Mike Wallace News & Rumors: Pro Sports Daily

May 23

Pittsburgh Tribune Review

"Mike Wallace was missing from Tuesday's offseason workout, yet the receiver might already be learning the new Steelers offense elsewhere. The restricted free agent visited last week and talked with coach Mike Tomlin. When Wallace left, he took with him a playbook, said friend and teammate Antonio Brown. "He's going to be studying, so when he comes he knows (the plays)," Brown said. The Steelers have begun installing the offense of new coordinator Todd Haley. But Wallace hasn't yet signed his one-year, $2.742 million offer, so he wasn't around yesterday for the first of 10 optional practices. "Hopefully he can get here soon," Brown said, "so he can get on board.""

Wallace, top picks to miss Steelers OTAs

May 20

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"Todd Haley will showcase his new offense on the field for the first time Tuesday, and he'll do so without one of the Pro Bowl players expected to make it go, and two possible new starters on the line. Wide receiver Mike Wallace has not signed the one-year, $2,742,000 tender offered him as a restricted free agent, and various reports say he will not do so before the Steelers open their organized team activities, commonly called OTAs. Wallace is not required to sign the tender and the only thing required of any of their players -- provided they are under contract -- is to attend minicamp June 12-14, which will end these spring sessions. Come June 15, however, the Steelers are permitted to"

Steelers vs.Wallace? No mas, Mike

April 25

Pittsburgh Tribune Review

columnist Dejan Kovacevic

"The clock's about to strike midnight on the Steelers' draft, and, oh, if only that were a joke. Because of the NFL's bright idea last year to move the first round to Thursday prime time, plus enough ticks between picks for Demaryius Thomas to run a route to China, the local club didn't announce Cam Heyward's 31st overall selection last year until 11:26 p.m. Dont'a Hightower? Dontari Poe? How about Don't Touch that Dial for Six Hours? Whichever way the Steelers go — and it sure sounds like they don't know anymore than anyone on the outside — here's one name I'll promise you won't cross their minds in all that time: Mike Wallace. Nor should it. Wallace has made a bigger splash in the past"

Tomlin unconcerned with Wallace contract situation

April 24

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"Coach Mike Tomlin said he is not bothered about reports about whether wide receiver Mike Wallace will play for the Steelers this season. And general manager Kevin Colbert said the Steelers' goal remains the same: To sign their Pro Bowl receiver to a contract that will keep him with the team for a long time. Wallace did not receive any offers from other NFL teams before last Friday night -- the deadline for restricted free agents to sign with another team. But he has also not signed the $2.7 million offer he was tendered as a restricted free agent by the Steelers -- and there have been various reports that he might not do so."

Steelers 'not worried' about Mike Wallace reports

April 23

NFL.com

"Mike Wallace might not be happy about his current contract situation, but there's not much he can do about it. And the Pittsburgh Steelers know it. "We're not worried about the reports," Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert said Monday at a pre-draft news conference. "He's still here. We will deal with it day to day." There is no reason for the Steelers to be worried. They say Wallace's situation won't affect their draft plans. ESPN reported the wide receiver won't attend voluntary work anytime soon, choosing to wait before signing his one-year tender as a restricted free agent."

WR Wallace staying with Steelers, sources say

April 21

ESPN.com

"Receiver Mike Wallace will remain with the Pittsburgh Steelers after a Friday deadline passed with no team offering the restricted free agent an offer sheet, sources told ESPN. The Steelers' front office took a risk by not putting the franchise tag on Wallace and won $7 million with that gamble, netting $6.8 million by putting a first-round tender on Wallace of $2.7 million instead of the $9.5 million tag. Wallace hasn't reported to offseason workouts because he has yet to sign a contract tender."

Time running out for Wallace

April 20

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"As the hours tick away on Mike Wallace's opportunity to sign with another team today, so too does the life of restricted free agency for drafted players in the NFL. Wallace has until midnight to sign with another team or the Steelers retain exclusive rights to him. That would leave three choices for Wallace and the Steelers: Either he signs his one-year tender for $2,745,000, comes to terms on a multiple-year deal with them, or he sits out. Either way, Wallace and those like him who were drafted and became restricted free agents after three years in the league are on their way toward extinction, thanks to the new collective bargaining agreement between the league and the players union."

