Wallace looking forward to having a big second season in Steelers offense

Mike Wallace’s rookie season had to be a reason why the Steelers cut ties so quickly with Santonio Holmes after his last legal incident. I realize that Holmes probably wouldn’t have been back anyway as the team seemed like they didn’t want to go though any more off the field junk with him, but Wallace’s first season added to the teams confidence in making the decision.

Now in his second year after 39 grabs including a memorable TD catch on the final play of the game vs the Packers, Wallace told Steelers.com that he’s looking forward to year two, and playing with QB Byron Leftwich, who seems more and more ready to be the teams starter for the early part of the season.

“I want to learn how he throws the ball, where it’s going,” said Wallace. “He and Ben throw different, but they are both really good quarterbacks. Being here and learning from him, how he throws and getting the chemistry going is real helpful.

“I have been playing with those guys, except for Byron. But he has a strong arm. There is a little adjustment, but he can get it done. He has a strong arm.”

Wallace or Antwaan Randel El will line up opposite Hines Ward as the starter, and that decision will likely come down to who shows more during the teams summer training camp. Wallace sounds like he’s ready to be the 2nd starter, and is ready to have an even bigger 2nd year.

“It’s a lot easier to just to go out and play instead of worrying about what is hot, what routes I have, making sure I am in the right formation,” said Wallace. “When I hear a play now, I am going straight to the line and I have the play. It makes everything easier. It seems like I came so far in the offense and learning more about coverage and everything. Just being in the system with Hines (Ward) for a year, he taught me everything. Now looking at it it’s so much easier to just go out and play.”