When wide receiver Mike Wallace was talking about his decision to sign with the Ravens this week, he made several references to quarterback Joe Flacco’s presence being a big factor in his choice.
Wallace said he was looking forward to playing with a quarterback who can “sling the ball” and that he wanted to sign with a team that has a “quarterback who I know is proven and can get things done.” It didn’t take much for many people to draw the conclusion that Wallace felt that was something missing from his experience with the Vikings and quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.
In text messages to Tom Pelissero of USA Today, however, Wallace said that he meant no offense to Bridgewater.
“I loved my coaches and teammates in Minnesota. I would never say anything negative about Teddy -- that’s my guy beyond football,” Wallace wrote. “I already talked to Teddy. We are A1. ... He’s a great young QB. I said that the whole time I was there. The way he handled [himself] on the field -- I have much respect for him and I know as the time goes on, they will unleash him and he will show why he was in the discussion to be the number 1 pick.”
It’s hardly a secret that Bridgewater, who ranked 30th in the league in net yards per pass attempt last season, has room to grow when it comes to getting the ball downfield or that Wallace was his most effective when being used on those passes during his years with the Steelers. Should the trip to the Ravens fail to spark that kind of production, it will be harder to argue that the quarterback or scheme with the Vikings (or the Dolphins) has been the only thing holding Wallace back.