Teams interested in trading for Wallace, but will Steelers listen?

April 12

Pittsburgh Tribune Review

"If the Steelers want to keep Mike Wallace, there's nothing he can do to prevent that. However, he can try to force the Steelers' hand to either pay him or trade him. And that's exactly what he and his representatives are doing. Less than 24 hours after a league source told me that a handful of teams are interested in trading for Wallace leading up the NFL draft scheduled for two weeks from today, news leaked that Wallace doesn't intend on showing up to any of the Steelers' offseason activities in protest of his first-round tender. It isn't by coincidence that the news was leaked that Wallace doesn't plan to sign his restricted free agent tender by the April 20 deadline only weeks before"

The 49ers inquired about Mike Wallace but ...

March 22

Sacramento Bee

"Good news for all the 49ers fans clamoring for wide receiver Mike Wallace. The 49ers did indeed make an inquiry about the Steelers restricted free agent during the opening week of free agency. But they and the other teams that asked about Wallace were told the receiver was looking for a lot of money. How much? A league source said that Wallace, 25, wants a contract that surpasses the eight-year, $120 million deal that Larry Fitzgerald signed last year with the Cardinals. Combine that with the first-round pick any team that signs Wallace to an offer sheet would lose if the Steelers didn't match the offer, and you start to understand why we've heard so little about Wallace in the last week"

Retired receiver Ward will counsel Steelers speedster Wallace

March 21

Pittsburgh Tribune Review

"Hines Ward had a message for Steelers wide receiver Mike Wallace when the two talked about the latter's long-term future: don't just make it about money. "I am always going to be his biggest fan, but it is a very special place to play here and I have been blessed to have played all 14 years here, so I just told Mike to keep it in that perspective," said Ward, who officially retired Tuesday. Wallace is a restricted free agent, and the third-year veteran has an uncertain future with the Steelers. They offered him a one-year, $2.7 million contract — the highest that can be given to a restricted free agent — and they receive a first-round pick if Wallace signs with another team."

Free-agent signings big deal to Steelers WR Wallace

March 15

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"While some teams dived right into free agency, scooping up big-play wide receivers as though they were endangered species, the Steelers have not even stuck their toes in the water. And might not for a while. But that doesn't mean that what is happening around the NFL is going unnoticed on the South Side. Or won't have some effect on what could happen with Pro Bowl wide receiver Mike Wallace. Within 24 hours of the start of free agency, five of the top wide receivers who were unrestricted free agents signed new, lucrative contracts that set the bar for what the Steelers might have to pay Wallace. Of course, it also could indicate what some other NFL team might have to offer if they want to"

Wallace offered highest tender

March 13

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"The Steelers placed a first-round tender on Pro Bowl receiver Mike Wallace, protecting themselves in case he receives an offer from another NFL team. But they left themselves potentially vulnerable on the offensive line by placing the original, or lowest possible, tender on starting guards Doug Legursky and Ramon Foster -- players who would command no compensation if they signed with another team. By tendering Wallace the highest offer, the Steelers will pay him $2.7 million in 2012 and have the option to match any offer he might receive as a restricted free agent. It also means they would receive a No. 1 draft pick in return if Wallace signed an offer sheet with another team and the"

Steelers tender offers to Wallace, five others

March 13

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"The Steelers placed a first-round tender today on Pro Bowl receiver Mike Wallace, meaning he will be paid $2.7 million in 2012 and the Steelers will be protected in the event he receives an offer from another NFL team. However, the Steelers placed the original, or lowest, tender on five other restricted free agents, including starting guards Doug Legursky and Ramon Foster. That means they would receive nothing in return if either player signed with another team. By tendering Wallace the highest offer, the Steelers are ensuring they would receive a No. 1 draft pick in return if Wallace signed an offer sheet with another team and the Steelers decided not to match the offer."

