Top 10 Draft Successes of the Kevin Colbert Era: No. 5 - WR Mike Wallace, 3rd Round, 2009

by Michael Bean on Apr 19, 2011 11:14 PM EDT

The countdown to the 2011 NFL Draft is officially on. We're less than a week and a half away from the first round which will take place in primetime next Thursday night. While we wait to see who is drafted by the six-time Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers, let's continue our countdown of the top ten draft 'successes' and 'busts' of the Kevin Colbert era with the No. 5 'success' -- Mike Wallace.

After just two short seasons in Pittsburgh, Wallace has become a fan favorite throughout Steeler Nation. Taken in the third round of the 2009 draft, Wallace has experienced absolutely zero growing pains at all in his first two NFL seasons. Sure, the Ole Miss product has room for improvement in certain departments, but generally speaking, Wallace hit the ground running in a big way. He caught 39 passes for 756 yards and 6 TDs as a rookie in '09. His 19.4 yards per reception led all NFL receivers. Wallace followed his impressive rookie campaign up with an even better sophomore season. No. 17 caught 60 passes last year for 1,257 yards and 10 TDs. Incredibly, Wallace bested his 19.4 Y/R with a mark of 21.0 yards per catch in '10, only this time it was good for a mere second league wide.

Can somebody, anybody please explain to me how Wallace didn't make the Pro Bowl last year? Total joke, not that it much matters.

Anyway, the future seems to be quite bright for Wallace. If he replicates the solid start to his professional career, you can count on him catapulting up even higher on future lists like this. But with just two years under his belt, I'm going to keep him here at the No. 5 spot despite being quite tempted to bump him a spot or two higher. Not that it much matters. All that counts is that we all agree on this simple fact -- Kevin Colbert got it right when he drafted Mike Wallace in the third round with the 84th overall pick in the '09 draft. He's been a total joy to watch the last two years, and hopefully we'll be treated to many more breath taking connections between the speedster and his quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger.

Kevin Colbert's Top 10 Draft 'Busts'

No. 6: Limas Sweed, 2nd Round, 2008

No. 7: Bruce Davis, 3rd Round, 2008

No. 8: Thaddeus Gibson, 4th Round, 2010

No. 9: Plaxico Burress, 1st Round, 2000

No. 10: Kendall Simmons, 1st Round, 2002

**********

Kevin Colbert's Top 10 Draft 'Successes'

No. 6: Willie Colon, OT, 4th Round, 2006

No. 7: LB Larry Foote, 4th Round, 2002

No. 8: OG Chris Kemoeatu, 6th Round, 2005

No. 9: OT Marvel Smith, 2nd Round, 2000

No. 10: WR Antonio Brown, 6th Round, 2010

Are You Smarter Than The Experts?
Correctly predict the first 32 picks of the 2011 NFL Draft and you’ll win $10,000,000!
BEST ROUND EVER IN PRIMETIME
Enter at facebook.com/BudLight
Here We Go

Enjoy Responsibly ©2011 Anheuser-Busch, Inc., Bud Light® Beer, St. Louis, MO. ©2011 NFL Properties LLC. All NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. No Purchase Necessary. Contest open to U.S. residents (except CA) 21+. Contest begins 12AM CDT on 4/1 and ends 5:59:59PM CDT on 4/28. See Official Rules for complete details. Void where prohibited.

Tweet Comment 51 comments | Add comment | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Wallace is simply amazing

He is a complete steal in the third. What scares me is that guy has a lot of room to grow. I already have sympathy for opposing defensive coordinators just thinking about how good this guy is going to be.

by steelerintexas on Apr 19, 2011 11:38 PM EDT reply actions

How good he is going to be is difficult to guess for DC's aroung the league.

But where is easier, past you FS waiting for the ball to get there.

If you buy a foreign made product you give money to a person who will not be buying an American made product that you get paid to make. Think about it next time you're at the store.

by SNW on Apr 20, 2011 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Good pick for #5

Can’t wait until the O-line improves to the point where BB has time to scan the field consistently and running lanes are open regularly. Imagine the potency we would have with MW stretching the field and BB having time to find him, while the defense has to worry about underneath stuff as well as the run on a consistent basis.

Things can always be worse....

by ncmt40 on Apr 20, 2011 9:20 AM EDT reply actions

My guess

I would think Lamarr Woodley, Ike Taylor, Brett Keisel, and Max Starks will be in the top 4

by Lamarr56 on Apr 20, 2011 5:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Keisel should be top 2. 7th round pro bowl 3-4 DE? Thats unheard of.

