In the BTSC discussion of the Steelers' pick of Mike Wallace, I've noticed a few people ask/wonder if Wallace will follow the path of Willie Reid.  Both were 3rd round WR that were supposed to contribute as returners and possibly in the passing game.  The comparison seemed interesting to me, and it tempered my optimism about the potential of this pick to improve the offense and special teams.  

I used ESPN DB to compile some quick stats about the college careers of the two players. 

College & Combine Stats

<!--StartFragment-->

Stat	Mike Wallace	Willie Reid
Height	6’0”	5’10”
Weight	199	190
40 time	4.33	4.34
Vertical	40	37.5
Broad	129	117
College Seasons	3	2
Receptions	101	65
Rec. Yards	1610	820
YPC	15.9	12.6
TD	15	2
Punt Returns	1	77
PR Yards	0	1063
PR Average	0	13.8
PR Long	0	87
PR TD	0	3
Kick Returns	56	12
KR Yards	1344	212
KR Average	24	17.6
KR Long	98	25
KR TD	2	0
Fumbles	0	0
Total Points	104	30

 

Reid's Stats

Wallace's Stats

 

So what can we conclude from this?  I'm going to venture the following:

• Wallace is more explosive (see combine, averages)

• Wallace was much better as a KR.   Looking at Reid's pedestrian 25 yard long KR, his lack of NFL success at that task isn't surprising.

• Reid was  a good PR in college, but we really don't have data on Wallace, since he only had one attempt for a fair catch.  (BTW, I'd love someone who better understands the difference between KR and PR to fill in some here).  

   

• Check out the difference in total points.  Even if we extend Reid's production to a third year, his projected 45 points is less than half of Wallace's total.  Wallace was clearly more productive and dangerous.
• Wallace production shows he is at least more likely to have an impact for the Steelers - as a KR in the near term and potentially as a WR in the medium to longer term.

<!--EndFragment-->

Of course, this isn't the only (or even best) way to compare these players, but I'm bit more optimistic about Wallace's chances right now.

Poll

Will Wallace be more successful with the Steelers than Willie Reid?

97%

Yes

142 votes

2%

No

4 votes

146 votes | Poll has closed

While attempting to watch the Probowl, boredom soon set in.   I started thinking about the draft, and I wondered what the consensus pick for the Steelers was.   After checking out a bunch of mock drafts, a few common narratives emerged.  

The elite OTs are off the board quickly.  We've discussed the extremely high cost of moving up in time to grab one of these, so the Steelers pick at 32.  Most have Pittsburgh choosing a center - Mack, or Unger if Mack is gone.  Some have the Steelers getting Robinson or another guard, and a lot of others have them reaching for a OT like Beatty, especially if the 1st round guards and centers are gone.  

But let's assume the Steelers sign a couple of our FA and bring in another FA lineman, while B-Mac leaves for greener pastures.   At pick 32, all the first round quality talent for the O-Line is gone.  Would Colbert and Tomlin go BPA?  

Enter nfldraftblitz.com.  They have the Steelers picking Alphonso Smith, CB from Wake Forest (highlights).  He's short but fast, an excellent tackler, and good in run support.  Scouts have said he's got "receiver quality hands" and he had 8 INTs with 3 TD returns last year.  

I know the consensus here is that the Steelers should spend the majority of their top picks on the O-Line, with a small contingent voting for youth on the D-Line in the first round.  

The idea of drafting a CB in the first round surprised me, and I still doubt that it would happen, but I'm wondering what everyone here thinks of this possibility. 

 

 

Poll

How likely is it that a CB like Smith is picked by the Steelers in the first round, and would this be a good pick?

14%

Likely; Good Pick

6 votes

0%

Likely; Bad Pick

0 votes

40%

Unlikely; Good Pick

17 votes

45%

Unlikely; Bad Pick

19 votes

42 votes | Poll has closed

I started reading Dale Lolley's blog when it was mentioned on this site in the preseason, and I'm sure many others here check it as well.  Lolley posted something pretty interesting today:

The Steelers look to have an interesting game plan from what I saw at practice today. Because we agree not to report what we see in terms of plays and such, I can't share it with you, but suffice it to say, it will be interesting if they do some of the stuff they were working on.

So what do you guys think?  More reminisces of the SB run (flea flickers and other gadget plays)?  If so, what do you think of this possibility, and/or what should our offensive plan be for Baltimore?

Considering that Hines was a QB in college, I've wondered why I haven't seen him try a WR pass since Randle El left.  Perhaps Ward can add at TD pass to his stats for the year.  

Bumped. Thanks for this article, one of the better ones on LeBeau we've seen. The press may be a bit late to the party though. LeBeau's 50 year tenure as a participant in the National Football League might be coming to an end at the end of this year. I sure hope not, but you never know. Whatever he decides, he has the universal and unconditional support, respect, and admiration for all he's done for the Steelers and the game of football. - Blitz-

*************

The New York Times ran a cool piece on our favorite coordinator today, Dick LeBeau.  It's worth a read if you have a few minutes, if only for the quotes from his Lions teammates and the discussion of his Hall of Fame status.  Also features stuff from Farrior, Troy, and the D-line on "Coach Dad" and a bit of Tomlin as well.  Clearly we're very lucky to have this guy.  Enjoy him while he's still here. Sunday could very well be the last we see of Coach Dad Dick LeBeau. Hard to fathom at this point, but a possibility for sure.

Article is here