Steelers Friday Wrap Up: Wallace, Starks, and Brown

OTA’s are winding down.  Here’s a bunch of news to wrap up the end of another grueling work week.

I’m not obsessed about Mike Wallace.  Really, I’m not.  It’s just that he keeps popping up in the news – the way a meerkat pops up out of the ground then hides back down for a few moments before popping back up again.  Maybe a meerkat would sign his $2 million tender….  Colbert was on a Siruis radio show today and said the organization is still in talks with Bus ‘Bullheaded’ Cook about Wallace’s contract as well as this:

"“Mike is someone who has stated he wants to be here, and we certainly want him.”  – Kevin Colbert"

Well Kevin, unless you and Mr. Kahn have some Jedi mind tricks up your sleeve to make Cook think that Mike Wallace is not the face of this franchise and is someone other than Larry Fitzgerald, then you may very well be reducing that tender come June 15th.  My guess is that at 11:55pm on June 14th that tender will be signed.  But, we’ll have to wait and see.

Ben Roethlisberger on Thursday wore a #78 jersey once again.  He did the same thing last season during training camp after Starks was cut.  Starks is Ben’s big buddy and #7 vouched for Starks (nearly pleaded) to return.  It eventually happened to the tune of a one year deal.  Starks injured himself once again this past season and is looking at a return near the end of training camp.  The Steelers appear to be reticent to sign him a deal, even if it’s another one year veteran minimum salary.  Was Roethlisberger making another statement this time around?

"“He’s my draft-class guy, blocker mate, just in honor of him.”  – Ben Roethlisberger"

Apparently not.  But, I think he’s giving the coaches a nudge again that even though the line is going to be way better than it has been in years, he still wants his go to left tackle back in his spot.

Antonio Brown strives to be one of the best receivers in the NFL, everyday, all day.  His motto in life is C.U.E.U.P.U – chest up, eyes up, prayed up.  Turns out, according to wide receivers coach Scottie Montgomery, that Brown needs to add a Rest Up to that motto.  C.U.E.U.P.U.R.U .  A little longer but it works.

"“I don’t doubt any day when Antonio Brown wakes up that he’s not trying to be the number one player in the world. That’s exactly when he wakes up, he is trying to be the number one player in the world.….he is a guy that wakes up at 6am and starts working out, and doesn’t stop working out until about 10pm.  So what he needs to understand is, from a professional standpoint, professional development sometimes happens through rest.”  – Scottie Montgomery"

A.B. – how about a few more games of Madden each night?  Or how about taking in a movie?  30 Rock? Crocheting?  Just put those feet up, buddy, and give them a rest.  No one will bust your chops for doing that.  The Steelers and Steeler Nation need you to last for a long time.