Taylor and Woodley should be up there too like you say.

A long way from Pittsburgh PA, in fact, 8653.2 miles to be precise. My blood still bleeds black and gold like the rest of Steeler Nation, proud fan since 2002.

BTSC's token Kiwi fan. That means I'm a New Zealander. Yes, that small country next to Australia....no we are not part of Australia

by Michael Hewitt on Apr 20, 2011 6:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Wallace and Company

I really like our receiving corps as it stands now. Hines should be in excellent shape what with his dancing career taking off. Sanders and Brown are developing well. I am even happy with the contribution of Randle El. If Sweed can find himself, relax a bit and just let himself play, this could be the dominant receiving corps in the league.

"A Canadian is someone who knows how to make love in a canoe" Pierre Burton (historian)

"It is wonderful to feel the grandness of Canada in the raw, not because she is Canada but because she's something sublime that you were born into, some great rugged power that you are a part of." Emily Carr (artist)

by Cold_Old_Steelers_Fan on Apr 20, 2011 11:00 AM EDT reply actions

If Wallace is #5, I can't wait to see who the top 4 are

Must be, in no particular order:
Ben
Troy
Timmons
Woodley

"SteelFever gets #93. Just like Ron Artest. Great game just keep an eye on him that he doesn't go into the stands after a fan."
- 5020 on my making the BTSC active (riot) squad
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OC0NCHq4v3I

by Steel Spike on Apr 20, 2011 11:13 AM EDT reply actions

if i remember right, the successes wont include first round picks.

by steelerintexas on Apr 20, 2011 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions

Oh yeah...

Then it should be:
Ike
Snack
Bluntonio
and of course…REDMAN!

by Steel Spike on Apr 20, 2011 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions

I thought Big Hamp was a 1st rounder

Offense may sell tickets, but defense wins championships

by canadianblackandgold on Apr 20, 2011 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions

As was Holmes

Offense may sell tickets, but defense wins championships

by canadianblackandgold on Apr 20, 2011 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Godammit...

I really need to finish my first cup of coffee before commenting…

by Steel Spike on Apr 20, 2011 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Ike definately
Woodley definately
FWP as a UDFA

Does A. Smith as a 4th rounder qualify? Or was he drafted before K. Colbert took over the FO?

Offense may sell tickets, but defense wins championships

by canadianblackandgold on Apr 20, 2011 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions

UDFA's aren't draft successes

Undrafted Free Agents

Back on the Sweed train. Choo Choo!
"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller

by John Stephens on Apr 20, 2011 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Still the FO doing its job

Ok, instead of FWP how about Brett Keisel as a 7th rounder

Offense may sell tickets, but defense wins championships

by canadianblackandgold on Apr 20, 2011 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions

I think Smith pre-dates the Colbert era.

If I remember correctly.

by HandsofSweed on Apr 20, 2011 6:05 PM EDT up reply actions

he was drafted the year before Colbert took over

Players who should be in the Hall of Fame: Pat TIllman, Dwight White, Donnie Shell, L.C. Greenwood, Ray Guy, Steve Tasker, Jack Butler, Greg Llyod, Andy Russel, Cris Carter, Kevin Greene, Curtis Martin, Willie Roaf, Andre Reed and Jerry Kramer
"Baseball is like church. Many attend, but few understand." Wes Westrum
Canal Street Chronicles resident Steelers Fan

by WVPiratesfan on Apr 20, 2011 6:08 PM EDT up reply actions

St. Redman was UDFA

"We have met the enemy and he is us" - Pogo (1970)

by Andy34 on Apr 20, 2011 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions

BLASPHEMY!!!

You shall burn in the eternal hellfire!

by Steel Spike on Apr 20, 2011 1:37 PM EDT up reply actions

That, my friend

is entirely possible! But St. Redman as a UDFA is just testament to his extra-ordinary greatness…posing a a simple man of the under-appreciated.

"We have met the enemy and he is us" - Pogo (1970)

by Andy34 on Apr 20, 2011 2:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Brett Keisel

7th round pro bowl 3-4 DE :)

I think he would personally be #1 in my book.

