Mike Wallace said today he spent the past two or three weeks contemplating where he would sign as a free agent wide receiver and actually had "a couple of options," about teams to play for.
But when he studied the Dolphins he saw a 7-9 team "that was better than a normal 7-9" team. He saw a quarterback -- Ryan Tannehill -- that is young but "has a lot of upside," he thought. And then the the so-called legal tampering period opened and the Dolphins got out of the blocks like Usain Bolt.
"I really felt they were really aggressive since Saturday when we were able to talk," Wallace said.
The Dolphins and Wallace's agent Bus Cook agreed by Saturday that the contract for Wallace would be for five years and $60 million. But the deal was not yet done. The guaranteed money was still an issue. That took a while but eventually the Dolphins and Cook got to the $30 million plateau that matched the team record $30 million in guaranteed money Jake Long got when he was drafted No. 1 overall in 2008.
So what are the Dolphins paying for?
Safety Chris Clemons, who signed a one-year deal with Miami, was asked today if he ever remembers covering Mike Wallace. He did and this is how he described it:
"I had the middle of the field, corner played off, he took it to the house," Clemons said.
Dolphins fans will feel encouraged about that. On the other hand, they might also recognize Clemons is likely to be a Miami starting safety.
I asked Wallace if he would be able to provide the kind of production in Miami that he did in Pittsburgh despite the fact the personnel, including the quarterback, and the offensive system will be different.
Wallace said he's not worried about that and that, in fact, the Dolphins have a good quarterback situation. "Two of them actually," he said, referring to Ryan Tannehill and Matt Moore.
Wallace and Tannehill had dinner together Tuesday evening. They went to a local restraurant by the Intracoastal Waterway. Wallace thinks Tannehill and he will be fine. "He smiled a lot," Wallace said.
"It's going to be different playing with a QB that's younger than me," Wallace added.
Roethlisberger treated the younger Wallace like something of a little brother, the receiver said.
"Now I have to be the big brother," he said.
I think this post alone proves we'll be 11-5 next Season. Do we even need to play the games?
Posted by: DC Dolfan | March 13, 2013 at 12:56 PM
'DC, I believe Gibson is on the radar because Philbins system won't utilize the TE's as much in the run game. Cook isn't a blocker & they chased him. Same with Keller now. It's a philosohical shift.
This is a passing league & a passing Offense now. THat is part of the reason in letting Fasano walk. This team needs a receiving TE threat, not a blocker. I anticipate they'll make due with anyone at TE.
This is further evidenced when they drafted a purely receiving threat at TE in egnew last year. The problem is, his was weaker/dumber than they probably thought.'
LOL,
Great post. Just look at GB's offense & what they ask the TE to do.
Posted by: We Need Playmakers | March 13, 2013 at 12:58 PM
Dusty, from the last blog. Until the Dolphins solidify the TE position in free agency, you better believe Tyler Eifert is in the conversation at 12. he's the best established seam threat in this draft. But given how much attention the position has got from the team in the last couple of days, it certainly looks like they don't want to go that way.
Posted by: Mark in Toronto | March 13, 2013 at 01:00 PM
Safety Chris Clemons, who signed a one-year deal with Miami, was asked today if he ever remembers covering Mike Wallace. He did and this is how he described it:
"I had the middle of the field, corner played off, he took it to the house," Clemons said.
Dolphins fans will feel encouraged about that. On the other hand, they might also recognize Clemons is likely to be a Miami starting safety.
Mando,
Give me a break...How many Safeties can cover a WR that runs a sub 4.3??? Answer??? Zero.
Posted by: We Need Playmakers | March 13, 2013 at 01:02 PM
WNP, my response to LOL's post: IT'S ABOUT TIME. Using a TE in the pass game, who woulda THUNK IT?
Joe Philbin, breath of fresh air in Miami.
Posted by: DC Dolfan | March 13, 2013 at 01:02 PM
FUKK EM UP MIKE!!!
Welcome to the family. Well, in this blog, a dysfunctional family at best but still proud!
Posted by: Mark in Toronto | March 13, 2013 at 01:03 PM
I actually believe the scuttlebutt is that we were caught off guard in losing Fasano. They were hoping to sign him at a lesser rate than what he got. He was a great blocker but it was always two-on-one defender with him, Fasano and his nose overmatched many OLBers.
Posted by: Dolfandave | March 13, 2013 at 01:05 PM
strange dinner i bet, from different worlds
Posted by: dusty bottoms | March 13, 2013 at 01:06 PM
fans will have to rem wallace never gets many catches. he just usually hits one deep ball a game . its what he does for the other wrs thats huge when hes not catching balls
Posted by: dusty bottoms | March 13, 2013 at 01:08 PM
fasano was mediocre, so glad they finally cut ties with him
Posted by: dusty bottoms | March 13, 2013 at 01:09 PM
Billcale....from the last blog...
