Pittsburgh Steelers OC Todd Haley backs WR Mike Wallace for season opener – NFL News
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley has no surprisingly welcomed return to the squad of wide receiver Mike Wallace that has happened after the holdout of the entire offseason and training camp.
It was the first formal reunion of the player with the fresh coach, who has not been taken that lightly by other offensive line players particularly by quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
The coach nevertheless is happy and says Wallace will be a part of the team’s season opener against the Denver Broncos on September 09. Haley said:
"You're talking about a guy who's a wide receiver, a pass-catcher. It's not a running back or someone who has to be in the action of the game. I think it's feasible he's ready to go when we start this thing up."
Haley is not worried about preparation of the player, saying he just needs to run which he (the player) said he is ready for. According to the coordinator, Wallace does not have to be hit on every play but just run.
Wallace soon after joining the squad a day earlier said:
"I'm not worried about down the road. I'm just worried about playing football right now. That's the only thing on my mind. Y'all might think I'm just saying that, but that's it. I'm not worried about none of that."
The coach apparently is pleased with fitness level of Wallace, who was expected to surprise everyone at the time of his return. The receiver likes to work on his own and remains hundred percent during the offseason phase with or without the team.
He often returns more fit than his colleagues who work hard throughout the offseason . It is the rare quality that makes Wallace more demanding and popular in Pittsburgh.
It was unfortunate for him that the situation regarding his new contract got too complicated and at the end he had to return empty handed, but there is now a possibility that the team gets started with the process again.
Wallace knows he is crucial to the offensive line of the team irrespective of the fact that they had done rather well without him in the preseason campaign. The scenario in the season is going to be completely different and experience and skills of the receiver
will count a lot in the team’s performance.
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