Steelers tender offers to Wallace, five others

March 12

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"The Steelers placed a first-round tender today on Pro Bowl receiver Mike Wallace, meaning he will be paid $2.7 million in 2012 and the Steelers will be protected in the event he receives an offer from another NFL team. However, the Steelers placed the original, or lowest, tender on five other restricted free agents, including starting guards Doug Legursky and Ramon Foster. That means they would receive nothing in return if either player signed with another team. By tendering Wallace the highest offer, the Steelers are ensuring they would receive a No. 1 draft pick in return if Wallace signed an offer sheet with another team and the Steelers decided not to match the offer."

On the Steelers: The Mike Wallace Gambit

March 12

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"Both Art Rooney and Kevin Colbert have said publicly that Mike Wallace will be a priority. "We're going to do everything we can to make sure Mike Wallace remains a Pittsburgh Steeler," Colbert said. Notice, he did not say for how long, because if they are able to keep him longer than 2012 by signing him to a multiple-year contract, Wallace will enter rare company -- a wide receiver the Steelers were able to keep during the nearly 20-year free agency era by signing them to big contracts."

On the Steelers: The Mike Wallace Gambit

March 11

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"Both Art Rooney and Kevin Colbert have said publicly that Mike Wallace will be a priority. "We're going to do everything we can to make sure Mike Wallace remains a Pittsburgh Steeler," Colbert said. Notice, he did not say for how long, because if they are able to keep him longer than 2012 by signing him to a multiple-year contract, Wallace will enter rare company -- a wide receiver the Steelers were able to keep during the nearly 20-year free agency era by signing them to big contracts. Among wide receivers who left in free agency were Yancey Thigpen, Plaxico Burress, Antwaan Randle El, Nate Washington, Bobby Shaw, Charles Johnson, Andre Hastings and more. They also traded Santonio Holmes,"

No Steelers 'tag' placed on WR Wallace

March 6

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"The Steelers pulled no surprises when they declined to use the franchise tag on wide receiver Mike Wallace, which may prompt them to make a "tough decision" if someone signs him as a restricted free agent. Team officials long ago determined they would not have enough salary-cap room to use the franchise tag on Wallace, who would have required approximately $9.4 million in a one-year tender. The franchise tag virtually assures no other team will sign a player because it requires two first-round draft choices in return. The deadline for using it on a player passed at 4 p.m. Monday."

Steelers decline to use franchise tag

March 5

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"The Steelers pulled no surprises today when they declined to use the franchise tag by the 4 p.m. deadline to do so. They long ago determined they did not have enough salary cap room to use the tag, specifically on a player such as Mike Wallace, who would have required approximate $9.4 million in a one-year tender as the franchise player. The franchise tag virtually assures no other team will sign a player because it requires two first-round draft choices in return to do so."

Source: No tag for Mike Wallace

March 1

ESPN.com

"The Pittsburgh Steelers plan to tender, not franchise, restricted free agent Mike Wallace, according to a source close to the wide receiver. This means another team could try to sign Wallace to an offer sheet that the Steelers would have the right to match -- or get a first-round pick in return. The highest qualifying offer for Wallace is about $2.75 million, nearly matching the amount that Pittsburgh is now under the salary cap. To franchise Wallace would cost Pittsburgh $9.5 million, which it currently does not have the salary-cap space to absorb."

Wide receiver Wallace within Steelers' reach

February 24

Pittsburgh Tribune Review

"The Steelers cleared about $8 million in salary cap money Thursday by restructuring quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's contract, a move that may ultimately allow the Steelers to lock up receiver Mike Wallace to a long-term contract. The Steelers have shaved close to $30 million off their 2012 salary cap and should be in compliance when the cap number is released early next month. Wallace is the Steelers' most coveted free agent, and the team's salary cap situation had fueled speculation that it wouldn't be able to use a franchise tag on the Pro Bowler."

Arms wide open: Steelers want to keep Wallace in the fold

February 24

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"With an NFL-best 27 catches of 40 yards or longer in three seasons with the Steelers, Mike Wallace has shown that he can run away from just about every defensive back in the league. But no matter how fast Wallace can run, the Steelers do not plan to let their third-year wide receiver get away from them. Not according to general manager Kevin Colbert. "The thing I can say for sure about Mike is that we want Mike to finish his career with the Steelers," Colbert said Thursday at the NFL scouting combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. "And I'm very confident Mike wants to finish his career with the Steelers and play with a great quarterback like Ben Roethlisberger and the other receivers we have.""