My top four would probably be:

1. Brett Keisel
2. Ike Taylor
3. Lamarr Woodley
4. Max Starks

Theres a couple notable omissions from the top 10 too. Clark Haggans being one, was a pretty solid OLB for us on our XL winning defensen as a 5thr rounder. Same goes for Chris Hope who was a pretty good FS for us as a 3rd rounder. His departure was eased by Ryan Clarks outstanding play

A long way from Pittsburgh PA, in fact, 8653.2 miles to be precise. My blood still bleeds black and gold like the rest of Steeler Nation, proud fan since 2002.

BTSC's token Kiwi fan. That means I'm a New Zealander. Yes, that small country next to Australia....no we are not part of Australia

by Michael Hewitt on Apr 20, 2011 6:54 PM EDT up reply actions

what omissions?

I’m not done yet!

Freel free to email me anytime at behindthesteelcurtain@gmail.com with questions, suggestions, complaints, etc, or to just say what's up. -Michael Bean (Blitz)

by Michael Bean on Apr 20, 2011 7:01 PM EDT up reply actions

lol

I am just guessing ahead. Haggans and Hope wouldnt be top 5 I dont think, hence why I think they are omissions :)

A long way from Pittsburgh PA, in fact, 8653.2 miles to be precise. My blood still bleeds black and gold like the rest of Steeler Nation, proud fan since 2002.

BTSC's token Kiwi fan. That means I'm a New Zealander. Yes, that small country next to Australia....no we are not part of Australia

by Michael Hewitt on Apr 20, 2011 7:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Why do you exclude Haggans?

Back on the Sweed train. Choo Choo!
"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller

by John Stephens on Apr 21, 2011 8:32 AM EDT up reply actions

I wouldnt exclude him in my personal top 10, but I was just guessing based on the last four spots left.

A long way from Pittsburgh PA, in fact, 8653.2 miles to be precise. My blood still bleeds black and gold like the rest of Steeler Nation, proud fan since 2002.

BTSC's token Kiwi fan. That means I'm a New Zealander. Yes, that small country next to Australia....no we are not part of Australia

by Michael Hewitt on Apr 24, 2011 8:44 PM EDT up reply actions

I remember comparing Wallace’s combine and reception numbers with Heyward-Bey…they were very close. Who’d have thought the guy drafted in the 3rd round would hands-down be the better ballplayer than the 7th overall pick?

by Blackadar on Apr 20, 2011 11:45 AM EDT reply actions

Something important to keep in mind, the Steelers 3rd round pick is far better than the Raiders 7th overall pick.

Perspective is important

Offense may sell tickets, but defense wins championships

by canadianblackandgold on Apr 20, 2011 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions

To be fair

Hey-Bey-Bey was a reach at 7th. If Al Davis wasn’t so dumb, he likely would have fell to the 2nd. There were a lot of concerns about his route tree and his hands. All of which, seem pretty accurate right now.

Back on the Sweed train. Choo Choo!
"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller

by John Stephens on Apr 20, 2011 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Final four...not necessarily in this order

Keisel – #7 in 2002
Ike – #4 in 2003
Starks – #3 in 2004
Woodley – #2 in 2007

Outside chance that Randle El sneaks in – #2 in 2002

I don’t think that UnDrafted Free Agents can qualify as Draft Successes

"We have met the enemy and he is us" - Pogo (1970)

by Andy34 on Apr 20, 2011 12:54 PM EDT reply actions

I probably wouldn’t put a 2nd rounder in my top 10, but we have had some 2nd round fails. So I guess it works. I’d probably go

Colon
Starks
Keisel
Ike

Back on the Sweed train. Choo Choo!
"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller

by John Stephens on Apr 20, 2011 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Stupid autoformat

Those numbers should be the other way around, Ike being #1

Back on the Sweed train. Choo Choo!
"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller

by John Stephens on Apr 20, 2011 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions

colon was number 6 on the list already.

by steelerintexas on Apr 20, 2011 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions

oops

Well consider that my top 4

Back on the Sweed train. Choo Choo!
"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller

by John Stephens on Apr 20, 2011 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions

If we can't use #2s

then you are left with: Sepulveda, Willie Gay, Trai Essex, or Chukky Okobi!

"We have met the enemy and he is us" - Pogo (1970)

by Andy34 on Apr 20, 2011 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Sanders?

Back on the Sweed train. Choo Choo!
"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller

by John Stephens on Apr 20, 2011 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions

Duh!

I was trying to avaid the one year wonder thing, but MB has already picked AB, so in Manny goes!

"We have met the enemy and he is us" - Pogo (1970)

by Andy34 on Apr 20, 2011 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Should do research first!