No Problem man....I understand....I was just giving you some crap...you owned it...and now were off to the next debate....perhaps it is you serving up the pie next time...
Posted by: Kris | March 13, 2013 at 01:10 PM
Mark...
I reponded to you on the last blog.....I can't cut and paste from this blog @ work (disabled)....check it out there....
Posted by: Kris | March 13, 2013 at 01:11 PM
haven't even made it to the draft yet and I'm already pumped for the opener. Still worried about the secondary & TE. Go dolphins!
Posted by: dolfanSF | March 13, 2013 at 01:12 PM
dusty, some of that may be on the Steelers offense. They're a run-first traditionally. Yeah, they've been moving to a passing offense, but without good protection, and Big Ben being hurt some of the time, I think all that muddies the waters.
In a West Coast offense, you need 3 levels of threat: long, middle, short.
They got their long. Hartline and a pass-catching TE would satisfy the middle. And Bess/Miller & RBs can satisfy short.
Now let's see in Tannehill can gel with this group.
Posted by: DC Dolfan | March 13, 2013 at 01:13 PM
Dusty, from the last blog. Until the Dolphins solidify the TE position in free agency, you better believe Tyler Eifert is in the conversation at 12. he's the best established seam threat in this draft. But given how much attention the position has got from the team in the last couple of days, it certainly looks like they don't want to go that way.
I agree that TE should be in the discussion @12 but stop judging Eifert from his combine like Mayock does. He's a former DB who had a cup of coffee in the NFL so when did he all of a sudden become an authority anything let along TE's. He's not a former scout & he's never worked in personnel. Personally, I don't get it & I find him incredibly annoying on Thursday night games.
Back to Eifert--I could care less what his 40 time is. Ertz is the more established seam threat. He's one of those players like Witten or Heath Miller that find a way to get open & consistently makes plays. I'm just not as sold on Eifert as some of the 'experts' are.
Posted by: We Need Playmakers | March 13, 2013 at 01:13 PM
Why does Darlington break all new stuff ?
Posted by: mike | March 13, 2013 at 01:14 PM
Dusty.....
Wallace wasn't brought here to be a decoy...this isn't Sporano and Henning....
Look for Wallace to have a career hgh in catches....
Posted by: Kris | March 13, 2013 at 01:15 PM
i refuse to believe it, taking a te at 12 is retarded
Posted by: dusty bottoms | March 13, 2013 at 01:18 PM
one thing we should never see on this blog again...
"Ross is to CHEAP to (insert dumb troll saying here)....
Posted by: Kris | March 13, 2013 at 01:18 PM
he might kris but never be a big amount of rec guy
Posted by: dusty bottoms | March 13, 2013 at 01:19 PM
haven't even made it to the draft yet and I'm already pumped for the opener. Still worried about the secondary & TE. Go dolphins!
DolphinSF,
You can't fix all of a team's problems in FA. What's wrong with you people??? I don't care who you are--in the salary cap era--you're never going to be 'set' at every single position.
Posted by: We Need Playmakers | March 13, 2013 at 01:20 PM
Why does Darlington break all new stuff ?
Posted by: mike | March 13, 2013 at 01:14 PM
Because he's the white reporter. Just kidding.
Posted by: Daniel in Pasadena | March 13, 2013 at 01:21 PM
true playmakers, but wont be excited if we start a rookie or rookies at corner unless its a first rd pick
Posted by: dusty bottoms | March 13, 2013 at 01:21 PM
"Lions agreed to terms with RB Reggie Bush, formerly of the Dolphins, on a four-year contract."
You were a nice stop gap. Good luck Reggie.
Posted by: We Need Playmakers | March 13, 2013 at 01:21 PM
Posted by: dusty bottoms | March 13, 2013 at 01:08 PM
Dusty,
Wallace does more than catches a deep ball per game. He forces the safety to have to shade his side of the field in coverage. Meaning no more safety cheating the run box in the running game.
No more 8 in the box. If they do, and that safety gets caught looking into th backfield on playaction pass. Wallace will blow up the coverage corner and the sfaety will be far too late for help.
Dsty, also envision what Lamar Miller would be able to do on the 2nd level with his explosive speed. Without 8 in the box(cheating safety) There's oneless defender to block and a little more room to run.
Posted by: Yesterday's Gone 4Ever! | March 13, 2013 at 01:22 PM
yesterday exactly what i said in my posts about him
Posted by: dusty bottoms | March 13, 2013 at 01:24 PM
This is one of the best days thus far to be a Dolphins fan! I like the direction we are heading!
Posted by: Dawgphin | March 13, 2013 at 01:24 PM
Also...
impressed that Wallace didn't attempt to make himself the highest paid reciever in NFL history...
