The One and a Half-Trick Pony

Mike Wallace / Mike Rhoads (Wikimedia Commons)

Mike Wallace, standout wide receiver on the Pittsburgh Steelers, is a valuable asset to the team, and his performance could greatly affect the outcome of this year's Super Bowl against the Green Bay Packers. He is only in his second year as a pro, but he is already a big part of the plan. He doesn’t get much attention from the quarterback, but when he does, it is deadly.
In the second round playoff game against the Cleveland Browns, the speed demon had only three receptions, but it came with a touchdown and a whopping 105 yards. However, he was labeled as a “one-trick pony” in a Pro Football Weekly interview by head coach Mike Tomlin. As a rookie, Wallace did not know how to use his speed effectively. All he did was use it to break away in the open field.

Wallace admits that he is not content with the title and stated, “I’ve scored touchdowns and made plays in all types of different ways, every week when he said it, (but) he still gives me the same name, and I don’t think it's going to change until at least next year." After that, Coach Tomlin gave him the label “one and a half trick pony,” according to a Kansas City Star article. Wallace said, “Well, I guess it means I’m getting better to go to one and a half. You got to start from somewhere.” Wallace has high hopes for his future and continues to get better. This upcoming Super Bowl, he may just pull another trick out of his hat.