While some think that the New England Patriots are throwing the name of Mike Wallace around for reasons other than wanting to sign him, you can’t count out anything in the NFL free agency period, and there’s a change the Pittsburgh Steelers will lose their wide receiver in favor of a serious conference rival.
The conspiracy theory? There are two sides to that coin. The Miami Dolphins are another team interested in Wallace, and probably have a greater need for another receiving options than the Patriots currently do. Possibly, just maybe, the Patriots are simply trying to make the Dolphins waste more money and cap space on a wide receiver they don’t really want, creating even more of an advantage in the AFC East against the team that should be the one closest to challenge them from the “frustrated 3.”
There’s also the thing with Wes Welker, showing him that they won’t be devestated if he does choose to go elsewhere. Welker, 31, is looking for a relatively long term deal paying top dollar. While the Patriots have obviously done very well with Welker in the passing game since he arrived from Miami in 2007, his demands and his age possibly a bit too much of a bad combination at this point for the Patriots.
But there’s no denying the quality Wallace should bring to the Patriots, averaging 1,010 yards and eight touchdowns per season in his four-year career so far, and despite the down year in 2012, is probably one of the better options any team can have at the wide receiver position, especially with the Patriots always glad to add weapons that can make Tom Brady look even better. Lets not forget that part of the problem for Wallace and the Steelers is the decline of their offensive line and Ben Roethlisberger missing games or not playing at full health, costing the passing game more than once.