I'd like to issue an apology to Mike Wallace. I never thought, after last year, that he could become a tough, team-first receiver. I was wrong. His play hasn't been splashy but its definitely showing he's more of true number 1. He's blocking, he's fighting, he's running numerous routes, he's acting like a leader. Major, major props to you Mike Wallace. So, I dunno if a leopard can change his spots, but this cheetah sure did...
He's been a real leader this year. Hasn't complained at all about the number of balls, or lack of deep opportunities. He's just quietly capitalized on all of his chances. I didn't have many issues with his play last year. I thought he was what he was, which could have been even better with some better accuracy deep. However, his effort, team dynamic, leadership, etc was all less than I hoped. This year, night and day in that regard. I hope to write this same thing about multiple players - Tannehill, Pouncey, Dion Jordan, and coaches - Philbin, Coyle..
Also for the record, he's on pace for a 1000 yrd/13 TD/53 1st dwn year. If he reaches those numbers, it would be the best a WR has played here since Marino's days.
I love his attitude and new-found strength in the middle of the field. Major kudos to Wallace. If he continues this level of play he may very well finish that contract here in Miami.
Good post. I agree 100%. When Wallace came here I thought he was just a one trick pony. Throw it deep and run as fast as you can. But this year his route running has been dramatically improved. And he is catching with his hands instead of letting the ball get into his body. Keep it up Mike!
Props for all of the posters to this point. I agree with everything you have mentioned, and I am impressed with Wallace's performance this year.
I have to say may not of on forums but to friends and family I bashed Wallace last year for some of his lack of effort it seemed. I thought he would more than likely be gone after the year and would be just serviceable atleast but he has really changed. Here is to hoping Wallace / Landry become something special sooner than later!
That TD last week was one of the nost beautiful plays I've seen from a Miami QB/WR combo in a long time. No busted coverage, no chuck it up and hope, no poor throw amaxing catch....just perfect execution and timing on both ends.
Wallace has really matured and put it all on the line here..yes he makes a fortune but what I like is that he realized that the deep ball is not going to happen so he changed his game completely for the better and for the team..if only we could reward him occasionally with a bomb.....call me crazy but let's have 3 or 4 plays a game with Tanny and Moore in the game..split Tanny wide..send both deep and let Moore fling it...just a few plays mind you as Tanny has really begun to shine in our new offense with Lazor....what a great move by Philbin to bring Lazor in..Tanny's feet have been getting better all year with his coaching...maybe Zac Taylor might even learn something from Lazor
I am so psyched to be able to say that I was wrong about Mike Wallace. All my complaints from last season are gone. I LOVE what he's doing on the field. Every time he puts his shoulder into a defender, I feel a little funny in my pants. I would like to see us be able to get a long ball to him, once in awhile, though.
Props to you for admitting you were wrong. A lottttt of people here should probably be doing the same.
Mike Wallace has improved, but what he's producing is not worth 12.1$ against the cap. I'm not sure what people should be admitting they're wrong about? Mike Wallace was awful last year, and a big part of his improvement has been through working harder. His concentration, his route running, and his effort level have been much better this year. Him improving those things isn't really evidence people who went to the ground defending Wallace were in any way right.
He is clearly bigger, stronger too and making use of that. Breaking tackles and fighting for yards after the catch. Looks good so far.
He has done some different things well this season, which is impressive, but I'm not sure how long they can manage his cost at this level of production. That pretty much applies to all the WRs. The big shoe to fall is Tannehill's situation, but either way I'm not sure they can keep Wallace beyond the near-term.
Well SOME of his detractors stated he was a one trick pony and without that one "trick" he was below average at basically everything else..he has improved nearly every aspect of his game and basically abandoned the "trick" this season and so far has the look of a legit "1". Is he worth what they are paying him? Probably not but he is certainly a lot closer to earning it than his detractors believed.
i liked his attitude last year, mentioned that i just think he is a good teammate and not a diva, obviously the qb has some issues connecting with him deep, he won match ups that went unnoticed and not executed..Im not sure abut his hit towards the cap but I'm also not sure how much his presence helps our offense..
Won't lie...I loved me some Chambers. Too bad he never got a real QB and by the time he did his freak athletic skills were declining.
I think this can be ruled as a myth at this point. Mike Wallace has 52 targets this season, and the next highest Dolphin has 32. The Dolphins definitely are making a point to get the ball to Wallace more.
What exactly are you claiming that's changed that resulted in him producing better? I don't think you can attribute it to anything other than him working harder, and even if you get really creative it's not at all going to jive with the arguments how he was supposedly misused last year.
Take out his game against Buffalo that season and his numbers were pedestrian. Chambers caught 15 passes for 238 yards and a touchdown.
An entirely new offense for starters? You don't really have to be creative to start with that. I'm not denying he's worked had and improved. That would be a shot at him. I'm merely saying he wasn't as terrible as people would like to believe last year.
Chambers was very good #2 who was our #1 due to poor drafting. Imagine if we had taken Anquan Boldin and had him and Chambers along with Drew Brees at QB.
I just enjoy breaking down your Chambers obsession. I couldn't stand him as much as you loved him. Inconsistent and dropped way too many balls. Then again, I was lucky enough to enjoy Marino during his prime and everything else since then has been garbage... So much so that Chambers is considered a star post Marino.
Yup.. I took that picture myself during the game. I promised myself I would never change it until someone on this team dominates in a smash mouth football kinda way or plays at a truly elite level. I can't remember if Jamie Nails played that game but boy did he dominate before getting hurt.
Those that pointed out he didn't play well last year were 100% correct. Those who proclaimed he had hit his ceiling and wouldn't play well were wrong. Yes he was stinky his last year in Pitt, and last year in Mia. But he wasn't known as a lazy worker before that, nor a locker room cancer. There were some detractors in this forum who all but guaranteed we saw the best of Wallace and that he wasn't very good. I didn't defend him as much as was hopeful for him, that we would get a star WR. That said, on pace for 1,000 yards doesn't make me happy. His TD numbers are good but for $12m I want 1,400 yards, give or take.
Bro... WTF. I've had the same avatar since Ronnie Brown was in high school.. Going back to the FH days in 2001. And after all our debates over mediocre Dolphins players I can't believe you would think I would have Ronnie Brown there.
I'm pretty sure Jamie Nails is in the top right of that picture, playing LG next to Mark Dixon if I'm not mistaken. I know Nails was hurt later on that year.
Hahaha good point.. I think I joined FH in 2001 or early 2002.. That's been my one and only avatar.. I prob didn't have one for the first year or so.
You can be more specific than that. It certainly isn't throwing him more deep stuff. They've cut the deep attempts to Wallace in half, but Tannehill is throwing it only slightly less and his accuracy has gone up significantly on those passes. I'm not sure what you're characterizing the opinions as, but the Dolphins should have reduced Wallace's snaps last year and promoted Matthews.
Exactly what I was going to say. All the experts here saying Wallace is a one trick pony look like total fools now.
My goodness, so much hyperbole. Maybe he could have done better, but in no way does 73 for 930 and 5 add up to "awful".
That's because you forgot to carry the $60,000,000. However, seeing him so far this year, its clear now that last year was merely just transitional. On the flip side, many of the staunch Wallace supporters, said the way he is playing this year wasn't possible either. I mean I know for a fact a handful of people told me it was ridiculous to expect him to fight for the ball because that's not the type of player he was.
I have to say I'm not a huge fan of him lowering the shoulder unless it's to score or fight for a first down..I'm happy to see the desire/testicilar fortitude but not on every play if I had my druthers.