FANTASY FOOTBALL NFL PLAYERS

Posted: 5/16/2013 1:05pm et

Miami Dolphins WR Mike Wallace said he does not think building chemistry with QB Ryan Tannehill will not be too difficult and expects the chemistry to be fine once training camp begins. Wallace said he works with Tannehill after each practice.

Huddle Up: Wallace has averaged 65-1,095-9 over the past 3 seasons, and there's no reason to think he can't reach or eclipse those figures in 2013 -- even with a new QB in a new system.

Posted: 3/12/2013 6:11pm et

The Miami Dolphins have agreed to terms with WR Mike Wallace (Steelers). The deal is expected to include $30 million in guaranteed money.

Huddle Up: With the Fins, it's all about upgrading the weaponry for second-year starting QB Ryan Tannehill, and Miami already has taken two big strides by signing the speedy Wallace and re-signing its 2012 top receiver, Brian Hartline.

Posted: 3/6/2013 4:09pm et

Pittsburgh Steelers impending free-agent WR Mike Wallace is believed to be the Miami Dolphins' top target in free agency because they covet his ability to make plays in the end zone as well as his speed. Wallace is expected to get more than Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Vincent Jackson got last offseason and more than Kansas City Chiefs WR Dwayne Bowe received this offseason. The team will use the three days before the start of free agency to gauge Wallace's price.

Huddle Up: Miami definitely needs to upgrade at wide receiver, and with Dwayne Bowe re-signing in Kansas City Wallace is the biggest name on the market.

Posted: 2/20/2013 9:24am et

Pittsburgh Steelers impending free-agent WR Mike Wallace will reportedly be the top target for the Miami Dolphins in the offseason. Wallace may command a contract in the range of $60 million or $12 million a season.

Huddle Up: The Dolphins desperately need help at wide receiver; whether Ryan Tannehill is the type of quarterback who can effectively get the ball downfield to Wallace, however, is another matter entirely. It's not incorrect to wonder if this may wind up being a case of overpaying for a poor fit.

Posted: 2/13/2013 11:44am et

Impending free-agent WR Mike Wallace might be a realistic possibility for the Cleveland Browns if he hits the open market.

Huddle Up: All indications are the Steelers aren't bringing Wallace back, and while adding him to their current lineup doesn't do much if the Browns are able to upgrade at quarterback--Joe Flacco, for instance--he could remain an elite fantasy wideout despite changing addresses.

Posted: 2/12/2013 10:38pm et

Some people in the Pittsburgh Steelers organization believe that impending free-agent WR Mike Wallace will sign with the Cleveland Browns this offseason.

Huddle Up: This would be huge coup for the Browns, who need WR help and would weaken their AFC North rivals in the process.

Posted: 2/9/2013 12:00am et

The Pittsburgh Steelers do not have enough salary-cap room to keep free-agent WR Mike Wallace, and he's not a good fit for offensive coordinator Todd Haley's style of offense.

Huddle Up: Wallace's price tag is likely high enough to push him out the door in Pittsburgh. As one of the top deep threats in the NFL he's bound to have offers, but fantasy-wise he needs to find another quarterback able to make plays down the field like Ben Roethlisberger to remain an elite fantasy wide receiver.

Posted: 1/2/2013 2:24pm et

The Pittsburgh Steelers are unlikely to place the franchise tag on impending free-agent WR Mike Wallace because they'd have to pay him between $10 million and $11 million in 2013.

Huddle Up: Wallace held out this preseason looking for a contract extension, then struggled after missing time and didn't present a strong case for a big raise. Even though the Steelers may not be willing to pay him, as the top deep threat in the league he'll have plenty of suitors this offseason.

Posted: 12/29/2012 4:50pm et

Pittsburgh Steelers WR Mike Wallace (hip, hamstring) will miss the first game of his career in Week 17. Wallace may have played his last game with the team as he is an unrestricted free agent this offseason.

Huddle Up: It was largely a disappointing season for Wallace, who had only 2 100-yard receiving games and only had 2 TDs over his final 6 contests.