@ least that shows he has some humility and persepective....
and kudos to Tanne...reachingout to his star WR....and Wallace...you're still the little Brother...the QB is ALWAYS the big brother....
Posted by: Kris | March 13, 2013 at 01:26 PM
Regarding TE's and blocking, more teams are just using another lineman rather than blocking TEs. A bit more predictable but you get better blocking and with more teams also using four WR sets and RBs as checkdown options QBs should have plenty of time and options to throw the ball. TE's are just big slot receivers these days, e.g. Graham and Gronkowski, neither can block.
In addition, Hernandez is supposed to be a TE but he had a few carries last year, like Harvin who is supposed to be a WR. Teach Thomas how to block and catch better out of the backfield and draft the best available WR with the 12th pick.
Posted by: Pete | March 13, 2013 at 01:27 PM
"i refuse to believe it, taking a te at 12 is retarded"
Dusty,
It all depends on how high you have him rated. If someone thinks that Eifert or Ertz is one of the most complete, best players in this draft at ANY position then you take him @ 12. I REALLY like Ertz BUT I've got guys like Eric Fisher, Jonathan Cooper, Milliner, & Hopkins as better rated prospects & although we have NO SHOT at Fisher or Milliner--I believe Cooper or Hopkins will still be there @ 12.
Posted by: We Need Playmakers | March 13, 2013 at 01:28 PM
'true playmakers, but wont be excited if we start a rookie or rookies at corner unless its a first rd pick'
Dusty,
I don't care what round we find a CB in (we'll probably draft two this year btw) as long as he can 'ball.'
Posted by: We Need Playmakers | March 13, 2013 at 01:30 PM
no way i take a te at 12. reminds me of browns taking winslow top 10,lol
Posted by: dusty bottoms | March 13, 2013 at 01:30 PM
no way i take a te at 12. reminds me of browns taking winslow top 10,lol
Dusty,
What about the Niners taking Vernon Davis in the top ten??? How's that pick working out???
Posted by: We Need Playmakers | March 13, 2013 at 01:31 PM
I heard Obama is sending Mark Sanchez to North Korea so he can overthrow them.
Posted by: LOL | March 13, 2013 at 01:32 PM
most every mock draft has ertz available to us with 2nd rd pick. newest one had other te going 30
Posted by: dusty bottoms | March 13, 2013 at 01:33 PM
In addition, Hernandez is supposed to be a TE but he had a few carries last year, like Harvin who is supposed to be a WR. Teach Thomas how to block and catch better out of the backfield and draft the best available WR with the 12th pick.
Pete,
I'm sure they would if he could stay on the field.
Posted by: We Need Playmakers | March 13, 2013 at 01:33 PM
Heard that joke this morning & almost pissed myself!
BTW, great blog the past couple of days! I wonder why? (wink wink)!
Posted by: LOL | March 13, 2013 at 01:33 PM
davis, well they dont use him anymore . but hes very good even though it took years to figure it out for him and singletary saying hes gonna kill him
Posted by: dusty bottoms | March 13, 2013 at 01:33 PM
davis had same stats as fatso last year, yikes
Posted by: dusty bottoms | March 13, 2013 at 01:35 PM
rhodes would be my choice currently but im hoiping we sign some corners and release the 2 garbage ones we have now
Posted by: dusty bottoms | March 13, 2013 at 01:37 PM
They don't use Vernon Davis anymore? Oh brother! Did you happen to watch the Superbowl by chance?
Posted by: LOL | March 13, 2013 at 01:37 PM
most every mock draft has ertz available to us with 2nd rd pick. newest one had other te going 30
Dusty,
And those mocks are ALWAYS right??? Give me a break--all mock drafts are retarded. First of all--FA just started, players are going to be cut for salary cap reasons, there are going to be trades on draft day, & a LOT of teams have multiple needs.
Posted by: We Need Playmakers | March 13, 2013 at 01:37 PM
WNP, I donb't have much access to mayock or Kiper or any of the talking heads up here on tv and won't go ut of my way to find what they have to say online.
My assessment was based on comparatives and work I did on my own time, by myself. So thus, it's my opinion. You can disagree, that's fine I'm not going to try to change your mind. But to me, Ertz has really weak measurables. Scare me really.
Posted by: Mark in Toronto | March 13, 2013 at 01:37 PM
no playmakers but im saying one of those 2 tes id bet would be there in 2nd rd
Posted by: dusty bottoms | March 13, 2013 at 01:38 PM
u heard me "lol" he had same stats as fasano last year. since his big 2009 year his stats have dropped like crazy every year. fact
Posted by: dusty bottoms | March 13, 2013 at 01:40 PM
Good luck Reggie! (Lions and Bush just agreed to terms)
Posted by: Phins78 | March 13, 2013 at 01:40 PM
Posted by: LOL | March 13, 2013 at 01:32 PM
lmao, great joke LOL.
