Gerry: Has Wallace lost focus or the ability to count?

Tuesday, 11 December 2012 14:13

Written by Gerry Dulac

Mike Wallace was widely quoted last week saying he has been losing focus on the football field and blames his lack of concentration on not being involved in the passing game as much this season.

He cites his stats as proof – 49 catches, 728 yards and eight TDs after 13 games – numbers that are below the season-ending totals he posted his first three years in the NFL.

“The first three years I was always involved, so you just warmed up in games, and you were just into it,” Wallace said. “But when you don‘t get the ball for two-and-half quarters, you lose focus.

“But that‘s the type of offense this is. We‘re spreading it around, so you‘re not going to get as many targets. When you get them, you have to make the best of them.”

Well, Wallace has not only lost focus, he has lost his ability to count, too.

Through 13 games, Wallace has been targeted 104 times, more than any other receiver on the team.

Last season, when he led the team with 72 catches and had 1,193 receiving yards, Wallace was targeted 90 times after 13 games.

And, in 2010, when he had a career-high 1,257 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns, Wallace was targeted only 78 times after 13 games.

Truth is, Wallace has been involved more in the passing game this season than any of his previous three seasons.

Maybe his lack of focus is because he didn’t receive the contract extension he sought during the offseason.

Maybe that explains why he has dropped six passes this year, including a potential game-changer Sunday against the Chargers.

Wallace wants to blame his lack of focus on production. Chances are, it is the other way around.