Ever try negotiating the price of a new Maserati or Bentley? Only so many of those exotic cars are sold in this country, and those who want them generally pay top dollar. The demand usually exceeds the supply, and as a result the price is typically the price. The same concept applies to the top shelf free agents in professional sports. If you want them, expect to overpay. The Miami Dolphins haven't hidden the fact they'll upgrade the receiver position through free agency, providing quarterback Ryan Tannehill the weapons he needs to jump start the passing game. "I think this is the year that you've got to do something," General Manager Jeff Ireland said. "We're looking for playmakers on offense." Multiple sources tell the Sun-Sentinel Steelers receiver Mike Wallace, who won't be given the franchise tag by the Steelers this offseason, is the team's top target. And much like Miami's pursuit of Jim Harbaugh, Jeff Fisher and Peyton Manning, everyone inside the NFL knows Dolphins owner Steve Ross is a big spender, and expects him to set the bidding market high. Considering Wallace turned down an offer from Pittsburgh that trumped the five-year, $55.5 million deal Vincent Jackson got from Tampa Bay as an unrestricted free agent last offseason, expect a contract being placed on a table that pays Wallace in the range of $60 million or $12 million a season during unauthorized contract negotiations at this week's NFL combine. If the sticker price for this two-time Pro Bowler scares you, please calm down and consider the Dolphins paid Jake Long that type of money ($57.5 million over five seasons), and he didn't even score touchdowns. Is Wallace worth $12 million a season? That's debatable, and his critics will point to his drops (21 in the past four seasons), how he's a product of Ben Roethlisberger's numerous broken plays, and his supposedly diva-esque personality to discredit him. But every free agent has their warts. That's why their old team is cutting them loose.
Is Mike Wallace worth a $60 million contract from the Dolphins?
Published: Feb 20 2013 07:59:07 AM EST
Updated On: Feb 20 2013 07:59:07 AM EST
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