Posted by: Phins78 | March 13, 2013 at 01:42 PM
lions so dumb. throw 60 times a game and never use power runnig of leshore. now bush starts for them, perfect for that gimmick offense.
Posted by: dusty bottoms | March 13, 2013 at 01:42 PM
id rather have ertz personally
Posted by: dusty bottoms | March 13, 2013 at 01:43 PM
They don't use Vernon Davis anymore? Oh brother! Did you happen to watch the Superbowl by chance?
LOL,
They don't use Vernon anymore??? Seriously...Are you a f#cking moron??? 6 catches for 104 yards against the Ravens & 5 catches for 106 yards & a TD against the Falcons in the NFC Championship.
He's one of the best TE's in the NFL & he was WELL WORTH a top ten pick. You actually wrote a great post before. Well...I guess even a broken clock is right twice a day.
Posted by: We Need Playmakers | March 13, 2013 at 01:44 PM
@ Kris, haha, read your comment from the last blog.
Well, you would know from multiple people accusing me of falling in love with the combine that I prefer the Ferrari all the time but I also think Fasano did a lot of stuff that was unappreciated and I do have an eye for that too.
Looks like our boy Reggie is officially gone. Guess we can close the chapter there too. Thanks Reggie .. too bad we never saw the best of you.
Posted by: Mark in Toronto | March 13, 2013 at 01:46 PM
re: Darlington getting the news first..
..he is listed @NFL.com...so I suppose the league is the first group notified of acquisitions, they put it on their ticker, and he probably has immediate access, along with the other writers/contributors for NFL.com
...does that sound like a reasonable assumption..?
Posted by: Buster | March 13, 2013 at 01:46 PM
Dusty, hard as this may be, try to use some common sense!
In 2011 Davis was a monster for a TE. In 2012, his QB from the prior year went down and a new QB came in. You may have heard of him (Alex Smith)
Almost a total shift in the offense they ran.
You have to be NUTTERS to believe a new QB, basically running a new offense with Kapernick, would rely almost exclusively on Davis how they had been when Smith was the QB.
Afterall, this is a team with Davis, Manningham for most of the season, Crabtree, Moss, Gore, Kapernic, D. Walker...but yea, let's expect Davis to do what he did the year prior with all the bodies they have!
This comment ranks up there with your Ravens are loaded one! Just when I thought you had outdone yourself.
Posted by: LOL | March 13, 2013 at 01:48 PM
lol buster go finssssss
Posted by: dusty bottoms | March 13, 2013 at 01:48 PM
WNP, I donb't have much access to mayock or Kiper or any of the talking heads up here on tv and won't go ut of my way to find what they have to say online.
My assessment was based on comparatives and work I did on my own time, by myself. So thus, it's my opinion. You can disagree, that's fine I'm not going to try to change your mind. But to me, Ertz has really weak measurables. Scare me really.
Mark,
Personally, I throw the measurables out the window on these two TE's. I know what I've seen Ertz do on the field & we'll see how they both perform on Sundays. If I'm wrong I'll gladly say you were right.
Posted by: We Need Playmakers | March 13, 2013 at 01:49 PM
wow wallace on nfl network. guy is dumb as a rock
Posted by: dusty bottoms | March 13, 2013 at 01:49 PM
I'm officially excited for the next few years of this team. I think we are moving in the right direction. Sign Cason or Smith and Keller today. Draft OT, CB, S, OG, TE, RB, QB, K, WR. I'm in driving distance for 3 road games this year (PIT, CLE, IND). This is going to be fun!!!
Posted by: OhioDphin4Life | March 13, 2013 at 01:49 PM
LOL,
They don't use Vernon anymore??? Seriously...Are you a f#cking moron??? 6 catches for 104 yards against the Ravens & 5 catches for 106 yards & a TD against the Falcons in the NFC Championship.
He's one of the best TE's in the NFL & he was WELL WORTH a top ten pick. You actually wrote a great post before. Well...I guess even a broken clock is right twice a day.
Posted by: We Need Playmakers | March 13, 2013 at 01:44 PM
I think ypou're the MORON! I was calling out Dusty for his stupid remark! Go back & reread it!
Don't be so quick to pull the trigger until you know who you're trying to shoot!
Posted by: LOL | March 13, 2013 at 01:50 PM
"lol" 09 was his monster year, since hes dropped in yards and tds every year. sorry bro thats a fact. yes i relaize smith cant throw the ball past 10 yards so he targeted davis a lot
Posted by: dusty bottoms | March 13, 2013 at 01:50 PM
For the record WNP, you just pulled a Craig M. So quick to pounce on & judge someone without knowing wtf you just read!
Less time typing & a lil more time reading.
Posted by: LOL | March 13, 2013 at 01:51 PM