Whatchutalkinbout, Wallace!?

O.K. all of you fellow die hard Stiller fans, don't get too excited. Don't go buy his stitched authentic jersey or draft him early on in your fantasy league. Don't place bets on his success and definitely don't get a tattoo of his face on your bicep; But Mike Wallace is looking reaaaaal good in camp.

Wallace was only drafted late in the 3rd round, and wasn't perceived as a wide receiver with much polish or mechanics, but boy, he's been quite the unexpected gem so far in workouts. He ran the second fastest 40 at the combine, behind only Darrius Heyward-Bey (that kid that Oakland drafted 7th overall), and scored in the top 5 for jumping as well. But the biggest surprise has been his route running and finish at camp-he's not just using his speed.

This gives us steeler fans some hope that this kid might be more than just a Nate Washington-more than a guy that can get away with using his speed to stay at the 3 spot. But with Hines Ward aging and Limas Sweed looking to step up, it sure is comforting to see some unexpected talent to break coverage. Wallace is already looking like a threat downfield, as Roethlisberger has hit him several times after he beat coverage on every play.

Jim Wexell has already labeled Wallace the fastest Wide Reciever in Steeler History (uhhhhh),
and much as been made of a possible race between the reciever and Ike Taylor, supposedly the fastest man on the team. In fact, Taylor's summer workout man has touted him as the fastest in the NFL (this guy works with Chris Johnson as well). It's really exciting to have such young speed on the team.

Sometimes we Steeler Fans forget that we have Kevin Colbert at the realms. The guy that found William Gay in the 5th round two years ago, and Willie Colon in the 4th round of 2006. These are two dependable starters going into 2009. Super Bowl Champion-dependable starters, that is.

So watch with me on Thursday, as Tomlin shows off his new toy in Mike Wallace. He'll start the game as the kickoff return man; so don't blink-you might just miss him.