Does Steelers top receiver want to be a 49er?

February 23

San Jose Mercury News

"Might Mike Wallace look good in 49ers' scarlet? The speedy free agent Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver indicated Wednesday that he would be willing to join the 49ers or Patriots if a new deal couldn't be worked out in Pittsburgh. "Most definitely -- those are two Super Bowl caliber teams. I think the right piece for those guys could put them over the top," Wallace told SiriusXM radio."

Would Steelers' Wallace be good fit with Birds?

February 23

CSN Philly

columnist Derrick Gunn

"According to ProFootballTalk, the Steelers may have to let restricted free agent wide receiver Mike Wallace fly the coop because they are strapped by the salary cap. Under the new collective bargaining agreement any team that would be able to pry Wallace away from Pittsburgh would only have to fork over a first-round pick to the Steelers, where in the past it would cost a team a first- and third-round pick. Even if Pittsburgh wanted to slap the franchise tag on Wallace, it would cost the Steelers $9.4 million for the season, which is a hefty price for a team that's got a lot of financial juggling left."

Steelers speedy wide receiver Wallace to open up his options

February 23

Pittsburgh Tribune Review

"Restricted free agent Mike Wallace and the Steelers are working to complete a deal before the start of free agency, but the receiver admits he could be with another team next year. In an interview with SiriusXM NFL Radio on Wednesday, Wallace said he would love to stay with the Steelers but knows that might not be possible. "We all know that it is a business, and you have certain things you have to handle," Wallace said. "So if I have to go elsewhere, you know Pittsburgh will always be in my heart, but I have to do what I have to do." Wallace might command strong interest when free agency begins March 13, largely because of the new collective bargaining agreement."

Steelers WR Wallace openly flirts with 49ers, Patriots

February 22

NFL.com

"Mike Wallace arguably is the greatest deep threat in football today, so you can safely assume he'll garner serious interest on the free-agent market if the Steelers can't lock up the wide receiver to a new contract. Wallace visited SiriusXM NFL Radio on Wednesday to discuss his pending trip to restricted free agency. Specifically, he was asked if he'd be interested in playing for the 49ers or Patriots, two teams in dire need of a vertical threat like him. "Most definitely. Those are two playoff-caliber teams. Super Bowl-caliber teams," said Wallace, who averaged 18.7 yards per catch in his first three NFL seasons. "I think that the right person or the right piece for those guys could put"

Talk heats up in Pittsburgh that Mike Wallace could leave

February 21

Pro Football Talk

"Ordinarily, when a team has a good young player who becomes a restricted free agent, that team does what it needs to do and keeps that good young player in the fold. But it's becoming increasingly clear that Steelers receiver Mike Wallace is not in an ordinary situation. Wallace becomes a restricted free agent in three weeks, and does so in the first year of the new rules for restricted free agents: A team that wants to sign Wallace away from the Steelers would now only have to forfeit a first-round pick to Pittsburgh, whereas in the past, signing Wallace away would have cost a first-round pick and a third-round pick. And the Steelers are in a different situation than most teams because"

What Is Mike Wallace Worth?

February 21

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"Mike Wallace is back in the news this week because franchise tags were first permitted to be issued by teams Monday. No surprise the Steelers did not tag Wallace, although they can still do that until March 3. Kevin Colbert pretty much acknowledged on 93.7 The Fan the other day that the Steelers were in no position to franchise Wallace because they had salary cap problems. The Steelers are about $10 million over the cap now. Franchising Wallace at more than $9 million for 2012 would put them close to $20 million over the cap. Here is another issue that is more important -- Does anyone think Wallace should get more than $9 million in 2012. And, once they do that, the Steelers would"

Steelers likely will use high tender on Wallace

February 15

NFL.com

"The Steelers haven't hidden the fact they plan to retain Pro Bowl WR Mike Wallace. How exactly they'll go about it remains undecided. As the Steelers maneuver for more salary-cap space, GM Kevin Colbert let it be known this week that the team will allow its free agents to hit the open market. That likely will include Wallace, a restricted free agent whom the Steelers would like to lock up to a long-term deal after back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora suggested Tuesday on "NFL Total Access" it's "more likely" the Steelers will place the highest free-agent tender on Wallace than use the franchise tag, which is expected to rise to $13.7 million this"

Wallace could leave Steelers in offseason, but, for now, that seems unlikely

January 12

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"Hines Ward will not be the only receiver in danger of leaving the Steelers before the 2012 season begins. One of the Young Money trio's contract expires, and, whether Mike Wallace returns, could depend on several factors inside and outside the organization. Wallace becomes a restricted free agent in March, and, while the Steelers partially can protect their rights to him by offering him a one-year tender, there is no guarantee another team might see more value in him and try to sign him."

