Should the Browns consider stealing Mike Wallace?

by AnthonyK on Feb 20, 2012 10:39 AM EST

I know it's probably a long shot...but how sweet would it be to steal a young, deep threat in his prime from our biggest division rival? It's no secret that we need some offensive playmakers, and watching this guy rip us to shreads for the past 2 years leads me to believe that he's easily one of the best receivers in the league. Pittsburgh is $11 mill over the cap, which means that they could have a hard time matching an offer that a team with some cap room (such as the Browns) would make.

Also, they have young weapons such as Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders, not to mention a hole to fill at RB with Mendenhall potentially out for the 2012 season. I don't think that they could match an offer that we would make, if we're willing to pay for a quality #1 receiver. Imagine this guy playing with us, and not against us twice a year. He's exactly what this team needs. This way, we can focus on other pieces during the first round of our draft, and get a sure thing in Wallace.

Thoughts?

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It would cost us the #4 overall pick, so no.

by HenryDawg on Feb 20, 2012 10:59 AM EST reply actions

And why would it cost us the #4 pick in this year’s draft? I thought Wallace was an UFA. If he is a RFA, then no. But, is he is an UFA, then I would try to get him. Imagine, with a #1 WR already in the fold, then we have more flexiblity in the draft (one less position to worry about). Although, I would prefer getting someone less expensive like a Laurent Robinson, then get RGlll and another WR with #22 or #37 and either DE or WLB with the other.

by OldTimeDawg on Feb 20, 2012 11:51 AM EST up reply actions

He’s a RFA, otherwise yes I would definitely want to get him.

by HenryDawg on Feb 20, 2012 12:04 PM EST up reply actions

You’re exactly right, but I saw an article on Yahoo (linked on the daily dog chow of 2/22/12 i think) listing the Browns as one of the teams that should go after him if he’s not franchised. That article said we could get him for the #22 pick.

I kind of did a double-take on that one bc I was under the impression that, just as you say, we would have to give up our original pick. Do you think that article was mistaken, or is it a possibility we could choose to give up the 22 pick for a guy like wallace or maybe even super mario?

My only problem with doing that (even with the #22 pick) is that it would effectively take us out of the frontrunner spot for RG3, whom I want us to draft now more than ever.

by Vududawg on Feb 22, 2012 10:36 AM EST up reply actions

The article was wrong.

To sign a RFA, you must use your “original” pick.

Why did the Steeler fan grow a mustache? So he could look like his mother.

by Bernie19Kosar on Feb 22, 2012 12:26 PM EST up reply actions

It’s yahoo though so it’s to be expected.

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by bross09 on Feb 22, 2012 1:34 PM EST up reply actions

I know nothing about this. How would that happen?

"When you win, say nothing. When you lose, say less." -Paul Brown

by macdowellm03 on Feb 20, 2012 1:22 PM EST via Android app up reply actions

He’s a restricted free agent, his team gets compensation if someone picks him.

"An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools" -Hemingway

by notthatnoise on Feb 20, 2012 4:51 PM EST up reply actions

If it was cheap, but we all know that it won’t be, so NO!

A bargain is something you don't need at a price you can't resist....
If I agreed with you we'd both be wrong!
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by J. W. on Feb 20, 2012 11:09 AM EST reply actions

Why does it have to be cheap? He’s sure better than Blackmon in my opinion, and I think that receiver is our biggest need.

I failed to remember that we would have to give up our #4 pick, I thought that it could be either 1st round pick. My bad.

How about a guy like Meachem, Pierre Garcon, Amendola…a cheaper guy who could really make an impact?

by AnthonyK on Feb 20, 2012 11:46 AM EST reply actions

My thoughts lean to Robinson and Garcon.

by OldTimeDawg on Feb 20, 2012 11:52 AM EST up reply actions

Couldn’t agree more, I prefer Garcon over Blackmon. Blackmon just seems like a better version of Greg Little, while Garcon is much different and very complementary to Little. I.e., a guy who can get open deep and take the top off a defense.

by Vududawg on Feb 22, 2012 10:39 AM EST up reply actions

How does Blackmon resemble Little?

