith, not Harbaugh. It's entirely possible that, with another year in the system, Smith will risk these throws more often. I'd absolutely love to see that. But it's hard to count on that when we haven't seen it in his entire career.

Smith is not the most physically talented QB out there, especially in terms of arm strength. But he's got enough arm to make things happen when he needs to. Now we need to see him make things happen when he doesn't NEED to, but when it sure as hell would be nice.

 

[Flyingiguana]

early in the season i wanted us to use more shotgun and spread formations instead of the play action passes that were getting completely blown up. the injuries at wr took that option away and harbaugh seemed to rely on the d.

outside of the tampa game we didn't come out swinging in any game. or we'd get an early lead and coast until we lost the lead. there also seemed to be a laundry list of things that went wrong every play. the whole offense is a work in progress but i think it'll be much improved next year which will be a combination of smith playing better and others playing better as well. not to mention roman having a full year to adjust and implement the offense.

 

[jayviabay]

it's consistency that is smith's biggest problem. u mean to tell me he isn't capable of winning games when needed? even in his 2nd and before his injury in his 3rd year he would lead late drives to win the game.

i would place him in the Bsh area in most categories when it comes to throwing. the deep ball isn't his weakness like most complain about around here. it's his lack of touch on passes. he also doesn't have the strong arm needed to gun those out patterns.

how can you have arm strength to throw the deep ball but not a ten yard out???

 

[Ray_Dogg]

how can you have arm strength to throw the deep ball but not a ten yard out???

Velocity

 

[wartyOne]

a big reason why i want to have a back up plan for our back up plan (kap). cough*clausen*cough

Clausen isn't a backup plan. It's a white flag.

 

[Badger8843]

Smith might not have the arm Big Ben does, however Wallace has already said he would like to play for the 49ers and we need a young #1 WR and he fits the bill. With Wallace/Crabs/Davis we would have a nice WR core and makes Smith's job easier.

 

[1911Alaska]

Smith might not have the arm Big Ben does, however Wallace has already said he would like to play for the 49ers and we need a young #1 WR and he fits the bill. With Wallace/Crabs/Davis we would have a nice WR core and makes Smith's job easier.

I have heard a lot of different opinions on Mike Wallace. I am on the fence now. I would love to have Mike Wallace in a 49er uniform, especially for the cost of a 1st round pick, BUT I feel like we have other spots on the team to fill and I think signing a FA such as Colston and keeping the 1st round pick and using it to maybe even draft another receiver or a player at a position of need may be a wiser decision.
Any opinions on this?

 

[jayviabay]

Velocity

So, you are telling me you need a rocket arm to have velocity? IF he would have said he doesnt have velocity to throw an out route it would of made more sense to me. You can have swift mechanics and timing to deliver an out route and not have a rocket arm. The rapidity of motion is not 100% strength.

 

[Ray_Dogg]

So, you are telling me you need a rocket arm to have velocity? IF he would have said he doesnt have velocity to throw an out route it would of made more sense to me. You can have swift mechanics and timing to deliver an out route and not have a rocket arm. The rapidity of motion is not 100% strength.

No, I'm telling you the only thing that would make sense under the criteria he stated and of course it isn't entirely about arm strength. Arm strength is obviously a blanket statement, many more factors play a role. And to add about the points you bring up there are a few QBs who's velocity far exceeds all other QBs perfect mechanics/timing and that is because they do have a rocket arm.

 

[jayviabay]

I totally agree with you...

 

[BINGO]

Why Patriots should sign Mike Wallace
March, 5, 2012
2:00PM
By James Walker

Wide receiver Mike Wallace would add another dimension to New England's offense if the Patriots managed to sign him.

Here's one way the New England Patriots can get back to the Super Bowl: Sign receiver Mike Wallace, one of the best players in free agency.

The Pittsburgh Steelers' Pro Bowler is a restricted free agent who is ripe for the taking. Pittsburgh has salary-cap issues this offseason and cut many of its veteran players. The team also could not afford to put a franchise tag on Wallace.

A first-round pick and a good contract offer are the only things standing in the way of Wallace joining the reigning AFC champions. New England should be the first team in line to throw caution to the wind and pry Wallace from Pittsburgh next week when free agency begins.

Here are several reasons why this is a smart move for New England:

Reason No. 1: Patriots have plenty of draft picks, cap space

This is the perfect year for the Patriots to pounce. Unlike the Steelers, New England has plenty of cap room and more than enough draft picks to make a solid pitch for Wallace.

The cost for Wallace would be a first-round pick and a contract extension. New England has two first-rounders (No. 27 and No. 31) and two second-rounders. Losing one of those early picks would not hurt the Patriots. New England likely would not get an immediate, Pro Bowl-caliber player at the end of the first round anyway. Wallace would count as part of the Patriots' draft class. New England could add a top-10 receiver in his prime.




Should the Patriots go after restricted free agent WR Mike Wallace?

71%
Yes, he's worth the draft pick and contract
24%
No, Patriots should sign another WR
5%
Undecided
(Total votes: 13,437)


New England's best chance is to offer Wallace a front-loaded contract. The key is to provide a high amount of guaranteed money and salary in the first season, which would count against this year's cap. The Patriots have that luxury over Pittsburgh and can use it to their advantage.

The Patriots entered the offseason with more cap space than any team in the AFC East. Receiver Wes Welker's franchise tag would take up some of that, but the Patriots still can offer Wallace more than Pittsburgh. New England may have to eventually work out an extension with Welker, as a result, but the Patriots are considering that option anyway.

