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Mike Wallace Is Being a Good Team Player…So Far

By Dan Zinski

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Everything’s coming up roses so far between the Minnesota Vikings and historically difficult star wide receiver Mike Wallace.

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It’s been 3 1/2 months since the Vikings traded with the Miami Dolphins to acquire Wallace and thus far we’ve seen nary a hint of the disruptive, selfish attitude Wallace demonstrated in both Pittsburgh and Miami.

From day 1 Wallace has said and done all the right things. When he first arrived, he went out of his way to dispel reports that he was unhappy about being sent to Minnesota, a place he spurned in free agency several years ago.

Wallace participated in the PR dog-and-pony show like a man who was eager to put the past behind him and begin a new chapter with a new team.

When OTAs rolled around, Wallace was there from minute one working with Teddy Bridgewater and the rest of his new teammates. Off the field, Wallace has reportedly gone out of his way to bond with his new young QB Bridgewater.

When the Vikings Entertainment Network team asked Wallace to wear a wire for practice, he gladly did so. And when Adrian Peterson wanted to work out with his teammates in Houston, Wallace was one of the guys who made the journey south.

Ask Mike Wallace what he thinks about his new situation and all you will hear is the happiest of happy talk. Teddy Bridgewater? Loves the kid (via Minneapolis Star-Tribune):

"Wallace said he likes what he has seen from Bridgewater so far this spring, calling the second-year quarterback an “accurate guy” and a “silent killer.”"

Norv Turner’s offense? It’s perfect for him, says Wallace:

"“It’s a vertical offense [compared to] a short, West Coast offense,” he said. “You go down the field a lot more here, more to what I’m accustomed to.”"

Mike Zimmer? Wallace loves the guy (via USA Today):

"Oh my God — I love it, man. I love it. I love it. Honestly, (Zimmer)’s more of my type of guy — fired up. It’s cool when you do things and just do them. But when you do them and have some fire with it, it’s a lot more fun. I think it’s more of an environment for me, coming from (Steelers) coach (Mike) Tomlin being fired up and going to Coach Philbin, who was a lot more reserved, then coming back to another coach who’s fired up. I love it."

So far being in Minnesota has been like riding a cloud down a river of rainbows for Mike Wallace. He couldn’t be happier. The team couldn’t be happier.

We’ll see if that floating fairy tale feeling persists once the season rolls around and Wallace has a game or two where he doesn’t get as many targets as he would like.

It’s easy to be happy when it’s the offseason and you’re just practicing. It’s easy to say all the right things when your focus is ingratiating yourself with the people who pay you and the fans who shell out money to see you.

History would suggest that when Wallace doesn’t get the ball, Wallace will pout and maybe even quit on his teammates. Maybe Wallace has turned over a new leaf and put those days of selfishness behind him forever? Maybe he’s now become a guy you can go to battle with and know he won’t quit on you?

Maybe.

Next: Antone Exum is one to watch

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