Steel Nick

by nickjs21 on Feb 22, 2012 1:28 PM EST via Android app up reply actions

Lack of elite speed. But I think Blackmon is a more well rounded receiver than Little. At least so far.

"When you win, say nothing. When you lose, say less." -Paul Brown

by macdowellm03 on Feb 22, 2012 1:35 PM EST up reply actions

They’re both big, strong guys that lack elite speed – kind of in the mold of Boldin but without great hands. Like I said tho, Blackmon does appear to be better than Little, just not enough to warrant a #4 pick in my mind.

by Vududawg on Feb 23, 2012 10:37 AM EST up reply actions

I go back and forth on whether Blackmon is a top 5 talent or not. I think if RG3 is gone and assuming so is Kalil, I’d rank BPA Claiborne over Blackmon but I wouldn’t be upset with either.

Steel Nick

by nickjs21 on Feb 23, 2012 1:51 PM EST up reply actions

I think in the NFL draft, unlike in say the MLB or NHL, need has to factor into the equation, at least in the early rounds. Because of this, I would have Blackmon over Claiborne.

"An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools" -Hemingway

by notthatnoise on Feb 28, 2012 11:11 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Any of those guys would help a lot.

by HenryDawg on Feb 20, 2012 12:04 PM EST up reply actions

I like Wallace, but I am not going to give up the 4th overall pick for him.

I am fine with any of those cheaper guys. Amendola is coming off an injury, but any of those guys would be solid opposite Little. maybe grab Jordan White in the 4th and have him play WR2 and have Amendola in the slot.

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by bross09 on Feb 20, 2012 12:12 PM EST up reply actions

Haven’t thought of Amendola. I think he would fit very well here.

by Vududawg on Feb 22, 2012 10:40 AM EST up reply actions

He’s also a guy was around while Shurmur was on staff in STL, so I think that he’s a real possibility. If Shurmur saw something in him (which I think he can be a Welker-type guy in the future)

by AnthonyK on Feb 22, 2012 12:16 PM EST up reply actions

I think Norwood gives us what Amendola would.

I really like Norwood.

Why did the Steeler fan grow a mustache? So he could look like his mother.

by Bernie19Kosar on Feb 22, 2012 12:26 PM EST up reply actions

The same thought occurred to me after i posted. I like him too and I could see how Amendola might be redundant.

by Vududawg on Feb 22, 2012 12:31 PM EST up reply actions

question though, would you be in favor of the Browns going after Broyles in the 3rd/4th? He is kind of a slot guy.

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by bross09 on Feb 22, 2012 1:35 PM EST up reply actions

i would absolutely take a shot at broyles. you don’t come by that production by accident.

by DontCallMeJoey on Feb 22, 2012 5:23 PM EST up reply actions

He and Jordan White are guys I would love to get in the 3rd/4th. I was more wondering about Bernie, because Broyles would probably play a lot in the slot and play there over Norwood

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by bross09 on Feb 22, 2012 9:43 PM EST up reply actions

i’m not quite as big a fan of norwood as bernie, but i can’t see any downside to bringing in some potential competition for the slot receiver. i guess it’s a matter of resource allocation, though.

by DontCallMeJoey on Feb 23, 2012 2:04 AM EST up reply actions

I think he can play on the outside.

Anyone else seen how Broyles hates to be touched? It’s pretty wild.

Why did the Steeler fan grow a mustache? So he could look like his mother.

by Bernie19Kosar on Feb 23, 2012 7:22 AM EST up reply actions

I think Broyles is a first round talent with injury questions. I would love to have him on the Browns, plus I think he can play on the outside.

Why did the Steeler fan grow a mustache? So he could look like his mother.

by Bernie19Kosar on Feb 23, 2012 7:21 AM EST up reply actions

I wasn’t sure if he can play on the outside, but he is definitely a great talent.

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by bross09 on Feb 23, 2012 10:39 AM EST up reply actions

me too

by Poppawolf on Feb 22, 2012 11:06 PM EST up reply actions

Isn’t Amendola more like Little? I don’t believe he’s a deep threat, more of the underneath guy.