Young Steelers receivers Wallace, Brown look to playoffs

January 6

Pittsburgh Tribune Review

"All of Mike Wallace's long touchdown catches mean little to him now. Antonio Brown's team MVP and 1,000-yard season are nice but rather inconsequential. Wallace and Brown, the lifeblood of the Steelers' offense, combined for 142 catches, 2,301 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns during the regular season. Those statistics don't translate into success during the postseason, but the self-proclaimed 'Young Money Crew' doesn't expect a decline in production Sunday when the Steelers travel to Denver for an AFC wild-card game. Even if they will face some of the most physical cornerbacks in the league."

Broncos brace for ... Wallace?

January 6

Pittsburgh Tribune Review

columnist Dejan Kovacevic

"Pity the poor security guy who spent his Thursday patrolling the perimeter of the Denver Broncos' practice field, whispering into his walkie-talkie and peering from behind Secret Service-like sunglasses at anyone suspicious. Guess a 6-foot stone wall and rows of tall pines aren't enough to fend off the Bill Belichicks of the world. Well, just to tick everyone off, then, here's what I spied with my X-ray vision from the Broncos' afternoon session, then texted back to the Steelers' coaches scheming for Sunday's wild-card game: WOW, THESE GUYS SURE DO THROW A LOT OF INCOMPLETE PASSES. Hope that helps, men. If not, I also uncovered this stunning facet of the Broncos' defensive game plan:"

3 Steelers chosen Pro Bowl starters

December 28

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"Three Steelers will start for the AFC in the Pro Bowl and two players made the team for the first time although it's an all-star game they hope none of them will get to play. Five Steelers made it. Safety Troy Polamalu, center Maurkice Pouncey and wide receiver Mike Wallace are starters for the Pro Bowl that was announced Tuesday by the NFL. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger made it as a backup as did Antonio Brown as a kick returner. The game will be played Jan. 29 in Honolulu, which again will eliminate the opportunity for those on the two Super Bowl teams to participate."

Run to prominence: Steelers Mike Wallace a big-play threat

December 11

Pittsburgh Tribune Review

"A knock on the door led her to a youth football coach holding her injured son. For Sonjia Wallace, it also slammed shut a different door. There would be no more football for her son, not after someone had stepped on his eye, leaving it swollen and in need of medical care. It took several trips to the doctor to fix the eye. It also took years before Wallace allowed her son to play organized football again. When she finally relented, she told him, "OK, Michael, you can play, but you make sure you run. Don't let nobody catch you." Mike Wallace has done his best to follow through on an impossible mandate from his nervous mother. And if his sublime speed gets the New Orleans native where he"

Ravens' Webb: Wallace not Steelers best WR

November 3

Pittsburgh Tribune Review

"Steelers receiver Mike Wallace is among the league leaders in receptions (43), yards (800), touchdown catches (five) and yards per catch (18.6), but according to Baltimore cornerback Lardarius Webb, Wallace isn't even the best receiver the Steelers have on their roster. "Every time somebody asks me, they're always talking about Mike Wallace," Webb told the Baltimore Sun. "But they have a guy in No. 84, Antonio Brown, who's better than (No.) 17 in all aspects of the game." Wallace wasn't thrilled when told of Webb's comments."

Play of the game: Mike Wallace's 95-yard catch

October 24

Pittsburgh Tribune Review

"Nothing makes Mike Wallace's eyes widen like a clear view of single coverage. Well, except when he also sees the safety standing in another zip code. "I get happy," he said with a broad grin. "Lunch meat." There evidently is no menu that would alter the Steelers' appetite in this case: On the first snap after being pinned at their 5-yard line on a punt, Ben Roethlisberger took two steps back, held on a bit thanks to sound protection, then completed a 95-yard touchdown pass to Wallace. The catch-and-run was the longest pass play in franchise history, the second-longest play from scrimmage. "That's pretty nice to hold a record like that," Wallace said."