Posted: 12/28/2012 10:49pm et

Pittsburgh Steelers WR Mike Wallace (hip, hamstring) is out for Week 17.

Huddle Up: As expected, Wallace's fantasy owners will have to make other Week 17 plans, and some of those plans could include Emmanuel Sanders, who could get the bulk of Wallace's work Sunday.

Posted: 12/27/2012 10:42pm et

Pittsburgh Steelers WR Mike Wallace (hip) did not practice Thursday, Dec. 27.

Huddle Up: Week 17 is starting to look rather shaky for Wallace, who missed his second consecutive practice Thursday. See if he can get on the field Friday.

Posted: 12/26/2012 7:48pm et

Pittsburgh Steelers WR Mike Wallace (hip) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Dec. 26.

Huddle Up: Wallace had only catch for 13 yards in Week 16's loss to the Bengals, and there's a very good chance his season might be done with the Steelers having nothing left to play for.

Posted: 12/5/2012 7:15pm et

Pittsburgh Steelers WR Mike Wallace (knee) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Dec. 5.

Huddle Up: Likely another early-week precautionary move here as the WR should be able to practice and play in Week 14 with QB Ben Roethlisberger after totalling only 10 catches for 77 yards and no TDs over the past 3 weeks.

Posted: 11/27/2012 8:23pm et

Pittsburgh Steelers WR Mike Wallace is 'frustrated' and 'not producing in the manner we like,' according to head coach Mike Tomlin. Wallace is now listed as a co-starter with WR Emmanuel Sanders on the depth chart this week. Wallace had only one catch in Week 12.

Huddle Up: It's been a frustrating couple of weeks in Steeler Country, and the absence of QB Ben Roethlisberger has hurt Wallace as much as any other player as the wideout has 5 catches for all of 33 yards over the past 2 games. Until Roethlisberger returns as the starter, it might be best to leave Wallace on your fantasy bench.

Posted: 11/3/2012 8:27pm et

Pittsburgh Steelers WR Mike Wallace said he has run eight go routes all season, including three as a decoy. Last season, he ran nearly five a game. Wallace is hoping to run more deep routes the rest of this season. 'I used to go deep a lot last year, until eventually I was just clearing it out for (Antonio Brown) and Hines (Ward). Now, I haven't really gone much deep. Hopefully, we will,' Wallace said. Under new offensive coordinator Todd Haley, the scheme is built off short routes and quick passes, which take away Wallace's best attribute - his straight-ahead speed. Wallace has seen his career average of 18.7 yards per reception drop to 12.8 this season; however, he is on pace for a career-high in receptions.

Huddle Up: In a turn of events, Wallace has been better in PPR leagues this season, but he's still on pace for 9 TDs and is a solid WR2 in almost all leagues. In the meantime, his deep speed hasn't disappeared, and opposing defenses will still have to respect that, opening up the underneath routes.

Posted: 10/28/2012 10:26pm et

Pittsburgh Steelers WR Mike Wallace appears to be heading to free agency after the season because the team would not be inclined to place the franchise tag on him or give him the $11 million per year he is looking for in a new deal unless he plays significantly better in the second half of the season.

Huddle Up: The Steelers are a frugal organization by nature so this information is not a huge surprise. Wallace has enough equity in the league he will probably find a team willing to open the checkbook if the Steelers won't.

Posted: 10/22/2012 12:13pm et

Pittsburgh Steelers WR Mike Wallace posted eight receptions for 52 yards in Week 7 against the Cincinnati Bengals, but he also had four drops including a would-be touchdown pass late in the second quarter.

Huddle Up: Wallace can be an elite fantasy wideout, but that 8-52 would have looked a whole lot better as a 12-102-1. Consistent drops will have Ben Roethlisberger turning more frequently to Antonio Brown and Heath Miller, so Wallace's fantasy owners have to hope he can locate a can of Stickum; maybe the Chargers have some leftovers?

