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Taylor: Wallace upset with contract status
By Mark Kaboly
Published: Tuesday, May 29, 2012, 7:22 p.m.
Updated: Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Steelers receiver Mike Wallace hasn't spoken publicly about his contract situation in the past four months.
The same can't be said about cornerback Ike Taylor after spending the Memorial Day weekend in Las Vegas with his teammate.
Taylor said during his weekly show on TribLive Radio on Tuesday that Wallace is frustrated with contract negotiations and he wants to be at offseason practices but also wants what he believes he is due.
“There is a lot of frustration with Mike right now,” Taylor said. “He wants to be here. ... But at the same time he wants his paper.
“Mike feels like he outperformed his last contract. But he's dealing with a monster, and that's the Pittsburgh Steelers … they are not going to let you dictate to them on how you feel.”
Wallace has yet to sign his first-round restricted free agent tender that would guarantee him a $2.16 million raise for this season, bringing his salary to $2.742 million. He missed the fourth consecutive voluntary practice yesterday and isn't expected to attend offseason workouts, including mandatory minicamp next month.
Wallace could not be reached for comment.
Taylor said he told Wallace he would like to see him show up at the practice facility mostly because new offensive coordinator Todd Haley's system is being installed.
Wallace is seeking a long-term extension. He reportedly was looking for Larry Fitzgerald-type money — $120 million over eight years. He has until June 15 to sign his tender before the Steelers could reduce their offer to 110 percent of his $580,000 salary last year. Wallace also could hold out until Nov. 12 and still be credited with an accrued season, making him an unrestricted free agent next year.
“Mike is going to be a Pittsburgh Steeler for years to come,” Taylor said. “(But I told him), at the end of the day: Football doesn't need you; you need football.”
Mark Kaboly is a staff writer for Trib Total Media.He can be reached at mkaboly@tribweb.com.
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"Wallace also could hold out until Nov. 12 and still be credited with an accrued season, making him an unrestricted free agent next year. " Seems like Mike Wallace has the upper hand in this. FREE MONEY for the season, at least until November 12, then he's an unrestricted free agent. Given that Hines Ward held out back when his contract situation stunk way back when, Wallace should do the same knowing what the steelers are most likely to do.
Submitted by: Cory on Wednesday, May 30, 2012
“Mike is going to be a Pittsburgh Steeler for years to come,” Taylor said. “(But I told him), at the end of the day: Football doesn’t need you; you need football.” EXACTLY - there are many forgotten stars out there. This is a TEAM sport and Wallace is all about HIM. He will make almost 3 million dollars this season, so I feel no sadness for him. Where does he expect the Steelers to find the kind of money he wants under their cap? With a new offensive co-ordinator, he NEEDS to be there as well to learn the new system, because the way he is acting, doesnt show me much smarts. He is already under contract to those "monsters," as he calls the Pittsburgh Steelers, and he should abid by it or they should release his butt...ya he runs a straight line real fast and catches some of those deep throws, but how many times a game can you do that? He has proven he is no more than a one-trick pony at this point and for the money he is asking, I say, let him run real fast away from the Steelers to another team...oh wait, they won't pay him that kind of money either...get a clue before your reputation ruins your career.
Submitted by: David on Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Do we believe Ike Taylor will be a Steeler for years to come as well? Perhaps IKE could restructure his contract to free up some paper for his Vegas buddy.
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