WR Wallace drawing a lot of extra attention

October 13

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"Wes Welker has set a blistering pace for NFL receivers with 740 yards after five games, one that has him far in front of the pack this season and on the way to obliterating Jerry Rice's single-season record. No one, it seems, can catch him on the field or on the stats sheet. Or can they? "Yeah," the Steelers' Mike Wallace answered. "Me!" Wallace is third among NFL receivers with 536 yards, one of only three in the league averaging more than 100 yards per game. Carolina's Steve Smith is second with 609 yards."

Nobody is laughing at Steelers' Wallace now

September 27

Pittsburgh Tribune Review

""Don't you know, I'm a 2000 man, and my kids, they just don't understand me at all." Those lyrics for the classic "2000 Man," originally conceived by the Rolling Stones, famously covered by Kiss, might as well be pinned above Mike Wallace's stall in the Steelers' locker room. He set his goal to be a 2,000-yard wide receiver this season. And nobody seemed to grasp that the man was serious. "Ha!" Wallace said after his seven catches spurred the 23-20 victory Sunday night over the Indianapolis Colts. "Doesn't seem like a joke anymore, does it?""

Wallace gets his catches early, often

September 26

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"Mike Wallace extended his team record for consecutive 100-yard games in the regular season and he did it in the first quarter Sunday night against the Indianapolis Colts. Wallace had three receptions for 129 yards in the first quarter alone, including an 81-yard touchdown catch, and finished with five receptions for 144 yards. That pass completion was the longest for the Steelers since Santonio Holmes caught one for 83 yards against St. Louis in 2007. The pass against the Colts was the third-longest play of Ben Roethlisberger 's career. His longest was an 85-yard touchdown to Hines Ward against New England in 2005."

Wallace no longer a one-trick receiver

September 22

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"Mike Wallace flashed more than one trick again. He showed more sleight of hand with a shoestring catch of a low, 53-yard pass from Ben Roethlisberger. He displayed another, when, on a running play from the 2, he read his quarterback's mind and, with no audible call, ran a fade route for a 2-yard touchdown. All that came with another 100-yard game Sunday vs. Seattle for Wallace, who said afterward that he no longer heard coach Mike Tomlin "call me a one-trick pony anymore." Two days later, Tomlin referred to Wallace as a "one-trick guy." "He's killing me, man, killing me," Wallace said, smiling as he did so. "I thought we were done with that. Last year, he said I was 11/2, so I kind of took"

Steelers speedy receiver Wallace stars again

September 19

Pittsburgh Tribune Review

"There wasn't much flash or substance to the Steelers' offense during their 35-7 loss at AFC North rival Baltimore to open the season. Mike Wallace, one of the NFL's top deep threats, was an exception, posting eight receptions for 107 yards. Yet he and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger often appeared out of sync, particularly on deep routes. Everything clicked Sunday, allowing the Steelers to rebound with a 24-0 victory over the bumbling Seattle Seahawks at Heinz Field. "It's fun to get them the ball and see what they could do," Roethlisberger said of his receivers. Again, Wallace made eight catches, including a 2-yard touchdown late in the third quarter that assured the Steelers would improve"

Head-to-head matchup: Steelers WR Mike Wallace vs. Seahawks S Earl Thomas

September 18

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"Mike Wallace is arguably the best deep threat in the pass-happy NFL, maybe even more so than DeSean Jackson of the Philadelphia Eagles. He led the league with 10 receptions of 40 yards or longer, was second with 17 catches of 25 yards or longer and led the AFC with an average of 21 yards per catch in 2010. Eight of his 10 touchdown catches were 39 yards or longer. Opposing teams, though, are finally beginning to heed what everyone has been told for years -- speed kills. In an attempt to prevent the deep pass, cornerbacks are starting to back off Wallace, the Steelers' third-year receiver, as though he has bad breath. Drive-through restaurants can be built in the area between Wallace and"