Wallace Nonplussed By Apparent Demotion
PITTSBURGH (93-7 THE FAN) -- It's a contract year for Steelers wide receiver Mike Wallace, but alas, on some level, a forgettable one, punctuated by the fact he may see more limited playing time when they meet the Ravens Sunday.
"Not the one I expected. I had two 1,000-yard receiving seasons. I only have five or six hundred yards, so I don't feel like I'm making enough plays for my team," he said.
Wallace enters Week 13 with 572 yards and six touchdowns on 47 catches. He has been targeted 85 times, but only seven times in each of back-to-back losses to Baltimore and Cleveland.
It is, partially, a byproduct of the Steelers' quarterback shuffle. Byron Leftwich and Charlie Batch have each managed just 199 yards passing these last two games.
Still, in each of those games, Wallace has had opportunities to make big plays that have gone by the wayside.
Is there any in particular he'd like to have back?
"Not really. Any one I didn't make."
Wallace, who told the gathered press he didn't know about slipping on the depth chart until arriving at practice Wednesday, said he is not discouraged or bothered by Mike Tomlin's decision.
"You can't be surprised by anything that happens. Nothing's going to change--I'm the same player, and the same person," he added.
Here's the rest of what he had to say about the roster move:
Podcast
Kickoff between the Steelers (6-5) and Ravens (9-2) at M&T Bank Stadium is set for 4:15 Sunday on KDKA-TV, with Jim Nantz and Phil Simms on the call.