Steel Nick

by nickjs21 on Feb 22, 2012 1:29 PM EST via Android app up reply actions

his 2010 stats are identical to Little's 2011....only smaller YPC with 20 more receptions. i see the redundancy with him and Norwood on the roster.

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by WYBHaden? on Feb 22, 2012 2:30 PM EST up reply actions

I forgot him for a while because of his injury.

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by bross09 on Feb 22, 2012 1:34 PM EST up reply actions

Thats why I said it had to be cheap. It would cost use a pick Not sure if it would be the #4 or #22, and then on top of that, we’d have to pay the large contract. I’d love nothing more than to weaken the Steelers, but I definetly dont want to help them rebuils in any way shape or fashion.

by J. W. on Feb 21, 2012 12:49 PM EST up reply actions

It would be out natural pick. (#4)

Dawgs by Nature -- where Montario Hardesty, apparently, 'did some good things'.

by North Coast Flea on Feb 21, 2012 1:00 PM EST up reply actions

He is a RFA so no, however I am all for bettering our team while weakening the division.

by GrillGuy on Feb 20, 2012 12:19 PM EST reply actions

Maybe if we were drafting around 28 and up. Its not worth the money AND a 4th round pick that the steelers would inevitably pick someone that would haunt us for years down the road.

by -bobby- on Feb 20, 2012 12:49 PM EST reply actions

You’re giving them way too much credit

by Vududawg on Feb 22, 2012 10:43 AM EST up reply actions

I want to “steal” Steve Johnson from the Bills…. reports are they aren’t getting anywhere with the contract negotiations and I think we could make him a pretty nice deal.
I don’t want a ex-steeler for any reason… even though I would want them to be good for us if it happened I will never pick a player from their roster if it can be helped.

by crazyL80 on Feb 20, 2012 4:08 PM EST reply actions

Would love Johnson and I would take any Steeler that makes them weaker in a heartbeat, but no way would I give them a pick for him. I could see the Ravens doing it. Their first pick is low and they won’t get a better receiver at that spot.

by HenryDawg on Feb 20, 2012 7:03 PM EST up reply actions

What a crappy turn of events that would be! That move just might put the ratbirds over the top…yuk

by Vududawg on Feb 22, 2012 10:42 AM EST up reply actions

I would absolutely be okay with Stevie Johnson. He’s had some issue both on and off the field, but I think that with the discipline of guys like Holmgren that we could really groom him.

I would much rather get two quality receivers than one star though. We’re so thin at talent that if we get just one guy, they’re going to just shut him down and be playing the same old Cleveland Browns. If we could pull off a Stevie Johnson AND a Meachem/Amendola/Manningham, that would be super.

Also, how about Dwayne Bowe? I think he would be exactly what we need. Or really, exactly what anyone needs.

by AnthonyK on Feb 21, 2012 9:09 AM EST up reply actions

If we sign Johnson and retain Little, there wouldn’t be enough balls to go around if we signed another receiver. This also assumes we don’t draft anyone.

"An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools" -Hemingway

by notthatnoise on Feb 21, 2012 2:04 PM EST up reply actions

there wouldn’t be enough balls to go around

Heh, heh, he said balls.

Once you start comparing a QB to Drew Brees, you've lost the argument.

by TheDriveStillHurts on Feb 21, 2012 6:00 PM EST up reply actions

Glad I’m not the only immature one around here.

Dawgs by Nature -- where Montario Hardesty, apparently, 'did some good things'.

by North Coast Flea on Feb 21, 2012 8:49 PM EST up reply actions

Hey, if we get a decent QB in here there’ll be enough balls to spread around to everyone!

by Vududawg on Feb 22, 2012 10:45 AM EST up reply actions

One of my high school football coaches talking about our safety: “There’s no good way to say this, but he gets his hands on a lot of balls.”