Posted: 9/21/2012 9:19pm et

Pittsburgh Steelers WR Mike Wallace (groin) fully participated in practice Friday, Sept. 21, and is listed as probable for Week 3.

Huddle Up: It sounds as if Ben Roethlisberger will have his most productive fantasy target Sunday in Oakland. In 2 games, Wallace has 9 receptions for 111 yards and a pair of TDs.

Posted: 9/20/2012 8:12pm et

Pittsburgh Steelers WR Mike Wallace (groin) practiced in full Thursday, Sept. 20.

Huddle Up: A good sign for Sunday after Wallace sat out Wednesday and was listed as questionable.

Posted: 9/19/2012 4:38pm et

Pittsburgh Steelers WR Mike Wallace (groin) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Sept. 19.

Huddle Up: Worth monitoring. Wallace had the big day against the Revis-less Jets last week, but this could mean Antonio Brown retakes the reins as the top-scoring receiving target for Ben Roethlisberger.

Posted: 9/5/2012 11:48am et

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin declined to say Tuesday, Sept. 4, whether or not WR Mike Wallace would start in Week 1 against the Denver Broncos.

Huddle Up: Wallace was a late arrival to Steelers camp, so he may not be well-versed enough in Todd Haley's offense in order to warrant the start. He'll also spend most of the evening wearing Champ Bailey, further stifling his fantasy potential this week.

Posted: 9/3/2012 5:22pm et

Pittsburgh Steelers WR Mike Wallace participated in practice Monday, Sept. 3, and felt pretty good. He said the team will not have to limit him Week 1 even though he missed training camp.

Huddle Up: Wallace specialty is the longer routes so his holdout wasn't as detrimental as it might be to some other receivers. But given the circumstances fantasy GMs still might want to temper their enthusiasm for big numbers in week one.

Posted: 8/28/2012 3:19pm et

Pittsburgh Steelers WR Mike Wallace ended his holdout and showed up to practice Tuesday, Aug. 28. Wallace will have two weeks to work himself into game shape and to try and work out a long-term extension with the club.

Huddle Up: As expected, Wallace reported in advance of the games that count and saved himself from the rigors of training camp and most of the preseason as well. Wallace still has to acclimate to the system of new offensive coordinator Todd Haley, but don't think for a minute that the Steelers are going to let any make-up work keep a wideout as talented as Wallace off the field. Wallace has slipped a little in the fantasy rankings due to the uncertainty over his holdout, but he remains a high-level WR1 in all leagues and formats.

Posted: 8/27/2012 4:00pm et

Pittsburgh Steelers restricted free-agent WR Mike Wallace is expected to report to the team Tuesday, Aug. 28.

Huddle Up: It's hard to tell just what Wallace accomplished besides missing a bunch of workouts, and falling way behind the learning curve in a new offense. Don't expect Wallace to burst out of the gate like he did last season.

Posted: 8/23/2012 11:23pm et

The Indianapolis Colts are not talking with the Pittsburgh Steelers about the availability of restricted free-agent WR Mike Wallace.

Huddle Up: Colts owner Jim Irsay created a Twitter buzz earlier in the day, tweeting that his club was involved in unspecified trade talks. None of the tweets mentioned Wallace specifically, but fans fuelled the rumor mills, leading to the Colts issuing this denial. Basically, it's much ado about nothing.

Posted: 8/21/2012 1:53pm et

Pittsburgh Steelers WR Mike Wallace is expected to arrive in Pittsburgh this weekend to sign his one-year contract, according to multiple sources. Wallace would likely be eligible to play in the team's final preseason game against the Carolina Panthers Thursday, Aug. 30, but it's unknown if he will. Reporting this weekend could also reopen negotiations for a multi-year extension.

Huddle Up: This could the light at the end of the tunnel for Steelers fans. If the reports are true, Wallace still deserves fantasy consideration as a starting WR. During Wallace's holdout, however, teammate and fellow wideout Antonio Brown has seen his stock climb, and he'll see plenty of high-round draft love as well.

