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Baltimore Ravens: Mike Wallace Isn’t Done Yet

By Nick Ziegler

Jun 14, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Mike Wallace (12) makes a catch across the middle during the first day of minicamp sessions at Under Armour Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 14, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Mike Wallace (12) makes a catch across the middle during the first day of minicamp sessions at Under Armour Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mike Wallace of the Baltimore Ravens has had some good NFL seasons, but what does he have left in the tank?

It was a disappointing 2015 season for wide receiver Mike Wallace, as he had arguably the worst season of his career with the Minnesota Vikings. Before joining the Baltimore Ravens this offseason, Wallace totaled a career-low of 473 receiving yards.

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After seven seasons in the NFL, Wallace is now a veteran wide receiver, and he has admitted that he is not quite as quick as he used to be. “I’ve probably run about 10,000 post routes and go routes since when I first came into the league, so maybe just a step, a half a step,” Wallace said to Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com. “But I can still get it done.”

Despite the drop in production since leaving the Pittsburgh Steelers, Wallace believes that he has become a much better all-around wide receiver. “I think I’ve gotten better, even though [the] numbers don’t say so,” Wallace said to Hensley. “I think I’ll get better this year, and I’ll show some people I have a lot up my sleeve.”

The Ravens’ coaching staff is thrilled to have Wallace on the team, as he offers them versatility at the wide receiver. When Wallace first came into the NFL, he relied on his speed to beat cornerbacks down the field, but he has now become a much more complete route-runner.

"“You can do anything with him,” Harbaugh said to Hensley. “He goes deep, he comes across, he runs routes [and] has good hands. I think he’s just done a tremendous job as an all-around receiver, and I think he’s going to be a big part of what we’re doing this year.”"

The Ravens had a very good wide receiver corps about a month ago with Wallace, Steve Smith Sr., Kamar Aiken, and Breshad Perriman. Unfortunately, Perriman is injured once again for the Ravens, as they might have to rely on Wallace more than they had originally planned.

“I welcomed the challenge even before Breshad got hurt,” Wallace said to Hensley. “That’s my guy; I envisioned us both making plays and us both being a threat for this team. So, my plans don’t change.”

Injuries to Perriman and Smith last season led to the emergence of Aiken, but it also left the Ravens’ offense in poor shape. This season, the Ravens on paper have a very good offense with a talented receiving corps to go along with Joe Flacco as long as they can stay healthy.

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Wallace’s best years came with Ben Roethlisberger in Pittsburgh, as having a quarterback with a strong arm to get him the ball down the field helped him succeed. Wallace may have admitted lost a little speed, but he is still a very good deep threat.

Even though he may never total 1,000 receiving yards in a season again, Wallace can still be a very good wide receiver in the NFL. For the Ravens, Wallace will provide them with some great insurance in case Perriman once again has trouble getting on the field this season.

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