In MB’s article picking AB, he specifically mentioned Manny and excluded him for reasons related to expectations. Which in the end just confuses me. Evidently MB is drawing a ‘regression’ line with draft position and ‘performance’. Anyone above the line (performance greater than the expectations of that draft position) gets selected to the list…or so it seems to me.

"We have met the enemy and he is us" - Pogo (1970)

by Andy34 on Apr 20, 2011 2:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Ah

I would have had to curb expectations on Manny with Ben out for the first 4 weeks. I think that really affected his production and development early. You could see as soon as Ben took over he instantly got better. I would definitely put Brown over him though, based on where they were drafted though.

Back on the Sweed train. Choo Choo!
"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller

by John Stephens on Apr 20, 2011 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Me too!

But, MB put Antonio at #10, so Sanders is either higher…or not on the list.

"We have met the enemy and he is us" - Pogo (1970)

by Andy34 on Apr 20, 2011 3:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Also was the 2000 draft in his belt?

Haggans?

Back on the Sweed train. Choo Choo!
"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller

by John Stephens on Apr 20, 2011 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions

I considered Haggans, but...

I thought somewhere that MMB mentioned staying with the team or retiring from the Steelers. However, I couldn’t find it, so…Haggans could be considered and possibly Chris hope.?

"We have met the enemy and he is us" - Pogo (1970)

by Andy34 on Apr 20, 2011 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Ehh

Hope was only with us for 4 seasons?

Back on the Sweed train. Choo Choo!
"It’s easy to lie with statistics, but it’s easier to lie without them." -Fred Mosteller

by John Stephens on Apr 20, 2011 2:55 PM EDT up reply actions

hope merited consideration

but like johnny said, he gets dinged for leaving after rookie contract.

Freel free to email me anytime at behindthesteelcurtain@gmail.com with questions, suggestions, complaints, etc, or to just say what's up. -Michael Bean (Blitz)

by Michael Bean on Apr 20, 2011 3:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Thanks, Michael!

I’m old so I can’t precisely remember all of the different ‘qualifications’ or considerations that you have mentioned in your articles. It was why I didn’t include Hope in my first selection, but also excluded Haggans.

"We have met the enemy and he is us" - Pogo (1970)

by Andy34 on Apr 20, 2011 3:12 PM EDT up reply actions

hehe

Yeah I’ve made quite a few caveats, but I guess I never really explicitly said that you had to stay with the team beyond just the rookie contract. But I guess I’m just trying to highlight the picks that provided the best ‘value’ more than anything.

Freel free to email me anytime at behindthesteelcurtain@gmail.com with questions, suggestions, complaints, etc, or to just say what's up. -Michael Bean (Blitz)

by Michael Bean on Apr 20, 2011 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions

if you would move it back a year you could include aaron smith.

by steelerintexas on Apr 21, 2011 12:03 AM EDT up reply actions

And Joey Porter :)

A long way from Pittsburgh PA, in fact, 8653.2 miles to be precise. My blood still bleeds black and gold like the rest of Steeler Nation, proud fan since 2002.

BTSC's token Kiwi fan. That means I'm a New Zealander. Yes, that small country next to Australia....no we are not part of Australia

by Michael Hewitt on Apr 21, 2011 1:01 AM EDT up reply actions

I'm sure you already thought of it with all of the UDFA comments, and hate to be the fly.

But maybe a top 10 UDFA would be nice also.
You’ll have to get that up to speed so they all end together.

If you buy a foreign made product you give money to a person who will not be buying an American made product that you get paid to make. Think about it next time you're at the store.

by SNW on Apr 20, 2011 3:56 PM EDT reply actions

top four have to be Ike, Woodley, Kiesel, and Smith

My Seton Hall blog: http://thesetonhallblog.blogspot.com/
My Steelers blog: thenewsteelcurtain.blogspot.com/

by seton hall and steelers on Apr 21, 2011 3:15 PM EDT reply actions

Smith

Aaron Smith was drafted before the Colbert era

by Lamarr56 on Apr 21, 2011 5:15 PM EDT up reply actions

A lot of mocks having the Browns taking AJ Green if he is there at 7. This was the draft they thought they addressed the WR issue, drafting Massaconcussion and Robiske in the 1st/2nd, passing on Mike Wallace twice.

I hope they take a WR over Peterson/Prince in the 1st, otherwise their secondary is going to be pretty damn good.

by alistar7 on Apr 22, 2011 4:03 AM EDT reply actions