Posted: 8/16/2012 10:24pm et

Teams continue to inquire about the availability of holdout Pittsburgh Steelers WR Mike Wallace, but the team remains steadfast in not making him available for a trade.

Huddle Up: It sounds as if it's going to be reporting to Steelers or nothing for the wideout, and the longer Wallace holds out, the more his fantasy draft value slides. The WR position simply is too stocked this season to gamble a high pick on a disgruntled Wallace.

Posted: 8/14/2012 12:41pm et

Pittsburgh Steelers WR Mike Wallace is expected to end his holdout and report to the team before the regular season begins.

Huddle Up: This imbroglio has done neither side any good this preseason. It's lowered the fantasy values of Wallace and QB Ben Roethlisberger in early drafts, and some hard feelings are certain to remain between Wallace and the front office even after the wideout does report. Additionally, the player is almost always at an added risk for muscle strains and pulls after returning to practice, and that could tack on more missed time.

Posted: 7/25/2012 8:45pm et

The Pittsburgh Steelers have halted contract talks with restricted free-agent WR Mike Wallace until he signs his tender offer and reports to training camp.

Huddle Up: "This group that is the Pittsburgh Steelers will continue to push on," said Mike Tomlin."We'll focus our energies of readying the people who are here and when he shows up, he shows up." This feels like it might get ugly but it's all part of the card game. Pittsburgh called Wallace's bet off the flop. Now we'll see what comes out on 4th street.

Posted: 7/6/2012 6:58pm et

The Pittsburgh Steelers have not made any progress in contract talks with restricted free-agent WR Mike Wallace and the two sides have not had negotiations lately.

Huddle Up: The Steelers and Chiefs should just swap Dwayne Bowe for Mike Wallace and be done with it. Bowe's a great fit in the Pittsburgh offense because he also run-blocks, and new Steelers OC Todd Haley coached him in Kansas City. Wallace would blow the doors off the AFC West; where last season Oakland, Denver and San Diego ranked 15th, 20th and 28th in yards allowed per pass attempt.

Posted: 6/17/2012 1:28am et

The Pittsburgh Steelers have not reduced their one-year, $2.7 million offer to WR Mike Wallace, a restricted free agent, and they never seriously considered exercising that option. General manager Kevin Colbert said the team is in negotiations with Wallace and they have always wanted to sign him to a long-term deal.

Huddle Up: This still feels like Wallace will remain a Steeler. He should have received the message this past offseason when there was little interest in his services as an RFA; now he can lower his price to a more reasonable level and the Steelers can find a way to fit him under the salary cap. So long as this doesn't stretch into training camp, there's no reason to tweak Wallace's fantasy ranking downward.

Posted: 6/13/2012 8:36pm et

Pittsburgh Steelers president Art Rooney said he believes restricted free-agent WR Mike Wallace should be with his teammates at minicamp.

Huddle Up: The Sporting News reports: "The wrinkle in the stalemate between the two sides is a Friday deadline in which Rooney can reduce by nearly $2 million or pull the [$2.7 million] tender offer." The Steelers aren't expected to do that, however -- because that move would eliminate any good faith remaining for future discussions.

Posted: 6/9/2012 12:39am et

The Pittsburgh Steelers have the option to reduce restricted free-agent WR Mike Wallace's tender from $2.7 million to $577,500 he does not sign by June 15 but the team has no intention of doing so. The team wants to sign Wallace to a long-term contract and a reduction would not help negotiations.

Huddle Up: If the Steelers have any hopes of inking Wallace long-term, cutting his salary for the coming season by $2.2 million would be a bad first step. There may be some missed offseason work while the two sides haggle, but bottom line you can expect Wallace to be in black and gold for the start of the 2012 season.

Posted: 6/6/2012 11:53pm et

Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley said restricted free-agent WR Mike Wallace will be behind in learning the offense when he reports to camp but is confident he will be able to catch up.

Huddle Up: Who said Wallace will report for camp? He can hold out all the way to Week 10 and still accrue a full season toward free agency.