Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Mike Wallace playfully talked to the media on Wednesday about needing “the rock” more and that’s not a bad thing.
Mike Wallace was the Ravens leading receiver in 2016 with 1,017 yards on the season. So far this season, it’s been a different story. In two games Wallace has caught passes for 15 yards on four targets.
Yesterday, Wallace had some fun talking to the media when questions came up about the lack of production early on this season. When asked if he had talked to quarterback Joe Flacco about it, Wallace said, “I haven’t really messed with him yet… but this week, we need the rock. Let him know. You all tell Joe when you see him.”
Needing “the rock” was reportedly a common theme during Wallace’s time with the media and that get blown out of proportion. Outside media sources took this is a major complaint from Wallace and played with that notion accordingly.
Stop us if you've heard this before: Mike Wallace doesn't think he's getting the football enough https://t.co/HZlsPx5YXK
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) September 20, 2017
Overreaction much? It certainly seemed like it. But like many Ravens fans and local media knew, that’s not fully what Wallace meant. Ravens staff writer Ryan Mink was quick to point that out.
Mike Wallace: “If we keep winning, I could have 16 catches on the year, honestly." https://t.co/TrY3lrNPV5
— Ryan Mink (@ryanmink) September 20, 2017
The Ravens haven’t simply just been ignoring Wallace this season, there are factors that have gone into this. First off, the commitment to the run game has been the number one priority. It’s something the Ravens got away from last year, but they’ve established that presence in the first two games of the season.
Flacco has also been getting back to his regular self. People still forget that he came into the season opener with just one full week of practice. He barely had any time to throw with his wide receivers and while we didn’t see much in Week 1, Flacco seemed much more comfortable against the Browns last Sunday.
But behind the clickbait and overreactions on Wallace’s comments, he’s got a legitimate point. No matter how playful he is about it, the Ravens need to get him the football.
I don’t have a problem with Wallace talking about getting more touches. He’s a wide receiver and is paid to catch the football. I’d have a problem if it was a complaint, but that’s not how Wallace approached the situation. As Mink pointed out, Wallace even said he’d be fine with less catches as long as the team is winning. But in reality, the Ravens aren’t going to stay undefeated and will drop games. At some point, they need to get Wallace more involved.
The Ravens have had a solid run game in the first two games of the season, but with the loss of All-Pro guard Marshal Yanda, how long can it be sustained? I’m not saying completely abandon the run, but the focus on a balanced offense has to be there. So much talk this season was about committing to the run, but you can’t forget about the pass either. Once the Ravens get into the tougher part of their schedule, they’lI need rely on more than just the run game.
There might not be a home run hitter at running back but I’d argue there is at wide receiver and Wallace is included. He’s 31, but can still put on the burners. We saw it on display last season when he caught an inside slant from Flacco and outran the entire Steelers defense for the 95-yard touchdown. If you don’t believe me watch it for yourself.
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In the end, Wallace is a veteran and it’s apparent he wants what’s best for the team as long as they’re winning. Talking about getting more touches is not something anyone should blow out of proportion. If anything, it’s going to benefit the Ravens offense in the long run.