Reason No. 2: Patriots need a deep threat

Imagine the possibilities: Tom Brady throwing to Welker and Rob Gronkowski underneath, and Wallace and Aaron Hernandez vertically. That would be a passing attack that is tough to stop.

New England's best deep threat last year was Hernandez, its backup tight end. He was the only player who could consistently get vertical and was a threat for making huge plays.

Wallace's speed would bring a unique element to New England's offense. He is arguably the best deep threat in the NFL and has 23 receptions of 40 yards or more the past three seasons. The Patriots' offense hasn't had that type of big-play capability since Randy Moss.

There are criticisms that Wallace is a "one-trick pony." That’s debatable. But getting deep is really all the Patriots would need from Wallace. New England's other receivers and tight ends will take care of the underneath routes and allow Wallace to focus on what he does best.

Reason No. 3: It hurts a big AFC rival

The Steelers are one of the most well-run and respected franchises in the NFL. The ownership, front office and coaching are all top notch.

Therefore, Pittsburgh consistently poses one of the biggest threats to New England in the AFC. The Steelers and Patriots combined for eight Super Bowl appearances the past 11 years. If Pittsburgh didn't get "Tebowed" by the Denver Broncos in January, the Patriots would've had another tough playoff matchup against Pittsburgh. The Steelers beat New England in the regular season.

Signing Wallace away from Pittsburgh would simultaneously strengthen New England and hurt the Steelers' depth at receiver. The Steelers already released team captain and all-time leading receiver Hines Ward. In terms of leadership, Ward leaves a huge void that is tough to replace. Losing Wallace, Pittsburgh's best receiver, would be another big blow.

Pittsburgh also cut starting linebacker James Farrior, starting guard Chris Kemoeatu and veteran defensive end Aaron Smith. Years of manipulating the cap is finally catching up to the Steelers, and it could cost the team Wallace if New England or another team goes after him.

Reason No. 4: No harm, no foul

Let's say the Steelers find a way to match New England's offer. That could still work in New England's favor.

The Patriots would retain their first-round pick and cap room, while forcing Pittsburgh overpay on a front-loaded contract to keep Wallace. The Steelers, as a result, would have more issues with the cap. For the Patriots, there's no harm in trying.

New England also has options. The Patriots could quickly turn its attention to veteran receiver Brandon Lloyd, who is a viable Plan B. Lloyd wants to reunite with new Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and would be happy to join the reigning AFC champs. Instead of the home run (Wallace), New England could settle for a triple (Lloyd).

Going after Wallace in free agency is a win-win for the Patriots, regardless of the result.

 

[BINGO]

49ers and value of the 30th overall pick
March, 6, 2012
12:02 PM ET
By Mike Sando

Facebook friend Jonathan makes a simple request of the San Francisco 49ers: get Mike Wallace.

Wallace
"How valuable could the 30th pick be?" he asks.

This is the most enticing argument for chasing after a young, talented restricted free agent such as Wallace, who might qualify as the best deep-threat receiver in the NFL. NFC West fans might remember Wallace's 95-yard touchdown reception against Arizona last season, or his 53-yard reception against Seattle, or his 46-yarder against St. Louis.

Wallace would give the 49ers the deep-threat wideout their rotation has been lacking.

A few considerations:

•Price: The 49ers would have to pay Wallace enough for two things to happen. One, Wallace would have to sign an offer sheet, forcing the 49ers to outbid any other suitors. Two, the deal would need to be structured so that Pittsburgh would not match it. The 49ers would then have to send their first-round choice, 30th overall, to the Steelers.

•Fit: The 49ers have carefully identified which players in their locker room to hold up as leaders. Patrick Willis, Joe Staley and Vernon Davis have gotten lucrative long-term deals. Justin Smith and Frank Gore have also been highly paid. Smith is the perfect example of a free agent from another team who was worth the investment. The 49ers would have to feel good about how Wallace would react to a payday. Signing him affects dynamics at the position, putting Wallace over Michael Crabtree and the other receivers.

•The pick: It's easy to discount the value of that 30th choice because so many draft choices fail to pan out. But that is why teams employ personnel departments. The 2009 first round was largely disappointing, but the Green Bay Packers nonetheless landed B.J. Raji and Clay Matthews. Tennessee stood pat at No. 30 and drafted Kenny Britt, who averaged 17.5 yards per reception with 15 touchdowns before suffering a season-ending knee injury early last season. Niner fans will point to the 2004 draft, when San Francisco took receiver Rashaun Woods at No. 31. But a look at receivers drafted from the 28th through 32nd picks since 2001 shows Woods was more exception than rule. Hakeem Nicks, Britt, Craig Davis, Anthony Gonzalez, Michael Jenkins and Reggie Wayne were the other receivers in that group.

•The offense: Would the 49ers maximize their investment in a deep-threat receiver? Would Wallace open up their offense, taking them to another level? Or would the nature of the 49ers' approach and potential limitations at quarterback leave us wondering why Wallace's production had failed to carry over?

I'd have a hard time criticizing the 49ers if they made a strong play for Wallace. They need help at the position. Wallace is only 25 years old. Wallace is established and ascending.

It's true that receivers often disappoint, but very few in Wallace's position hit the market. The new labor agreement gives the best restricted free agents more freedom. This would seem to be a relatively low-risk proposition for the 49ers as long as Wallace's personality and work ethic checked out.