Subject: Steelers WR Mike Wallace vs. Seahawks S Earl Thomas Sun Sep 18, 2011 1:27 am
By Gerry Dulac, 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 the closest cornerback anymore.
"Defensive backs in this league, by nature, they have to be very cocky," said quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. "They think they're the fastest, they're the best, and when they see Mike on film, they think, 'Oh, he might have run by that guy, but he's not going to run by me. I'm too fast.' Then he gets in the game and finds out this guy can run by me. He's as fast as advertised. So they're backing off."
Not only that, opposing teams are rotating a safety toward Wallace and playing more two-deep coverage in attempt to take away the big play -- something the Seattle Seahawks will probably try to do today at Heinz Field with safety Earl Thomas, their version of Troy Polamalu.
I can't believe it took teams this long to figure that out. But now that they have, we'll see whether or not Wallace is a one-trick pony. Or more to the point ... whether or not we'll take advantage of the cushion and have Wallace run a bunch of short routes, eventually setting up the deep pass.
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Buddha Bus
Posts : 13488 Join date : 2011-04-04 Location : The last bar stool on the left
Subject: Re: Steelers WR Mike Wallace vs. Seahawks S Earl Thomas Sun Sep 18, 2011 10:17 am
Wallace108 wrote:
I can't believe it took teams this long to figure that out. But now that they have, we'll see whether or not Wallace is a one-trick pony. Or more to the point ... whether or not we'll take advantage of the cushion and have Wallace run a bunch of short routes, eventually setting up the deep pass.
NAAAAH! Arians won't change the game plan just because the defenses are. That would make too much sense.
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Subject: Re: Steelers WR Mike Wallace vs. Seahawks S Earl Thomas Sun Sep 18, 2011 10:25 am
Buddha Bus wrote:
NAAAAH! Arians won't change the game plan just because the defenses are. That would make too much sense.
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SteelersYak
Posts : 6476 Join date : 2011-04-04
Subject: Re: Steelers WR Mike Wallace vs. Seahawks S Earl Thomas Sun Sep 18, 2011 10:28 am
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Buddha Bus
Posts : 13488 Join date : 2011-04-04 Location : The last bar stool on the left
Subject: Re: Steelers WR Mike Wallace vs. Seahawks S Earl Thomas Sun Sep 18, 2011 10:35 am
Wallace108 wrote:
Buddha Bus wrote:
NAAAAH! Arians won't change the game plan just because the defenses are. That would make too much sense.
Oh, I'll beat a dead horse alright.... especially if it's named Mr. Bruce.
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