"An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools" -Hemingway

by notthatnoise on Feb 22, 2012 4:29 PM EST up reply actions

either way, improving the receiving corps and the overall talent of the offense is crucial. pluto says this all the time … there is no one on the browns’ offense for whom a defense really has to game plan. no one threatening. as soon as you get one of those guys everyone else (even our cavalcade of suck on offense) is immediately better.

by DontCallMeJoey on Feb 22, 2012 12:29 AM EST up reply actions

Heck No

1. He’s a RFA, it would cost us our #4 and give that pick to the steelers of all people…Remember for a RFA, you have to give up your ORIGINAL PICK in that round not just any round pick you have laying around… given the demand for his services and Wallace’s current low salary it’s a no brainer that the steelers will put up a first rounder tender on him, meaning it’s a 1st rounder someone will have to give up

2. If we want a #1 WR from FA, there’s certainly some out there for the same price and we wouldn’t have to give up our #4 pick

3. It’s a moot point, the steelers still have some cuts to make (i.e. casey hampton and a few more) and will rework a few more contracts in order to give Wallace a deal or franchise him… they’re a championship caliber team that’s old, they need weapons to win now

by alirenee on Feb 20, 2012 9:24 PM EST reply actions

The Steelers will have the same dilemma next year with Antonio Brown, their team MVP.

While it’s tempting to raid the Steelers cookie jar for Wallace, the 1-22 pick could land Kendall Wright. I have to pass on that one.

by mikeyclaw on Feb 21, 2012 11:47 AM EST reply actions

What would you guys think about if Houston used THEIR first round pick to Pittsburgh for Mike Wallace with a sick contract? They’d get a great no 2 WR to match up with Andre, one of the only positions I think they’re particularly interested in with their first round pick this year anyways.

"It is unlikely that anyone has ever read Nietzsche or Derrida and has been inspired to open a soup kitchen"

by troy145 on Feb 22, 2012 7:44 PM EST reply actions

Would be a brilliant move for a lot of teams: Baltimore, San Fran, New England, Dallas, Chargers, etc.

If I had a pick after the mid point of the draft, and cap space, I would do it in a heartbeat. The problem with the Texans is that they don’t have much cap space and they have some FA’s of their own.

Why did the Steeler fan grow a mustache? So he could look like his mother.

by Bernie19Kosar on Feb 23, 2012 7:26 AM EST up reply actions

Yeah I’ve just been talking with friends about what Houston ought to do because thats who I think I got in the mock draft, and a friend was talking about that.

"It is unlikely that anyone has ever read Nietzsche or Derrida and has been inspired to open a soup kitchen"

by troy145 on Feb 23, 2012 11:33 AM EST up reply actions

Cinci could do it too. They have an extra pick and plenty of cap space.

by HenryDawg on Feb 23, 2012 4:09 PM EST up reply actions

AJ Green and Mike Wallace would be nasty.

Why did the Steeler fan grow a mustache? So he could look like his mother.

by Bernie19Kosar on Feb 23, 2012 9:24 PM EST up reply actions

OMG. I would hate that match up. My Bengals hate is not far behind my Steeler hate.

by J. W. on Feb 26, 2012 12:38 PM EST up reply actions

I don’t hate the Bungles like the other 2 but if they were starting those two I probably would start to pretty quickly.

by HenryDawg on Feb 29, 2012 7:26 AM EST up reply actions

if we did not get RG3, would anyone think that he would be worth a #4 pick?

by Poppawolf on Feb 22, 2012 11:08 PM EST reply actions

forget my last post….I just do not feel comfortable getting anything from the Steelers….I plead temporary insanity

by Poppawolf on Feb 22, 2012 11:13 PM EST up reply actions

The problem is I imagine we would have to sign him and give up our #4 pick before the draft. If we’re absolutely sure we aren’t getting RGIII then I think I would actually be in favor- I like Wallace much better than Blackmon. But then again, no one would be able to get the ball to him down field, so I guess it would be an overall waste.

by shep615 on Feb 22, 2012 11:29 PM EST up reply actions

No way do you give the Steelers the #4 overall pick. That in itself makes it not worth it.

by HenryDawg on Feb 23, 2012 7:58 AM EST up reply actions

ll this may be redundant now that the St***ers have restructured Big Ben’s contract. Looks like they may be able to franchise Wallace if they keep on cutting salary like this.

Cry havoc and let slip the dawgs of war

by Kaner on Feb 23, 2012 7:17 PM EST up reply actions