Mike Wallace is doing and saying all the right things through the early stages of his career with the Vikings.
Minnesota made a trade with the Dolphins to acquire Wallace in March, shortly after the seventh-year pro’s two-year stint in Miami ended with him seemingly saying and doing all the wrong things.
After scoring two touchdowns against the Vikings in Week 16 of the 2014 season, Wallace finished his Dolphins career by refusing to play in the second half of Miami’s Week 17 game against the Jets, the Pioneer Press says. Wallace claims he was benched.
The criticism he received in Miami followed him to Minnesota, but he’s trying to squash that reputation.
“I’ve got to take some things from Miami that I don’t think I did as well and just try to bring it here and be a better person and a better player. Just lead more,” Wallace said Monday, WCCO reports. “I think I did a good job of leading by example on the field, but there’s some things I could’ve” done better.
Mike Wallace has impressed with his work ethic. Goes balls-out. Dives for errant throws. Cussed himself out once for dropping a tough catch.
— Matt Vensel (@mattvensel) July 26, 2015
Teddy Bridgewater said Mike Wallace is motivated to be great. The two worked out together recently. #Vikings
— VikingUpdate.com (@VikingUpdate) July 25, 2015
The Pioneer Press adds that early reviews on Wallace have been positive, and there’s hope that he can become the first legitimate, consistent deep threat in a Vikings’ uniform since Randy Moss in 2005.
Wallace, who turns 29 on Aug. 1, is the oldest receiver on the team and he’s using his experience to lead the receiving corp. According to Vikings Journal, Wallace has been tutoring younger players and staying after practice to improve his own game and set a positive example.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NExNpP4dTOg
